Buying your kitchen from IKEA (or Leroy Merlin, Bricomart or any other big-box store) and hiring a professional to fit it is an increasingly popular option in Cádiz. Flat-pack furniture offers a quality-to-price ratio that is hard to beat, but professional assembly makes the difference between a lasting result and one that goes out of square within six months.
In Cádiz, assembling a flat-pack kitchen has particularities that do not exist in other cities: narrow stairwells in the old town that make delivery of large modules difficult, flats with damp that require pre-treatment of walls, and kitchens with irregular layouts inherited from centuries-old buildings. A fitter with local experience knows how to anticipate these problems.
Assembly cost breakdown (2026)
| Item | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Module assembly (linear kitchen 3-4 m) | €600–€1,000 |
| Module assembly (L or U kitchen) | €900–€1,500 |
| Laminate worktop (cut + installation) | €200–€400 |
| Silestone/compact worktop (supply + installation) | €800–€1,500 |
| Plumbing (sink, dishwasher, supplies) | €200–€400 |
| Electrics (sockets, under-cabinet lighting) | €150–€300 |
| Built-in appliances (connection) | €100–€200 |
The total labour cost for an average kitchen (3-4 linear metres) with a laminate worktop and basic connections is around €1,200–€2,000. If you want a Silestone or similar worktop, the budget rises to €2,000–€3,000. These prices do not include the furniture or appliances (only their connection).
IKEA vs Leroy Merlin vs custom kitchen: comparison
The three main options for a kitchen in Cádiz have very different price, quality and flexibility profiles. This comparison helps you decide which best fits your budget and needs.
| Aspect | IKEA (METOD) | Leroy Merlin (Delinia) | Custom kitchen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture price (3 linear m) | €1,500–€3,000 | €1,800–€3,500 | €3,500–€8,000 |
| Carcass quality | Good (18 mm melamine, HDF back panel) | Good (similar to IKEA) | Variable: from melamine to solid wood |
| Customisation | Limited to standard modules (fixed widths) | Slightly more flexible than IKEA in widths | Total: dimensions, materials, finishes all bespoke |
| Availability in Cádiz | Online + collection from Seville (nearest IKEA) | Store in Cádiz (Zona Franca retail park) | Locally manufactured in our workshop |
| Delivery time | 1-3 weeks (subject to stock) | 1-4 weeks | 3-5 weeks (manufacture + installation) |
| Assembly included | No (or with surcharge and long waits) | Optional (surcharge) | Yes, included in the price |
| Best for | Tight budgets, investment properties, standard kitchens | Mid-range budgets, those who prefer local purchase | Kitchens with non-standard dimensions, premium finishes, primary homes |
Common problems in Cádiz when fitting flat-pack kitchens
Cádiz has particularities that directly affect kitchen assembly. Knowing them in advance avoids surprises on installation day.
- Narrow stairwells in the old town: in neighbourhoods like El Pópulo, La Viña or Santa María, many buildings have no lift and staircases have 90-degree turns with less than 80 cm clearance. Tall column units (220 cm) and one-piece worktops may not fit through. An experienced fitter measures in advance and plans the access.
- Damp walls: in ground-floor flats or old buildings with rising damp, hanging wall units directly on a damp wall is a mistake. The wall must be treated first or a subframe used to keep the furniture away from the masonry.
- Out-of-plumb walls: in older Cádiz flats the walls are rarely perfectly vertical. Assembly without proper levelling leaves visible gaps between modules and walls, and doors do not close properly.
- Off-centre water and waste connections: in older kitchens, the water supplies and waste outlet rarely line up with the sink position in the new layout. A plumbing allowance for relocating them must be factored in.
- Uneven floor: if the floor is not level, base units are unstable and the worktop does not sit flat. In many older Cádiz flats, the floor has variations of 1-3 cm that must be compensated with shims and levelling feet.
Need your kitchen assembled in Cádiz? Request a no-obligation quote. We assemble IKEA, Leroy Merlin and any brand kitchen.
Is it worth hiring a professional or doing it myself?
If you have DIY experience and the kitchen is straightforward (linear, no complex worktop cuts, no plumbing modifications), you can assemble the modules yourself. But the worktop, plumbing and electrics should always be done by professionals. A mistake with the gas connection, a leak at the sink or a poorly installed socket can cost far more than professional assembly.
Common mistakes when assembling flat-pack kitchens
- Not checking the full order before starting: IKEA ships dozens of boxes and it is common for a hinge, side panel or drawer insert to be missing. Check everything against the parts list before the fitter arrives.
- Not levelling the modules: placing base units directly on an uneven floor without shimming causes doors not to close and the worktop to sit crooked. This is the most common mistake in DIY assemblies.
- Cutting the laminate worktop without proper tools: a cut with a jigsaw without a straight edge or with the wrong blade leaves a chipped, uneven edge. Laminate worktops should be cut with a circular saw and guide, or better still, left to the professional.
- Ignoring built-in oven ventilation: the oven needs ventilation at the back or bottom of the unit. Assembly without the grille or the required clearance can cause overheating and damage to adjacent furniture.
- Not sealing the joint between worktop and wall: in Cádiz, with the ambient humidity, kitchen water penetrates through an unsealed joint and damages the laminate worktop and the wall behind. A bead of sanitary silicone is essential.
Typical kitchen assembly timeline in Cádiz
| Phase | Timeframe | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Survey visit and planning | 1 day | We measure the kitchen, check installations and advise on the layout before you buy the furniture |
| Furniture purchase and delivery | 1-3 weeks | Depending on stock at IKEA/Leroy Merlin. In Cádiz, IKEA ships from Seville. |
| Preparation (plumbing, electrics, walls) | 1-2 days | Relocate water supplies, add sockets, repair walls if damp is present |
| Module and door assembly | 1-2 days | Assembly, levelling, wall fixing and hinge adjustment |
| Worktop, sink and connections | 1 day | Worktop cut and fitting, sink connection, dishwasher, oven and hob |
| Finishing and cleaning | Half day | Plinths, cornices, cover strips, joint sealing and final cleaning |
The total time from receiving the furniture to having a working kitchen is 3-5 working days for a standard kitchen. If plumbing or electrics need modifying, add 1-2 more days.
Important: IKEA offers its own assembly service, but in Cádiz the wait times tend to be long and the fitter does not do plumbing or electrics. Hiring a local installer who does everything (assembly + plumbing + electrics + worktop) is faster and often cheaper.
Practical tips for your kitchen in Cádiz
- Measure before buying: request a free survey visit before designing the kitchen in the IKEA planner. The real dimensions of the flat (especially in older Cádiz properties) rarely match the plans.
- Choose standard-width modules: leftover gaps between the last module and the wall are resolved with filler strips. Do not force a wider module into a space that does not accommodate it.
- Invest in the worktop: the weak point of flat-pack kitchens is the laminate worktop, which can swell with moisture if the joint gets wet. A Silestone or Dekton worktop lasts a lifetime and raises the kitchen's level considerably.
- Plan enough sockets: regulations require a minimum number of kitchen sockets, but for comfortable use you should have at least 4-5 sockets in the work area (worktop), in addition to those dedicated to appliances.
- Check your gas is compliant: if your kitchen has mains gas (common in Cádiz), the hob connection must be done by an authorised installer with a certificate. It is not legal to do it yourself.