How to Become a Kitchen Fitter in the UK
Kitchen fitters install fitted kitchens from start to finish: stripping out the old kitchen, setting out and levelling base and wall units, cutting and jointing worktops, fitting doors, plinths and appliances, and coordinating plumbing, electrical and gas connections. Most work in customers' homes, either for a kitchen company or as self-employed fitters.
No degree is needed. The usual route is a carpentry and joinery apprenticeship or college course, followed by time as a fitter's mate. Gas connections and new electrical circuits must be done by suitably registered trades, so fitters either hold those registrations or work alongside people who do.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £24,000 - £32,000
- Mid-career salary
- £35,000 - £48,000
- Senior salary
- £52,000 - £75,000
- Work environment
- On-site, hands-on, often outdoors
- Time to entry
- 2 - 4 years (apprenticeship)
- Degree required
- Not required - apprenticeship route
- Category
- Skilled Trades
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: No-degree careers, Career change.
What a Kitchen Fitter does
Install fitted kitchens - units, worktops, appliances and connecting trades.
- Domestic Kitchens - Fit kitchens in private homes.
- Bespoke Kitchens - Fit high-end bespoke and handmade kitchens.
- Multi-trade Fit-out - Full kitchen refit including plumbing and electrics.
- Commercial Kitchens - Fit catering and hospitality kitchens.
How to become a kitchen fitter in the UK
Most kitchen fitters start with a Level 2 carpentry and joinery qualification, through an apprenticeship or a college course, then work as an improver or fitter's mate to learn kitchen skills such as scribing, worktop jointing and appliance housings. Short kitchen fitting courses exist but do not replace on-the-job experience. Any gas work, including connecting a gas hob, must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. In England and Wales, new electrical circuits must meet Part P of the Building Regulations, so you need an electrician registered with a competent person scheme or building control sign-off. A CSCS card helps if you work on new-build sites.
- Take a Level 2 carpentry and joinery apprenticeship or college course to learn safe use of saws, routers and basic site joinery.
- Work as a fitter's mate or improver with an experienced kitchen fitter, learning setting out, levelling, scribing and installing units square and plumb.
- Practise worktop skills: jig and router joints for laminate, sealing cut edges, and how solid wood and stone worktops are templated and fitted.
- Learn basic plumbing for sinks, taps and dishwasher connections, and understand which jobs need a Gas Safe engineer or a registered electrician.
- Get a CSCS card by passing the CITB health, safety and environment test if you want work on new-build or developer sites.
- Build a set of before-and-after photos and reviews, then approach kitchen retailers and showrooms, which often subcontract fitting to self-employed fitters.
- If you go self-employed, register with HMRC, take out public liability insurance and learn to quote by the unit, by the day or by the job.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpentry and joinery apprenticeship | 18-24 months | Paid by the employer | School leavers and young starters |
| College carpentry course, then fitter's mate | 1-2 years | Free for many under-19s; otherwise varies | Learning basics before going on site |
| Short fitting course plus mate work | Days to weeks, then 1-2 years' experience | Varies by provider | Career changers with DIY or trade skills |
| Move across from joinery or another trade | 6-12 months | Paid | Existing carpenters and multi-traders |
How long it takes
Expect two to four years through a carpentry apprenticeship and time as a fitter's mate before you are fitting full kitchens on your own.
Kitchen Fitter salary in the UK
Employed kitchen fitters usually start on around £24,000 to £32,000. Experienced fitters earn roughly £35,000 to £48,000, and self-employed fitters with a steady flow of work from retailers or their own customers can make £52,000 to £75,000. Self-employed income depends on whether you price by the unit, the day or the whole job, how much plumbing, electrical and tiling work you take on yourself, and time lost to travel and snagging. Bespoke and high-end kitchens usually pay more.
Key skills
- Carpentry
- Plumbing basics
- Electrical basics
- Quoting
- Customer comms
Kitchen Fitter FAQs
How do I become a kitchen fitter in the UK?
Train in carpentry and joinery through an apprenticeship or college course, then work alongside an experienced kitchen fitter to learn setting out, worktops and appliances. Once you can fit a full kitchen to a good standard, you can work for a retailer or go self-employed.
Do I need qualifications to be a kitchen fitter?
There is no licence to fit kitchens, but most employers want a carpentry and joinery qualification or proven experience. Gas work requires Gas Safe registration, and new electrical circuits in England and Wales must meet Part P, so many fitters subcontract those jobs.
How much does a kitchen fitter earn in the UK?
Employed kitchen fitters start on around £24,000 to £32,000 and experienced fitters earn about £35,000 to £48,000. Self-employed fitters with regular work from retailers and private customers can make £52,000 to £75,000, depending on pricing and costs.
Can a kitchen fitter connect a gas hob?
Only if they are on the Gas Safe Register for that type of work. It is illegal for anyone else to connect a gas hob or cooker, so most kitchen fitters arrange a Gas Safe engineer for that part of the job.
Is Kitchen Fitter right for you?
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