“So realistically, how long are we without a working kitchen?” It’s usually one of the first questions we get asked in a consultation, and fair enough – most families can plan around a lot of disruption, but not knowing how long that disruption will last is what actually causes stress.
We’ve installed fitted kitchens across London and the surrounding areas for long enough to know that the honest answer is “it depends” – but that’s not a very useful answer on its own. So in this guide, we’re breaking down exactly what affects installation time, what a realistic week-by-week timeline looks like, and what tends to cause delays, based on projects we’ve completed in areas like Croydon, Reading, Slough, Harrow, and Pinner.
The Short Answer First
For a standard fitted kitchen installation, most projects take between 2 and 4 weeks from the first day on site to final snagging. Larger kitchens, structural changes, or older properties can push that to 5-6 weeks.
That said, this figure only covers the physical installation. It doesn’t include design, ordering, or lead times on cabinetry – which we’ll come to shortly, because it’s usually the part people underestimate most.
What Affects How Long a Fitted Kitchen Takes
Not every kitchen installation moves at the same pace. In our experience, a handful of factors consistently make the biggest difference.
1. Kitchen Size and Layout Complexity
A straightforward galley kitchen will always move faster than an open-plan L-shaped layout with an island. More units simply mean more fitting time.
2. Structural Work Involved
If a wall is coming down, or you’re extending into a dining room, this adds time before the kitchen fitting itself even begins. We see this often in Croydon and Reading properties, where homeowners are opening up older, more compartmentalised layouts.
3. Plumbing and Electrical Changes
Moving a sink, relocating appliances, or adding new sockets all take longer than working with an existing layout. If pipework needs rerouting, this is usually the single biggest factor in extending a timeline.
4. Property Age and Condition
Older homes – common across Harrow and Pinner – sometimes reveal issues once work starts: uneven walls, outdated wiring, or flooring that needs levelling before units can go in. This is one of the most common reasons a project runs slightly over its original estimate.
5. Custom or Bespoke Elements
Bespoke cabinetry, specific finishes, or made-to-measure units generally take longer to both order and fit compared with standard sizing.
Pro Tip: Ask your installer for a realistic range rather than a single fixed number. A well-run project should give you a “best case” and “likely case” timeline, not just a best case.
A Realistic Week-by-Week Breakdown
Here’s roughly how a standard fitted kitchen installation tends to unfold, based on our own projects:
| Stage | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Strip-out and preparation | 1-3 days |
| First fix electrics/plumbing | 2-3 days |
| Carcass and unit installation | 3-5 days |
| Worktop templating and fitting | 3-5 days (including template curing time) |
| Appliance fitting and final connections | 1-2 days |
| Snagging and finishing touches | 1-2 days |
This adds up to roughly 2 to 3 weeks for a standard kitchen without major structural work – though we always build in some flexibility, because kitchens rarely go 100% to plan once walls are opened up.
A Real Example
Daler Kitchens & Bedroom recently completed a fitted kitchen in Croydon for a family replacing a dated 1990s layout. The original estimate was three weeks. Once we removed the old units, we found the wall behind needed re-plastering before new cabinetry could be fixed – adding roughly four extra days. We flagged it immediately rather than let it become a surprise at the end, which is standard practice on our jobs.
Don’t Forget the Time Before Installation Starts
This is the part that catches people out. The installation itself is only one stage of the process.
Before fitting even begins, you’ll typically need:
- Design consultation and measuring (1-2 weeks)
- Final design approval and ordering (varies by supplier)
- Cabinetry lead time (commonly 4-8 weeks, depending on finish)
- Scheduling an installation slot with your fitting team
So while the physical fitted kitchen installation might take 2-4 weeks, the full journey from first enquiry to finished kitchen is often closer to 8-12 weeks in total. We always walk customers through this upfront, because “how long will it take” usually really means “how long until I have a working kitchen again.”
Key Takeaway: Installation time and total project time are two different things – and a trustworthy installer should be clear about both from day one.
How Location Affects Scheduling (Not Just Installation Time)
Something people don’t always expect: your location can affect scheduling more than the actual fitting time. Access, parking, and property type all play a part.
- Fitted kitchen in Croydon – often involves working around terraced housing with limited street parking, which can affect delivery scheduling for larger units
- Fitted kitchen in Reading – many newer-build properties here mean faster, more predictable fitting, since walls and utilities are usually more standardised
- Slough and Harrow – a mix of both older and newer housing stock, so timelines vary more project to project
- Pinner – period properties are common, and older wall structures occasionally require extra prep time before fitting
None of this dramatically changes your overall timeline, but it’s part of why we always assess the property in person before committing to a fixed schedule.
Common Reasons Fitted Kitchen Projects Run Over Schedule
Based on projects we’ve completed, these are the most frequent causes of delay:
- Structural surprises once old units or walls are removed
- Bespoke cabinetry delivery running later than the supplier’s original estimate
- Late changes to layout or finish after ordering has already begun
- Underestimating drying/curing time for certain worktop materials, like stone
- Access issues, particularly in terraced properties with limited parking
Pro Tip: If you’re planning around a specific date – a family event, for example – always build in at least a week of buffer beyond the estimated finish date.
Planning Your Own Fitted Kitchen Timeline
Every kitchen project has its own rhythm, shaped by the property, the layout, and how much is changing structurally. The best way to get an accurate timeline isn’t a generic estimate – it’s having someone assess your actual space.
If you’re planning a fitted kitchen and want a realistic sense of how long your project would take, whether you’re in Croydon, Reading, or one of the surrounding areas we work in, our team is happy to talk it through honestly. Get in touch or fill out our enquiry form, and we’ll help you plan a timeline that actually holds up.
FAQs
Most standard fitted kitchen London installations take between 2 and 4 weeks, depending on size and complexity.
Not usually due to location itself, though older terraced properties in Croydon can sometimes need extra prep work, which may add a few days.
Structural surprises, bespoke cabinetry lead times, and late design changes are the most common reasons a project runs over its original estimate.
We’d recommend allowing 8-12 weeks in total from initial design to finished installation, factoring in cabinetry lead times.
Often, yes. Many Reading properties are newer builds, which can mean fewer structural surprises compared with older housing stock.
Usually not fully, though many customers set up a temporary kitchen area elsewhere in the home during the main fitting stage.
Yes – we install fitted kitchens across London and surrounding areas, including Croydon, Reading, Slough, Harrow, and Pinner.