If you have decided to go ahead and get new kitchen doors for your kitchen, you may not feel quite brave enough to fit them yourself. The ordering, measuring and choosing bit is easy. But for some people the thought of getting out the screwdriver can be daunting. In this case, you need to employ a kitchen door fitter or tradesperson to come and fit your doors for you.

Of course, for most tradespeople this should be a simple job. But it doesn't mean that you shouldn't be very choosy about who your employ to fit your kitchen doors. Treat it like any other job you may pay someone for and make sure you choose the very best person. But what questions should you ask and how do you tell the rogue from the rest?

• Always get at least three quotes before you make your decision. Take advantage of local advertising, recommendations from friends and online companies like Checkatrade to find tradesmen in your area.

• Have a clear idea of what you need to be done before you invite your tradesman over for a chat. Do you want them to remove the old doors and dispose of them? Or will you be happy to do some of the work yourself? Knowing these factors will help your tradesman to offer a realistic quote.

• Have a list of questions you will want to ask your tradesman at the quotation stage. These might include:
  • Have you completed a job like this before?
  • Have you got references we can follow up from previous clients?
  • How long will I need to wait for the quote to arrive?
  • When will you be able to complete the job?
  • How long will it take?
  • Will I need to dispose of the old kitchen cabinet doors?
  • Do you need a deposit before you start?
  • How do I pay you once the work is completed to my satisfaction?

• Once your quote arrives you need to check that it mentions all of the items you would expect. Make sure it has a breakdown of the work involved. Is the price of any materials you will need to pay for broken out from the labour costs? Does it include VAT? It is true that a simple job like fitting kitchen doors won't need much detail, but this rule is good for any quote you might receive.

So the day has come and your tradesman is on the job. It shouldn't take any longer than one or maybe two days for the job to be completed. But if possible, it is always a good idea to remain on site while they are there. This will keep them on their toes and you will know that their labour charge has been realistic.

Be ready to supply tea and biscuits. It isn't a requirement, but it keeps the relationship between you and your tradesman on a good footing. A reliable tradesman who is good at his work is hard to come by, so keeping them happy is important.

Once the work is complete, take your time to check it carefully. Make sure the doors are flush to the carcasses and that they all line up and have evenly spaced gaps around each one. If you are happy, you can pay your tradesman in the way that you already agreed. Some may be happy to accept cash or a cheque there and then, others may prefer you to make a transfer into their bank account. Don't feel pressured to pay cash, unless you have agreed in advance to do so.

Following these rules should mean that your kitchen door replacement job will go smoothly. Don't forget this is two way street and keep things on a professional footing with your kitchen door fitter and you can't go wrong.