Kitchen Installation

Before work starts, your kitchen should have been fully designed and measured.

This is the stage where important details are confirmed, including:

• Kitchen layout
• Cabinet positions
• Worktops
• Appliances
• Sink and taps
• Lighting
• Electrical requirements
• Plumbing requirements
• Flooring and wall finishes

Good preparation helps reduce unexpected problems once installation begins.

Removing the old kitchen

If you’re replacing an existing kitchen, the first stage will normally involve removing the old units, appliances and worktops.

Depending on the project, flooring, wall coverings or other elements may also need to be removed.

This stage can reveal issues that weren’t visible during the initial survey, such as damaged walls, old plumbing or outdated electrical installations.

Preparing the room

Once the old kitchen has been removed, the room can be prepared for the new installation.

This might include:

• Plumbing alterations
• Electrical work
• Plastering
• Flooring
• Wall preparation
• Repairs
• Decorating

Completing these jobs before the new cabinets are installed helps create a better finished result.

Installing the cabinets

The kitchen cabinets are then assembled and installed according to the agreed design.

Units need to be carefully positioned and levelled to ensure that doors, drawers, appliances and worktops fit correctly.

Worktops and appliances

Once the cabinetry is in position, worktops can be measured, fabricated where necessary and installed.

Appliances, sinks, taps and other components can then be fitted and connected by the appropriate trades.

Finishing touches

The final stage involves checking the kitchen, adjusting doors and drawers, completing trim and ensuring everything works as intended.

A professional installation should include a final inspection to identify any outstanding issues.

Planning makes the difference

The smoother a kitchen installation is planned, the easier the process tends to be.

At Broadoak Kitchens, we can help coordinate the different stages of your kitchen project from initial design through to installation.

Remove food, crockery, utensils and other items from your existing cabinets and worktops.

It’s a good opportunity to sort through items you no longer use before packing everything away.

Create a temporary kitchen

Depending on the size of the project, you may be without a functioning kitchen for a period of time.

Consider setting up a temporary area with:

• Microwave
• Kettle
• Toaster
• Small fridge
• Basic cooking equipment
• Plates and utensils

Even a simple temporary kitchen can make the installation period much easier.

Protect other areas of your home

Kitchen installations can create dust and debris.

Where appropriate, protect floors and furniture in nearby areas and consider how installers will move materials through your home.

Think about deliveries

Kitchen cabinets, appliances and worktops can require significant space.

Make sure there is a suitable route into the property and consider where deliveries can be safely stored if everything cannot be installed immediately.

Make arrangements for children and pets

Building work can create hazards that aren’t normally present in your home.

Keep children and pets away from the work area and follow any safety instructions provided by your installer.

Plan around essential appliances

If your existing fridge, freezer or other appliances need to be disconnected, think about how you’ll manage food and cooking during the installation.

Prepare for some disruption

Even a well-managed installation will involve some noise, dust and disruption.

Knowing this in advance can make the process much less stressful.

A little preparation goes a long way

Your kitchen installer should explain what needs to happen before work begins.

Good communication between the homeowner and installation team is one of the best ways to keep the project running smoothly.

Plumbing may be required for:

• Kitchen sinks
• Taps
• Dishwashers
• Washing machines
• Water filtration systems
• Boiling water taps
• Refrigerators with water connections

Changing the position of a sink or dishwasher can require pipework to be altered.

Kitchen electrics

Modern kitchens can contain a significant number of electrical appliances.

These may include:

• Ovens
• Hobs
• Microwaves
• Extractors
• Dishwashers
• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Washing machines
• Small appliances
• Lighting

The electrical installation therefore needs to be carefully planned around the kitchen layout.

Appliance positions matter

Appliance specifications should be confirmed before finalising the kitchen design.

The location and power requirements of an appliance can affect cabinet sizes, ventilation, sockets and connections.

Moving your sink

Moving a sink can sometimes involve more work than simply moving the cabinet.

The position of water supplies and waste pipes needs to be considered, along with access beneath the floor or within walls where necessary.

Electrical safety

Kitchen electrical work should be carried out by appropriately qualified professionals and in accordance with current requirements.

Your installer should be able to explain what electrical work is required as part of your project.

Plan services before installation

One of the biggest mistakes is treating plumbing and electrics as an afterthought.

The position of sockets, switches, lights, appliances and water connections should be considered during the design stage.

A coordinated approach

When the kitchen designer, installer and relevant trades communicate properly, plumbing and electrical work can be completed at the appropriate stage of the project.

In many projects, some decorating or wall preparation is completed before the kitchen is installed.

Final decorating can then be completed once the cabinets, worktops and other elements are in place.

This approach can allow decorators to finish around the completed kitchen more accurately.

Walls and ceilings

Walls and ceilings may need to be repaired, plastered or prepared before painting.

If the old kitchen has been removed, you may find areas that require additional preparation.

Choosing kitchen paint

Kitchen walls are exposed to moisture, heat and occasional splashes.

A durable, washable paint can therefore be a practical choice.

Consider the overall cabinet and worktop colours when choosing your wall colour.

Splashbacks

Your splashback can become an important part of the overall design.

Options can include:

• Tiles
• Glass
• Quartz
• Natural stone
• Solid surface materials
• Decorative panels

The right choice will depend on your kitchen style and practical requirements.

Flooring

If you’re replacing the flooring, the timing will depend on the type of flooring and how the kitchen is being installed.

Your installer should explain whether flooring needs to be completed before or after the cabinets are fitted.

Finishing touches

Once the main decorating is complete, accessories can help personalise the room.

Consider:

• Lighting
• Curtains or blinds
• Artwork
• Plants
• Shelving
• Kitchen accessories
• Dining furniture

Don’t rush the final stage

The finishing touches can have a surprisingly large impact on how the completed kitchen looks.

Taking time to choose complementary colours, lighting and accessories can help turn a newly installed kitchen into a space that feels genuinely finished.