The correct shop front fitter can make or break the look and feel of your business. It's not just fitting a new shopfront—it's getting it right. The correct fit makes your shopfront more attractive, secure, and professional. The incorrect one? You might end up with delays, extra costs, or worse—future repairs.
So how do you get it right when it comes to recruiting the ideal shop front fitter for your company? This is the lowdown on what to do, not to do, and how to make an educated choice.
1. Experience Counts
This is easy. You need a fitter who has a clue about what he or she is doing.
A qualified shop front fitter has done it all—large projects, small projects, simple jobs, and tricky jobs. They've installed aluminium, glass, steel, and even timber. They'll know what will fit your space and how to cope with awkward measurements, wonky walls, or short deadlines.
Before you even hire anybody, ask them how many years they've been in the business. And don't be shy—ask to look at photos of previous jobs. It's one of the easiest ways to get a sense of their quality.
2. Check Reviews and Word of Mouth
What do others think? That's the next thing you want to know.
Hop on Google or social media and look up the fitter or company by name. Are comments positive? Do they compliment them on communication, punctuality, and neatness of work?
Word of mouth counts as well. Ask questions. Maybe some other shop owner you know had a new front fitted recently. Personal recommendations are worth their weight in gold.
3. Look for Full-Service Companies
There are shop front fitters who only fit. There are others who do the entire job—design, make, fit, and aftercare.
If you are starting from scratch or doing a major overhaul, it is useful to have someone who can take you through the whole process. It's time-saving and avoids miscommunication between different contractors.
Additionally, a team that's engaged right from the start to the finish is more likely to take responsibility for the outcome in full. And that's an advantage to you.
4. Make Sure They Know Your Industry
Not all shopfronts are equal. A cafe might need a folding door. A shop might need glass panels from top to bottom. A clinic might need frosted sections for privacy.
A good shop front fitter will not be providing a sell-a-one-fits-all service. They will be asking you questions, learning about your business, and coming up with a solution that works for your interior design and daily activity.
If they just bung one look in there without knowing what you need, then it might be time to walk away.
5. Don't Skip the Site Visit
Even before you can get a quote, your fitter should visit the site. No excuses are tolerated here.
A site visit, in turn, fully allows them to see the location, measure, identify any problems likely to occur, and give you a correct estimate—and timeline—elements.
If anyone tries to quote you over the phone without visiting your shop at least, be wary. It usually signifies shortcuts or surprises later on.
We offer expert shop front fitting across the UK. Whether you want to open a bright new shop or just give your current frontage a refresh, our team do it all—design to shop front fitting—with care and attention to detail. With years of hands-on experience, we've helped businesses from all sectors in presenting their best face possible.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right shop front fitter doesn’t have to be stressful. It just takes a little research and knowing what to look out for.
Make sure you’re working with someone who’s experienced, reliable, and easy to communicate with. Great shop front fitters don’t just install—they help bring your business to life.