Kitchen costs soar by 22% in 4 years
28 Mar 2024
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, finding an independent kitchen fitter, or fitting your kitchen yourself.
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.
As well as using this information to identify the best and worst kitchen brands, we also asked our members how they installed their kitchen.
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 by yourself.
Finally, we offer some free advice on finding the best independent kitchen fitter.
Be inspired to make home improvements. Sign up for our Home newsletter – it's free monthly
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.
Customer scores for kitchen installation services ranged between 69% and 53%.
Log in to find out which kitchen companies were rated highest and lowest for installation. If you're not yet a member, you can join Which? from £8.99 a month.
Brand | Customer score | Arranging | Speed of installation | Installation quality and finish | Mess | Keeping to arranged times | Communication | Resolving problems |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Magnet | ||||||||
Wickes | ||||||||
Wren Kitchens |
Table notes: Online survey in February 2023 of 4,378 Which? members, of which 1,590 had a kitchen fitted in the past three years. Of these individuals, 442 used the company's installation service. Sample sizes: Magnet 35, Wickes 32, Wren Kitchens 60. Companies not listed here didn't receive enough responses for us to generate ratings their installation service.
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.
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.
Log in to find out which kitchen ranges are easiest to install. If you're not yet a member, you can join Which? from £8.99 a month.
Brand and unit | Overall score | Clarity of instructions | Ease of building the units | Ease of fitting the handles | Ease of fixing to the wall |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
B&Q Good Home Caraway | |||||
B&Q Good Home Caraway Innovo | N/A | ||||
Benchmarx Essence Flat Pack | |||||
Benchmarx Grey Cabinet | |||||
DIY Kitchens Innova | N/A | N/A | |||
Howdens Handleless | N/A | ||||
Howdens Rigid Cabinet | N/A |
Table Notes: Overall score calculated based on a kitchen's performance in seven installation tests. Results of four tests are shown. N/A is shown where the test was not applicable to the kitchen (eg, the kitchens was pre-assembled).
To find out more about how Which? assesses kitchens, read how we test kitchens.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Check out our kitchen design ideas and read our guide to kitchen costs to find out how much you can expect to spend on your renovation.
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
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
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.