Thinking about getting back into kitchen fitting after 25 years out. Thoughts please

[The Mortgage Man]

I think one of the biggest changes is in Solid Surface Worktop Materials. There are so many available now all with their good and bad points.
I used to fit Corian back in the 90's and now we have so many variations on this type of worktop. Solid 20-30mm options, 44mm Encore (5mm solid surface on a chipboard core).

I could go on but its all down to reading the instructions and making sure the joints are very clean before you bond up. Similarly with appliances, read the fitting instructions and make sure the ventilation and spacing etc are correct.

Thanks for that mate.
I suppose its the lack of knowledge in these areas that is holding me back and causing me to question if I have the confidence to get back in the game. If someone wanted anything other than a simple drop in sink, for instance, I'd be scratching my head.

[Daz Gizmo]

I know what you mean..... but the web now can give you hints and show you how to do things
The Mistral Solid Surface Videos here are very informative - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRvUkrqx...ZoePuI-SSY

[The Mortgage Man]

I know what you mean..... but the web now can give you hints and show you how to do things
The Mistral Solid Surface Videos here are very informative - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRvUkrqx...ZoePuI-SSY

That's brilliant mate. A bit scary though.

I can see me burning the midnight oil watching all those vids.

[Daz Gizmo]

There are also courses for fitters to go on with most of these materials. Enjoy

[MDK]

In a similar position myself really . First job from school was working with a fitter on site . Loved it , got laid off though when the recession hit in the early nineties . Worked for a couple of other kitchen companies down the years on and off, MFI plus a couple of independents .

Anyway , the range of gear out there now is mindblowing . Especially worktops . It was laminate 30 or 40mm last time i did them . Plus the odd tiled job with worktop edging .

Glue guns for cornice and pelmet , iron for plinth edging then trim with Stanley scraper, also used to file my worktop edging off (hated that job) . Elu flip over saw and router , AEG cordless and a Hitachi angle drill for when your head was squashed against the ceiling ! (or a stubby phillips) . There was even a Yankee in the tool bag . We certainly hardly ever used a circular saw . Cabs rarely had adjustable legs and nearly all were 15mm .

Think i'm getting nostalgic for the old job Seems main changes are in the worktop department though .

[Rapid edge]

You are right there has been a lot of changes in 25 years, I think you could struggle through with the gear you have and invest some of your earnings to buy better equipment.

I think one of the hardest things would be winning the work, you would be competing against well experienced fitters who are very good at selling there service because they do it every week.
But don't let this put you off in any way, If your confident in what you are doing you will build a good reputation and gain more leads through recommends.
It will just take a bit of time.

Good luck

[MDK]

Thanks for the comment Rapid Edge .

Would need to buy a router , jig , clamps , mitre saw , plus all the other spares and sundries a fitter carries . Got a van though and lord knows how many other power and hand tools one accumulates down the years .

Got plenty of experience in electrical work so this would be done by myself . Have to register with a trade body for Part P i suppose but that's no problem . Basic plumbing I can do , gas or anything tricky i could sub out . Same with the tiling .

You're right about winning the work i think . One thing i am NOT is a salesman ! It's also the product knowledge that worries me . Customers may ask 'well which worktop do you recommend' or 'which sink would look best in this kitchen' . Truth is my knowledge on this would be very limited , though if i focused on using a couple of suppliers and got to know their product ranges i could become better informed in theory.

Then it's just a case of finding out about the various different types of worktop , how to cut them etc . Huge learning curve which i think is arkward if you're not working with this stuff day in day out .

Not bad with a tape measure (or foldy rule ) and dimensions so could design i think after a bit of practice . I know for a fact though that kitchens i've done in the past hardly ever went smoothly and there was nearly always a mistake by the kitchen 'surveyor' .

Suppose i could offer a fitting service only , along with a supply and fit also . Maybe i'm trying to run before i can walk

Food for thought though , and something i want to pursue .

[andy5405]

Don't worry about solid surface, I've never fitted it and I'm not in a rush to either. I steer people towards granite if they have that sort of money to spend. You can get by by just fitting laminate and timber tops yourself and sub the granite (which we all do anyway)

Re skills it sounds like you have what is required. I think you should concentrate on getting a marketing plan together first or a source of some subbie work to get you going for the first few months. All the skills, current knowledge, tools etc. will all fall into place once you're out there working. Any other questions, post them on here and you'll always get an answer.

To put into perspective, have a look at a new member on here called Kenzmay. He's ex forces and had no experience. He first posted back in April about wanting to become a kitchen fitter when he left the forces in August. He's up and running now with a lot less experience than you. You can do it.

It's just a load of square boxes stuck together that have to be level and upright with the odd hole left here and there to bung an appliance in.

[Daniel]

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It's just a load of square boxes stuck together that have to be level and upright with the odd hole left here and there to bung an appliance in.

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Thats what I keep telling my fitters as well Andy but they still want more bloody money