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Good preparation gives your kitchen fitter a clear, safe space and helps the installation begin without avoidable delays. You do not need to carry out skilled building work yourself, but you should know what must be cleared, delivered, disconnected and agreed before the first day.
The right preparation depends on the quotation. Some fitters remove the old kitchen, arrange waste and coordinate other trades; others arrive once the room has already been stripped and prepared. Read the scope carefully and confirm responsibilities in writing rather than assuming a task is included.
Check the approved kitchen plan against the order and the room. Make sure cabinet positions, appliance models, worktop choices, handles and finishing panels are correct. If you have changed anything since the quote was accepted, tell your fitter before installation day so they can review the effect on labour, materials and timing.
Your written scope should state who removes the old kitchen, disconnects appliances, alters services, handles plastering and disposes of waste. It should also identify any specialist worktop or flooring visits. Our guide to what a kitchen fitter actually does can help you check the normal stages.
Do not assume that a large stack of boxes means the complete order has arrived. Compare delivery labels and quantities with your paperwork. Look for obvious damage, crushed corners, incorrect colours and missing cabinets, doors, panels or fittings. Keep packaging intact where a supplier may require it for a return.
Tell the supplier about problems immediately and share the replacement plan with your fitter. A missing handle may be dealt with later, while a missing base cabinet can stop worktops and adjoining units. Early notice gives the installer a chance to adjust the sequence or recommend a new start date.
Store everything in a dry, secure area. Leave labels visible and avoid stacking heavy items on doors or worktops.
Remove food, cookware, small appliances and personal belongings from every cabinet and worktop. Clear shelves, walls and window sills, including pictures, clocks and blinds that could be damaged by dust. Take valuable or fragile items out of nearby rooms if workers will regularly pass through them.
Your fitter needs a practical route from the entrance to the kitchen. Move furniture, rugs and obstacles, and identify where long worktops or tall housings can be carried. Arrange parking if possible and explain any access restrictions, permit rules, narrow doors or shared entrances in advance.
You may be without a sink, hob and normal work surfaces for several days. Create a temporary food area away from dust using items such as a kettle, microwave and small fridge. Keep basic crockery, cleaning supplies and easy meals accessible. Use only appliances that can be operated safely on the available electrical circuit.
Plan how you will obtain drinking water and wash dishes. If children or pets are in the home, keep them away from tools, sharp materials and open service connections. A closed door or agreed barrier can separate the work zone from daily life.
Confirm who will disconnect gas, electricity, water and appliances. Do not attempt work that requires a qualified person. Gas appliances must be handled by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and significant electrical changes need an appropriately competent electrician.
If you are organising trades independently, give them the fitter’s programme and clarify the first-fix and final-connection dates. Ask what must remain live during the project and when supplies may be unavailable. Clear coordination prevents a fitter arriving to find that an appliance or service cannot be moved.
If removal is included, ask what must be left in place and what you should take out yourself. Decide whether you want to keep any appliances, cabinet parts or taps, and label them clearly. Emptying the room does not necessarily mean dismantling units before the fitter has checked the plan.
Agree how cabinets, packaging, worktop offcuts and general waste will leave the property. A skip may need a permit if it is placed on the road. Some materials require separate handling, so do not rely on ordinary household bins. Keep the access route clear for the chosen collection method.
Kitchen work creates dust and regular movement through the property. Discuss floor coverings, door protection and dust control with the installer. Close internal doors where practical, protect nearby furniture and move vehicles or outdoor items away from the work route.
Show the fitter the stopcock, consumer unit and any known service routes. Mention leaks, weak walls, previous alterations or asbestos concerns before work begins. Provide contact details and explain how decisions should be approved if you are not at home.
When preparing for DW Fittings or any installation team, a short written handover note can prevent important details being missed.
During the final pre-start check, confirm the arrival time, access arrangements and a place for tools and materials. Make sure the fitter knows about alarm systems, neighbours, shared hallways and any times when noisy work is restricted. Photograph the room and delivered goods if you want a simple record of their starting condition.
Keep your phone available for questions, but avoid making unplanned design changes once work begins. Even a small change can affect neighbouring cabinets, worktops or services. If a decision is necessary, ask for the practical and cost implications before agreeing it.
Before your fitter arrives, confirm the design and scope, inspect the delivery, clear the room and access route, arrange specialist trades and decide how waste will be handled. Set up a safe temporary kitchen and share information about your services and property.
You are not expected to solve installation problems in advance. Your aim is to remove avoidable uncertainty so the fitter can start with the correct products, clear access and an agreed sequence. A brief final check a day or two before the start can save much more time later.
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