5 Common Kitchen Fitter Problems and When to Call a Professional

The problems that come up most

These are the jobs kitchen fitters are most commonly booked for. Catching them early almost always costs less:

• units out of alignment with uneven walls
• worktop joints that open up
• appliances that don't fit the planned spaces
• poor sealing around sinks leading to water damage
• doors and drawers that don't close properly

What you can safely check yourself

Before calling anyone, gather information: when the problem started, whether it's getting worse, and clear photos. This helps a professional give you a realistic first assessment and helps you describe the job accurately when collecting quotes.

Basic observation is always safe; DIY repair is not always. If the problem involves gas, electrics, working at height or the structure of your home, stop at observation and call a professional.

Signs it's time to book someone

Book a professional when the problem is getting worse, when it involves safety, when your own attempts haven't held, or when you simply don't know the cause. A correct diagnosis is usually cheaper than a wrong repair.

For context on cost: Kitchen fitting labour typically costs £150–£250 per day, with a standard kitchen taking one to two weeks. Expect £2,000–£5,000 in fitting labour for a typical kitchen, excluding units and appliances.

Choosing who to call

Fitting itself is unlicensed, but any gas hob connection must be by a Gas Safe engineer and notifiable electrical work by a registered electrician. Ask your fitter who handles these and check their registrations.

Check recent reviews before booking — Hammerscore company pages for kitchen fitters combine ratings from several platforms, and the low-star reviews tell you most about how problems were handled.