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! 😉