To get a kitchen fitted now?

[NotKeenOnSwede]

If I stay away from the kitchen altogether and remain upstairs? I'll go out for exercise too and leave them to it. What if they want to use the toilet?! It's a 3 day job...

[NotKeenOnSwede]

?

[Hopkinsscar]

What if something happens and they have to put it on hold halfway through? That would put me off.

[NotKeenOnSwede]

Like what?

[CandleNoBra]

I’m having my fireplace knocked out soon and that’s a 3 day job. I’ll just stay upstairs while they work.

I think I’d just make sure I had a backup plan in case it over runs or if lockdown suddenly gets fully reinstated or more strict.

You don’t want to be without a fridge, cooked of something kind and a washing machine did any extended period during lockdown.

[LittleBearPad]

Good question OP. Our new kitchen is ordered and was meant to be installed in late April. I don’t know when it will be rescheduled and I don’t know how I fee about it.

It will take the best part of a fortnight!

[Palegreenstars]

Ah I want to do this. We were about to buy one and our oven gave up the ghost yesterday and the microwave a week ago. I’m guessing we’ll have to survive with a microwave combo thing until it’s safe as I don’t want to buy the oven before the kitchen.

[x2boys]

Is there any firm that can do this right now? I live in a housing association house they are only doing emergency jobs now ,obviously it's different but will firms put their employees at risk??

[crustycrab]

Why would the kitchen fitter be from a "firm"? Mine is self employed although due to the current situation we're not doing it until 2021. It suits both us and him better

[NotKeenOnSwede]

Yes they will do it as long as distancing guidelines are followed, a lot of showrooms are open now too but by appointment only so one customer at a time. I'd be willing to risk it for a 3 day job... if lockdown increases I'll just have to buy takeaways every day. What a shame!

I'm mostly concerned about them using my bathroom to be honest, obviously I'll let them but I'll have to be extra careful to wipe down each evening.

I don't think I'd risk yet if it was a 2 week job 🤔

[flirtygirl]

I'm planning to have one fitted Sept or Oct, it's been over a year (with a makeshift one, no oven etc) and I won't be able to take much longer than that.

I can't see the situation being much different between now or Sept and Dec, etc. Covid 19 will still be around so just sensibly distance and clean well.

[Khione]

If the fitter is happy to do it then go for it.

Have a chat before hand about:
how you will handle social distancing - there will almost certainly be questions that require you both to be looking at it.
how you will handle the toilet use.
The level of handwashing you require and will be policing and reminding as many won't bother unless you hassle them

Only if they are happy with your conditions would I then go for it.

[x2boys]

Well obviously they might not be a firm ,but would any be willing To do this🙄

[Hopkinsscar]

Like what?

Like they, I don't know, catch that virus that's going round?

[speakout]

I wouldn't.

I have had a burst waste pipe in my toilet, needing emergency plumbing work.
The burst pipe was behind a wall and under flooring. The floorboards were soaking, had to be lifted and the leak fixed.

Finding basic supplies is hard for plumbers and joiners right now. I had to have a new toilet fitted, very few suppliers are open, and of those that are stocks are low, and choice limited. I still have open walls and gaps into the foundation.
I need flooring, wood, decorating materials.

No point in looking right now. I will wait.

Unless your contractors have absolutely everything they need in stock then the process wil be delayed.

[Kazzyhoward]

Will they be able to source any parts/equipment they need, considering lots of builders supply merchants are closed. Can they quickly get replacement parts if something arrives damaged or missing?

Personally, I wouldn't be embarking on any home improvements/repairs that weren't essential/emergencies.

[EmmaStone]

We've had a few jobs done by tradespeopel during lockdown (plus some that were scheduled that haven't happened).

So our plumber came to fix a leak - this had been arranged pre-lockdown, and he said we were his last job.

We had an Aga removed (this was also arranged pre-lockdown, but the company wouldn't do it once lockdown started, which was fine. DH found another guy willing to do it).

Had a new oven delivered, and our electrician came to install it (needed new wires because Aga didn't have the same voltage or something).

We had a different leak at the start of the year which cause substantial damage to the living room. We had a plasterer come to repair the ceiling during lockdown (again pre-arranged), but our painter/decorator isn't happy to come to do that at the moment (again absolutely fine).

We've always asked tradespeople if they're happy to work or are still working, and if they'd be interested in our job, with no issue if not. Everyone who's come has been grateful for the income, and because they know us and the layout of the house, they knew we could easily maintain social distancing safely.

I'd definitely enquire. With more shops opening and manufacturing getting back to work, hopefully there will be more supplies available as well (not sure if plaster is still in short supply for example?).

[Fluffybutter]

If it’s not a major job like you say then I would .
Our kitchen took about 10 days so if it was that long I’d say no but 3 days isn’t too bad of you can manage .
We had scaffolding put up yesterday as it was put off 6 weeks ago because of the lockdown so the roofer can repair the roof tomorrow .
All been ok so far as they’re outside anyway.
My biggest worry is the bloody cats trying to get on it as it’s a 3 storey house, ones already been half way up !