We need to replace our kitchen...looking for advice

[GrimmaTheNome]

This may be the first of a series - I've not had to replace a kitchen before, hadn't realised just how many choices there are to make.

First off... can anyone recommend a company in the Preston area - local or national (or of course, dis-recommend). We're looking for quality, but obv don't want to be ripped off. We've had KAM design to measure up and they seem pretty good but we feel we ought to get some other quotes.

Thanks!

[Putthatbookdown]

I found Benchmark -a national firm- to be the best and so have others on here they offered me the best and they included appliances I wanted -brilliant They had a proper kitchen designer too but they are supply only.The local independent had a cheap deal but for £500 more benchmark threw in much better appliances so better. They are the same co as Wicks but cheaper,It is all a game this kitchen business- cynical about it

[GrimmaTheNome]

Shame that's 'supply only' - we really want someone who will do a 'turnkey' job - organise all the fitting, plastering, electrics, flooring etc.

[LordOfTheFlies]

I had an extension built and the builder got my kitchen from Howdens.Its Trade Only and as I wanted a cream kitchen there was only a choice of 3-4.Fashions change in kitchens, I think there was alot of coloured kitchens at the time (or brilliant white)..
It was ordered on a Monday for Friday delivery( Builder arranged this) and he fitted with a cousin who was a kitchen fitter.So everything done including electrics(though he got an electrician in for this), plumbing, tiles on floor and walls, appliances plumbed in.

You need to work out what goes where.Including power points and where the cooker is in relation to windows.And the 'triangle' of cooker,sink and fridge.

We went to MFI before it closed and got a kitchen plan done but we weren't allowed to keep it because we didn't order from them.

[LordOfTheFlies]

Howdens is fairly widespread I think but you can't get prices.

[bacon]

Magnet - an absolute load of rubbish! Watch out for particle board as the screws come out, I'm fed up with the drawer fronts coming off, the knobs are rubbish there is no thread. The doors move and as a once the kitchen looks utter crap! Watch for the joins, the way the finish is wrapped around, the floor strips edges as once the water penetrates the joins show. It actually looks cheap. ALso the colour can be stained and look dated.

You get what you pay for, avoid fashion pieces, What looks fab now may not age well either. Most of these flat packs have a limited life.

In my other house I have an expensive solid oak system (possibly second nature) Much better but did cost over £10k just for the units and supply.

Builders love Howdens cos they get massive discounts and can pocket the difference - so dont be bought by the builder who pushes this. Some can get 50% plus but charge you 20% off.

[GrimmaTheNome]

Bacon - we looked at Magnet and weren't convinced by their quality, so that confirms what we thought - thanks!

I'm not at all interested in 'fashion' - haven't a clue, we just know what we like and what we don't. DH, unfortunately doesn't like the look of wood (its nearly all too dark, we want ivory) and we're not convinced painted wood would be durable - 'distressed' would be distressing

We don't know any builders/fitters hence looking for the sort of company that does the whole job.

[HoneyPablo]

Our last kitchen was from Howdens and I miss it now we have moved. I can also recommend a local builder Chris O'brien joinery. He has done lots of work at our houses.www.yell.com/s/building+maintenance+and+repairs-lytham+st+annes.html He organised the fitting of our kitchen, including electrics, gas and plastering.

[EuphemiaMcGonagall]

A joiner friend says IKEA's base units are the best, but he doesn't rate their worktops.