Why Understanding the Installation Process Matters
A kitchen installation is one of the most disruptive home improvement projects you can undertake — but it is also one of the most rewarding when it is handled well. Knowing what to expect at each stage helps you plan around the disruption, ask the right questions and spot problems early before they become costly to fix. At Collins Kitchens, we manage the full installation process for homeowners across Cheshire, Chester and the surrounding area — from initial design through to final snagging.
Stage 1: Design and Survey
Every installation starts with a detailed site survey. We measure the room at multiple heights, identify the positions of existing pipework, electrical points and fixed elements, and assess the floor level and wall conditions. This information feeds into the kitchen design, ensuring the plan works within the real constraints of your room rather than an idealised version of it.
Stage 2: First Fix — Electrics and Plumbing
Before the kitchen is delivered, any changes to electrical circuits, socket positions, extractor ducting routes and plumbing connections need to happen. This is called first fix and it is the stage most often skipped by homeowners who jump straight to fitting — and the one that causes the most expensive problems later. Moving a socket after a cabinet is in place means dismantling it; doing it before costs very little extra.
Stage 3: Delivery and Pre-Fitting Checks
When the kitchen is delivered, every item should be checked against the order before installation begins. Doors, panels, handles and appliances should all be present and undamaged. Any missing or damaged items should be reported immediately — it is far easier to reorder before fitting than to discover a problem mid-installation. At Collins Kitchens, we manage this process as part of our service to homeowners across Cheshire and Chester.
Stage 4: The Fit
Base units go in first, levelled to a laser datum line across the full run. Wall units follow, with precise positioning planned from the base unit tops up. Worktops are measured and cut on-site or templated for stone fabrication. Appliances are positioned and connected by the relevant trade. The fit typically takes two to five days depending on the size and complexity of the kitchen and the number of appliances being integrated.
Stage 5: Second Fix and Finishing
Once units are in and worktops fitted, the electrician and plumber return for second fix — connecting appliances, commissioning the extractor, connecting the sink and dishwasher. Splashbacks, plinths, cornices and pelmet strips go on. Doors are hung and adjusted, handles fitted, and soft-close mechanisms checked.
Stage 6: Snagging
A thorough walk-through at the end of the installation catches anything that needs attention — a door that needs adjusting, a silicone line that needs redoing, a handle that is not quite level. A good installer expects this and fixes everything on the spot. Browse our completed projects gallery to see the standard of finish we deliver across Cheshire and Chester.
Ready to Start Your Kitchen Installation?
If you are planning a new kitchen in Cheshire, Chester or the surrounding area, Collins Kitchens can manage the entire process from design to completion. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Which? Trusted Traders: Collins Kitchens
