Who this guide is for
- Homeowners with a kitchen installation booked
- People living in the home during the fit
- Anyone coordinating deliveries and trades
- Owners wanting install week to run smoothly
Clear and protect the space
Empty the kitchen completely, contents, appliances you are keeping, and anything stored nearby, and protect the route the fitters will use. A clear, accessible space speeds the work and reduces the risk of damage.
Confirm with the fitter what they expect cleared and who removes the old kitchen.
- Empty cabinets, drawers, and nearby storage
- Clear and protect the access route
- Confirm who removes the old kitchen
- Set aside appliances you are keeping
Plan a temporary kitchen
You will likely be without a kitchen for a stretch, so set up a temporary cooking and washing arrangement elsewhere. Thinking this through in advance keeps daily life workable during the disruption.
Simple planning here makes the whole project far less stressful.
- Set up temporary cooking and washing
- Relocate essentials you will need daily
- Plan meals around limited facilities
Check deliveries and the design
Confirm that units, appliances, worktops, and fittings are arriving in the right sequence and have been checked. Missing or wrong items mid-install cause the costliest delays.
Confirming the agreed design and final choices before work starts avoids changes once cabinets are going in.
- Confirm delivery timing and completeness
- Check items against the order
- Lock the design before work begins
Coordinate trades and the household
Kitchen fitting usually involves several trades, plumbing, electrical, sometimes gas, in sequence. Confirm who is responsible for which connection and when, and route that work to qualified professionals.
Agree timings, access, and how pets and children stay clear, so the week runs to plan.
- Confirm who handles plumbing, electrical, and gas
- Agree the sequence and timings of trades
- Plan how the household works around the disruption
Kitchen installation prep checklist
- 1Empty the kitchen and nearby storage
- 2Clear and protect the access route
- 3Confirm who removes the old kitchen
- 4Set up a temporary cooking and washing area
- 5Check deliveries are complete and on schedule
- 6Lock the final design before work starts
- 7Confirm who handles plumbing, electrical, and gas
- 8Agree timings and keep pets and children clear
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the kitchen only partly cleared
- Not arranging temporary cooking and washing
- Failing to check deliveries before install day
- Making design changes once cabinets are going in
- Being unclear on who handles which connection
- Underestimating how long you will be without a kitchen
When to involve a professional
- Plumbing, electrical, and gas connections should be handled by appropriately qualified professionals; requirements vary by location.
- Installation and any safety-critical connections belong to qualified trades.
- Confirm who is responsible for each element before work begins.
- Costs and timelines vary by kitchen and home.
Frequently asked questions
Questions readers ask about this topic
How long will I be without a kitchen?
It varies by the size of the kitchen and the work involved, so ask your fitter for an estimate. Whatever the length, setting up a temporary cooking and washing arrangement in advance keeps daily life workable during the disruption.
Do I need to clear the kitchen completely?
Usually yes, including nearby storage, plus a clear, protected access route. Confirm with your fitter what they expect cleared and who removes the old kitchen, so the space is ready in the way they need on day one.
Should I check deliveries before the fitters start?
Yes. Missing or wrong items mid-install cause the costliest delays. Confirm that units, appliances, and worktops are arriving in the right sequence and have been checked against the order before work begins.
Who handles the plumbing and electrics?
These should be handled by appropriately qualified professionals, and gas work in particular requires the right qualifications. Confirm before work starts who is responsible for each connection and when, so there are no gaps.
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