12 Questions to Ask a Kitchen Company Before You Commit

There is a moment in every kitchen showroom visit where the conversation shifts from friendly chat to gentle sales pitch. The designer has shown you beautiful displays, talked through your wish list, and now wants to move towards a quote and, ideally, a deposit.

This is the point where most people smile, nod, and go along with it. But it is also the point where asking the right questions can save you thousands of pounds and months of frustration.

Here are twelve questions worth asking before you commit to any kitchen company. Some of them are straightforward. A few might make the salesperson uncomfortable. That is fine. A reputable company will have good answers to all of them.

1. Where are your kitchens manufactured?

This tells you a lot immediately. A company that manufactures in its own UK workshop is a very different proposition from one that imports from a factory in Eastern Europe or Asia. Neither is inherently bad, but the supply chain, quality control, and lead time implications are different.

If the company says "our kitchens are made in the UK," ask where specifically. Some companies assemble imported flat-pack components in a UK warehouse and technically call it UK manufacturing. Knowing the full picture helps you judge the product.

2. Who installs the kitchen, and are they employed by you?

Some companies use their own employed fitting teams. Others subcontract to independent fitters. Both can deliver excellent results, but the accountability differs.

If the fitter is directly employed, the company is responsible for the quality of the installation. If the fitter is subcontracted, you may find yourself caught between the company and the fitter if something goes wrong. Ask who manages any issues that arise during or after the fit.

3. What is included in the installation price?

Kitchen installation often excludes plumbing, electrics, plastering, tiling, and flooring. These are treated as separate trades. Make sure you know exactly what the quoted installation figure covers and what you will need to arrange and pay for separately.

Some companies offer a full project management service where they coordinate all trades. This costs more but can save you significant time and stress, particularly if you are not experienced in managing building projects.

4. What happens if something is damaged or wrong on delivery?

Damage during delivery is not uncommon. Doors get scratched, panels arrive with defects, and occasionally items are missing. What matters is how the company handles it.

Ask about their process for replacements. How quickly can they supply a replacement part? Is there a cost to you? Will they delay the installation until everything is right, or will they fit what they have and replace damaged items later? The second approach can leave you living with a partially finished kitchen for weeks.

5. What warranty do you offer?

Most kitchen companies offer some form of warranty, but the coverage varies enormously. Ask what is covered (cabinetry, doors, hinges, drawers, worktops, installation) and for how long. Get it in writing.

Pay particular attention to what is excluded. Many warranties do not cover normal wear and tear, which is understandable, but some define "wear and tear" very broadly as a way to limit claims.

6. Can I speak to recent customers?

Any company that is confident in its work should be happy to put you in touch with customers who have recently had kitchens installed. If they hesitate or say they cannot do this for data protection reasons, that is a yellow flag. Customer references are standard practice in this industry.

Even better, ask if you can see a recently completed kitchen in person. Showroom displays are built under controlled conditions. A real kitchen in a real home tells you much more about the quality of the product and the installation.

7. What is your deposit and payment structure?

Industry norms vary, but a deposit of 25 to 50 per cent at the point of order is typical. The balance is usually split between a payment before delivery and a final payment on completion of installation.

Be cautious of any company asking for the full amount upfront. If the company goes into administration before your kitchen is delivered (and it does happen), recovering your money will be extremely difficult. A staged payment structure protects you.

8. What is the lead time, and what could delay it?

Get a clear timeline for design finalisation, manufacture, delivery, and installation. Ask what could cause delays and how the company handles them. Supply chain disruptions, manufacturing backlogs, and scheduling conflicts with fitters are all common.

A good company will give you realistic lead times and keep you informed if anything changes. A company that promises an unrealistically fast turnaround may be overpromising to close the sale.

9. What are your cabinet carcasses made from?

The carcass is the structural box that your doors and drawers attach to. Quality varies significantly. At the budget end, you will find 15mm chipboard. Better kitchens use 18mm or thicker, in materials like moisture-resistant MFC, plywood, or solid timber.

The carcass material affects durability, shelf load capacity, and how well hinges and fixings hold over time. It is one of the most reliable indicators of overall build quality, and it is worth checking even if the doors look identical between two different companies.

10. What hinges, drawer runners, and internal fittings do you use?

Hinges and drawer runners are the components you interact with every single day. Cheap ones feel flimsy and wear out. Good ones (Blum and Hettich are the benchmarks) feel smooth and solid and last for decades.

If a company is using Blum Blumotion or Hettich InnoTech Atira, that is a positive sign. If they cannot tell you what brand they use, or they use their own unbranded fittings, ask why.

11. Do you offer a design service, and is it free?

Most kitchen companies offer a free design service as part of the sales process. This typically includes a home visit, measurements, a 3D rendered design, and a detailed quote.

Check whether the design is yours to keep regardless of whether you buy. Some companies will not release their designs if you do not proceed, which is frustrating but within their rights. Knowing this upfront avoids wasted time.

12. What happens if I need to make changes after I have ordered?

Life happens. You might change your mind about a colour, decide to add an extra unit, or need to adjust the layout because of an unexpected structural issue. Ask what the company's policy is on changes after the order is placed.

Most companies allow changes up to a certain point in the manufacturing process, but there may be charges. Understanding this before you sign avoids unpleasant surprises later.

One more thing

Do not be afraid to take your time. A good kitchen company will give you space to decide. If you feel pressured to sign on the day of the showroom visit, or if a "limited time discount" disappears the moment you express hesitation, take it as a signal about how the rest of the relationship will go.

Looking for companies in your area? Our [Find a Kitchen](/find-a-kitchen) tool lets you search by location, style, and manufacturing tier.