A kitchen order can look complete on a showroom plan and still leave important questions unanswered. Who supplies the end panels? Does the dishwasher door work with the chosen plinth? Are the appliances arriving with the cabinets or on another delivery?
If you are buying the kitchen yourself and arranging installation separately, put those answers in one shared pack. For a South West London home or rental property, a checked order is a more useful starting point than a folder of product photographs.
Start with one agreed version of the plan
Send your installer the latest dimensioned layout, the supplier’s itemised order and any drawings showing wall units, tall units or an island. Date the files so an earlier design cannot be mistaken for the version you intend to buy.
Mark what is being retained. An existing fridge, sink or washing machine needs to be included in the discussion just as clearly as a new appliance. Note anything you have not chosen yet rather than allowing a blank space on the plan to imply that it is settled.
Ask who is responsible for the final site measurements and checking the order. A supplier’s drawing and an installer’s agreed scope serve different purposes; establish how discrepancies will be resolved before committing to products.
Use model numbers, not just appliance widths
“Integrated dishwasher” is not a complete specification. Supply the exact model number and manufacturer’s installation instructions, including the requirements for its cabinet opening and furniture door.
Bosch’s dishwasher guidance says installation measurements vary between models and highlights the need to keep the plinth or adjacent bottom drawer clear of the opening door. That is a useful example of why the appliance and cabinet choices must be checked together. Follow the instructions for the actual product being fitted, rather than applying another model’s dimensions.
For each appliance, record whether it is new or retained, who supplies it and who is arranging installation and connections. Have the relevant installer assess any changes to services before ordering; do not assume that the existing arrangement suits a replacement.
Settle the worktop questions alongside the units
Include the worktop material, thickness, edge finish and proposed joins in the pack. Identify the sink, tap and hob by product reference, and ask the worktop supplier to confirm compatibility and the information needed for any cut-outs.
If your chosen supplier uses a separate measuring or templating visit, ask what must be ready beforehand. Who books that visit? Which products must be on site? What changes would require another measurement? Get the supplier’s answers in writing and share them with the installer.
Also agree responsibility for the work between cabinet fitting and final completion: worktop installation, plumbing connections, splashbacks, sealing and making good. These are scope questions, not assumptions to leave until delivery day.
Check the small pieces as carefully as the cabinets
Go through the order against the drawing, paying attention to finishing items:
- End panels, filler pieces and plinths.
- Handles and the agreed positions for them.
- Cabinet interiors, bins and storage accessories.
- Appliance furniture doors and any model-specific fitting parts.
- Upstands, splashbacks and exposed edges.
Ask the supplier which items are included and which need ordering separately. Keep a short list of unresolved points, with one person responsible for each answer. An attractive design is easier to install when everyone knows what is actually arriving.
Plan the deliveries for the property
Do not assume one kitchen order means one delivery. For example, DIY Kitchens’ delivery information says its appliances are delivered separately from the kitchen. Check the arrangements for your own suppliers and products, including how delivery dates are confirmed.
For an upstairs flat in Battersea or Putney, establish where the delivery service stops and who is responsible for carrying items onwards. Share entrance, stair and lift details with the supplier. In a managed block, check booking arrangements and protection for communal areas; in a terraced house, think through where boxed units can be stored without blocking everyday access.
Agree who receives and checks each delivery, records missing or damaged items, and contacts the supplier. Keep packaging and product labels until you have followed the supplier’s checking and reporting instructions.
Send a clear installation enquiry
A useful enquiry includes your postcode, current kitchen photographs, the latest plan and order, exact appliance models, worktop arrangements and a list of outstanding decisions. Add whether the property is occupied and which delivery dates are confirmed.
OSPM provides kitchen installation and refurbishment in South West London. If the kitchen forms part of a wider property refurbishment, include the flooring, decoration and adjoining-room work in the same brief. For earlier layout and access decisions, see our kitchen planning guide for flats.
Send us your kitchen plans and property details so we can discuss the installation scope and what needs checking next.
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