Does anyone let a handyman install your kitchen?

keystone

Myser wrote: »

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

and don't forget to ask to see pictures and ask for their contact details. If he's OK he'll happily provide both.

Cheers

27col

iamcornholio wrote: »

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

My thoughts exactly, iamcornholio.

SteveJW

I had mine fitted by a shopfitter who was laid off work for a while, he came highly recommended and charged about a third of what the supplier of the units quoted.
I did build up the units myself, had a go at hanging a couple but the wall is uneven and it looked a mess. He took them down and started again, also he had fixings far superior to those supplied

AdmiralX

fantasyvn wrote: »

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.

Electrics and plumbing need registered people, The rest, your handyman could do. Some people have talent! See it. The qualifications by themselves do not always make the craftsman. Ask to see other work of his. Ask him "how" he plans to do and discuss the plans. Some handy can surprise you. I found a handy skilled from tradition, in far away lands, and beats all I ve seen.

I have had a "proper builders team" 8 years ago who did certified crap work: They tried to put up the high wall units 6 feet long, this fell off crushed on the top, the impact caused the top to came off the supports and land in a slanting position... the hight was too much...

tony6403

iamcornholio wrote: »

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

Agree with this. The accuracy of cheap mitre saws has deskilled this work - careful measurement is all that is required. There is no real carpentry - it is simply assembly. Corner worktop joints do present difficulty and are done with a router and jig . Electrics very often don't need a qualified person, the plumbing certainly doesn't. The job is within the scope of a careful DIYer.

meercatsunited

MOH had to refit a kitchen after a diy/odd job/builder did a botch job for a relative.

the bodger left wires trailing on the floor behind the units, this was his rewiring of the kitchen.
did not have the correct tools to cut worktops which had a wavy 1cm joins filled with I dont know what.
pipes for the water supply threw him and he fitted the integrated washer too far forward.
when he came to the corner because of all the above he had to fit the units again too far forward.
none of the worktops reached the wall so he added a strip of wood at the back and lay the matching edging strip along the back.
because he had to fit the units too far forward he then had to cut the units doors and draws down to fit.
the extractor fan was about 12 inches from the top of the gas hob.
the breakfast bar he fitted looked like a shelf it was only 12 inches wide.
worst of all he connected the gas supply and he is not registered. :eek:

that cost another refit new worktops and doors etc

you need a competent kitchen fitter

Leif

tony6403 wrote: »

The job is within the scope of a careful DIYer.

I know plenty of people who have fitted their own kitchen, and my neighbour across the road fitted his, and it looks good. Still, I would need reassurance that the chap had fitted kitchens before, and done a good job.