Updated · 3 min read
In short
- Services, plaster, painting and flooring are finished before the kitchen goes in.
- Too early exposes the units to dust and paint; too late leaves the kitchen unusable for no reason.
- Confirm integrated appliance sizes before the units are made or fitted.
What must be finished before fitting
Electrical and plumbing installations, plaster, painting and flooring must be completely finished before the kitchen units go in, because any later work on these systems means partly removing units already installed. Sockets and supply points for appliances must be positioned exactly according to the kitchen plan agreed in advance — an error of a few centimetres at this stage becomes visible and hard to correct only at fitting.
Why fitting too early causes problems
Fitting the kitchen before the messy work (plastering, sanding, painting) is completely finished exposes the units to dust and paint splashes, risking damage to sensitive finishes. Any later adjustment to the services hidden in the wall also becomes much harder and more expensive once the units cover that area, sometimes needing complete removal for access.
Why fitting too late drags the site out
Postponing the fitting long after the rest is finished needlessly extends the time the kitchen is unusable, and temporary storage for the units can itself become a practical problem on an active site. Fitting right after the floor has fully dried and painting is finished is usually the best window for this stage.
Coordinating with integrated appliances
Integrated appliances (oven, hood, dishwasher) must be closely coordinated with the units, because their exact dimensions determine the openings left in the cabinets. The wrong sequence — fitting units without confirmed dimensions of the chosen appliances — can leave openings too small or too large, visible and hard to correct without extra work on furniture already installed.