A Kitchen Fitter’s Guide: What I Look For Before Every Installation

Having spent years as a full time kitchen fitter on the south coast but now in north devon— at one point as part of a team of three full-time kitchen fitters — it’s amazing to look back at how things have changed. These days I work independently, and while I’m not fitting kitchens every single week, I’m fortunate to have a long-standing relationship with a supplier who keeps me busy. After working together for so long, we know exactly what to expect from each other. He trusts me to deliver high-quality kitchen installations and represent his business well, and I know I can rely on him for steady, meaningful work.

Over time, I’ve developed a clear process that helps ensure every kitchen installation goes smoothly. Here’s a look at what I check before I start fitting any kitchen.

1. Checking the Floor Finish

Most kitchen installations are fairly straightforward, but the first thing I always assess is the floor finish. Am I fitting on a finished floor, or do I need to allow for the floor to be built up later?

I’ll take fitting on a finished floor every time. It’s cleaner, faster, and it allows me to:

• Cut plinths to the correct height

• Get panels to sit neatly and level

• Avoid the dreaded situation where flooring is cut around panels

Sometimes cutting flooring around panels can’t be avoided, but whenever possible, cutting panels to the floor gives a much nicer, more professional finish.

If the floor has already been laid, I’m hoping it’s reasonably level — but I never assume. I always check it to find the high spots, because that determines the starting height for the rest of the kitchen. This is especially important when appliances are involved. The last thing you want is to set units too low and then realise the dishwasher or oven won’t fit!

2. Wall Units: Levels, Corners, and High Spots

If the job includes wall units, my next step is checking the corners of the walls for level. If the wall cupboards need to line up with the base units, finding the high spot on the wall is crucial. That’s the reference point for the entire kitchen installation.

Every once in a while, I’ll even fit the wall units first — rare, but sometimes necessary depending on the layout and wall conditions.

Once I’ve confirmed the correct height, I set up my laser level. But no matter how good lasers are, I always double-check with a manual spirit level. A good fitter knows: the laser tells you, the level confirms it.

3. Ensuring Units Are Square Before Fitting

Not all units arrive perfectly square from the manufacturer, and an out-of-square unit will cause endless headaches: doors won’t line up, gaps appear, and you’ll never get things truly level.

To check:

1. Lay the unit on its back.

2. Measure diagonally from corner to corner.

3. If the measurements match, the unit is square.

4. If they don’t, it needs adjusting before installation.

When I build my own units, I always make sure they’re perfectly square before finishing the build. Once they’re aligned, I screw them together so they stay put and don’t drift during fitting.

Final Thoughts

A smooth, professional kitchen installation always starts with good preparation. Checking floors, walls, levels, and the square of the units might sound simple, but these steps are what separate a quick fit from a quality one.

Whether you’re a homeowner looking for a reliable kitchen fitter or someone interested in how a professional installer approaches the job, I hope sharing my process gives some insight into what goes into a clean, accurate, and long-lasting kitchen fit.