Anyone had freestanding kitchen? Please tell me the good & bad

[mrsbleasdale]

Have looked at the kitchen showrooms, and have stumbled across a furniture shop who said they can make me a kitchen.

Just wondered, is it as easy as it sounds....placing large units and cupboards where you want them and bingo, instant kitchen?

I realise i'd need plumber and electrician to put the appliances in...

[LemonDifficult]

I haven't yet done this but I'm giving it a bump as I'm thinking of doing it next time. Will you have free standing units or do you want built in/concealed?

[mrsbleasdale]

I'm not sure i just love the look of them. Will see what the furniture man says. I worry that they'll make something, then it's down to us to find separate tradesmen for the other stuff, and what if the walls aren't straight, floors uneven etc. With other quotes from the usual suspects it's them that does all the fitting so up to them to make it work. Not sure whether the potential cost savings outweigh the stress of trying to get it all done. Or whether it's not that complicated really... Have got the brochure from Pineland and their stuff looks lovely too....

Have a joiner and and his builder quoting me to make and fit a kitchen also - which would be fitted one.

[teta]

I have had a kitchen specially made for me.Yes,by Pineland.Firstly now......we have a lovely kitchen that we are very happy with but it wasn't without its issues.Thankfully Pineland did help with the majority [had to return and rejig some cupboards].Builder also had to cut off the back of the humungous pantry cupboard as it was too deep [Pineland agreed to reimburse him for a days work].There is a lot of extra work involved in fitting.Staining and oiling the inside.Knotting solution,painting the outside with undercoat plus 2 layers of paint [massive amount of filling in holes and sanding] to make it look decent.You need a really good painter to do this.Mine undercoated the cupboards and i nearly cried as you could see masses of holes everywhere [i didnt realise that this is the best thing to do before filling in!].There are no adjustments to the legs for uneven floors so in old houses there's a lot of adjustments and easings.My bin cupboards underneath the sink wouldn't close due to larger wastes on a large butlers sink.The plastic bins had to be cut to size and most of the doors/drawers had to be 'eased' to fit.Don't even bother with non spring-loaded drawers!.I probably spent over half the amount again in finishing and fitting.Having said that do love my pantry cupboard and my glass fronted spice cupboard painted in F&B Light Blue and we are going to eventually order more shelving and cupboards from them .

[LemonDifficult]

That's interesting. So, teta, it's sounds as though you would recommend Pineland?

[mrsbleasdale]

Hmm....sounds a lot of messing about ...

teta i've read a lot of your previous posts from when you were planning your kitchen. Are you pleased with it now and was it worth it?

[teta]

I am pleased with it and it was worth it.I don't think i could have got a customised kitchen for the same price anywhere else.I don't think i would have been happy if i didn't live within a 45 minute drive of the factory and the problems hadn't been rectified.I miss not having things like a pull-out larder in the kitchen and magic corners as i am forever losing things in my one corner cupboard.I do have 3 Ikea pull-outs in the pantry and would thoroughly recommend them.I really wanted a country painted kitchen but i would have loved a Chalon high-spec. one but i didn't want to spend that amount of money so compromised - and a compromise is what i've got!.

[Indaba]

I love them, but think about cleaning under units if they are on legs.

[mrsbleasdale]

Thanks for the feedback.....I'm so indecisive, so it's great to hear peoples experiences. As you can tell DH not bothered about any decisions at this stage