Fitting kitchen ourselves - are we mad?

[PeachesandPie]

We have designed our kitchen and utility at B&Q and are ready to order as soon as we have found a fitter. The whole thing is 16 units including the sink and oven and we are not changing the layout in anyway, just replacing old units with new. The kitchen itself is costing us £3,500. The room will need plastering as it's in appalling condition under the wallpaper.

The first quote we had came back at £3,000 but didn't include a lot of things so I thought that was too high. But the next 2 quotes we've had in have been over £7,000!! This is mental right?!?!

So now we're thinking we will just fit it ourselves and get trades in for electric and plastering, and obviously gas cert to remove the old hob.

Long post, but really I just want to know if it's realistic for us to fit the kitchen ourselves? We're doing up the whole house so are fairly handy with diy and have a massive selection of tools.

Thoughts and tips welcome!

[AmpersandRea]

We fitted our kitchen; well DH did but he is a practical sort of person. The only bit we got someone in to do was cutting the worktop, I think fitting the worktop into a corner was beyond DH's skill level.

[buckyou]

My husband has done 2 of our kitchens and done all of it. There are a couple of things that aren't quite perfect if you look closely but he's managed fine.

Not much use if you've already ordered but some units come ready made (not B&Q I don't think) which saves a huge amount of time.

[Cinderpi]

I made the units for ours (IKEA), DH did the rest but he is a builder so not sure how easy it would be for a normal person... I'd agree with Ampers that the worktop may need someone with experience if it had joins.

[Motherwithflaws]

Dh did ours, b&q units and we just got someone in to fit the corian worktops

[Hullabaloo31]

We fited our own units, extractor, lighting etc, but needed a chippy friend to help with the worktops.

[picklemepopcorn]

Watch out for changes to handles affecting how it works. DF installed his, and they have to open the kitchen door whenever they go in one drawer unit cupboard as the knob is a little bigger than the available space.

[johnd2]

I'm doing our myself, it's literally half done at the moment.
My comments would be it's easy as long as you're strong enough to move the units around. Other than that you just have to put them in the right places, the tricky bits are worktops which we're getting fancy ones done, and gas/electric.Evenwaterisapieceofcakenowwiththepushfitplumbing. the main thing is prepare yourself and give plenty of time, don't rush it. And check YouTube etc for tutorials.

[EineKleine]

DH did ours, and I did the tiling and gave birth to a baby in the middle. B&Q delivered the units about 3 weeks late, so it would have been awkward if we'd booked a fitter.

The worktop was the trickiest bit, even though it was galley style so no awkward corners. Galley is ever so convenient to DIY though, he just did one side at a time and retained the other side in working order. We spent our firstborn's due date with no running water though, while DH fitted the washing machine and sink. I wouldn't recommend that!

DH spent weekday evenings assembling carcasses in front of the tv and fitted the units at weekends.

[PeachesandPie]

Thanks all for your advice. I think we will give it a go! Although will definitely get someone in to do the work top as it's a corner.

EineKleine I'm desperate to get this done soon so we're not left with a half finished kitchen or no services when baby arrives in October!

[beachcomber243]

I'm female, have refurbished quite a few properties and sold them on, and have fitted basic [usually 10x8] kitchens in 6 different properties. One with freestanding units, one Homebase kitchen, one Ikea kitchen and two BandQ kitchens, one second hand but as new kitchen from private home. Used a plumber to plumb in the sink and washing machine if I've altered the layout slightly.

All were straightforward. self assembly units fitted to the wall and levelled, high quality laminate worktops with spaces for the hob and sink cut out beforehand. Electrician to install hob and oven and update sockets. So minimal cost and have saved a fortune.

Careful measuring taking into account corners/clearances are needed though. Measure once, measure twice and measure again.... and avoid electrical cables in walls when fixing.

[Glossolalia]

This is really interesting.

Does anyone have any helpful YouTube tutorial links?

[EineKleine]

OP sounds like you have plenty of time, but if in doubt maybe get the kitchen finished before starting utility. The delayed delivery of the units had quite a big impact on us.

Beachcomber how do you rate ikea kitchens vs the others for DIYing?

[ZeldaWasMyGransName]

Did my own, Ikea, plumber for the sink and gas hob. Totally fine, it's basically a load of big boxes. Worth double checking measurements though.

Ikea do design to help you, they have a great system where you attach a metal rail to the wall and hang cabinets off it, which gets them all level and straight.

I'd happily do it again, Ikea or other. Go for it and good luck!