Kitchen and Bathroom Fitter
What is the work like?
Kitchen and bathroom fitters assemble and install kitchens and bathroom suites in domestic and commercial premises. They fit cupboards, worktops, appliances, flooring and fittings when working on kitchen installations. In bathrooms they put in baths, shower units, sinks, toilets and storage cabinets.
As a kitchen and bathroom fitter, your day-to-day work would involve:
- measuring out work areas in line with layout and design plans
- ripping out and disposing of old units and suites
- marking the location of hidden pipes and cables
- filling in small cracks, and levelling walls and floors
- relocating sockets and plumbing points where necessary
- assembling cabinets, base units and shower units
- measuring and cutting worktops, recesses and joints
- fitting units and appliances
- tiling walls and laying flooring
- clearing away debris at the end of the job.
You would normally work alone or in a small team. You may need a qualified electrician, plumber or CORGI-registered gas technician to complete parts of the job, for example, reconnecting a gas supply.
Health and safety is an important part of this work, and you must follow Building Regulations at all times.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You would normally have to be a qualified tradesperson, like a joiner, plumber or electrician, to work in kitchen and bathroom fitting. An employer may also be willing to take you on if you have experience in a related area, such as cabinet making, plastering or tiling. See related profiles for more details about these trades.
You may be able to start as an apprentice tradesperson with a building company and then move into kitchen and bathroom fitting. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
There is also a limited number of specific kitchen installer Apprenticeships available. See the Kitchens Bedrooms Bathrooms National Training Group (KBBNTG) for details.
You would need to provide your own tools and transport for most jobs.
ConstructionSkills has general information on construction careers and qualifications. The construction trades are also being promoted as a career choice for women through the Know Your Place campaign.
What further training and development can I do?
You could choose from a range of short training courses offered by the KBBNTG, which include:
- kitchen installation programme
- Building Regulations
- business start-up
- the principles of kitchen design.
You could also take formal qualifications related to your particular trade, for example the NVQ in Wood Occupations.
Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)
Many building contractors now insist that you have a CSCS card to work on their sites. The card is proof of your skills and competence. To get your card you must:
- pass a health and safety assessment
- have an NVQ or equivalent qualification.
If you are working without qualifications, you may be able to use On-Site Assessment and Training (OSAT) or Experienced Worker Practical Assessment (EWPA) to get your NVQ and card. Contact CSCS for further details.
Part P
You will need Part P certification to satisfy Building Regulations if you want to carry out certain electrical work, for example, adding new circuitry for showers or lighting. You can gain certification by completing a short recognised training course with: (links open in a new window) NICEIC, BRE Certification, ELECSA, British Standards Institution, National Association of Inspectors & Testers or Electrical Contractor's Association.
CORGI
You must be CORGI-registered to connect and disconnect gas supplies to appliances. If you want to carry out this type of work yourself, contact CORGI about registration requirements, as you may have to take further training before you can register with them.
The Corgi Registration Scheme is in the process of being phased out and will be replaced by a new registration scheme, administered by Capita, in early 2009. See the HSE press release for more information.
Where can I go for more information?
Tel: 0844 576 8777King's Lynn
Norfolk
PE31 6RH
Tel: 01485 577577
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries are between £13,500 and £16,000 a year.
- Experienced kitchen fitters can earn between £17,000 and £24,500 a year.
Self-employed fitters set their own rates.
This section is intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your normal working hours would be 37 to 40 hours a week. You may sometimes have to work overtime to meet deadlines.
You would use a range of hand and power tools, and wear safety clothing on all jobs. Conditions are likely to be dusty, especially when ripping out existing fittings.
The nature of the work means you would travel from site to site, with some contracts taking you further afield and involving periods of time away from home.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent practical skills
- the ability to follow technical drawings
- the ability to mark out accurate measurements
- good problem-solving skills
- creative flair and ideas
- good customer care skills
- the ability to complete work to deadlines
- the ability to work alone or as part of a team
- an understanding of Building Regulations
- an awareness of health and safety.
What opportunities are there?
You can find work with building companies, design agencies, kitchen and bathroom manufacturers and retailers. Self employment is another common option.
With experience and further training, for instance in computer aided design, you could move into planning and installation design. In a larger company, you could progress to become a business development manager, area sales coordinator or project manager, leading a team of designers and installers.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)
Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA)
bConstructive
Construction Jobs Network
Jobcentre Plus
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