I rent a two-bed flat to tenants, which has a small kitchen. It’s about 20 years old and need replacing. Interested in any observations on best way forwards. Wondering if it’s best to do the entire thing via a supplier like Wickes/B&Q, including using their own contracted/approved installers, or whether to use a local handyman I know who says he can fit it if I just order the necessary cupboards/fittings etc online from Wickes/B&Q etc. He’s done some measurements, says he can advise me on what to purchase and then he’ll collect it and fit it all in, and also dispose of the old one. Reckons about £4,000 for the fittings (inc new fridge freezer, sink and other gizmos) plus £1500 for his team’s labour. Sounds tempting, but not sure I am going to have much in the way of guarantee, although if its just fittings there’s hopefully a limited amount that can go wrong. Or is it better to go via Wickes/B&Qs approved contractors and maybe pay a bit more?
A good local trades with recommendations/reviews has more to lose reputation wise if they get a bad review from you.
Just like any other job get multiple quotes for kitchen installation, check all providing the same eg removal of old units. Check reviews and/or refs.
There’s an article ‘kitchen fitting cost’ on myjobquote from Jan 2026 which may be useful
Think about the flooring walls lighting etc -whether to decorate the walls etc - if also old worth thinking whether to renew these too at same time
Time to do the work might also be a consideration as tenants will be without a kitchen- can you schedule for when they are away?
Sorry if all ridiculously obvious
Good luck
There are handy men and there are handymen. I saw a sign once that said ”Handyman wanted” I went to the interview and the owner said “Are you handy “ and I said “yes ,I just live in the next street”
Personally, B&Q / Wickes would be my last choice for a fitted kitchen. Who knows who they would use to fit & how good they would be.
Get recommendations from your friends & family & use a recommended local tradesman.
Why are they asking you to pay for it. Best to get the installer to supply and fit then they have control over all the project and can do it as quickly as possible
A lot of installers who supply and fit add a mark up on fittings and are vague on fittings and labour costs. Personally i prefer to buy and arrange local tradesmen to fit. A lot of trades prefer this as fittings would count against VAT threshold limits if they supply it.
better to buy it yourself and get best price . Downside.. if part missing or broken remedy is on you
Not at all obvious, David, much appreciated!
Worth having a look at DIY Kitchens. Their units are much nicer quality and will likely work out cheaper than wickes/b&q. They have a kitchen planner on their website also offer a service for £30 where they will check what you’ve done and advise if you’ve missed anything.
Personally, I would buy the appliances from somewhere like AO rather than from a kitchen company that seem to be quite pricey.
I’d always recommend buying the kitchen and appliances yourself so you are dealing with the suppliers direct if there are any warranty issues down the line, then just pay the handyman for fitting.
The other good thing about DIY Kitchens is that the units all come pre-assembled so you don’t have to pay the handyman to build the flat pack units from wickes/etc. You can even request specific units to be dry constructed (ie not glued) if they need to be dismantled on site to cut down to size to make them fit.
I didn’t know that pre-assembled diy kitchens exist. What companies sell them, can you recommend one?
It’s a company called DIYKitchens. They’ve got a couple of showrooms but most of their sales are online I believe.
Thank you. Thank you.
I’ve done both. Wickes bought and fitted, the guy they sub contracted to, had made a pigs ear of it. I couldn’t get him back to sort, as he was on his Christmas Leave (close to two weeks!). In fairness to our local Wickes manager he got his top guy to remedy it. This joiner replaced the bodged work and did a brilliant job. Last two I ordered myself and got a local joiner to fit. Did you know you can get a tradepoint card for B&Q and 10% discount from Wickes as a landlord?
Howdens cupboards come ready built too or flat pack options.
Do they have fitters who we can hire?
If you ask at your local branch Im sure they will recommend a tradesperson. You also need a trade account to buy. As a Landlord, I have one, but you could get the tradesperson to source them for you. You can still go in & choose & sit down with the designer.
I have always used Ikea kitchens and purchased the appliances from AO.com. Ikea kitchens are very high quality and have long guarantees which apply whoever fits them. At AO I simply purchase the cheapest brand of the device available. In my experience the “parts” inside the appliances are largely the same whatever the brand, and the more expensive models simply provide more options which are usually unnecessary. I fit these myself but if you aren’t able to do so then I would use a local installer rather than have one chosen by the supplier.
What do you mean by this? Their fitters do high quality work?
I think he means the cupboards are guaranteed for a long period regardless of who fits them i.e. their fitter or your own fitter
Another plus point for Howdens is that they have branches nationwide and so it’s easy to exchange anything that may be damaged or fetch anything that is needed. I bought one last year and had it installed by a kitchen fitter I know . Decent cabinets etc and reasonable price, I had the designer(sales) person out who did a printout of everything needed and the quote.