Painted shaker style kitchens - Higham, Devol etc.

[couldwinterstopnowplease]

I've had a quote from Higham and wondered if anyone has had both these companies quote. Is Devol cheaper than Higham? How did prices compare?

[skandi1]

It's hard to say as I don't know which type of kitchen your quote was for.

Essentially Higham is fully bespoke whereas Devol isn't entirely. They do have options but there are limits. Higham will build you anything you can dream up.

I have one if their handle less shaker kitchens. It's amazing and looks amazing.

They are lovely to deal with as well as on the ball.

I recommend them highly. Their prices are very competitive.

In terms of cheaper options you need to look very carefully at the specification of the kitchen you are receiving. Sometimes others appear cheaper but that's because you are getting something made with inferior materials. And cabinet depth is actually 500mm rather than the full 600mm.

It's hard to give you advice without knowing more about what you're after.

[couldwinterstopnowplease]

I don't want to go too cheap as I want it to be good quality.
We are looking for the classic shaker kitchen - not handleless although I agree that one does look lovely on Higham's site.
I think we have about 19 units, no island.

[pootlebug]

I didn't get a quote from Devol but just seconding what Skandi1 said about Higham - they were lovely to deal with all the way through the process and my kitchen looks amazing.

[couldwinterstopnowplease]

Pootle and Skandi, ooh very tempting as I have every confidence it would be amazing. Slightly over-budget really as I also need to allow for flooring, worksurfaces, lighting, appliances and a couple of small bits of building work...will have to do my sums and see.

They sounded really busy so maybe have put their prices up slightly since you had yours done...

[skandi1]

Talk to them. Try and find ways to make savings. They will be able to suggest thing. Eg. Tall units are very expensive so fewer of those will save money. If you were quoted for lacquered birch interiors, make sure you only have (and pay for) units lacquered that you need. Eg don't have the oven cabinet interior lacquered ditto for the interior of the dishwasher cabinet (total waste of money and how would you even know if it had been lacquered in the first place?). That can shave hundreds of pounds off.

Look at how many drawer units you have. Look at reducing. They are expensive. Most kitchen companies love tempting you with expensive drawer options. Personally I don't find drawers overly useful beyond cutlery drawers. I have pan drawers as part of a dresser drawer configuration and I am very glad I chose not to have more drawers as I don't actually use those. Standard base units are better. However that's a personal thing.

[skandi1]

Oh and if you have been quoted for the lovely oiled oak interiors. Save your money and go for the lacquered birch.

I wanted the oak but something had to give cost wise (I wanted expensive worktops) and the lacquered birch is stunning. It's utterly practical and beautiful. It's one of the most admired parts of the kitchen by visitors. I can't recommend it enough.

And don't skimp on worktops. You need to really love them. Don't compromise. Go for what you really love.

And shop around for appliances. You can save hundreds that way too.

[couldwinterstopnowplease]

Thanks Skandi. Their quote wasn't far off and I think with a few small changes such as those you suggest, it's doable.

It seems like I need to allow about £800 for a double oven, £400 or so for the gas hob.

Then worktops...I think I want Corian but have no idea how much that will be so I'm off to google per metre costs.

Flooring...

I want to try and do the whole thing including handles, taps, new spotlights and a pendant light, a few smaller things for 30k. Sound achievable? I think I might be pushing it for Corian...

Also am I missing anything I need to include cost wise?
I also need a water softener but am not including that in the budget.

[couldwinterstopnowplease]

Ah I knew I was forgetting something: splashbacks.

[couldwinterstopnowplease]

Realise my question was a bit meaningless as I didn't say what amount the kitchen units were costing. Skand1 how much more did you spend on top of the units and installation?

[betterwhenthesunshines]

You should look at www.handmadekitchens-direct.co.uk/.

We have oak veneer interiors with tulip wood (NOT pine) - lovely pull-out internal drawers within cupboards, all made to exact size requirements. They were great to deal with and re-made a minor mistake within 3 days so that the fitting schedule could go ahead. I have to paint it all, so no photos yet, but I am very happy.

1 double base unit
1 double sink unit
1 x unit with drawer + 2 deep drawers
1 magic corner unit
1 base with 3 internal oak pull out drawes
side panels to build tall fridge housing
1 tall counter top larder with double doors

£3.5k inc VAT + delivery
£1,800 for composite worksurfaces arranged myself
£900 builder fitting

looks like a much more expensive kitchen.

PS If you PM me I can try and email you a picture of how it look sunpainted, although they have lots of pictures on their website.

[rak5a]

betterwhenthesunshines - would love to see pics of your kitchen unpainted and painted! we are planning a trip to dorset soon to check out the showroom. compared prices with Kit Stone and handmade-kitchensdirect were about 40% cheaper! just concerned that the quality is good.

[deeplydullmnnickname]

Hi,
Let me know too please rak.
I am also looking at Devol although I need to actually contact them and get a quote.

Bit suspicious about how Handmade can be so much cheaper.

[Samantha13]

Hello everyone,

I am too looking for a painted shaker kitchen and really like the Higham range. I am also talking to a company called The English Rose Kitchen Company, their kitchens look amazing on their website. They make all their own cabinets etc and their prices are cheaper than Higham!!

I really love The English Rose are a proper family business, with a father, son and daughter team. My husband hates chipboard and trying to find a company that doesn't use it, was very hard. But The English Rose dont - so my hubbys happy!! :-)

If anyone is looking for a painted kitchen, you should def contact them - www.the-english-rose.co.uk

[Sunnyshores]

rak5a - did you go an visit handmade-kitchensdirect?
I am ordering a Kit Stone kitchen in the next few months, but they would be cheaper so interested to know what you thought of them compared to kitstone?

[deepfriedsage]

I would love to see the results.

[morethanmama]

Just resurrecting this thread as we want to go for a handmade kitchen but our budget is v tight so really interested in other people's experiences......

[rak5a]

I did go and visit the handmade kitchen showroom and I have to say I was a wee bit disappointed in the quality. In fairness, one of my peeves was with the paintjob which I found sloppy (they had painted them all with the doors on - so it was messy round the hinges, etc). Obviously this is irrelevant as they only supply them unpainted so as long as you have an awesome painter, it should be fine although I cannot conceive why they wouldn't have their showroom examples done up perfectly!

But the real nagging issue for me is that the actual open/close of the cupboards I found to be a bit "homemade" feeling. I am used to cupboards that close softly and with a nice magnetic latch at the end. With HMK you can choose between magnetic latches or old-school clips but either way, they just felt flimsy. The drawers on the other hand were lovely and opened and closed like a dream.

I had been to see Kit Stone and really loved them but thought HMK would be practically identical - it isn't. However, the advantage to HMK (besides cost) is that you can get units totally made to measure so absolutely no loss of space. Note that Kit Stone kitchens are made by Neptune (KS are basically a reseller) so if you want to do more research, google Neptune as there is quite a bit more feedback on quality, customer service.

The next spanner in the works is that I have found that Costco (!) sell a painted kitchen that is also made by Neptune and looking at the site it is really lovely and the prices are amazing. I have a spreadsheet comparing HMK, KS and Costco and the Costco is the cheapest (once you include cost of painting the HMK). Costco comes painted and it seems like you have no choice in the colour (cream). I would rather a grey/stone paintjob but it might have to be a sacrifice I have to make for the budget esp if I can get the same quality units as KS but have more in the pot to get an amazing worktop, cooker, etc. Have a look at the Costco one here www.royalkensington.com

I am going to Costco on Friday to have a look so I will report back! Also, HMK's "sale" is ending on Friday and it may be weeks/months before they revert to their 50% off pricing so if you are going with them, you should call up and give your £250 deposit to secure those prices if you need the kitchen in the next few months.

[cooper44]

Morethan. I did mine last year with a company called Unfitted. They were brilliant and I love my kitchen. Can send you some pics if you want.
I spent a long time planning it and you can cost it all on their website. Although they will plan it all for you I just like doing it.
The quality is great. And you can choose any F&B or little Greene colour.

[rak5a]

Been trying to contact them and just found out that Royal Kensington no longer work with Costco (tbh it appears they may be out of business as their phone number is dead). Argh! Back to the drawing board with KS, HMK, Devol, Higham, etc. I was enjoying this process at the beginning and now I pretty much want to forget the whole thing!!!

[Samantha13]

I know the feeling of trying to find the perfect kitchen! (Think Ive turned completely Grey!) But on the up side, I have finally found my dream kitchen! :-D

I told my best friends a few weeks ago about The English Rose Kitchen Company (www.the-english-rose.co.uk) and they emailed them a quote to see if they could beat it.

My friend wants glazed wall boxes on top of normal wall cupboards and the showroom she was dealing with told her it was included!! But it wasn't!!

The only reason she found out was from The English Rose, they are truly kind and honest people - I guess that's what you get when you deal with a family business.

I really cant shout enough about The English Rose Kitchen Company - They are so friendly and a pleasure to work with!

If any of you are looking for a kitchen - I would try sending them a quote of your favourite company to see if they can beat it!

Good Luck!! x

[wolfywolfe]

I'm not to sure where your based but we got our kitchen from Simon Benjamin Furniture and we really love it! We're based in the south east near Brighton and we were really impressed with their quality and they were a lovely family business.

We were recommended them through a friend (always a good way to find these things) but we also saw them in Beautiful Kitchens mag. We wanted a classic shaker style kitchen with a Corian work top. Their designers were really helpful and we are really pleased with the result.

They were really reasonable as well, which was another huge selling point for us! It's all bespoke sizes but at a really good price, which we really needed as our space was an odd shape!

Have a look at their website //www.simonbenjamin.com or get them to give you a quote maybe?

Good luck on finding your dream kitchen!! x

[wolfywolfe]

Nope that's not the website!! Its //www.simonbenjamin.co.uk ooops!

[CKLondon]

First post! Has anyone used paintedkitchensdirect.co.uk?
They look great and cheap, but I'm nervous of plucking something of t'internet without hearing any good reviews, and haven't found any.

I'm looking for the cheapest way to get a pale green/blue painted solid wood kitchen, with real wood carcasses (not MDF, which is standard even with John Lewis, who are way out of budget!) and dark granite worktops. We've bought a flat that needs pretty much everything doing (currently has no kitchen, just a sink!) so we'll probably get the builders to fit it. Any tips on a decent free/cheap design service using standard sizes that let's you keep the designs would also be appreciated. Thanks :)

[rak5a]

CKLondon - are you sure you're so bothered about MDF carcasses? I thought I was when I started the whole search but then realised that actually as long as the doors were wood, I was happy. MDF is very robust and doesn't have issues with warping, etc. and from an aesthetic point of view, you don't really notice anything but the doors. So if you're on a budget, that might be an easy concession.

We have finally just blown the budget and placed the order for our Kit Stone kitchen after comparing KS, Devol, HMK, English Rose (I wish I could get some life points for all the travelling I did to all of these bloody showrooms!).

Will post again when it is delivered and fitted in October (really hope I will have nice things to say about the experience!).

[wolfywolfe]

Hey CKLondon... Try Simon Benjamin Furniture for sure. I didn't want chipboard/mdf either and they do bespoke sizes... but they were really quite reasonable (less than Kit Stone) and had a free initial design with the quote :)

Ha I sound like I'm on their payroll! But seriously I'm well chuffed with ours...