Will the computer say no?

The OP has come across as extremely rude to people on this post and by her language (asking if someone has a ponytail and calling someone a task rabbit) she seems like an unpleasant person anyway who is dismissive of others and quite frankly I pity anyone who has to deal with her face to face.

There's no excuse for her level of rudeness towards people who have tried to help her.

What did I not understand? Didn't you say that John Lewis were unable to take out the washing machine 10 years ago, and I replied that in that case it must have been a difficult task?

@crushedgrapes I think what the other posters are getting at is that the usual way to install a freestanding kitchen appliance is by pushing it in as they describe. The way to get it to stop dancing around when operating is to have the feet level.

My experience of the big box store installers is that they shrug their shoulders at anything non standard. I suspect this is what you experienced before.

From your description, it doesn't sound like it is beyond the wit of man (or woman) to do, but it depends who you get on the day. Some are more helpful than others. I doubt that they will want to get the worktop off though.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

I mean, it’s in the OP.

I've tried to get it off myself with a manual philips but the screws are too tight

Don’t you have a screwdriver?

If you had solid granite worktops you wouldn't expect them to remove them to install a washing machine, so I wouldn't think they'll be expecting to have to do this either.

I would call ahead and let someone know though, at least give them a chance to bring a screwdriver if it's needed as usually they'd just slide the old one out and the new one in.

I’ve never had to jam rubber mats under the worktop to stop the washing machine doing the conga.

Are you sure your floor isnt the issue?

If yours needs a rubber mat because it moves, it sounds as though it wasn’t levelled properly in the first place. My washing machine is under a worktop, have never needed to do anything other than slide them in and out. I’ve had several!

Say what? I have lived in several houses with several washing machines. None have been jammed into the opening with rubber. They all just slid in and out.

I would guess that installation means connecting up the hoses and sliding them in/out rather than dismantling your kitchen.

I don't think they'll do it. A standard installation that you pay for is to pull out the washing machine, disconnect the hoses, unpack the new one, remove travel bolts, slide it into place and connect it up. They won't have tools - or time - do dismantle the space to make the old one come out if it's wedged. If you can't get the screws out with a manual screwdriver then they're unlikely to be carrying out anything more substantial.

I've never had a washing machine that couldn't be slid out of position.

They won't expect to have to dismantle your worktop to get it out, but I guess they might do it. Why don't you unscrew the worktop in advance? That way you know they will definitely take the washing machine.

I suspect all you've paid for is a standard installation, which never involves the removal of the work top because washing machines are deisgned to be slid in and out. By making yours a non-standard install but not telling them I wouldn't be at all surprised if they refuse. However, you might find that the offer of £20/£50 or whatever depending on how much work is needed will miraculoulsy overcome the problem you have created :)

I wasn’t wrong earlier, was I?

But they're going to be expecting to remove a washing machine and replace it with another one. All 'standard' domestic washing machines have the same size casing. Yes, it's usually a tight fit and requires careful wiggling and pushing, but there should be enough room - they are indeed designed to slide out and in (with a little bit of encouragement).

You've effectively reduced the available space to a bit less than the space that a washing machine needs and are expecting them to fit a washing machine into that slightly-too-small space. Did you actually tell them that you'd done that, or just expected them to guess that you're expecting them to put a washing machine into a space that's a little bit too small for a washing machine?!

OP I suspect they will say no. Independent fitters are usually more flexible than the ones from big organisations. We have a tricky washing machine fit similar to yours, and my husband always has to make sure it is virtually out and unplugged before they will replace it. Hope you have better luck.

ETA we have the same machine! It dances all over the place and we can’t control it 🤷🏼‍♀️

No they don't you just need to make sure they are properly balanced and level. I've had several washers and dryers and I've never had to wedge any into place, they all just slide in and out under the countertop, with a cm to clear in every dimension.

But you're not paying professional tradesmen. You're paying deliverymen a token sum to connect some pipes and plug a machine in.

In my (extensive) experience, they won't do anything that requires tools.

Im sorry, what on earth?

Agreed. DH would fit our washing machines, slides out old one and slides in the new one. If your washing machine is vibrating across the floor then it sounds like a problem with the machine. Ours fits snugly but not to the point you’d need to remove the worktop. Wouldn’t be able to anyway as they’re stone

Sounds as if it is a very difficult job if you and the other installers couldn't manage it. I s there a local handyman who would take this on as a separate job? Someone who likes a challenge?