Best kitchen fitters: which brand provides the best kitchen installation?

A new kitchen is a big investment, and the quality of your kitchen fitting is almost as important as the kitchen itself. 

There are three main approaches to kitchen installation: using the installation service of the brand from which you bought your kitchen, fitting your kitchen yourself, or finding an independent kitchen fitter.

In spring 2023, we tested 19 kitchen ranges from nine brands in our lab, and asked 4,378 Which? members to rate the kitchen brand they bought from. 

We asked members who used their kitchen brand's in-house installation service to rate the quality of the installation, then compiled their ratings to identify the best kitchen fitters. 

In addition, our expert labs tested how easy it is to install these kitchens yourself. 

Finally, we offer some free advice on finding the best independent kitchen fitter. 

We also tested kitchens and surveyed homeowners to find the best and worst kitchen brands in 2024

Best kitchen fitters

In our consumer survey, a total of 442 kitchen owners reported that they used their kitchen brand's in-house installation service to fit their kitchen. 

We had enough responses to rate the installation services of three kitchen brands. 

Log in to find out which kitchen companies were rated highest and lowest for installation. If you're not yet a member, join Which? for instant access.

Customer scores for kitchen installation services ranged between 69% and 53%. 

To find out more, read the full review of each kitchen brand. Logged out readers can still information we have compiled about each brand, including how to buy from each retailer.

• Wickes kitchens review
• Magnet kitchens review
• Wren Kitchens review

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Fitting your own kitchen

As well as assessing the best kitchen fitters via our survey, we also assembled (if they're flat-packed) and installed each kitchen in our test lab. This was to see how easy it is to safely install the kitchens yourself. 

Log in to find out which kitchen ranges are easiest to install. If you're not yet a member, join Which? for instant access.

Of the 19 kitchen ranges we assessed, 11 scored the maximum five stars for ease of installation, which means that it was possible for our testers to fit them easily and securely. This means it would be easy enough for someone fairly confident in their DIY skills to fit the kitchens themselves.

However, two ranges scored three stars or less on some of our ratings. 

To find out more about how Which? assesses kitchens, read how we test kitchens

Hiring a kitchen fitter

If you choose to hire an independent trader to fit your kitchen, there are several steps you can take to ensure that you hire the best contractor for the job and get the best price. 

1. Use an approved kitchen fitter

Trade associations and endorsement bodies set standards for the conduct of their members and the quality of their work. They can also offer an independent complaint resolution service, which can help you resolve problems if anything goes wrong.

Examples of professional trade associations include British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installers (BiKBBI) or the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) and Which? Trusted Traders.

Don’t just take the fitter’s word that they’re a member of any associations or schemes – check that they’re listed on the organisation’s website.

2. Use Which? Trusted Traders

The Which? Trusted Traders scheme is very rigorous - in order to receive this endorsement, traders have to complete background checks and an inspection by Trading Standards professionals.

You can also check reviews on their profile on the Trusted Traders website, which have been moderated to check their authenticity.

3. Get several quotes

Before selecting a trader for your kitchen installation, we recommend that you always speak to at least three different companies. 

This is to ensure that you are receiving the correct information and a reasonable price. 

Always get at least three quotes, and ask for them to be supplied in writing, including a breakdown of all the costs.

As well as materials and labour, you should check that extras such as waste disposal are included, as these additional costs can mount up.

4. Check their insurance and contract

If you are considering working with a trader, ask about their insurance. All traders should have public liability insurance and additional insurance to cover any employees.

Read more in Which? Trusted Traders' guide on how to work with your trader. 

Pros and cons of kitchen installation methods

Using the kitchen brand's in-house fitters

• Pros: The main advantage of using the in-house fitters provided by your kitchen company is the convenience. In general, you book this service when you buy your kitchen, and you won’t have to do anything else. 
• Cons: These services can be costly and you don’t have control over who installs your kitchen.

Installing your own kitchen

• Pros: The main advantage of installing your own kitchen is the low cost, as you won’t have to pay for labour. You won’t need to research kitchen fitters or organise the installation dates.
• Cons: Installing your own kitchen requires a lot of time and manual labour. If you fail to install your kitchen properly this might be more costly and require more work in the long term.

Hiring a kitchen fitter

• Pros: The main advantage of hiring your own kitchen fitter is that you can choose your own fitter, which means you have more control over any costs. 
• Cons: You might have to do a lot of research to find the best fitter - especially if you need to hire separate specialists (like electricians and plumbers).

We also used our reader survey to find the 7 things people regret most about their kitchen design

What happens during a kitchen installation?

The installation process will depend on how extensive your refurbishment is, the condition of your property, and whether different traders (such as plumbers and plasterers) are also needed. But the basic running order will be:

• Removal: your old kitchen and appliances will be taken out and disposed of. Follow our guide to sustainable disposal.
• Plumbing and electrical work: any preparation of utilities will be carried out. Your installer can also double check measurements.
• Repairs: your walls may need to be made good after the kitchen has been ripped out, particularly if you’ve taken down tiles. This may require a plasterer and time for the plaster to fully dry before work can continue.
• Painting: once the walls are up to scratch, they can be painted.
• Flooring: if you’re getting a new floor, this is likely to be installed once the messy job of painting is complete and before the new kitchen goes in.
• Installing units: normally the fitter will start with the base units for the kitchen cupboards before moving on to the wall units.
• Worktops: these can be fitted once the units are in place and cut to fit around hobs or sinks. Your sink will probably be installed and connected at this stage.
• Tiling: once the worktop is in, your tiles can be fitted.
• Finishing units: one of the final jobs will be to fit cupboard doors, drawer fronts, plinths (which run along the bottom of the base units) and cornices (which run across the tops of the wall units).
• Appliances: ovens, dishwashers and any other appliances will be installed right at the end. Specialists may be required, particularly if you have gas appliances.
• Certification: at the end of the job, your installer should provide certification to show that any electrical and gas work meets industry standards.
• Handover: Inspect the kitchen with the installer to ensure you’re happy with the final result and that surfaces are level, door handles line up, and drawers and cupboards open and close properly.

If you are feeling short on inspiration, check out our kitchen design ideas

What is the cost of fitting a kitchen?

To find out how much the average kitchen installation costs in 2024, we consulted the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) database.

They estimate labour rates based on the current Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council wage agreement and a model of the average kitchen. 

They told us that the total cost of labour should be 20-30% of your total spend. Fitting a bespoke kitchen costs 20-35% more than fitting a standard kitchen.

Log in now to or join Which? find out how much you can expect to spend on labour when renovating your kitchen 

We recommend that you always get at least three quotes from different traders before you start any job, and get a fixed price contract if possible (this means the prices can not go up expect in pre-agreed circumstances). 

Which? members can see a full breakdown of how much a new kitchen costs in 2024, including for labour, kitchen islands and worktops

Key kitchen installation considerations

How long does it take to fit a kitchen?

We asked Which? members who had used their kitchen brand's in-house installation service how long it took to complete the installation process. 

Log in or join Which? to find out the how long people waited for their kitchen to be fitted

The five most common kitchen installation problems

We also asked those customers whether they experienced any problems during their kitchen installation. 

Log in or join Which? to find out the most common installation problems

How did our customers install their kitchens?

As part of our customer survey, we asked over 4,378 Which? members how they installed their kitchen.

Log in or join Which? to find out how our customers had their kitchens installed

Not sure where to start with your new kitchen? Check out our free kitchen planning guide – you don't need a login for this page.