A new kitchen is a significant investment — typically £8,000–£25,000 for a mid-range fitted kitchen. Surface damage discovered at installation — chips in the worktop, scratches on the floor, marks on cabinet doors — should be addressed before final payment is made to the kitchen company.

Common New Kitchen Installation Damage

Worktop chips during installation — granite and quartz worktops are vulnerable to chipping during transportation and fitting. Chips discovered at installation should be raised with the kitchen company immediately.
Floor scratches — kitchen fitters working in a room for several days create opportunities for floor damage, particularly from dropped tools and slid units.
Cabinet door scratches — doors can be scratched during fitting and adjustment.
Tile chips — wall tiles near worktop edges can chip during worktop installation.

Your Rights

If the kitchen company or their installers caused the damage, they are responsible for remediation. Do not make final payment until damage has been addressed to your satisfaction. Photographs taken before, during and after installation are invaluable in establishing when damage occurred.

If the Kitchen Company Will Not Repair

If a kitchen company fails to repair installation damage, independent professional repair is usually the most practical solution. The cost can be pursued through small claims if necessary.