How to Choose Between DIY or Professional Kitchen Installation
Design Advice
How to Choose Between DIY or Professional Kitchen Installation
By Dawn Filkins
5 min read
Are you unsure whether to choose between a DIY and professional kitchen? Well, let me help. Here’s some advice from someone who’s fitted a kitchen themselves — and had a professional do it too.
Contents:
1. Introduction: DIY or Professional Kitchen Installation? 2. DIY Kitchen Installation: Pros, Challenges & Design Impact 3. How Smile Kitchens Supports DIY Installers 4. Professional Kitchen Installation: Benefits, Speed & Finish Quality 5. How Smile Supports Professional Kitchen Installations 6. DIY vs Professional: How to Choose the Right Installation Option 7. Final Thoughts & Next Steps 8. Discover Stunning Kitchens with Smile
After ten years in kitchen design — and after completing both DIY and professional kitchen installation projects myself — I’ve genuinely been on both sides of the conversation. I know the pride of standing back and admiring something you’ve built with your own hands… and I also know the relief of letting a skilled fitter handle the fiddly bits while I enjoy a hot cup of tea.
If you’re trying to decide which route is right for you, here’s my honest, friendly advice based on real experience.
If you enjoy hands-on projects or want to save on labour costs, DIY can be incredibly rewarding. Skipping installation fees means your budget stretches further — whether that’s upgrading worktops, cabinetry, or appliances.
There’s also a real sense of achievement. Knowing you installed the heart of your home with your own two hands is something special. Plus, you can work at your own pace — evenings, weekends, one unit at a time — giving you full control.
Of course, kitchens need precision. Cabinets, plumbing, electrics, appliances — everything must align perfectly. My first DIY kitchen taught me a lot about patience. Mistakes can add extra time and stress. Even experienced DIYers make small errors, but most can be resolved.
DIY also takes time. What might take a professional a few days could take you several weekends. And remember — any inaccuracies can impact the final result of your kitchen design.
3. How Smile Kitchens Supports DIY Installers
DIY doesn’t mean you’re on your own. Our tailored Check Measurement Pack acts as a pre-order safety net, breaking down every measurement you need to double-check in your space so nothing gets missed.
When your kitchen arrives, your Bespoke Install Pack becomes your go-to guide. It’s customised to your exact layout, units, appliances, and fittings — even as an experienced DIYer, I relied on mine constantly. Importantly, it clearly shows the design intention, so you understand exactly what the finished space should look like and how to achieve that result step by step.
If you get stuck or need reassurance, our team is available most of the day until around 8–9pm. And if you need a replacement piece, extra component, or a quick fix, our Aftercare Team provides fuss-free remedials to resolve little issues quickly — so you can enjoy your kitchen without stress.
4. Professional Kitchen Installation: Benefits, Speed & Quality
For many customers — and honestly, for one of my own kitchens — letting the experts handle the install is worth every penny. A professional kitchen installation ensures a flawless finish. Installers handle tricky angles, uneven floors, and tight spaces with ease. What took me multiple weekends could be completed in just a few days, giving you more time to do the things you love.
Professional installation also removes the stress. You can focus on enjoying your kitchen transformation instead of wrestling with a spirit level at 10pm. The trade-off is a higher initial cost, but you’re paying for speed, skill, and zero hassle.
Once installation begins, there’s less hands-on control — which is why we make sure every detail is nailed down in the design process first.
5. How Smile Supports Professional Kitchen Installations
Our Installer-ready Install Pack is tailored specifically for your fitter, with elevations, measurements, cabinet instructions, appliance specs, and everything needed for a smooth installation.
The Detailed Check Measurement Pack ensures your fitter starts with full confidence that everything will fit exactly as designed. It also shows clearly the amount of work required, helping them provide accurate costs for things like altering cabinets or accommodating special requests.
If your fitter has questions, we’re at the end of the phone from 9am–8pm including weekends — especially handy when deadlines are tight. And our Reliable, Friendly Aftercare service means that if anything needs adjusting or you need extra parts later, we’re still here to help, just the same as if you were fitting it yourself.
6. DIY vs Professional Kitchen Installation: How to Choose
Choose DIY installation if:
You’re confident with tools
You have a good basic tool setup
You enjoy getting stuck into a project
You don’t mind evenings or weekends of work
You don’t mind being without a full kitchen for a little longer
Choose professional installation if:
You want a quick, seamless result
You’re already juggling a lot
Your layout is complex or requires intricate detail
You prefer zero stress and a guaranteed finish
Another viewpoint from Hooked Home highlights how budget, skills and time intersect when choosing installation method.
Whichever option you choose, you’re not doing it alone.
At Smile Kitchens, we guide you every step of the way. From your dedicated designer supporting you from day one, to a personalised Check Measurement Pack before you order, a tailored Install Pack for your DIY or professional fit, extended phone support until 8–9pm, and attentive aftercare long after installation — we’re here to make sure your kitchen turns out beautifully and stress-free.
You’re not doing it alone. At Smile Kitchens, we guide you every step of the way. From a dedicated designer supporting you from day one, to a personalised Check Measurement Pack before you order, a tailored Install Pack for your DIY journey or professional fit, phone support until 8–9pm, and attentive aftercare long after installation — we make sure your kitchen turns out beautifully and stress-free.
8. Discover Stunning Kitchens with Smile
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