Kitchen unit installer

Kitchen unit installers install kitchen elements in homes. They take the necessary measurements, prepare the room, removing old elements if necessary, and install the new kitchen equipment, including the connection of water, gas and sewage pipes and electricity lines.

The following job titles also refer to kitchen unit installer:

kitchen joiner and fitter
kitchen fitting specialist
kitchen installation worker
kitchen carpenter and joiner
replacement kitchen installer
kitchen fitter
kitchen refurbishment team member
kitchen furniture fitter
kitchen installation specialist
kitchen refurbishment team worker
kitchen installer

A high school diploma is generally required to work as q kitchen unit installer.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Kitchen unit installer is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to kitchen unit installer.

bathroom fitter
plumber
sprinkler fitter
water conservation technician
resilient floor layer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of kitchen unit installer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of kitchen unit installer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

plumbing supervisor
construction quality inspector
construction painting supervisor
plastering supervisor
water conservation technician supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of kitchen unit installer.

• Plumbing tools: A variety of common plumbing tools and their usage cases, limitations and risks.
• Types of piping: A variety of types of piping and piping materials. PVC, CPVC, PEX, copper, and the advantages, usage cases, risks, and costs of each.
• Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.

These skills are necessary for the role of kitchen unit installer.

• Unload cargo: Handle safe unloading of goods from transportation vehicles.
• Load cargo: Gather goods to be transported and place them in a transportation vehicle.
• Replace faucets: Remove taps using the appropriate tool, such as a tap wrench, a monkey wrench or a ratcheting wrench. Perform the same operations to replace the tap with a repaired or new one.
• Install cooktops: Install various types of cooktops onto prepared surfaces. Attach gas or electricity supply.
• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Snap chalk line: Stretch a line covered in fine, non-staining chalk between two points and snap it against a surface to produce a straight line.
• Install oven: Install gas or electric ovens. Prepare the surface or oven compartment and test whether the oven fits. Attach the relevant pipes or cables.
• Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
• Check water pressure: Check the water pressure in a water circulation system, using a built-in gauge or by attaching a water pressure gauge onto a pipe. In the case of a stand-alone gauge, be sure to depressurise the system before attaching the gauge.
• Install PVC piping: Lay different types and sizes of PVC piping in prepared spaces. Cut the piping to size and attach it by using glue or other systems. Make sure the piping has a clean edge, is free of strains and has the right tilt for fluids to run through.
• Install metal gas piping: Safely install gas pipes and tubes made of steel or copper. Install all necessary connectors and modern ball valves. Test the pipe to make sure there are no leaks.
• Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
• Install construction profiles: Install a variety of metal or plastic profiles used to attach materials to each other or to structural elements. Cut them to size if called for.
• Install wood hardware: Use hinges, knobs and rails to fix wooden hardware on wooden elements. Make sure the hardware fits onto or into the element. Make sure moving hardware articulates smoothly and securely.
• Interpret 3D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
• Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
• Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
• Interpret 2D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of kitchen unit installer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Manufacturer’s instructions for electrical household appliances: The manufacturer’s instructions needed to install household devices such as washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators etc.
• Types of cooktops: Different types of cooking surface, such as gas stoves, induction cooktops and ceramic cooktops. Functional and aesthetic properties of each, their advantages and disadvantages, and price points.
• Road transport legislation: Know road transport regulations at regional, national, and European level in matters of safety and environmental requirements.
• Vehicle cargo capacity: The capacity and the limits of the commissioned vehicle in terms of weight, type of cargo it can handle, and other cargo loading specifications.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of kitchen unit installer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Sort waste: Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.
• Prepare copper pipes for use as gas lines: Use the appropriate copper pipes to serve as gas lines. Cut the pipes to size and remove any sharp ridges after cutting. Flare the ends with the right size flare to facilitate the attachment of connectors. Avoid kinking the pipe and discard any kinked piping.
• Handle customer complaints: Administer complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.
• Install electrical household appliances: Connect electrical equipment, such as dishwashers, ovens and refrigerators, to the electricity network and perform electrical bonding to avoid dangerous potential differences. Test the installation for proper functioning.
• Use sander: Use different types of drywall sanders, automatic or manual, handheld or on an extension, to sand surfaces to a smooth finish or to rough them up for better adhesion.
• Protect surfaces during construction work: Cover floors, ceiling, skirting boards and any other surfaces with various materials such as plastic or textile to keep them from being damaged or stained when performing construction or renovation work like painting or plastering.
• Dispose of non-hazardous waste: Dispose of waste materials which pose no risk to health and safety in a manner which complies with recycling and waste management procedures.
• Work in a construction team: Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
• Maintain work area cleanliness: Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
• Pack goods: Pack different kinds of goods such as finished manufactured products or goods in use. Pack goods by hand in boxes, bags and other types of containers.
• Take payments for bills: Accept payments from customers by cash money or credit cards.
• Install plumbing systems: Install systems of pipes, drains, fittings, valves, and fixtures designed for the distribution of potable water for drinking, heating, washing and waste removal.
• Operate gps systems: Use GPS Systems.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Process incoming construction supplies: Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
• Attach pex pipe: Make attachments between PEX pipes and between PEX and other materials. Put a copper crimp ring around both ends. Insert a connector piece between the cable ends and use the appropriate size crimp tool to crimp the rings. Check the crimp operation using a go-no-go tool.
• Cut wall chases: Cut a narrow channel in a wall or other partition in order to run cables through it. Cut the channel straight and without causing unnecessary damage. Be sure to avoid existent wires. Lead the cables through the chase and fill it up with the appropriate material.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Use metal bending techniques: Perform bending techniques in order to shape metal sheets into parts used in the manufacture of objects.
• Demonstrate products’ features: Demonstrate how to use a product in a correct and safe manner, provide customers with information on the product’s main features and benefits, explain operation, correct use and maintenance. Persuade potential customers to purchase items.
• Operate grinding hand tools: Operate a variety of hand tools designed for grinding production materials, such as angle grinders, die grinders, grindstones, bench grinders, and others.
• Process customer orders: Handle orders placed by customers. Receive the customer order and define a list of requirements, a working process, and a time frame. Execute the work as planned.
• Operate wood sawing equipment: Operate various machinery and equipment to cut wood in different sizes and shapes.
• Operate hand drill: Use a hand drill to make holes in various types of material such as stone, brick and wood. Take care to use the appropriate equipment, settings, drill bit and pressure for the task.

7115 – Carpenters and joiners

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References

1. Kitchen unit installer – ESCO