Can't find dedicated kitchen fitter - will a joiner be okay?

stanleyman

Hi,

I'm looking to get a new kitchen, and have been to B & Q to meet a designer and quite happy with their products.

However, they don't fit the kitchens themselves and just directed me to a trades website to find a fitter. The nearest dedicated fitter on the website is 3 hours away (I live in the Highlands). I've searched online and on homer groups on Facebook and haven't found anyone in the Highlands who is a dedicated kitchen fitter. However, there are plenty of joiners (although mostly self-employed) who say they can fit kitchens.

I've seen various threads on this forum and others saying that joiners don't have the necessary skills for a full fitting, especially tiling and fitting appliances.

Anyone have any experience of using a joiner to do the work?

ANDY597

Hey Stanley

So break this done into manageable chunks, a kitchen fitter will generally ( I am summarising here) simply fit your base units, wall units and worktops.

Tiling and electrical work will be completed by a Tiler and an Electrician. And the sink, taps etc by a Plumber. Very few kitchen fitters will do it all for you. The electrical work for example can only be signed off by a qualified spark.

Its entirely likely that a good joiner will make a better job of fitting your kitchen than a bog standard kitchen fitter, reason being is that a good joiner will have gone through a time served apprenticeship. Ergo will also find a fair chunk of kitchen fitters are indeed joiners but bashing out kitchens are relatively easy..

So in answer to your question a good joiner is fine to fit your kitchen but don't expect them to do electrical, tiling, plumbing for the reasons noted above.

Jackmydad

It's one of those "how long's a piece of string questions I'm afraid.
First off, I'd try to find someone locally without going through a "trades website" A local fitter recommended by someone else who has had work done by them is much better.
Secondly, there's no real reason why a joiner can't do the work as already said. Some might be be to do more than one part of the job. People generally know other people in other trades they can recommend.

OhhEnnEmm

Yooo wooow, nar don't need to worry about that.. I use proper kitchen fitters only and it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.

You're better off calling em up on the phone and telling them your specific needs, it's more personal and much better chance of wangling a nice deal for yourself.

comeandgo

OhhEnnEmm wrote: »

Yooo wooow, nar don't need to worry about that.. I use proper kitchen fitters only and it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.

You're better off calling em up on the phone and telling them your specific needs, it's more personal and much better chance of wangling a nice deal for yourself.

I don't think this company could be at all competitive in pricing if they have to add in travel and overnight accommodation.

A good joiner is far better than a kitchen fitter. I use a joiner and he also does tiling, though still need to get electrician and once had to get plumber as waste pipes had to be moved.