FAQs

Planning & Budget

It varies from one project to the next. The complete kitchen projects I typically get involved with (units, worktops, plumbing, electrical and gas work, tiling, flooring, etc.) usually range between £1800 and £6500, depending on the amount of work to be done.
I complete around 60% of my jobs in one week, around 30% in two weeks and the rest in three weeks if there is building work to be done.
I provide a free quote, and most of my customers receive their quote on the same day.
The quote is itemised and fully transparent.
The quality of the product is one of the most obvious aspects. A budget kitchen should last as long as premium range kitchen as long as it has been installed properly.
There are always certain manufacturers and ranges out there that are to be avoided and I will be able to advice you on this if you are unsure.

No, it’s free. During my site visit I will spend around an hour with you looking at all aspect of the installation and offer free technical advice where needed. I will also be honest with you if for some reason I feel that I am not best suited to take your installation job on. Some jobs (really big jobs with loads of building works) are better handled by bigger multi-team installation outfits.
It is always more cost-effective to do it all in one go.
Not normally. There are instances where your local Building Control Department needs to be informed about a new consumer unit or new electrical circuits installed in the kitchen area. When that needs doing, I take care of all of it on your behalf. The cost of this is included in your price and you will get a Buildings Regulation Certificate either emailed or posted directly to your home from the local Building Control department. Gas and electrical certificates are issued by myself upon completion of the work.

Choosing a Kitchen

I install kitchen from nearly all the UK manufacturers but unfortunately I do not install IKEA kitchens. This is not due to quality issues but rather design features that I find too time consuming to facilitate.
I love fitting kitchen from these manufacturers. I have created hundreds of wonderful kitchens using their products. Many of the designers from these outlets knows me personally.
This is essentially how I work. My customer will buy a kitchen from their preferred supplier, and I will take care of the installation and related work from there.
I can also introduce you to several kitchen designers whom I know will take care of you during the design process.
Where possible, I try to pass my trade discount on to my customers.
This is actually easier than it sounds. The designer will guide you through the design stage. During my site visit, I will scrutinise layout options and discuss any concerns or alternative layout solutions. If for some reason you feel that a specific designer may not be the best person for your job I can suggest other designers that may be better suited to your needs.

I install all the different types of worktops and find that once installed properly one should get many years of service out of all the different types. It real is a budget and personal taste thing. Whilst doing the survey I will raise any concerns that I may have with your chosen worktops should any exist.
This is an area where one does need to be a little bit careful. If you or members of your household struggle with rheumatism, it is probably not a good idea. Integrated appliances (dishwashers/fridges) tend to be more difficult to open when one lacks strength in one's fingers or hands.
This is not important. Your new kitchen needs to be of a style and colour that you can see yourself living with for the next twenty years.
I am always happy to get involved in this side of things once a basic design has been mocked up.
I install appliances from all manufacturers. Unfortunately, several appliances do have significant design flaws that can compromise long-term durability and make replacing them very difficult.
I am happy to look at your choice of appliances and to advise you accordingly.

Surveys & Preparation

This is an opportunity to iron out as many potential hiccups as we can. It is really the responsibility of your kitchen installer to ensure that the designer’s plan will fit correctly.
After introducing myself I will check all plan measurements against my own measurements. I ensure there is nothing stopping your design from coming to life. We will then discuss the products on your order, and I’ll answer as many of your questions as I can. From there, I will fill out an itemised quotation form. I will also inspect the mains supply services for suitability - electricity, gas and water.
You don’t have to do anything specific. I do need to be able to get to the gas meter and the mains electrical consumer unit for a visual inspection and a clamp meter test on the supply side of the consumer unit.
Not unless there is something specific you need me to look at.
I prefer you to be present during the survey.
All the appliances apart from fridges and freezers can be disposed of in the skip or Hippo bag. For the fridge, a collection by the local council needs to be arranged by the homeowner.

During the installation, I may have to turn these services off, but in the majority of cases it is only for a short period. I will always discuss any disconnections with you before turning anything off.
As a multi-skilled tradesman, I will endeavour to overcome whatever issues we come across as soon as I can in order to stay on schedule.
I am not someone who will see this as an opportunity to create an issue to increase the bill. Although these sorts of situations are rare, most issues on my jobs get resolved before my customers are even aware of it.
Definitely. As a NAPIT-registered electrician, I am well placed to advise you on all matters of domestic electricity.
Your existing floor can stay and I can protect it suitably to avoid any damage during the installation.
Yes. All jobs vary in size, and property layouts are different in terms of outside space. To keep things as fair as possible, the customer gets the opportunity to shop around for the best prices for skip or man-and-van collections after the job is done.
If using a skip or Hippo bags, they need to be delivered before the first day of the installation. This allows the first step - stripping the old kitchen - to be completed on the morning of day one.

Installation Process

Everything on my quotation is included; upon receiving my quotation, it is your responsibility to ensure that everything you need me to do is included on the quote.
The price on the quote will not increase during the installation unless you add more work onto the list (extra socket or perhaps a change of plan resulted in extra units to be installed). It is best not to assume things will be done if they don’t appear on my itemised quote. Please do ask if you are unsure.
Yes.
In most cases, I can. If it is too much for me as a one-man band, I will tell you if I think that you will be better off with a bigger outfit offering more manpower.
Yes. If a gas or electricity meter needs moving then this needs to be arranged through your service supplier.

As a Gas Safe registered engineer, I can offer these services with full certification upon completion.
I install worktops ranging from laminate worktops to solid wood and most new-style composite worktops.
Yes.
I will treat your home like my own. During the first few minutes on site, you will see floor and dust protection going up everywhere - it’s practical or needed. Saying that, do expect a degree of discomfort throughout the installation. I will do my best, but prepare yourself not to have a sink or washing machine for most of the installation.
I use dust sheets and appropriate floor protection where needed. In addition, I use a powerful dust extractor when cutting and sanding.

Trades & Qualifications

I hold a £2 million liability insurance. As a gas engineer and electrician, I am fully insured. Proof of policies is available at your request. Where the need arises, additional and/or specific insurance can be taken out and relevant qualifications and compliance documents can be forwarded to Lease holding or management companies.
Yes. My NAPIT registration number is 75315. I am qualified and registered to perform any work needed in dwellings and to inspect, test and certify both domestic and commercial installations for the purpose of both initial verification and periodic inspections.

Yes. My Gas Safe registration number is 199532. I am, registered to carry out any new pipework and appliance installations.
Yes. I am both a trained plasterer and tiler.
Yes, I can with full certification upon completion.

Completion & Aftercare

Once your kitchen is installed and the area has been cleaned, I hand the kitchen over to you. This involves me handing over any manufacturer’s manuals supplied and the relevant gas and electrical certificates. I then talk you through all service and appliance isolation points. If you don’t have any further questions at that point, you will be presented with my final bill, and I will leave you to enjoy your new kitchen.
I invite my customers at all times to contact me first. Often I can deal with things from my end a lot quicker than having to contact your kitchen company’s customer services. Fortunately, very few issues arise when the product has been installed correctly, but I’m always only a call away should something come up.

Since this is a very important point, I will not only discuss it with you as part of the handover process, but I will always be available to talk you through it again at a later stage should you forget.
I will happily look after your kitchen needs going forward.