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Costs & Planning

Living Without a Kitchen: How to Prepare for Your Installation

Simple steps to make installation week easier for your family.

A new kitchen is exciting, but a week or two without one takes some planning. These simple steps help installation run smoothly and keep life at home manageable.

Two weeks before

  • Confirm your kitchen delivery date and check the delivery against the order as soon as it arrives.
  • Choose where the boxes will be stored — ideally a dry room close to the kitchen.
  • Book any separate trades you have arranged yourself, such as flooring, so they fit the schedule.

A few days before

  • Empty all cupboards, drawers and the fridge-freezer.
  • Take down blinds, shelves and anything fixed to the walls you want to keep.
  • Clear a path from the front door to the kitchen for removal and delivery.
  • Arrange parking if you live in a controlled parking zone.

Set up a temporary kitchen

A small table in another room with a kettle, microwave, toaster and a few plates goes a long way. Keep a washing-up bowl in the bathroom and plan simple meals. We schedule work so you are without a sink and cooker for as short a time as possible.

During installation

  • Agree working hours and a daily check-in with the project lead.
  • Keep pets and children away from the work area.
  • Make decisions quickly if a question comes up — it keeps the job moving.

At handover

Walk through the kitchen with the fitter, test every appliance, tap and drawer, and make a list of any snags. You should also receive the paperwork for gas and electrical work.

Planning a kitchen in London? Get in touch and we will give you a clear plan for each day before work starts.

Frequently asked questions

Where should the new kitchen boxes be stored?

In a dry room close to the kitchen, with a clear route between them. Avoid sheds, garages with damp, or anywhere the boxes could get wet before installation.

Do I need to be at home during installation?

Not all day, but someone should be available on the first morning, for any key decisions, and at handover so we can walk through the finished kitchen together.

Will there be a lot of dust?

Some dust is unavoidable, especially during strip-out and plastering, but we protect floors and adjoining rooms, use dust sheets and clean up at the end of each working day.

Should I tell my neighbours?

It is a good idea, especially in flats and terraces. Let them know the dates, as there will be deliveries, waste removal and some noise during the strip-out.

What Our Clients Say

From the very first survey to the final clean-up, the whole process was seamless. Our handleless kitchen in Kensington turned out exactly as we'd hoped - sleek, practical, and beautifully finished. Communication throughout was excellent, and every trade turned up exactly when they said they would.

Oliver & Sophia Bennett

We couldn't be happier with our new shaker kitchen in Richmond. The team managed everything - plumbing, electrics, plastering - without a single hiccup. The navy blue cabinetry looks stunning and the custom pantry unit has completely changed how we store things. Highly recommend.

James & Charlotte Davies

As someone who entertains often, I needed a kitchen that could keep up. Surchan Kitchen delivered a genuinely industrial-style space in Chelsea that's both striking and durable. The fixed price they quoted at the start was exactly what I paid - no surprises, no add-ons.

Alexander Wright

Our Marylebone kitchen installation was handled with real professionalism from start to finish. The oak finishes and marble worktops were fitted with incredible precision, and the team was respectful of our home throughout the whole project. We'd use them again without hesitation.

Liam & Maya Patel

I have a small flat in Notting Hill and honestly didn't think I'd get this much storage out of the space. The team was creative with the layout and every recommendation they made turned out to be the right one. Tidy, professional, and finished on schedule.

Emily Clarke

Renovating a period property in Mayfair comes with its own challenges, but Surchan Kitchen handled it brilliantly. The sage green cabinetry and the wine display unit are exactly what we envisioned. Every member of the team was courteous and clearly experienced.

Edward & Victoria Hastings

Our Chiswick kitchen is now the heart of the house. The terracotta and off-white combination was a bold choice but the team executed it perfectly. The extended dining table built into the island has become everyone's favourite spot. Great value and great communication.

Benjamin & Chloe Evans

With four kids at home, we needed something that could withstand daily chaos. The Ealing installation has held up brilliantly and looks just as good months later. The team clearly understood what a busy family kitchen actually needs, not just how it should look.

Thomas & Grace Robinson

Straightforward, honest, and well priced. My Hammersmith kitchen was completed on time with no unexpected costs. I appreciated how clearly everything was explained before work started, and the finish quality has genuinely exceeded what I paid for.

Daniel Harris

Surchan Kitchen transformed our outdated galley kitchen into something we're genuinely proud of. The survey process was thorough and the final quote matched exactly what we were told at the start. Couldn't recommend the team more.

Sophie Turner

We interviewed three companies before choosing Surchan Kitchen, and it was the right decision. Their attention to detail during the planning stage saved us from several layout mistakes we hadn't considered. The finished kitchen speaks for itself.

Rebecca & Mark Foster

Professional from day one. The old kitchen was removed and the new one installed within the timeframe we were given, and the finish is excellent. It's rare to find a company that does exactly what it says it will, but that's exactly what happened here.

Amelia Cooper