BiKBBI Statement: B&Q Homefit

At 4pm yesterday (7/6/18), BiKBBI Installation Standards Partner B&Q announced its intention to simplify its kitchen and bathroom operation, providing customers with new and more streamlined offering. Notably, a significant part of these changes would include the closure of its Homefit Installation Service – the department responsible for kitchen & bathroom installation.

In a statement to its installers, Mark Rigby, Head of Installations at B&Q said the company would continue to sell the installation service to its customers until the 9th July, with an intention for department closure planned for December 2018.

Mark Rigby gave further reassurance that B&Q intended to complete installations for customers through until December and as such, assurances were given that installer agreements with B&Q would be operated as usual, to include payments. It was made clear that this would very much be an orderly and controlled closure of the department.

Speaking on behalf of The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation, CEO Damian Walters commented on yesterday’s announcement by saying: “The announcement will no doubt be a cause for concern for those involved. I just want to firstly reassure B&Q’s installers, who are also members of BiKBBI by association, that we are working incredibly hard with the senior management team to identify ways in which we can support installers through this process.”

Damian went onto say: “It is very clear to me that whilst B&Q have made some difficult commercial decisions, I have been incredibly impressed with their focus and support for those installers and management involved. I am more than confident we’ll be in a position to provide great support.”

Damian added: “What’s more, B&Q will still be trading kitchen and bathroom product moving forward. The consumer will still want it installed by professionals, so whilst B&Q will no longer be providing that service, I’m sure their customers will still want to connect with professional installation specialists – and that’s perhaps where BiKBBI and our members, including B&Q’s existing installers, will step in. We’ll be working hard, fast and smart with B&Q to support these professionals. I personally don’t see this as the end for those involved, but more a new beginning. Watch this space.”