By Sam · 16 April 2026 · 1247 words
Kitchen fitting day can feel daunting if you're unprepared. Whether your new kitchen is arriving tomorrow or next week, the hours before the fitters arrive are crucial. Taking time now to prepare your space, clear your schedule, and understand what to expect will transform fitting day from stressful to straightforward.
This guide walks you through everything you need to do before the fitters arrive-from practical room preparation to managing your household routines. We've helped thousands of UK homeowners navigate this transition, and we've learned exactly what makes the difference between a smooth day and a chaotic one.
Start by removing everything from your kitchen cabinets, drawers, and appliance spaces at least 24 hours before fitting day. This includes crockery, cutlery, pans, food, cleaning products, and small appliances. Pack these items into boxes and store them temporarily in another room-ideally a bedroom or dining room where fitters won't need access.
Next, remove or secure any wall-mounted items: picture frames, clocks, shelves, or decorative pieces. Clear the floor completely. Move your dining table, chairs, and other furniture out of the kitchen or push everything to one corner. Fitters need a completely open space to work safely and efficiently.
Protect your flooring, even if it's being replaced. Lay down dust sheets or cardboard across the kitchen floor and hallways leading to external doors. This protects against dust, water spills, and accidental damage. If you have hardwood or stone flooring, ask your fitter if additional protection is recommended.
During kitchen fitting day-whether it's a few hours or the full day-you won't have access to your kitchen. Plan ahead for meals, drinks, and basic necessities.
If your fitting is scheduled for 24 hours or longer, consider staying with family or friends, or booking a hotel night. This removes the stress of managing a household without a kitchen and gives fitters uninterrupted access to your space.
If you're staying home, prepare a temporary "kitchen" in another room. Set up a kettle, tea, coffee, and instant snacks in your dining room or lounge. Fill a flask with water or prepare a cooler with drinks and sandwiches. Arrange for takeaway or pre-prepared meals. Notify your family members about meal plans in advance-no one wants to discover mid-morning that there's nowhere to make breakfast.
If you have young children or elderly relatives at home, arrange childcare or additional supervision. Fitting days involve noise, strangers in the house, and safety hazards. Having adequate support makes the day smoother for everyone.
Inform your fitter of the best entry route into your kitchen. If they need to access your home via the front door, ensure the pathway is clear-no bins, parked cars blocking the driveway, or garden obstacles. If access is via a side gate or back door, unlock or prepare this in advance.
Ensure adequate parking is available outside your home for the fitter's van. If you live on a narrow street or in a flat with limited parking, mention this when you book. Some fitters may need to park further away, and this affects timing.
Identify the location of your water stopcock and electricity consumer unit in advance. Show these to your fitter when they arrive. They need quick access if any issues arise. If your stopcock is difficult to locate (many are buried in gardens or under kitchen units), find it now and make a note of the exact location.
Clear stairs and hallways of obstacles, toys, and clutter. Fitters will be carrying large cabinet sections and appliances through your home. A clear, safe route prevents damage and injury.
Kitchen fitting timelines vary enormously depending on your kitchen's complexity, the existing layout, and whether structural work is involved. A simple cabinet and countertop installation might take 8-12 hours. Adding plumbing work for a new sink position, gas work for a range cooker, or electrical work for multiple outlets extends this significantly.
Before fitting day, contact your fitter and ask for a realistic time estimate. Ask specifically: When should I expect them to arrive? When will they likely finish? Will they need access to water and electricity throughout? Are there specific times when noise will be loudest?
Understanding these details helps you plan your day. If your fitting is scheduled for 8am-6pm, don't book a hospital appointment at 4pm. If noise is loudest between 9am-1pm, arrange for sensitive family members to be elsewhere.
Many fitters appreciate working with customers who understand fitting isn't always straightforward. If they encounter old plumbing or unexpected structural issues, they'll need time to solve problems. Build flexibility into your expectations-good fitters prioritise getting your kitchen right, even if it takes slightly longer than anticipated.
A week before fitting day, contact your fitter to confirm the appointment. Provide a mobile number where you can be reached on the day. Confirm any special requirements: Do they need hot water access? Will they remove old kitchen units and dispose of them? Are you providing tea and coffee, or are they self-sufficient?
Gather all documentation related to your new kitchen: the order confirmation, product manuals, warranty information, and any plans or diagrams your retailer provided. Have these accessible on the day so you and your fitter can refer to them if questions arise.
If you've made any changes to your plans since ordering (different paint colour, additional shelving, repositioned appliances), communicate these to your fitter in advance. Last-minute changes can create confusion and delays.
Take photos of your existing kitchen before fitting day begins. This creates a useful record for your insurance and helps if you later need to refer back to original layouts or measurements. It's also satisfying to compare before and after photos once your new kitchen is complete.
On the morning of fitting day, prepare a simple kit to support both you and your fitter:
For your fitter: Kettle, tea, coffee, biscuits, and bottled water. Most fitters appreciate this small gesture and it builds a positive working relationship. They'll have come prepared with tools, but genuine refreshment is always welcome.
For yourself: Phone chargers, medications you might need, a book or entertainment if you're staying home, and a notepad. You'll want to jot down any questions that arise or notes from the fitter about what's been completed.
Safety and cleaning supplies: Torch or headlight (kitchens can become dark during disconnections), toilet paper for your temporary bathroom setup, and cleaning cloths. Have a hoover or broom accessible for sweeping dust.
Comfort items: If you're home during fitting, have blankets, comfortable clothes, and headphones handy. Fitting days are noisy, and you might appreciate wearing noise-reducing earplugs if you're sensitive to sound.
Don't provide food beyond basic snacks and drinks-fitters will typically bring their own lunch or pop out to a café. A generous approach is appreciated, but it's not expected.
Knowing what to expect on fitting day reduces anxiety dramatically. At The Fitting Pack, we create detailed, personalised kitchen fitting guides based on your specific kitchen layout, appliances, and timescale. Our guides cover everything from preparation checklists to step-by-step installation sequences, so you and your fitter are completely aligned. Choose our Standard guide (£49, delivered in 24 hours) or Plus guide (£79, 24-hour turnaround with 2 free revisions). Having a written reference during fitting day gives you confidence and ensures nothing is missed.
Get My Guide - From £49Start preparing at least one week in advance. Clear out your kitchen units 2-3 days before fitting. This gives you time to pack items properly, arrange alternative living space, and mentally prepare. The final 24 hours should be spent confirming details with your fitter, clearing the room completely, and laying down protection on your flooring.
Yes, many homeowners do stay home. However, be prepared for noise, dust, water access limitations, and strangers in your space for several hours. If you stay home, set up a temporary area in another room with refreshments and entertainment. If you have young children, elderly relatives, or pets, consider arranging alternative care. Some people find it less stressful to be elsewhere, returning mid-afternoon to check progress.
Confirm with your fitter whether they're removing and disposing of your old kitchen. Many independent fitters don't include removal-you may need to arrange skips or collection separately. Some recycling centres accept kitchen units. If removal is included, clarify whether they'll take floorboards or wall units that need to come away with the old kitchen. Getting this clarity before fitting day prevents misunderstandings.
No, don't turn these off yourself. Your fitter will disconnect utilities as needed during the installation. However, you should locate your water stopcock and electricity consumer unit in advance and show your fitter where they are on arrival. If you're concerned about water or electricity safety, discuss this with your fitter before the day begins.
Kitchen installations sometimes take longer due to unexpected issues with plumbing, electrics, or structural elements. Build flexibility into your plans-if your fitter says it might take until 7pm instead of 5pm, have backup food and entertainment arranged. Rushing a fitter to meet an arbitrary deadline often results in poor workmanship. Quality work that takes a bit longer is always preferable to a hurried job.