The benefits of kitchen rescue, from cost savings to sustainability

Irish Independent

20-06-2025

When it arrived, the builder shook his head. The kitchen units weren't strong enough to support the heavy countertop. If he installed it, there was a risk of collapse. Somewhere amid the complexities of purchasing the kitchen, the discrepancy had been missed. Fortunately, the builder had the experience to spot the problem and the skill to reinforce the units, making them up to the job.
This is not an isolated incident. According to new research from The Panelling Centre, 96pc of tradespeople have stepped in to fix or complete a homeowner's DIY attempt at fitting a kitchen. Common mistakes include incorrect measurements (48pc) and failing to consult a professional for advice on design and layout (42pc).
'The measurements are the big one,' says Gary Higgins of the Panelling Centre. 'We've seen people measure a 3.2 metre wall, but write it down as 2.3 metres.'
The research, which consulted 750 homeowners and 100 tradespeople, was commissioned by The Panelling Centre and conducted by 3Gem in April 2025. Its purpose was to explore attitudes to DIY fitting versus hiring a professional to do the job. An overwhelming majority (96pc) of tradespeople said they'd had to fix a DIY-fitted kitchen and almost half (40pc) said that 'only some' kitchens fitted by homeowners adhere to the correct safety standards.
'We've seen everything from upside-down cabinets to sinks with no plumbing,' Higgins says. 'We had one client complain that his units were much too low. He'd forgotten to install the legs. I was crying laughing at that!' Luckily, the client saw the funny side of it too. 'At the end of the day, you can't learn to install a kitchen from watching TikTok videos. There are too many moving parts.'
On the other hand, 42pc of homeowners who'd installed a kitchen themselves, or knew someone who had, believed the job was done correctly. Just under half admitted to misjudging the measurements, plumbing, and electrical work when installing their kitchen.
Two thirds (66pc) of homeowners said they'd rather hire a professional. They perceived that hiring a tradesperson would save time (48pc), avoid mistakes (44pc), and ensure that the plumbing and electrics were correctly and safely installed.
'Another client thought he'd been sent European sockets because he couldn't fit a three-pin plug in the socket,' says Higgins. 'We went out to the house and found the plastic protectors were still in the sockets!'
Most customers spend between €6,000 and €8,000 on a kitchen from The Panelling Centre (excluding appliances). Flatpack kitchens are cheaper (from €2,000) but Higgins recommends that you buy the units preassembled, which costs about 20pc more than the price of the flatpack units.
'Once we've assembled them, they fit together like Lego,' he says. 'But we still recommend having the kitchen installed by an expert fitter.' The Panelling Centre doesn't employ fitters, but can put you in touch with professionals in your area.
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Installing a new kitchen usually involves getting rid of the old one. Many of these are in good working order – their owners just don't like them any more – but too many go to landfill. 'Most people would love the idea that their old kitchen could be reused by someone else,' says Jenny Williams, CEO of Habitat for Humanity. 'It's difficult to find someone who can dismantle an old kitchen, fix it up, then reinstall it in a new home.'
Habitat for Humanity's Kitchen Rescue scheme does precisely that. 'If you're getting rid of a kitchen, our construction supervisor will come out to the house with a team of volunteers,' Williams explains. 'They'll take the kitchen away for basic refurbishment, then we'll display it for resale in one of our Habitat ReStore shops.'
There are five stores in Northern Ireland and one in Drogheda, where kitchens sell for between €200 and €600. 'We were offered an exceptional kitchen in Belfast – it had granite worktops and top-of-the-range appliances. We priced it at £2,000 and it sold immediately!'
Future plans for Habitat ReStore are focused on opening new outlets. A store in Glasnevin, Dublin, will open later this year. 'At the moment it's not cost-effective for us to rescue a kitchen in Co Cork. But we hope to have four ROI stores up and running in two years' time.'
The Kitchen Rescue scheme has recently partnered with Kube Kitchens, who are promoting the scheme to customers who'd like their old kitchen removed and recycled. 'We've been running the scheme for several years, but it works better in partnership with a kitchen company,' Williams says. 'Our aim is to help low-income people improve their homes. We want to offer a steady supply of kitchens for families who simply couldn't afford a new one.'
If you're donating a kitchen, expect to pay a token €175 to have it dismantled and removed. It would probably cost more to bring it to landfill. On average, a new kitchen from Kube costs between €15,000 and €25,000, including appliances.
Once the old kitchen has been repaired, it is put on display at the Habitat ReStore shop in Drogheda and advertised on Facebook. Where the appliances come with the kitchen, these are resold too. At the moment, demand far exceeds supply.
'There are a lot of people looking for good quality used kitchens,' Williams says. 'Most are low-income families who can't afford a new kitchen – they're choosing a used one because it's cost-effective – but an increasing number of environmental champions and bargain hunters are buying a used kitchen as their first choice.' Not every kitchen is suitable for rehoming. 'When a kitchen is done, it's done!'
Kitchen rescue doesn't include delivery or installation, but can recommend a delivery service. Since most of the people who buy a used kitchen are doing so to save money, it's likely that most are installing it themselves or with the help of local handyman.
'When people come to volunteer with us, they learn how to dismantle and repair kitchens and are learning basic joinery skills,' Williams explains. 'It's a win win for everyone!'
​See panellingcentre.ie, habitatireland.org, and kubeinteriors.com