83,476 Kitchen Designers and Fitters

Before you hire a kitchen designer, know what you want from your new fitted kitchen. List your priorities according to what you use your kitchen for, whether it’s primarily cooking or also dining and entertaining. Prep space on worktops and ample storage are the primary factors when designing a kitchen, but layout is equally crucial. Kitchen designers can advise on important considerations such as a work triangle, which is essential to an efficient cooking space. A kitchen designer will likely begin by asking questions about how you use your kitchen space and then apply their architectural and technological expertise to your vision of a dream kitchen to turn it into a space that serves your needs. This may involve contracting other professionals, including experienced kitchen fitters, plumbers and electricians to carry out specialist work, so rely on your designer’s industry contacts and know-how. Or, some kitchen professionals offer installation in-house and employ kitchen fitters themselves to carry out the fitting of your specially designed kitchen.

What does my kitchen designer need to know?

It’s essential for kitchen designers to understand your needs precisely in order to build the kitchen that you want. When meeting with your designer for the first time bring along any inspirational photos and your kitchen measurements, and discuss any constraints, whether structural or budgetary. Being upfront with your budget will allow your designer to advise on tailoring your project to your specifications as realistically as possible. You can use Houzz to assist your design process by creating ideabooks that reflect your dream kitchen ideas and style, finding inspiration for colour palettes and materials for kitchen cabinets, islands and even appliances all of which will be hugely helpful in guiding your kitchen designer’s process. Understanding your vision and any limitations will allow your designer to come up with creative ideas and solutions, and will ensure everyone is happy with the design before the kitchen fitters come in for installation.

What should I look for with kitchen fitters?

Once you have your perfect kitchen design, your kitchen designer may be able to introduce you to qualified kitchen fitters or you may want to look for one yourself. If you decide to find your own kitchen fitters, then it is important to look for someone with specialist experience in fitting kitchens as they are extremely complicated and are easily damaged during installation. Your kitchen is intended to last for many years and is often a huge investment, so you don't want to let things slip at point of installation! A fitter that specialises in fitting kitchens will do much more than simply fit the kitchen in place – they will consider practical aspects of kitchen installation like the best place to put a stop cock for those kitchen water emergencies. Be sure to get references for your kitchen fitters and ideally complete a site visit on a recent installation project. It could be that your kitchen design company employs their own kitchen fitters, but always ask for testimonials and do background checks first.

Do I need planning permission before I hire a kitchen designer?

Not unless your new kitchen is part of a house extension, although listed buildings will need approval from your local Planning Authority. Building Regulations apply to the building of a brand-new kitchen, where there wasn’t one before, and to any build involving drainage or electrical works. If you are simply asking kitchen fitters to refit an existing kitchen, you shouldn’t need building regulations approval.

Questions to ask kitchen designers and fitters:

• May I see your portfolio of previous work?
  
• What type of education and experience do you have in kitchen design?
  
• Are you and your employees licensed and insured? What license(s) do you have?
  
• What other training and affiliations do you have?
  
• How long will the redesign take to complete?
  
• Will you provide any cost-saving ideas?
  
• Do you design ecofriendly kitchens? Can I add in green kitchen features?
  
• How long have you been in the business?
  
• How many projects like mine have you completed?
  
• Who will be working on the project?
  
• Do you employ kitchen fitters within your company or do you work with third party kitchen installers?
  
• Can you provide me with references?
  
• May I see a current project?
  
• How do you charge, and what does that include?
  
• Can you give me a written estimate?
  
• How will I be charged for parts and materials?
  
• When are you available to begin work?
  
• What is your policy for change orders?
  
• What happens when cost exceeds the budget? What about changes to materials or labour pricing?
  
• Are there any important considerations or concerns you foresee with this project?
  

Find a kitchen fitter or designer on Houzz. Narrow your search in the Professionals section of the website to kitchen designers. You can also look through photos to find a kitchen or bathroom you like, then contact the kitchen designers or kitchen fitters who worked on it.