A kitchen plinth (kickboard) is the finishing panel between the floor and the base cabinets. It covers the adjustable legs, pipes, and cables that would otherwise ruin the look of the kitchen. Most often it’s made from PVC or aluminium and clips onto the cabinet legs. It sounds easy, but in real work you need accurate cuts to length, clean fitting around corners, ventilation grilles, and the dishwasher. If your kitchen was fitted without a plinth or the old one has split — better call a professional than waste material on guesswork.
How much does it cost and what affects the price
The price of kitchen plinth installation depends on the full length, the number of corners, and any cutouts. One straight section with no obstacles costs one thing; fitting around a dishwasher with a ventilation grille and two corners costs another. Fixings (clips, corner joints) are usually part of the labour price. The plinth panel itself is charged separately if you haven’t purchased it beforehand. Up-to-date prices for all kitchen services are in the table below.
| Service | min | max |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen furniture installation (complete set) | 20% od ceny | 25% od ceny |
| Kitchen base cabinet installation | 250 zł | 400 zł |
| Wall cabinet installation | 250 zł | 400 zł |
| Kitchen cabinet door adjustment | 80 zł | 150 zł |
| Hinge replacement | 60 zł/szt | 120 zł/szt |
| Kitchen countertop installation | 200 zł/mb | 350 zł/mb |
| Laminate countertop installation | 150 zł/mb | 250 zł/mb |
| Composite countertop installation | 250 zł/mb | 400 zł/mb |
| Countertop joining | 190 zł/szt | 300 zł/szt |
| Countertop cutout (sink / hob) | 120 zł/szt | 200 zł/szt |
How the on-site work goes
- You send a photo of the lower part of your kitchen — the technician checks the scope and what materials will be needed.
- We arrange a time — often a same-day or next-day visit.
- On site, the technician measures each section and marks the corners and cutout spots.
- He cuts the plinth panel to size with a jigsaw or fine-tooth saw for PVC/aluminium.
- He fits clips to the cabinet legs and clicks the plinth into place.
- He installs corner joints, end caps, and ventilation grilles.
- He checks the line along the whole length and cleans up offcuts and dust.
Common customer mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Buying a plinth with the wrong height — standard sizes are 100, 120, or 150 mm; measure the gap from the floor to the bottom edge of the cabinet.
- Picking PVC for a kitchen with underfloor heating — heat can deform PVC; aluminium is the better option.
- Trying to install the plinth before levelling the legs — the panel will look wavy if the cabinets aren’t straight.
- Not leaving expansion gaps at the walls — plastic moves with temperature changes and starts to buckle.
- Forgetting a ventilation grille opposite the dishwasher or oven — the appliance overheats.
- Cutting plastic with an angle grinder — melted edges, cracks. Use a fine-tooth saw or jigsaw instead.
- Fixing the plinth with glue or screws instead of clips — later you won’t remove it without damage.
What to prepare before the technician arrives
- Measure the height from the floor to the bottom edge of the cabinet — so you get the right size plinth.
- Choose the material: PVC (cheaper, lighter) or aluminium (stronger, suitable for underfloor heating).
- Buy the plinth panel with a 10–15% extra margin for cuts and joints.
- Get corner joints (internal/external) and end caps.
- If you need a ventilation grille — buy it in advance, matched to the plinth height.
- Remove everything from under the cabinets — buckets, cloths, bottles.
- Make sure the cabinet legs are levelled and the kitchen runs straight.
- If the kitchen is new and the appliances aren’t connected yet — tell us so space for ventilation can be left.
- Provide a power socket for tools.
- Share access details: intercom code, parking info.
A real case from Warsaw
A client in the Ursynow district booked plinth installation for a U-shaped IKEA kitchen. They had put the kitchen together themselves but left out the plinth — within two months, dust had built up under the cabinets and the cat started crawling in among the legs. When measuring, we found the floor was uneven — up to 8 mm over a three-metre run. The technician first adjusted the legs so the bottom edge of the cabinets ran parallel to the floor. Then he cut the PVC panel, fitted the clips, installed two internal corner joints, and added a ventilation grille opposite the dishwasher. On one section, the edge had to be trimmed lower because the floor tiles had a slight step. The whole job took about an hour and a half. The client said the kitchen looked finished straight away.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fit the plinth myself?
Yes, if the kitchen is straight and has no corners or cutouts. But for L-shaped or U-shaped layouts, it’s better to call a professional — joints and trimming need accuracy.
Which plinth is better — PVC or aluminium?
PVC is cheaper and easier to cut. Aluminium is tougher and copes better with moisture and heat. For kitchens with underfloor heating or a dishwasher, aluminium is the safer choice.
Is a ventilation grille mandatory?
If the dishwasher or oven is behind the plinth — yes, otherwise the appliance overheats. In other places it’s optional.
What’s included in the price?
Installation, cutting, and fitting clips and joints. The plinth panel and hardware are separate if you haven’t bought them in advance.
Can the plinth be removed for cleaning?
Yes, if it’s mounted on clips — it pops off and goes back on without tools. If it’s glued — removing it without damage is hard.
How long does installation take?
A straight kitchen — 30–40 minutes. A corner or U-shaped kitchen with cutouts — 1–2 hours.
Do you bring the plinth with you?
No, the client buys the panel. We can advise on the size and type before the visit.
Who does the work
Kitchen plinth installation is done by technicians who handle kitchen assembly and finishing work every day. We know the details of IKEA, Castorama, Leroy Merlin, and custom kitchens. We work across all of Warsaw and the surrounding area. Minimum order — from 200 zl. Call or message us — we’ll arrange a time and the scope of work.