With a wide range of flat-pack kitchens on the market and a plethora of advice
available, many people decide to go down the DIY route when contemplating a
new kitchen. If you have a degree of competence – and all the right tools – it
is an option that can save money and ensure that you keep overall control of
the project.
The planning guidelines outlined earlier in this book apply equally to DIY,
of course; so don’t cut any corners at this stage.
Whether you are simply installing new units or stripping the room right out
and virtually starting from scratch you may find it practical to enlist some
help. For fitting wall cabinets, for example, you might just need the occasional
extra pair of steadying hands that can probably be provided by friends or family.
However, if you are going ‘back to basics’ you may need some professional
help – particularly with plumbing or electrical installations. Regulations
regarding the latter require that a qualified electrician who is approved to
carry out and certify such work should carry out the work. Alternatively, if
you undertake the work yourself, a qualified contractor must separately certify
it. Failure to notify building control is a criminal offence.
DIY often appeals because of the control it gives you over the finished project.
While professional kitchen fitters undoubtedly know all those ‘tricks
of the trade’ which you will be forced to discover by trial and error,
there is always the suspicion that a contractor working to a fixed price might
be tempted to take short cuts. Whereas when you are doing the job for yourself
you are more likely to spend as long as it takes to ensure that each task is
completed perfectly and that any problems that might arise are corrected rather
than glossed over.
If you do choose to take on the project yourself allow extra time and remember
that work done to the kitchen can be particularly disruptive so make sensible
provision for food preparation, washing up and laundry while the project is
progressing.
Because of the importance of the kitchen to the smooth running of the household,
draw up a timetable at the start of the project and aim to stick to it.
