NMB Kitchen Planning Handbook · Guide 6 of 6
How to prepare for your kitchen installation
A new kitchen is exciting, but many people do not realise how much the preparation before fitting day affects how smoothly the project runs.
We have fitted hundreds of kitchens across Prestwich and Greater Manchester. The projects that run best are always the ones where the client was well prepared before we arrived. This guide gives you a week-by-week countdown, the problems we see most and how to live without a kitchen for a few weeks.
By Nevin Smith, kitchen fitter and director at NMB Kitchens & Bathrooms
Why it matters
Why preparation matters more than you think
Fitting a kitchen is not just fitting cabinets. It often involves several trades, structural work, electrics and plumbing, so small oversights can cause big disruption. We have seen:
✓ Appliances not ordered in time, holding up the whole project
✓ Cupboards still full when we arrived to start
✓ Belongings damaged because they were not moved or protected
✓ Materials stored badly and ruined before fitting
Delays can also affect other trades’ schedules and push your project back further. Good preparation avoids all of this.
Your countdown
Your preparation timeline, week by week
Start preparing at least 4–6 weeks before fitting day. Spreading the jobs out is the easiest way to keep stress down.
4–6 weeks before
Start decluttering. Be honest: most kitchens are full of tubs with missing lids, out-of-date food and things nobody has used in years. Clear out what you do not need and donate anything useful.
Prepare a storage area in another room and space for deliveries. Make sure all appliances are ordered and checked with your fitter, delivery dates match the fitting dates, and handles, lighting and sockets are decided. If walls are coming down or steels going in, talk to your fitter about protecting the rest of the house from dust.
2–3 weeks before
Keep clearing the kitchen and utility room. Double-check every order and delivery date, and go through your plans again carefully.
Tell your fitter about any changes straight away. Even something small, like adding a boiling water tap, can affect the electrics, plumbing or cabinet sizes. Book a decorator if you need one, confirm the skip or waste removal, and check whether the skip needs a permit.
1 week before
The kitchen should be nearly empty. Have cleaning supplies ready, especially if there is building work. Plan how you will manage meals, washing up and laundry, and decide whether your fitter needs a key.
Many people underestimate this stage, but it makes a big difference to your day-to-day comfort.
The day before
Fully empty the kitchen, including cupboards, worktops, the fridge and freezer (unless they are staying). Double-check deliveries and anything outstanding, and make sure the fitters can get in easily.
Then have a cup of tea and relax. You are ready.
Real problems
Real problems we have seen, and how to avoid them
Appliances not ordered in time. Key items are missing on fitting day, which disrupts the schedule and delays completion. We have even had to leave a job for a while because items were not available.
The kitchen not fully emptied. We have arrived to find full cupboards, food left out and washing up in the sink. It slows everything down from day one.
Materials stored badly. Kitchen doors, long panels and wooden flooring must be stored flat. If not, they can warp or get damaged before they are even fitted.
Living without a kitchen
Plan how you will live for 4–5 weeks
This is one of the most overlooked parts of a renovation. Your kitchen may be out of use for 4–5 weeks, so think about where you will cook, how you will wash up and what you will do about laundry. Some clients:
✓ Use meal delivery services
✓ Set up a temporary kitchen in another room
✓ Use a gym or family members’ homes for facilities
✓ Hire a temporary outdoor kitchen
Think about children, pets, work and the noise and disruption too. A little planning here makes a huge difference.
Easily forgotten
Practical things people often forget
A few small jobs that make fitting week much easier for everyone.
Fridge and freezer
Empty them, and make space for any appliances you are keeping.
Valuables
Move or protect mirrors, artwork and furniture near the work.
Dust
Take down curtains and soft furnishings where dust may travel.
Neighbours
Let them know about noise, deliveries and any disruption.
Parking and the skip
Arrange parking for the fitters and a place for the skip.
Access
Clear the route from the front door to the kitchen for deliveries.
My honest advice
Three things that make the biggest difference
1. Work from a clear checklist. There is a lot to think about, so write down the timings, deliveries and questions.
2. Do not leave things until the last minute. This is where most stress comes from. Spread the jobs over a few weeks and stay organised.
3. Talk to your kitchen fitter. Ask questions, check the plans and confirm the details. We are all human and mistakes can happen, but they are much easier to fix early.
Your checklist
Kitchen installation countdown checklist
Print this page or keep it handy, and tick each job off as you go.
4–6 weeks before
☐ Declutter the kitchen
☐ Prepare a storage space
☐ Confirm all appliance orders
☐ Review the kitchen plans carefully
2–3 weeks before
☐ Check delivery dates
☐ Confirm trades and timings
☐ Arrange the skip and any permit
1 week before
☐ Kitchen almost empty
☐ Plan meals and living arrangements
☐ Cleaning supplies ready
The day before
☐ Kitchen fully cleared
☐ Access and deliveries checked
☐ Relax, you are ready
Final thoughts
Good preparation makes a smooth renovation
A new kitchen is a big investment, and good preparation is what turns it into a smooth, well-managed project. In our experience, the clients who take the time to prepare always have a better experience.
Work with experienced professionals and stay organised from the start, and the whole process will be far more enjoyable.
NMB Kitchen Planning Handbook
Continue planning your kitchen
Six practical guides from our team to help you make informed decisions before your renovation starts.
Guide 1
Planning a new kitchen
Plan around how you live, think ahead and check the details before you order.
Guide 2
Setting a realistic kitchen budget
Where your money matters most, the hidden costs to allow for and how to save without cutting quality.
Guide 3
Kitchen layout ideas
Galley, L-shaped, U-shaped, island and peninsula kitchens, and how to choose the right one.
Guide 4
Kitchen storage ideas
Design storage around what you own and how you use it, from drawers to pantries and bins.
Guide 5
Choosing a kitchen fitter
The questions to ask and the checks to make before you hire a kitchen company in Manchester.
Guide 6 · You are here
Preparing for installation
What to do in the weeks before fitting day, so the work runs smoothly and on time.
Questions
Kitchen installation questions answered
Quick answers to the questions we are asked most before fitting day.
How far in advance should I start preparing?
Ideally at least 4–6 weeks before installation. That gives you time to declutter, organise storage, confirm appliance orders and finalise the design. Leaving it to the last minute is one of the most common causes of delays and stress.
Do I need to completely empty my kitchen?
Yes. Cupboards, worktops and the fridge and freezer should be empty before the fitters arrive, so work can start straight away and nothing gets damaged.
Can I stay in my home during a kitchen renovation?
Yes, most people do. Plan for the kitchen being out of use for several weeks: set up a temporary cooking area, plan meals ahead and expect some dust and noise.
What can delay a kitchen installation?
The most common causes are appliances not ordered or delivered in time, design changes once work has started, a kitchen that has not been cleared, missing materials and poor coordination between trades.
How do I protect the rest of my house?
Move or cover valuables, take down curtains and soft furnishings near the work, and talk to your fitter about dust protection, especially if walls are being removed or steels fitted.
What customers say
Rated 4.9 on Google
A family-run team, FMB members since 2014, with more than 25 years in kitchens, bathrooms and building work.
“The quality of fitting is second to none. It’s a big decision investing in a kitchen and you have to get the right people.”
Zowie Hayward
“NMB completed our kitchen project in 2021 and we were so impressed we asked them to come back and do our bathroom in 2025.”
Hayley Mason
“Nev, Chris and the team were fantastic, extremely high standard of work. They also sorted out the building control stuff as well.”
Lava Yuki
Free design visit
Plan your kitchen installation with us
Tell us about your kitchen and when you would like the work done. We will arrange a free, no-obligation design visit and guide you through everything from preparation to fitting day.
✓ Free home visit with no obligation
✓ Bespoke kitchen and bathroom designs for your space
✓ Full project coordination from design to completion
✓ Structural alterations and building work covered
✓ A trusted local team with consistently positive feedback