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Anyone attempted fitting a kitchen?

9 replies

rubbleonthedoubl · 18/01/2018 19:45

So I'm sick to death of looking at my dilapidated kitchen. It's falling apart but I can not afford to pay someone to fit a new kitchen.
I can however afford all the units...
how easy is it? Also I'm a single mum so there's no help (only a babysitter).
Anyone else done it? I'm very good at diy in general but don't want to bite off more than I can chew.

OP posts:
johnd2 · 18/01/2018 21:18

It's actually quite easy, it's the weight that's the problem.
We got from DIY kitchens so ready assembled, then it's just a case of putting the legs on and using a long spirit level to get them all perfect.
The hard part was the wall units as they're heavy, I basically put a couple of stools on the new units and lifted onto the units then onto the stool, then from the stool onto the wall brackets. It was very nerve racking!
Worktops were also heavy, had to scribe and use a jigsaw to cut the back edge. If you have a corner you need a special jig to join it nearly.

johnd2 · 18/01/2018 21:18

PS good luck and you'll be proud of it

rubbleonthedoubl · 18/01/2018 21:27

Thank you :) I'm really excited about it now! Il check out the DIY place too.

OP posts:
jellyandsoup · 18/01/2018 21:46

We have fitted 2 kitchens and neither of us are amazing at fit. Really pleased with both, just take your time. I would think you would need anyone pair of hands tho, could you ripe a friend in to help. If happily do this for any of my friends

brackenmoor · 18/01/2018 21:48

My DH fitted our from DIY kitchens. He is pretty handy though but it is already assembled! You will need a trolley as the cabinets are bloody heavy!

parkview094 · 19/01/2018 11:09

Fitting kitchen units is relatively straightforward, if a little time consuming. It's very important to get them all level and lined up and far more faff than you might expect.
Don't forget the other tasks though..

Cutting and fitting worktop is a DIY job, but you'll need a good saw, ideally a circular saw and probably a jigsaw for any sink cutouts. If you're going to make any corner joints, you'll have to use a 'joining strip' or better to pay a carpenter to make the butt-joint for you.

Also remember that kitchens are seldom runs of exact units, so you may need 'filler' pieces. Again, the difficulty here is achieving a clean cut of panels to the right size. Perfectly doable for a DIY'er, but you'll probably end up have a few attempts to perfect it. Similarly, if you are fitting any cornice, corners are a job for the professionals unless you're happy with an 'amateur' joint or have plenty of spare for practice cuts.

Beyond the units and worktop, you may need some basic plumbing for the sink. Taps generally fit with a screw connector nowadays, but assess what's needed before you start on that task. Do you need to move the waste? (again, very DIYable).

Gas appliances will need to be fitted by a gas safe registered installer.

Are your electrics all in the right place? If so, fitting new appliances should be DIY. If you need any changes, a competent electician will be required.

brackenmoor · 19/01/2018 11:20

My Dh did do all the plumbing and carpentry but got an electrician for rewiring oven.

The worktops are heavy and as previous poster says adjoining the two pieces is harder than you think!

Do any of you do other DIY jobs around the house?

Etymology23 · 19/01/2018 23:10

I think I’d definitely want a second pair of hands - things like cabinet hanging are easier with two and it’s easier to sort the plumbing if there’s someone to hand you things.

I have a galley kitchen and just had a single length of worktop. I used solid wood, and cutting the sink hole was pretty challenging. The good thing about wood is any abutting pieces are easier. I was also amazed at the price: it requires maintenance and you can’t exactly scrub it but it was vastly the most economical way of making the kitchen look really smart.

With cabinets, I built them my self - just bog standard b and q frames, with decent hinges and fully sealed doors (to prevent warping). Cabinets come in at least 15, 30, 40, 50 and 60cm widths, so with a bit of wiggle room around dishwasher and washing machine you can generally avoid fillers.

They sell a handy socket converter so you can rewire a two plug socket to 3, which can be handy for electrics like if you want to add a dishwasher.

Second hand appliances (and even while kitchens!) are often on gum tree. I saw a set of neff appliances on the customer board in Tesco for £150 the lot the other day!

If it’s going to involve a layout change remember to cost in flooring: my kitchen had nothing underneath the cabinets.

Make sure also that you leave enough time: it took us about 3-4 days to fit.

Don’t reuse pipe and don’t reuse wire. It always ends in tears and isn’t worth the saving. Buy good quality braided tailpipes for the taps as if they split it will flood your house. Hinges and even cabinets can be salvaged if they haven’t warped - sometimes taking the cabinets down, giving them a good wash and replacing the door can be enough of a freshener to save the kitchen.

sleepyhead · 19/01/2018 23:16

I assembled and fitted a simple (and small) IKEA kitchen at 7 months pregnant. It was pretty straightforward.

I needed help hanging the wall cabinets, but the METOD range comes with a hanging strip that you screw to the wall and then hang the cabinets from so it automatically levels them for you which makes it a lot easier.

The worst part was cutting the worktop. I'd pay someone to do the cuts for me if I did it again as it was never quite right.

Sink was replacing more or less like-for-like so was straightforward.

It took me about 3 days from opening the flat pack boxes and saved a fortune!

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