
Fitting a kitchen can be an arduous task and it is not always possible to have every tool for the job. The process involves carrying out demolition on the old kitchen, setting the water pipes, fitting the electricity lines, creating space for one of the best over the sink dish racks and then finally fitting the new kitchen. The tools required to fit a kitchen are not expensive and once the installation has been completed, you will be able to use them on other DIY projects.
Hand Tools
The first job that needs to be carried out is the demolition of the existing kitchen. To remove the kitchen units and cupboards a crowbar will be required. You will need a small crowbar and a larger one to free more stubbornly secured furnishings but if you only have one crowbar that will be fine. A paint scraper can be used to remove any glue or silicone from the walls left behind after the units have been taken out. This scraper can also be used to fill in any holes or cavities in the existing plasterboard with a plaster-filler. A claw-hammer for removing any flooring or wood trim is required but it also can be used for driving in nails to secure the new cabinets. A rubber mallet can be used to gently hammer the cabinets and flooring into place but a rag wrapped around a claw-hammer will suffice.
Power Tools
A kitchen can be fitted without using power tools but the whole process would be a lot more difficult. A reliable hammer-action drill plus a good quality set of drill-bits are required for tightening and loosening screws. A hole-saw attachment is required for drilling holes for water pipes and electrics through the back of the kitchen cabinets. You may need a number of different sizes depending on the variation in the width of hole required for the piping. A chop saw is useful for cutting the trim at the base of the cabinets but this again is not an essential tool to have. More heavy-duty cutting tools are required for fitting a granite or marble top but I would not recommend carrying out this task without the aid of a professional.
Electrical and Plumbing Tools
Before advising on what tools you require to fit electrical and plumbing fixtures, I need to point out that this work legally can only be carried out by a certified professional. A phase tester is the first tool that you will need, as this will tell you whether the wires are live or not. Wire cutters and strippers are a must when fitting sockets or working with cables, as this will help you neatly cut the wires. For the plumbing element of the job you will need a monkey wrench, pipe cutters and plumbing tape to securely fit piping that will be leak free.