ikea kitchen - did you use their fitters ?

restless6

I really like their kitchens and wondered if people generally use their fitters or not ?
I am not able to fit the kitchen myself

rach_k

We didn't use their fitters (due to needing other work doing first and the timescales not being great for us). We had our plumber manage everything and he got an experienced kitchen fitter in, BUT he wasn't an experienced IKEA kitchen fitter. Honestly, I wished we'd either waited for the Ikea fitters or got somebody who had fitted at least a few Ikea kitchens before (I have seen people advertising as 'fitters of Ikea kitchens but not working for Ikea'), because there are lots of little things that need doing differently with Ikea stuff. While our fitter did a good job overall, he didn't half make things hard for himself by not knowing where Ikea kitchens differ from other kitchens. That was reflected in the time it took and also some bits are now not Ikea spec because he had to adapt things that should have been simple, had he known!

So yes, if doing it again I would either get Ikea to fit the kitchen or make sure to hire somebody who had fitted Ikea kitchens before.

suki1964

If you have good DIY skills, do it yourself

I built all our kitchen, I can't put a screw in straight, but I can do IKEA flat pack. DH was the one who fitted them to the wall and got the plumbing right. We did pay an electrician as we were having more sockets and the appliances were going in different places then they were originally We must have done not a bad job as the granite fitters didn't have to make many adjustments

restless6

Thanks for the replies.
It is interesting to hear about fitters struggling with Ikea kitchens.

I do think I have very good DIY skills for a female. I do most things myself, however the time it would take to fit a kitchen on my own, as well as working full time and being a single parent to 3 kids means I am willing to pay someone else this time.
I simply don't want to come home from work and have to fit a kitchen for however many weeks it would take me on my own. Also I have no where else to cook etc so want it done as quick as possible.

rach_k

I agree that they're easy to put together, in fact I couldn't resist helping our fitter with some bits. I wouldn't have been able to get the wall units up though, it took two big tall guys to do it. They are 'easy' but only if you know what you don't know - I would have read every last page of instructions and done it right (in about 6 months!) but our fitter assumed certain things would be the same as other kitchens when they aren't.

vansboy

The Ikea fitters (who would be sub contractors NOT Ikea staff) would work out an expensive option, around £100/unit) so you would do better finding your own fitter.

As for someone not experienced in Ikea kitchens, seems that they wouldn't take long to work out what's different to anyone else's units. Usually they have no gap between unit backs and your wall, which means running pipes inside the unit, or underneath it, but that's not a hard job for installers, really, but may take time and effort. Also the sink wastes will probably be NOT what your fitter usually uses, so let him supply his choice of make, so you save time and leaks!!

What you will need to take into account is forgetting to order enough of anything you need - legs, hinges, plinth etc. If you live any distance from the store, it can be a pain going back for something. Better to order more, then return it for refund when job is done.

Depending on the Ikea store you visit, there are sometimes people advertising to build your flat pack furniture or wardrobes or kitchens, on sigs near the entrances/exits. Obviously these are not Ikea recommends, but may be worth getting quotes or ask to see their work, before buying, anyway. Wembley has LOADS signs all over the area!

I'll be having my 5th kitchen from them soon and will get it fitted independently.

VB

restless6

vansboy wrote: »

The Ikea fitters (who would be sub contractors NOT Ikea staff) would work out an expensive option, around £100/unit) so you would do better finding your own fitter.

As for someone not experienced in Ikea kitchens, seems that they wouldn't take long to work out what's different to anyone else's units. Usually they have no gap between unit backs and your wall, which means running pipes inside the unit, or underneath it, but that's not a hard job for installers, really, but may take time and effort. Also the sink wastes will probably be NOT what your fitter usually uses, so let him supply his choice of make, so you save time and leaks!!

What you will need to take into account is forgetting to order enough of anything you need - legs, hinges, plinth etc. If you live any distance from the store, it can be a pain going back for something. Better to order more, then return it for refund when job is done.

Depending on the Ikea store you visit, there are sometimes people advertising to build your flat pack furniture or wardrobes or kitchens, on sigs near the entrances/exits. Obviously these are not Ikea recommends, but may be worth getting quotes or ask to see their work, before buying, anyway. Wembley has LOADS signs all over the area!

I'll be having my 5th kitchen from them soon and will get it fitted independently.

VB

Thanks
I have never seen any fitter signs - but I never really looked for them either
I have lots of pipes and the gas meter and water stop tap all inside my cupboards so there would be some extra work needed to cut it all in