How to Quote a Kitchen Fitting Job Without Losing Money

Kitchen fitting jobs can be lucrative, but they're also where a lot of tradespeople lose money through underquoting. Here's how to price a kitchen job properly without either scaring off the customer or regretting it halfway through.

What Kitchen Fitting Actually Involves

Before you price anything, be clear about scope. A "kitchen fit" might mean:

• Base units, wall units, and worktops only
• Plus appliance fitting (hob, oven, extractor)
• Plus plumbing (sink, dishwasher, washing machine)
• Plus electrics (cooker circuit, additional sockets)
• Plus tiling, plus decorating, plus flooring...

Get absolutely clear what they're asking for. "Can you fit my kitchen?" could mean anything. Write down exactly what's included in your quote.

Site Visit Is Essential

Never quote a kitchen without seeing the room. Photos don't show you:

• How out of square the walls are
• The state of the floor (level? solid? needs removal?)
• What's behind the units (pipework location, electrics)
• Access - can you get units in?
• Where services currently are vs where they need to be

An hour spent on site saves days of problems later.

The Stuff That Catches You Out

Out-of-square rooms: Old houses are never square. That means scribe panels, filler pieces, and time spent making flat-pack units fit wonky walls. Add time for this.

Worktop templating: If they want stone or solid surface worktops, who's measuring for these? Usually a specialist templater after you've fitted units. Make sure the customer knows this adds time to the schedule.

Appliance integration: Built-in ovens, integrated dishwashers, and built-under fridges all need specific cut-outs and fixings. Check the appliance specs before committing to a price.

Plumbing moves: Moving the sink from one wall to another is not a quick job. New waste run, new supply pipes, possibly moving the boiler or water heater connection. This can add days to a job.

Electrics: Additional sockets, cooker circuit upgrade, under-cabinet lighting - these all need proper certification if you're doing them. Either include time for this or make clear it's a separate electrician's job.

How to Structure the Quote

Break it down clearly:

Labour: Day rate x estimated days, with clear description of what you're fitting

Materials: Fixings, sealant, pipe fittings, etc. (the stuff that's not part of the kitchen units themselves)

Exclusions: List what's NOT included - electrics, tiling, decorating, waste removal, appliance supply, etc.

This transparency protects you when they say "but I thought that was included."

Time Estimating

Rough guide for an average kitchen (8-10 units, standard layout):

• Strip out: Half day to full day depending on what's there
• Base units: 1-2 days
• Wall units: Half day to one day
• Worktops (laminate, DIY cut): Half day
• Worktops (stone/solid surface): Wait for templater, then half day for installation
• Sink and tap: Half day including plumbing
• Appliances: Half day for built-in oven, hob, extractor
• Snagging and finishing: Half day

That's roughly 4-6 days for a straightforward kitchen. Add more for complexity, old buildings, or additional work.

Tools You'll Need

Kitchen fitting needs precision tools. At minimum:

• Quality laser or spirit level
• Track saw or circular saw for worktops
• Router for hob cut-outs
• Jigsaw for sink cut-outs
• Good impact driver for cabinet screws
• Hole saws for service holes

Protecting Yourself

Things that should go in your terms:

• Deposit before starting (covers materials and your commitment)
• Stage payment if the job is long
• What happens if units are damaged or wrong (not your fault)
• Extra work charged at day rate
• Clear completion criteria

The Conversation About Flat-Pack Quality

Some flat-pack kitchens are great. Some are terrible. If the customer's bought the cheapest possible units, you might find cam locks that don't hold, particle board that crumbles, and doors that don't hang straight. This isn't your fault, but you'll spend time fixing it.

Either quote with allowance for quality issues, or have the conversation upfront: "If these units don't go together properly, I'll let you know and we'll agree how to handle it."

Good quality units save time. Rubbish units eat time. Price accordingly.