Shaker kitchens - alternatives to Devol?

[PurveyorOfMeats]

I'm installing a new kitchen and have a quote from Devol, it's about £30k. I love the look of their kitchens. But it's just for one run of units, quite a big island and a larder unit, and I think considering how few units there are, it's expensive. Wondering if anyone has any suggestions for where else to look? My one immovable criteria is no MDF or similar (irrational morbid fear of the stuff), which is narrowing options considerably. Thanks.

[SliceOfLime]

Neptune kitchens are lovely and no mdf

[Grumpelstiltskin]

Higham Furniture do lovely handmade, hand-painted wooden kitchens. Mine is now in and I LOVE IT. Gorgeous quality and they're lovely to deal with, too. My one is a peninsular shape with large island and plenty of units and large drawers, bin cupboards etc. This plus worktops and splashback, larder and small utility room run with four units in it was just under £30k.

[Ramona75]

30K does sound expensive! Is that for all the walls to be plastered, electrics, plumbing etc? Have you tried these people for a quote? I would shop around a little before you buy if I was you.

[LabLady007]

That's what I paid for a House deposit Try any local independent shops that can taylor it to your own tastes and usually better than a famous name

[PurveyorOfMeats]

Thanks all. I've seen Higham and Neptune mentioned a lot but get the impression they are in the same ballpark as Devol.
Grumpel - can you put your finger on why you think your kitchen was worth the money? It does sound like you got better value than I'm looking at, more units etc. I suppose I'm trying to work out what extras you get for the extra money, whether that is just build quality, paint finish, or fancy gadgets.
Ramona - fitting but no electrics, plastering, plumbing as it's a new extension.
Has anyone got any experience with Charlie Kingham? Stumbled across their showroom today and it's gorgeous but I fear even more expensive than Devol.

[Grumpelstiltskin]

Purveyor I looked at all the others you mentioned, plus the EXTREMELY pricy Tom Howley, and when it came down to it Higham seemed (and it seems nuts considering the overall spend) really decent value for a high end kitchen, both in terms of money and the company ethos. Everything can be completely bespoke, and it's all handmade in their Hampshire workshop. We spent time in the workshop actually looking at other kitchens they were building rather than a sleek showroom so got to see how they do it, and see hand-painted finishes up close. We also have beautiful walnut interiors to all units for not much more, for example, so the finish looks incredible. I totally get that it's a crazy amount of money, but it's something that will give me joy every day for the next 25 years and it was my special treat during an otherwise dull renovation.

[maggiso]

We had a painted wood shaker kitchen made by a local cabinet maker, as it needed unusual sizes, due to the window and door positions on our old house. It was a lot less than your quote. Could you try a local cabinet maker?

[PurveyorOfMeats]

Well I am a bit stunned to find that Higham aren't willing to quote for our kitchen because we are too far away - less than 100 miles. You'd almost sold it to me there Grumpel!

Definitely investigating the independent route.