Teesside kitchen fitting FAQs
The questions Teesside homeowners actually ask about kitchen fitting, answered honestly: what it costs, which supplier to buy from, when a refurbishment beats a rip-out, and how the supply-only model saves thousands.
Straight answers on kitchen fitting across Teesside. Anything not covered here, ask us directly.
Costs & quotes
How much does kitchen installation cost?
£2,500 to £5,000 labour for a typical supply-only kitchen; £8,000 to £20,000 for full supply and fit. Every quote is itemised after a proper survey.
What is supply-only, and why does it save money?
You buy the units direct from Howdens, Wren, Wickes or Magnet; an independent fitter installs them. It cuts the showroom's 30–40% package markup, typically £3,000 to £6,000 on a standard kitchen.
Why do quotes for the 'same' kitchen vary so much?
Cabinet markup and bundled 'fitting packages'. Compare itemised quotes: units, worktops, appliances and labour on separate lines, and the mystery disappears.
Should I budget a contingency?
Yes: 10% on any pre-1980 house. Teesside terraces hide un-plumb walls and buried pipework; a survey-informed quote prices most of that risk in, but not all.
Refurbish or replace
How do I know if my kitchen needs replacing or just refreshing?
One question settles most of it: are the carcasses sound? Sound carcasses mean replacement doors (£600+) or a full refurbishment (£1,500+). Swollen, crumbling carcasses mean a rip-out. A survey checks in twenty minutes.
What does a kitchen refurbishment include?
New doors and drawer fronts, worktops, handles, sink, tap and lighting fitted onto your existing carcasses: £1,500 to £4,000, two to four days, kitchen usable throughout most of it.
My developer kitchen's doors are peeling. Is that normal?
Very: 1990s/2000s developer kitchens across Ingleby Barwick and Wynyard are all reaching this on schedule. Replacement doors from £600 is the usual answer.
Suppliers & design
Do you fit Howdens, Wren, Wickes or Magnet kitchens?
Yes: supply-only installs from all four are the core job. The supplier comparison guide explains who each suits and how to price the same plan at multiple suppliers.
Is Howdens really cheaper?
Usually 20–40% cheaper than retail showrooms for like-for-like spec, because you buy at trade prices through your fitter's account. Get the same plan priced at two suppliers and compare itemised.
Is showroom design really free?
It's free the way a timeshare presentation is free: the designer is paid to sell you that brand's cabinets. Independent design is free here when you proceed with an installation, or £250 to £500 standalone, and the plans are yours to take anywhere.
Timescales & process
How long does a kitchen installation take?
Five to ten working days for a standard swap once units are on site; two to three weeks with structural work or templated stone worktops.
How long will I be without a kitchen?
The whole strip-out-to-second-fix run for a full install, five to ten days. The sink returns around day three or four; plan for a microwave and the bath for washing up.
How far ahead do good fitters book?
Four to eight weeks typically. Order units once the design is final and confirm delivery before the start date; the old kitchen is never stripped before the new one is physically on site.
Is the old kitchen taken away?
Yes: strip-out and disposal is included and itemised on the quote, skip or van runs as the job needs.