Replacing your kitchen

When we’re upgrading your kitchen you can expect us to:

• remove your old kitchen units, sink, worktops, tiling and floor covering
• fit new units, worktops and a sink with lever taps
• fit a splash back, where possible, above the new work surfaces.
• fit new flooring – though if you have your own flooring and you’d like to keep it, we’ll see what we can do
• paint your kitchen
• fit an extractor fan if possible, which will run at a low speed all the time to prevent condensation and give background ventilation
• possibly upgrade your electric consumer unit (fuse box)

We’ll contact you to let you know about plans to replace your kitchen and which of our contractors will be carrying out the work.

Our contractor will get in touch to introduce themselves and explain what sort of work they’ll be doing. They’ll let you know if you have any choices in colour or design and clarify how long they expect the work to take. They’ll also put you in touch with a liaison officer who will chat to you about any access arrangements and contact you before the work starts. They will be your main point of contact for any general questions you might have.

From time to time there might be unexpected changes to the schedule. We’ll keep you posted if this happens.

Asbestos surveys

Before the work starts, we might also want to carry out an asbestos survey in your home. This is a routine safety check, and nothing to worry about.

We need to check there’s no hidden asbestos which could be disturbed when work is being carried out. If we do need to do a survey, our specialist contractor Environtec will contact you directly. If any damage is caused, we will repair it when the work is finished.

Not every home needs an asbestos survey.

You’ll be given a range of choices for your new kitchen’s unit fronts, worktops, wall tiles and flooring.

Your new kitchen will be designed around your white goods such as your fridge, washing machine and oven. Safety is always our top priority, but we will try to take your design views into account where possible.

If you plan to replace any of your white goods you should make us aware of this before the kitchen is designed so we can ensure that your new appliances fit properly.

We’ll send a finished design of your kitchen to you which we’ll ask you to agree to and sign. Once you’ve agreed we won’t be able to change the design and your kitchen will be manufactured accordingly. If you do change your mind, or refuse the kitchen you might be charged for the cost of the materials.

The liaison officer will contact you to tell you what you should do to prepare for your new kitchen, which might include:

● emptying your kitchen cupboards

● clearing your worktops

● safely storing electrical items like your kettle, toaster and microwave oven, plus any ornaments or fragile items to prevent any damage

● clear the area around your consumer unit (fuse board) if your home’s not been rewired recently

You might need to find somewhere to move floor coverings, furniture, or white goods like fridges or freezers or washing machines. We’ll let you know in advance if this is the case. To keep your food fresh, fridges and freezers will need to be moved to another spot where they can be plugged in – it’s your responsibility to make sure they stay connected to power for the duration of the works.

If you have any special needs which make it difficult for you to lift or move large items, our contractor may agree to move furniture or flooring for you.

However, they can’t accept any liability for damage to your belongings so they might ask you to sign a form to say you agree to this.

It normally takes 10 working days to fit a kitchen. After the work is finished, our contractor and planned works project manager may visit to inspect the completed work.

Your kitchen will be where most of the disruption takes place, and you’ll have limited access to it while the work is going on. You also won’t be able to use it during the working day, though we’ll ensure you have some basic temporary kitchen functions.

There’ll be some noise, and contractors will need to be in and out of your home. Your water and power will be switched off for a short time while plumbing or electrical work is happening.

As most heating systems rely on electrical controls you may also be without heating for a short time. However we’ll never leave you without power or water overnight, and if you ask us to, we’ll reconnect your cooker at the end of each day.

Our contractor will treat you and your home with respect. They will clean up any mess and pack away equipment at the end of each day.

When the work is completed you will be shown how to use any new equipment and left with the relevant instruction manuals.

Our contractor will disconnect your gas or electric cooker to make sure the work is carried out safely.

Our contractor will follow safe working practices but there will be hazards in your home while the work is being done, such as building materials, equipment and raised floorboards. You’ll be given safety advice which you and your family should follow.

The safety of you and your family, and our contractors, is our top priority. Your kitchen upgrade will be fully supervised by a site manager through to completion.

Our contractors should always wear the correct PPE (personal protective equipment) but if you’ve got any concerns this isn’t happening, let us know. We will never risk your safety, and neither should our contractors.

If you have any questions or would like more information on our arrangements, just drop us a line via our Contact us page.

If you’re a homeowner you’ll most likely be responsible for repairing and maintaining your home, which will include your kitchen.

However, if you do want to upgrade your kitchen, you might still need our permission before you start.

You can find out more information about upgrading your home in your agreement. If you are unsure about what your agreement says, please contact us and a member of the leasehold and homeownership team will get back to you.