Q. I have just bought a four-bedroom detached property which needs partial renovation on the ground floor. One of the key requirements is a top-range kitchen. We have had several firms come out to offer ideas and we’ve short-listed them down to three whose product ranges and ideas all fit in with our vision. What steps can we take to ensure that we employ the best company? Our budget is £25,000.

A. £25,000 is a considerable sum of money to invest in one room and so you are right to want to focus your efforts on recruiting a quality team. Naturally, with any installation, you should always go on previous recommendation and so I would suggest that you firstly request from the kitchen company, details of the proposed team to be used on your project and then seek written references with photographs of similar quality completed work by that team which you are able to follow up. By asking previously satisfied clients questions about the timekeeping, tidiness and workmanship, you will be able to gauge if this is the team and indeed the kitchen company for you. Secondly, the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) is a body with a 400-strong membership of accredited retailers dedicated to upholding the Association’s high standards of design, supply and installation. All KBSA members offer either a ConsumerCare or ConsumerCare Plus scheme which protects clients’ deposits and/or work in progress, plus any advance payments.

(Looking for kitchen renovation ideas? Check out our 16 great kitchen worktops article.)