The five questions you must ask your kitchen fitter before signing the contract

Hiring a professional to fit your new kitchen is the single most important decision you will make in the entire renovation process. The quality of their work will determine the longevity, safety, and look of your space. Knowing the questions to ask a kitchen fitter before you hire them is the difference between a successful project and a costly nightmare.

Use this checklist to help with vetting a kitchen fitter before you agree to a contract and move forward with the work.

1. Who will actually be doing the plumbing and electrics, and what certificates will I receive?

• Why it matters: Kitchen fitting requires a multi-trade team (carpentry, plumbing, electrical). While your fitter manages the project, they rarely perform specialised tasks.
• What to look for: Demand proof of certification for all sub-contracted tradespeople. Specifically, ensure the electrician is certified (e.g., NICEIC or ELECSA registered) to issue a Part P Building Regulations Compliance Certificate for any new circuits or consumer unit work. Without this, your local authority could force you to have the work independently inspected and certified, which is costly.

2. How do you handle the worktop templating and installation process?

• Why it matters: Solid surface worktops (quartz, granite, composite) cannot be cut on site. They require a specialist templating and fabrication process that introduces a significant delay (usually 7–10 working days).
• What to look for: Ask the fitter: “Will you provide a temporary worktop and sink during the templating gap?” A professional who takes responsibility for the whole kitchen installation process will factor this in to minimise disruption and ensure you retain basic functionality (a temporary sink and tap).

3. What is your labour guarantee, and when is the final payment due?

• Why it matters: A ‘snagging list’ (minor defects like misaligned doors or poor sealing) is inevitable. You need leverage to ensure the fitter returns to fix it.
• What to look for: The kitchen fitter contract checklist should include a minimum one-year guarantee on the labour. Crucially, state in the contract that the final 10% payment will only be released once the snagging list is signed off as complete by you. Do not pay 100% until you are 100% satisfied.

4. What is and is not included in the quoted price, specifically regarding waste?

• Why it matters: The quote must be detailed. The largest hidden cost is often the removal of the old kitchen.
• What to look for: Ask: “Does this price include the cost of skip hire or waste disposal?” If they use their own vehicle to remove waste, you must request a waste transfer note to ensure the rubbish is being disposed of legally. If they just leave the old kitchen for you to deal with, you need to budget separately for a skip.

5. Can I contact your two most recent clients with a similar scope of work?

• Why it matters: While reviews are helpful, directly speaking to past clients with similar projects is the gold standard for vetting a kitchen fitter.
• What to look for: A confident and reliable fitter will happily provide these contacts. Ask the references specifically about the installer’s punctuality, site cleanliness, and how they handled unexpected problems that occurred during the project. This gives you insight into their project management skills, which are as important as their fitting skills.

Why choose kitchen fitters with Rated People?

Vetting a kitchen fitter is a crucial step that determines the safety and legality of your project. Rated People provides essential trust and transparency that simplifies this process.

• Verified certification: We help you quickly find professionals whose credentials, such as Gas Safe or NICEIC registration, have been checked, ensuring they can legally and safely perform plumbing and electrical work (like issuing that crucial Part P Compliance Certificate).
• Unbiased insight: You can read verified, honest reviews from homeowners whose projects involved similar work, giving you the real story on the installer’s punctuality and quality before you ask for a single reference.
• Project confidence: Our platform provides you with quotes from local, trusted pros who are ready to answer all the questions on your checklist.

By being prepared with these questions, you significantly increase your chances of finding the best contractors for your project.

With Rated People, you have the power to get the job done. Find a trusted, local tradesperson today.