Does anyone let a handyman install your kitchen?

fantasyvn

I'm not good at all at DIY, so pls understand when you read this question.

A local handyman has earned my trust through some small jobs and he said he can help install a new IKEA kitchen for me. He said the job may take two people (him and another person) and he will take care of every related task so that the job can finish.

The cost is less than half of what a builder would charge me.

However, my partner is skeptical. She said, "How could a handyman do it? Let's go to a proper builder!"

Do you have any experience with this issue? Your advice is appreciated.

googler

I'd look for a Kitchen Installer rather than a builder.

Depending on what's being installed, you need a person or group that's a combination of

Joiner
Electrician
Plumber
Gas Fitter
Tiler
etc

phill99

The difference berween a good kitchen and a bad kitchen is not the units, but the fitting. A good fitter can make a cheap kitchen look a million dollars and a poor fitter can make an expensive kitchen look like chewed toffee. Additioanlly, its probably the sngle most expensive part of home refurbishment and improvement and you only have one chance to get it right. If its is installed by a numpty with an egg slice, you will have to look at the consequences for a very long time.

Kitchen fitting is one area that you shouldn't go for a cheap quote. Installing the carcasses themselves is very straightforward. It's the finishing details that seperate the men from the mice. Its the details of the masons mitres, mitring of cornice and light pelmets, and how to deal with a a wall that isn't square. The tiling is also critical as it has such a large impact on the overall finish of the kitchen. Additionally, you need some one that is qualified to work on the gas and electrics.

I fit kitchens, but have skilled qualified tradesmen to do all the intricate work and would never dream of doing all aspects oif the install.

There is a sayng: "Pay cheap and pay twice".

I would err away from a handyman, although many are very competent and highly skilled, but most aren't which is why they are handymen and not kitchen fitters.

Leif

I can but echo the comments of Phill99, who is far more knowledgeable than me. I have read many times that a well fitted mediocre bathroom/kitchen can look better than a poorly fitted posh one.

Your handyman may well be a careful worker, and able to do small jobs such as hang a door, or paint a wall. But has he ever fitted a kitchen? Or will he be learning at your expense? A kitchen is an expensive item, and central to the house. A good one adds value, a poor one removes value, so I would not take a chance, which is basically what you would be doing. I have done some handyman tasks in my home, such as painting walls, and hanging doors, to a decent standard, but I would struggle to fit a kitchen without taking a LONG time to do it right, and perhaps making mistakes. Get someone you KNOW can do the job right, and that means by personal recommendation.

keystone

Wot Phil and Leif said. ^^

Cheers

premkit

as above:

especially with an ikea kitchen with there strange fittings, and lack or service void on the base units.
someone recommended.

ormus

generally its probably true. however a good handyman is far better than a poor builder. or a bad kitchen installer.
and ive seen hundreds of examples of the two latter ones..

lagi

I fitted my own and am neither handyman or builder. I do believe if i ever done another it would be easier as i know what to expect. If hes good at measuring and has a good eye for detail then i think he will do a good job.

The fact that he states he can do it should be taken into consideration. I even biscuit jointed my own worktops and cut out the hob slot. Agree its ideally a two person job.

Personally, if i wasn't going to do it myself i would consider a handyman. At least hes not pretending to be a builder, as so many do.

phill99

lagi wrote: »

The fact that he states he can do it should be taken into consideration.

I know how to pull teeth out but I'm sure you would prefer to go to a dentist.

Doing your own kitchen and being happy with the result is not the same as employing someone who says he can install a kitchen and being happy with the result.

Myser

Can you ask for references of other people's kitchens he has installed?

iamcornholio

fantasyvn wrote: »

However, my partner is skeptical. She said, "How could a handyman do it? Let's go to a proper builder!"

That is flawed thinking, because "a builder" is not a kitchen fitter or carpenter!

The handyman title is irrelevant, its his competence that counts. He may be a time-served carpenter just working as a handyman, or he may be just a general odd-job person who has picked a few skills up. You really need to find out his skill level.

The hardest thing with kitchen fitting is worktop joins. The rest is pretty basic, but things like sealing around sinks, and hobs and the plumbing need a bit of care

I'm not a handyman, or a carpenter or plumber, but I can fit kitchens as good as anyone ... it just takes a bit more time