Idiots guide to ordering from DIY kitchens needed

[skiseasoniscoming]

So I've had a design done at wickes which I'm happy with but id like to compare the price from DIY kitchens after seeing so many rave reviews on here.

I have some questions which Im hoping you can help with

1. can I just copy the sizes and products over from the wickes quote?
   
2. how do I go about making sure the appliances fit in the cabinets properly
   
3. how do I order the counter top? As in i can work out the size but how do I work out the shape
   
   And any other advice much appreciated
   
   Please talk to me like you're talking to someone who REALLY doesn't understand it
   
   TIA

[namechangedtoday15]

1. Yes, you simply go through your Wickes quote and put each item in your basket. Unless you have odd sized units or specialist items it should be relatively easy to do.

1. As far as units for appliances are concerned, are you intending to put existing appliances in new units or are you buying new appliances? If you're using old appliances, you just need to go through each of the options that are listed for say double oven and see which one fits your oven. If you're buying new appliances, then (as a starting point just to compare prices) find a double oven housing or whatever you want on John Lewis or wherever, and then add the double oven housing that it will fit in into your basket. All the units are aligned to standard sized appliances.

1. As far as counter tops are concerned, you just need to think about the length that you will use. If its going to be made out of 2 or 3 pieces (so for an L shaped kitchen or a U shaped kitchen) you need to think about each length separately and then add it all together.

The people at DIY will check your order for you - so once you have it all in your basket, you can ask them to check it for you and even provide them with your Wickes plan and they will check whether you have all the right items in your basket.

[NotMeNoNo]

1 - yes this should give you an idea of cost anyway.
2 - what appliances have you got? Just choose the nearest thing e.g. double oven housing, can fine tune later. Most appliances are a standard size.
3 - order enough straight lengths of worktop for fitter to cut to size. What kind of worktop is it? For granite it's different.
4- remember trims, plinth (kick board), cornice/pelmet (above/below wall units) and end panels to hide the carcase on the end of a run.

[skiseasoniscoming]

I am getting new appliances so that makes things a little easier

Just worried about using DIY kitchens and doing it incorrectly

I'm between laminate work top and granite/quartz/corian (depends on how low the price of the cabinets is to be honest)

It's great news that they're happy to look over the order before I put it through!

[QuattroFormaggio]

Just to add, the people at DIY Kitchens are very helpful. We gave our plan to them and they added everything to the basket for us and worked out plinths/cornicing etc.

If you're getting granite/Quartz work tips you just have to give approximate sizes/shapes and then the quote is adjusted when the guys come to do the templating. We got our quartz through DIY Kitchens but the company that actually supplied it was Natural Stone-who I also thoroughly recommend.

It all seemed quite confusing at first but take it a step at a time and ask the DIY people for help if you need.

[NotMeNoNo]

Also if you take time, DIY kitchens have many more cabinet options so you may be able to tweak your design, have wood finish carcases, pull-outs etc.

[MrsT2007]

Yes they're mega helpful

Enail your plans from wickes to them and they'll match everything and put it into a basket for you.

Couldn't be happier with ours. Even with a last minute cupboard change they were incredibly helpful

[skiseasoniscoming]

Oh that's fantastic, thank you

I just need to decide what kitchen to go for, I keep changing my mind!!!!

[wowfudge]

If you can get to their showroom, do so. There is no hard sell, you can see lots of different kitchens in the flesh and get advice, etc if you choose. Plus they have a display kitchen where there is a cook using various built in appliances - she is fab. I had a good chat with her about induction hobs. You can email them your Wickes plan to quotes@ and they'll do the leg work for you.

[ShortLass]

If you like, you can just send them the quote that you have from another company and they will respond with a quote of their own. See this page:

www.diy-kitchens.com/support/new-ticket.asp?enty=14&enht=Quotation

Takes all the effort out of it. Even if it is a bit sneaky.

[skiseasoniscoming]

I'd love to get to the showroom but it is very very far from where I live unfortunately

Thank you for that link shortlass, so so helpful