Trying to source kitchen bits separately. Can you advise on sink/tap/hob and integrated dishwasher please.

[CrapBag]

I have an appointment at Homebase tomorrow. They have already done the plans and I really like it. We were going to go with an essentials kitchen but they have a good offer so are getting a quote on an odina one.

I have been looking elsewhere at sinks, taps, integrated dishwasher and hob. Some I have found are the same as HB but significantly cheaper elsewhere.

The Smeg dishwasher is £479 in HB but £269 at Appliances Direct (anyone know if they are any good?). Hob is £249 in HB but £121 in Currys. I like the reviews of a Franke sink from Appliances Direct. Is Franke a decent enough make? I also like a tap elsewhere that has good reviews. It is £189 which is more than I wanted to pay for a tap but I have read that it's these things that make an okay kitchen look better.

We are trying to save on other bits as the HB installation is a lot of money. We were going to get our independant plumber to do it but after the bathroom I am not happy to use him again for the kitchen even though he will be significantly cheaper so we are going great to have to such up the cost of the installation and I will feel happier knowing I have more comeback on a chain store rather than a local workman.

After my bathroom, I am not happy to measure and order online myself. I went with Victoria Plumb which is who my plumber recommended and he then complained about most of it apart from the bath, which is apparently good. So with the kitchen I want it measured and ordered by someone who knows what they are doing ie not me. I don't have an I me a nearby and I looked at DAY kitchens which seem very good in terms of prices but I just don't want to order it myself.

[mandy214]

I used Boots Appliances for my recent purchase of slimline dishwasher, fridge freezer and hob. They were excellent and I would recommend them. Their prices were very competitive. You do have to pay for delivery (I think it was £19.99) but when I factored this in, it was still cheaper than Appliances Online (AO) or any of the highstreets.

We have a Franke sink and tap - actually sourced through our kitchen company but I checked and their prices were very similar to elsewhere. I think certainly for taps (if not sinks too) Franke is a well respected, quality make.

I can't comment on HB kitchens although I have seen quite alot of posts saying they are expensive for what they are. If they've given you a good quote though and you're happy with the design, should be OK.

I wouldn't scimp on installation - this is the crucial bit in my view regardless of where you kitchen is from. Don't use someone you're not happy with.

[CrapBag]

Thanks, i'll check out Boots Online.

No I quite agree that we don't want to scrimp on the installation. The bathroom bits are okay but it's the other finishing bits that have been badly done and we, DH I should say, are having to do a lot of tidying and prep work before we can tile and decorate. I do not want to go through that with our kitchen so am prepared to pay people who know what they are doing.

HB have 60% off kitchens then 20% off that again and everything else so it works out a good deal. It's just the other bits are still cheaper elsewhere even with the 20% off.

[PigletInABlanketJohn]

Smeg, huh?

Kitchen companies are generally not good for appliances, in price or in quality.

Franke is an OK mid range sink. Look for a brushed, matt or patterned surface. A mirror-polished surface will constantly show scuffs and watermarks.

I think the Astracast Bistro sink is best ever, but you might not like it. It is very heavy as made of thick metal. It does not have a worktop under it as it is worktop-sized. This makes it very suitable for wooden worktops which do not like water. It is not very cheap.

Try this company which sometimes has bargains

[PigletJohn]

for some reason they hid kitchen sinks in the heating section

[PigletInABlanketJohn]

wonder why that happened.

[CrapBag]

Is Smeg not a good make then? I thought it was. Which makes would you recommend.

Thanks for the link. Will look at Plumbworld tomorrow.

So it is best to source appliances from somewhere that isn't a kitchen sales room? Appliances Direct seem to have good reviews.

[PigletInABlanketJohn]

I'm a Bosch enthusiast.

JL are good for appliances and long warranties but you may find better prices elsewhere. Sometimes Siemens and Bosch stuff is at JL on various offers.

[ContentedSidewinder]

Loving the Christmas user name PigletJohn!

We sourced appliances from all over for our kitchen. But we went into high street places to feel the quality of the items. We have bought from Appliances Online and Appliances Direct, plus I think Debenhams! It depended on who was selling it cheapest.

I used to love Bosch and have had several dishwashers from them (house moves) but went with a beko integrated dishwasher, and honestly, it is just as good. You can't see the brand as it is hidden away.

We have a Franke sink and it is fine, we went to a massive kitchen sink place to feel how solid the bottom of the sinks were ie if you push them down do they give?

If you have seen stuff and like it, get it online from whoever is cheapest.

[CreamSubstitute]

Our kitchen is still being installed but we bought something from ApplianceDirect. It was fine. Good price and timely delivery.

Pretty much everything we bought came from separate companies and I spent ages finding the cheapest prices for things.

[Lelivre]

This thread is helpful to us too. Just in case it helps you...my last appliance JL matched the Boots online deal.

[CreamSubstitute]

Oops we got a Neff hob, Bristan tap and a Reginox sink. Tap is nice, the sink is alright but nothing special but it will do fine. We didn't go for integrated appliances and have a Siemens dishwasher.

[CrapBag]

Well I have just got back from HB and they have price matched the hob, sink and tap which I found significantly cheaper elsewhere and they are willing to give me a free Hotpoint dishwasher too.

Can't say i'm not happy with that .