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AIBU?

To ask if I'm being ripped off?

75 replies

Whichwayyisup · 25/07/2017 01:23

I gave my DGM a present of a new kitchen as hers was falling apart, literally 25 years old with appliances conking out and (IME) borderline dangerous.

I went to a well known high street kitchen designer/supplier and was quoted 11k including all appliances e.g. Fridge freezer, dishwasher, oven, washing machine.

We agreed on the price and yesterday someone came round to measure everything up.

Today I get a phone call apologising that the original quote was way off due to lack of experience on the person who I dealt with and the real cost is closer to 15k. Shock

AIBU to be suspicious that this is a cynical business move, reeling you in then shifting the goal posts once you're invested?

OP posts:
ChipIn · 25/07/2017 01:24

Possibly. I would ask to see a breakdown of the original quote and the new one to see where the discrepancies are. I'd also get quotes from elsewhere.

Solo · 25/07/2017 01:31

Tell them you are no longer interested and I'd bet money on them bringing their price down to keep your custom.

Catinthecorner · 25/07/2017 01:37

Was it a quote or an estimate? I think once a price is agreed and accepted then that's the agreement, however if it's an estimate they can change the number on you

Travis1 · 25/07/2017 01:53

Wren by any chance? Find a smaller firm they are robbing barstewards

Lynnm63 · 25/07/2017 01:56

Have you added extras? Larder pull outs, worktop upgrades, extra units or end panels? If no and your confident there nothing new added I'd say sorry we only have 11k so we will be getting a quote from, name of their biggest competitor, chances are price will come back down.

PyongyangKipperbang · 25/07/2017 02:17

Never ever go with the first quote, always get more than one even if you have decided which company to go with just to be sure.

Get yourself on to a local FB group for your area and ask for recommendations, thats how my parents found their kitchen supplier who was very very good and yet not massively known locally through advertising, they get most of their work through recommendations.

MrsOverTheRoad · 25/07/2017 02:28

Tell them that's not good enough and it's not your issue that the person isn't experienced.

Then wait...they will either give in or you can go elsewhere.

Dibbles1967 · 25/07/2017 02:38

This gives me the shivers... Had three bad kitchen experiences - 2 with Howdens & one with Jewsons (although it's probably down to the people in the branches concerned as opposed to the companies as a whole)

Get another couple of quotes, and tell the original company you'll be doing this. Don't rule out Homebase, although I heard they're being taken over soon (maybe they'll have some deals?!)

Whichwayyisup · 25/07/2017 02:41

The problem is I don't have much experience as I have always moved straight into a place and so don't know what a typical 15 or so units with appliances kitchen would cost. I thought the original 11k was steep so 15k seems like a piss take.

OP posts:
SusanMitchell · 25/07/2017 02:43

Avoid Homebase like the plague (voice of two very bitter experiences).

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 25/07/2017 02:53

Definitely get another quote or 2, don't go with this one until you have. It does sound dubious, but it might be true - however, get someone else in to check.

I had similar with a plumber once - central heating was playing up, one guy came in and wanted to change a couple of extra things, cost more than I expected, so I got another guy in who didn't want to change the extra (unnecessary) bits and cost a lot less! Used the second guy, no problems at all. First guy was a rip-off merchant.

Whichwayyisup · 25/07/2017 02:58

Why do you say that Susan? Not confirming that it's Homebase but just curious as I need to understand what might go wrong with a high street brand.

OP posts:
Atenco · 25/07/2017 02:59

Sounds sleasy to me

Ippydippyskyblue · 25/07/2017 06:01

We recently had our kitchen redone. We took measurements and planned what we wanted; a corner unit with a swivel out storage corner, a base pull out larder and space + plumbing and electrical work for our fridge/freezer, dishwasher and sink.

As part of the deal we also wanted our utility room redone too, with plumbing & electrical work for sink, washing machine and condensing tumble dryer done too as I thought (hubs didn't) it would look very odd and cheap to keep the old one, plus I wanted extra wall units in there too. We went for a cheap stainless steel sink in there as we never really use it, but kept it for resale purposes. We tend to use it more for the wine rack(!), storage and clothes washing and drying.

We have a double butlers sink in the kitchen, a breakfast bar and additional units there as well. I definitely wanted more electrical sockets in both rooms than before. We went for solid birch units because I thought that if I got really bored of the units in the future I can respray/paint the units. We've got laminated work tops with a view to get them changed to marble at some point. We were also quoted to include a built in microwave, a double Neff oven, a hob unit with coloured splash back behind, a brilliant extractor fan over the hob to stop smells and heat from making the kitchen smell & get too hot.

I wanted over head spot lights and under wall unit lighting in both rooms. I found I needed far more electrical socketsthan the original kitchen. Under unit lights definitely makes food prep a lot easier. Spot lights in the ceiling have dimmable switch which is useful. I don't like full on lighting first thing in the morning, I like it bright when I'm cooking and dull in the evenings when people are just popping in and it's near my bedtime.

I brought plain, but different contemporary tiles that wouldn't date, but would also go with many paint colours, from a different retailer. (we did agree no tiny tiles though!) as I could see nothing in B&Q that I really liked. The kitchen gets painted often and so far it's been lime green, a bluey turquoise, milk chocolate and pink!0😂, I don't do that in any other room in the house, except my kitchen😉.

I've been tile shopping before, but have drawn a complete blank until I found this particular at retailer. They always seem to have exactly what I want. I tend to go there first now, as I love their selection of practical yet contemporary tiles and it's also very reasonably priced. So far, that retailer hasn't disappointed me in terms of practical choice. When I see something I like and if the price is right, I buy it. I'm like that with anything else, shopping wise. Hubs loves it as he doesn't like hanging around in shops deliberating for hours, but then neither do I. Both rooms were retiled on walls up to the cupboard and under floor heating fitted, with both rooms floor tiled, too. I've since noticed that several friends have gone for a very similar colour and style and had them fitted in exactly the same style. I'm not bothered, after all copying is the greatest form of flattery about my style and taste!😂.

We went to various kitchen retailers for quotes, but in the end settled for B&Q. They used local contractors to do the work, but it was overseen by B&Q to pick up on any mistakes or rectification. Rules and regulations have changed substantially since our last kitchen had been installed in circa 1996.

At the end my OH & I went through a very thorough tick through work sheet detailing everything and whether it had been installed to our and B&Q's standard with a surveyor to check that the work was of good quality and passed all the new electrical and gas safety regulations. We were also given a five year guarantee too, something many kitchen retailers don't seem to do.

The care and attention was excellent apart from one incident when they fitted the breakfast bar too high, but I could understand looking at their plans as to why the mistake had been made, tbh. Unfortunately it had been fitted whilst I was at work, but it was a genuine, understandable mistake and was quickly rectified. The contractors used by B&Q were all really excellent and efficient. Every evening they would always clear up after themselves. The kids were more than fine with a take away for a few nights though. Thank goodness neither of them are fussy eaters!

The whole job I managed to negotiate (there was a sale too) was 8k which I thought was very reasonable as it included several electrical appliances and under floor heating which is brilliant first thing on a winters day. I don't get freezing cold toe now!

I hope my above description of all the work done is understandable; let me know if you don't quite understand somethough. I explained what work was done and also included so that you could see exactly what we got for our money. I am also an extremely mean negotiator, a job which hubs gladly lets me do, as he always finds it quite amusing! Particularly when I'm really cheeky😂. I was bought up in a country where haggling was part of everyday life, so to me, it's expected! 😉

We've moved a fair number of times and therefore have changed several bathrooms, kitchens, windows, etc. As you will find many kitchen retailers are very expensive. We've had Magnet before in our last house, which was as expensive, but didn't include so much. The build quality was disappointingly extremely poor with bits dropping off.Their after care service was worse than useless as well. I'd never use them again.

Hope that's useful! Phew! 😉

Smilingthru · 25/07/2017 07:10

My husband works in kitchens and would never quite without having done a survey (measuring). Sounds like they plucked a number from the air with 11k if they didn't know the measurements. Kitchens do something go up in price as there can be varying factors.

My husband has done kitchens for as little as 8k right up to 150k. I would get a different company out for a second quote. You can take original plans along to another company and they will just quote from those. Just make sure measurements are accurate.

JustMumNowNotMe · 25/07/2017 07:20

If you are near one, take your plans into IKEA, their kitchens are great and much more reasonable than others. I also love that all the doors are interchangeable so if in a few years you fancy a change you can just change the cupboard fronts etc and not need all new units

PrancingQueen · 25/07/2017 07:27

I went to Benchmarx at Travis Perkins, got my appliances and flooring through them too.
I sourced my own tiles and ceramic sink and got an independent builder to plaster and install it all for me.
£7,000 total and I love it!

DearTeddyRobinson · 25/07/2017 07:38

For any job, get 3 quotes!
For kitchens, my advice is to get a builder you trust to guide you and possibly buy the kitchen, as they will be able to get wholesale prices.

ShotsFired · 25/07/2017 07:38

@Smilingthru My husband has done kitchens for as little as 8k right up to 150k

Wow, I would love to get an idea of what goes into an 150k kitchen to make it so costly (I could never afford that so am living vicariously!). Is it appliances or materials or what? All of them, maybe...!

(Sorry for derailing)

AnnetteCurtains · 25/07/2017 07:45

Walk away

MrMessy · 25/07/2017 07:54

We had this with B& Q for a bathroom. They made a massive error which meant upping the price considerably, we had already accepted the quote at this point. I protested to the estimator and his senior that it was their error and so they should honour the quote, they were adamant that they could not do it for the original price. I tried to get hold of the store manager, was told she was busy, could not speak to me. So we cancelled. About twenty minutes later the store manager phoned to ask us if there had been a problem, why did we cancel? When I told her she said it was a shame we did not speak to her first as she would have agreed to do it for the original price! Shame her staff would not put me through to her I said. Shambles, don't bother with B&Q either.

astoundedgoat · 25/07/2017 07:56

We had a HORRENDOUS time with Wren who took no fewer than six months and three different fitters to install a small galley kitchen in a 1 bedroom flat. Their incompetence and lack of giving even the remotest semblance of a shit was astonishing.

You would be MUCH better off getting an independent contractor with a Howdens account, and choosing the appliances yourself. You'll save thousands.

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lottiegarbanzo · 25/07/2017 07:57

Always get three quotes.

I've used ikea for a kitchen before, they were good, very straightforward.

lottiegarbanzo · 25/07/2017 08:00

So, I'd say 'I'd like you to give me a breakdown explaining the difference. In the meantime I'll be getting quotes from other companies, thanks.'

IdentifiesAsYoda · 25/07/2017 08:03

We have had 3 Ikea kitchens.

Last one was fitted by their recommended fitters too. Always good. Great price.

We are pretty good at planning, ourselves but if you've already got plans, I'd agree with JustMum and take them in to Ikea. The planners there were helpful too

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