How to Start a Kitchen Fitting Business in 2026 (UK)

The Reality: Kitchen fitting is not just carpentry. It is a multi-trade, multi-day project business. You win on accurate surveys, clean installs, and tight coordination. You lose money on bad measurements, late appliance deliveries, and scope changes you absorb for free.

Plug this into the broader growth system outlined in From Van to Empire Scaling Guide, How to Scale from One Van to Three, and Service Business Pricing Mastery 2026.

Choose Your Kitchen Fitting Model

Pick one model to start. Mixing everything early makes quoting inconsistent and kills margins.

Decision shortcut:

• Start with refits if you are solo.
• Add full renovations when your survey and scope control are tight.
• Build repeat work with landlords once your process is reliable.

Compliance and Safety (UK)

There is no single license required, but you must follow Building Regulations and work safely.

Key compliance basics

• Part P electrical work must be carried out by a competent person or certified electrician.
• Gas Safe registration is required for any gas appliance work.
• Water Regulations apply to plumbing changes and dishwashers.
• Ventilation requirements apply for extraction and ducting.
• Asbestos awareness is important in older properties or textured coatings.

If you are unsure about a requirement, check with local Building Control before starting.

Insurance You Need (Do Not Skip This)

Kitchens combine water, electrics, and high-value finishes. A leak can become a costly claim.

For a deeper breakdown, see: Field Service Insurance Guide 2026.

Startup Costs: Lean vs Professional

Lean Start (£5,000 to £12,000)

• Core hand and power tools
• Basic carpentry and fitting kit
• Dust protection and extraction
• Small van or estate car
• Insurance and basic marketing

Professional Start (£18,000 to £45,000)

• Reliable van with racking
• Full carpentry and fitting equipment
• Laser levels, track saws, dust extraction
• Worktop tools and templating partnerships
• Branded uniform and signage

Essential Equipment Checklist

Tier 1: Must-Have

• Drill, impact driver, and jigsaw
• Laser level and tape measure
• Track saw and mitre saw
• Dust sheets, floor protection, extraction
• Silicone tools and sealant kit

Tier 2: Add Once Cash Flow Is Stable

• Worktop jig or templating partner
• Cabinet lift or installation jacks
• Wall chaser and dust control
• Moisture meter and inspection camera
• Jobsite photos kit and lighting

Pricing Strategy That Actually Works

Kitchen margins disappear when prep, downtime, and changes are priced wrong.

Set your hourly floor

Target monthly income + overhead + taxes = revenue target Revenue target / billable hours = hourly floor

Example: £6,500 target income + £1,600 overhead = £8,100 £8,100 / 120 billable hours = £68 per hour minimum

Common pricing models

• Fixed project price: Best for refits and renovations.
• Day rate: Good for snagging or small upgrades.
• Per item: Useful for appliance installs.

Pricing rules that protect profit

• Separate strip-out from install in scope.
• Price waste removal and skips explicitly.
• Include templating and worktop install as a line item.
• Define number of visits for second fix and snagging.

Need help with objections? Use: How to Handle Price Objections Without Dropping Rate.

Survey Checklist (Copy/Paste)

A bad survey creates a bad quote. Use this before pricing.

Survey:
- Access and parking
- Measurements for walls, windows, and doors
- Electrical points and load
- Plumbing locations and pressure
- Floor level and wall condition
- Appliance specs and lead times
- Waste route and skip placement

Quote Template (Copy/Paste)

Use this to avoid scope creep and surprise extras.

Job:
Address:
Scope:
- Remove existing kitchen: [yes/no]
- Install: [units/worktop/appliances]
- Electrical changes: [list]
- Plumbing changes: [list]
Materials:
- Included (brand/spec listed)
Exclusions:
- Structural changes
- Hidden damage or rotten timbers
- Electrical work beyond agreed scope
Schedule:
- [start date] to [end date]
Price:
- £[amount]
Payment terms:
- [deposit] on booking, balance on completion

If you need stronger protection, add a contract: How to Write Trade Business Contracts.

Change Orders (Hidden Defects and Client Changes)

Kitchens hide problems. Protect yourself with a simple rule.

Change order request:
- Additional scope: £[amount] + [extra days]
- Approved by client: [name + date]

If the customer changes scope mid-job, use this: Customer Changed Job Scope After You Started.

Deposits and Progress Payments

Kitchen fitting is materials heavy. Do not fund it yourself.

Common options:

• 30 percent deposit on booking
• 40/40/20 for larger projects
• Materials paid up front if supply is volatile

If a customer refuses a deposit, treat it as a red flag: Customer Refuses to Pay Deposit: Red Flags.

Snagging Checklist

Finish quality wins reviews.

• Check door alignment and soft-close
• Confirm worktop joins and edges
• Test appliances and connections
• Photograph the final finish
• Walk through with the client and get sign-off

Build a Service Menu (So You Can Quote Fast)

Start with 3 core services and defined scope.

Add-ons to upsell:

• Under-cabinet lighting
• Splashback upgrades
• Storage and pull-out systems

Winning Customers (Fast)

Kitchens are visual and trust-driven.

• Before-and-after photos on Google Business Profile weekly
• Short video walk-throughs on social media
• 10 reviews in your first 60 days
• Partnerships with landlords and builders
• Quote turnaround within 24 hours

For local SEO that works, use: Local SEO for Trade Businesses 2026.

Turn One-Offs Into Repeat Work

Repeat work keeps the calendar full.

• Annual refresh for rentals
• Maintenance plans for landlords
• Appliance swap and upgrade plans

Need templates? Use: Maintenance Contract Templates 2026.

Metrics to Track Every Week

These metrics show whether the business is healthy:

• Revenue per job
• Quote win rate
• Change order rate
• Snag or rework rate
• Average margin per job
• Overdue invoices count

Software That Actually Helps

Avoid heavy software until you have stable demand.

Month 1 to 3: Keep It Simple

• Scheduling: Google Calendar
• Quotes and invoices: Toolfy (£29/month includes scheduling + invoices + payment tracking)
• Customer details: Spreadsheet or notes app

Month 3 to 12: Systemize

• Job management: Toolfy handles scheduling, invoices, customer records, and payment tracking
• Payments: Send card or bank transfer links the same day
• Reminders: Automated payment follow-ups for late invoices
• Reviews: Trigger review requests after every completed job

Toolfy quick setup (30 minutes)

• Create service templates for refits, worktops, and appliance installs.
• Save your scope and exclusions in the quote template.
• Turn on payment reminders for overdue invoices.
• Track photos and snag notes per job.

Your First 90 Days Action Plan

Week 1-2: Foundation

• Register with HMRC
• Get insurance quotes
• Build your service menu and prices
• Create a quote template with inclusions and exclusions

Week 3-4: Go Live

• Create a Google Business Profile
• Photograph your first 5 jobs
• Collect 5 reviews
• Book 2 multi-day jobs with deposits

Week 5-8: Tighten the Process

• Track strip-out and prep time
• Add a change order policy
• Build a referral offer for neighbours
• Set up Toolfy for quotes and invoicing

Week 9-12: Scale the Round

• Target landlords and property managers
• Add a second trade partner or subcontractor
• Refine your service menu and remove low-margin jobs
• Build a seasonal plan for full refits

Final Word: Measure Twice

The best kitchen fitters do not just install. They manage scope, coordinate trades, and deliver clean finishes that earn referrals. Price for prep, document changes, and keep your systems tight.

Need job management software built for kitchen fitting businesses? Toolfy handles scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and payment tracking for £29/month. Built for UK service teams that want to get paid faster with less admin. See how Toolfy works ->