--- title: "Supply-only vs Full-fit Kitchen East Lothian - Which?" description: "Comparing supply only vs full fit kitchen East Lothian options? See costs, timelines, and trade-offs to choose the right route for your home." url: "https://fittedkitchenseastlothian.co.uk/supply-only-vs-full-fit/" --- # Supply-only vs Full-fit Kitchens in East Lothian - Which Is Right for You? **Choosing between supply-only and full-fit comes down to one question: how much of the project do you want to manage yourself?** Both routes can deliver an excellent kitchen, but they suit very different buyers, budgets, and timescales. Understanding the practical differences before you commit saves money and prevents the kind of mid-project stress that turns a renovation into a drawn-out ordeal. ## What Supply-only Actually Means With supply-only, a kitchen retailer or manufacturer delivers the units, doors, worktops, and appliances to your door. You then hire your own tradespeople to carry out the installation. This suits buyers who already have a trusted joiner or kitchen fitter on hand, or those with renovation experience who know how to coordinate multiple trades. The appeal is cost control. You source the labour separately, which means you can shop around on day rates. Kitchen fitters in East Lothian typically charge £200–£350 per day per tradesperson, so getting two or three quotes gives you genuine leverage. Supply-only also suits phased projects where you want to stagger costs across a few months. The trade-off is responsibility. If units arrive damaged, if worktop cuts are wrong, or if plumbing connections cause a leak, you are the project manager. Coordinating a plumber, electrician, and fitter across a 5–10 day installation window for a small to medium kitchen requires clear scheduling. Delays with one trade knock on to the next. ## What Full-fit Actually Means Full-fit means one company supplies the kitchen and manages the installation from delivery through to final snagging. A project manager or lead fitter coordinates the trades, handles the delivery schedule, and takes responsibility if something goes wrong during the installation process. For most East Lothian homeowners upgrading a kitchen without major structural changes, full-fit reduces friction considerably. You have a single point of contact and a clear workmanship guarantee. Reputable installers offer a minimum one-year workmanship guarantee on installation, and many go beyond that. The cost reflects that convenience. A mid-range full-fit kitchen with standard appliances and worktops runs £10,000–£20,000 including all labour and fitting. At the premium end, bespoke cabinetry, stone worktops, and high-specification appliances push the figure to £20,000–£40,000 or above. Entry-level full-fit installations start from around £5,000–£10,000 for a basic fitted kitchen. ## Comparing the Two Routes Side by Side ### Cost Supply-only lets you separate the cost of the kitchen from the cost of fitting it, which creates flexibility. You might spend less overall if you already have a reliable fitter who charges competitively. However, hidden costs accumulate quickly: waste removal, specialist tools, additional materials, and the time you spend managing the project all have real value. Full-fit bundles those costs into a single quote, which makes budgeting more predictable. Always confirm exactly what is and is not included: some full-fit packages exclude appliance installation or tiling. ### Timeline Both routes share the same manufacturer lead time. After placing your order, expect 6–12 weeks before delivery for most fitted kitchens. Bespoke or in-frame cabinetry often takes longer. That lead time applies whether you are going supply-only or full-fit. Once the kitchen arrives, a small to medium kitchen installation typically takes 5–10 days. Larger or more complex projects, particularly those involving open-plan reconfigurations or structural alterations, can run 2–4 weeks. Full-fit teams tend to work faster because trade coordination is already built into their process. ### Risk and Accountability Supply-only places accountability with whoever you hire. If your fitter installs a unit incorrectly and the worktop cracks, resolving that involves your fitter, not the kitchen supplier. Full-fit consolidates accountability: the installing company is responsible for both the product and the workmanship. For buyers who are less experienced with renovation, that single point of responsibility is worth paying for. For confident project managers, it is less critical. ## Which Route Suits East Lothian Buyers East Lothian's housing stock is varied. Period properties in Haddington and North Berwick sometimes require non-standard fitting approaches because of uneven walls or older floor structures. New-build developments around Tranent and Prestonpans tend to have more straightforward layouts. If your kitchen involves structural changes, a rear extension, or significant replumbing, a full-fit installer who also manages or sub-contracts the building work simplifies the project. For a straightforward swap of units in an existing footprint, supply-only with a skilled local fitter is a perfectly sound option. Reputable East Lothian kitchen companies offering full-fit typically work to the standards of recognised trade bodies such as Which? Trusted Traders or the Federation of Master Builders. Checking that before you sign a contract is a practical step, not a formality. ## Design Consultations and Getting Started Most reputable suppliers in East Lothian offer a free initial design consultation. That visit costs you nothing and gives you a clearer picture of what is feasible in your space, regardless of which route you eventually choose. Bring measurements, photographs, and a rough sense of your preferred aesthetic. Whether you are drawn to handleless slab-door kitchens or more traditional in-frame cabinetry, a good designer will steer you toward options that fit the room and the budget. That clarity makes the supply-only versus full-fit decision much easier once you have real quotes to compare. ## Worktop Choices and How They Affect Your Decision Worktop selection matters more in supply-only scenarios, because fabrication and installation require specialist handling. Porcelain slab worktops, for example, need skilled cutting and templating. If your independent fitter lacks that experience, the risk of a costly mistake is real. Full-fit installers typically have established relationships with worktop fabricators, which streamlines that part of the process. Quartz and granite are broadly similar in price at the installed level. Solid wood, including oak and harder-wearing species, sits at a lower price point per linear metre than stone. Porcelain occupies the top tier and reflects the specialist fabrication involved. Confirming that your chosen worktop material is within your fitter's competency is essential before committing to supply-only. ## Permitted Development and Planning Most kitchen renovations within an existing footprint require no planning permission. If you are extending to create a larger kitchen-diner, Scottish permitted development rules allow single-storey rear extensions up to 4 metres for detached properties and 3 metres for other dwelling types, without a formal application. East Lothian Council is the authority for confirming whether your specific project falls within those thresholds. Full-fit companies with experience in East Lothian will flag planning requirements during the design stage. Supply-only buyers who are also managing an extension need to verify this themselves before work begins. ## Making the Final Call The right choice depends on your confidence managing tradespeople, your timeline flexibility, and the complexity of your kitchen layout. Supply-only rewards organised buyers with good contractor relationships. Full-fit rewards those who want a managed process and clear accountability from start to finish. A well-executed kitchen renovation, by either route, can add an estimated 5–10% to a property's resale value, so the investment is rarely wasted when the project is planned properly. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Supply Only Kitchen vs Full Fit - What Is the Main Difference? **Supply-only means you buy the kitchen units, worktops, and appliances separately and hire your own tradespeople to fit them.** Full-fit means one company supplies and installs everything, managing all trades and taking responsibility for the finished result. Supply-only gives you more control over labour costs; full-fit gives you a single point of accountability. ### Is Supply-only Cheaper Than Full-fit in East Lothian? **It can be, but not always.** With supply-only you source fitting labour separately, and kitchen fitters in East Lothian typically charge £200–£350 per day. If you have a reliable fitter and can coordinate trades yourself, the total cost may be lower. Full-fit bundles labour into a single quote, which makes budgeting more predictable even if the headline figure looks higher. ### How Long Does a Full-fit Kitchen Installation Take? **A small to medium kitchen typically takes 5–10 days once the units are delivered.** Larger or more complex projects involving structural changes or open-plan reconfigurations can take 2–4 weeks. You should also allow 6–12 weeks from order to delivery for most fitted kitchens, so factor that lead time into your overall schedule. ### What Guarantees Should I Expect from a Full-fit Kitchen Installer in East Lothian? **Reputable full-fit installers offer a minimum one-year workmanship guarantee on the installation, and many offer longer.** You should also check whether the installer works to the standards of a recognised trade body such as Which? Trusted Traders or the Federation of Master Builders. Confirm the exact guarantee period in writing before signing any contract. ### Do I Need Planning Permission to Renovate My Kitchen in East Lothian? **Straightforward kitchen renovations within an existing footprint generally do not require planning permission.** If you are adding a rear extension to enlarge the kitchen, Scottish permitted development rules allow single-storey extensions up to 4 metres for detached properties and 3 metres for other dwelling types without a formal application. Always verify your specific situation with East Lothian Council before starting any structural work.