To ask if I'm being ripped off?

[Whichwayyisup]

I gave my DGM a present of a new kitchen as hers was falling apart, literally 25 years old with appliances conking out and (IME) borderline dangerous.

I went to a well known high street kitchen designer/supplier and was quoted 11k including all appliances e.g. Fridge freezer, dishwasher, oven, washing machine.

We agreed on the price and yesterday someone came round to measure everything up.

Today I get a phone call apologising that the original quote was way off due to lack of experience on the person who I dealt with and the real cost is closer to 15k.

AIBU to be suspicious that this is a cynical business move, reeling you in then shifting the goal posts once you're invested?

That sounds very expensive to me. Our kitchen is small but units, worktop, sink and oven/hob came to £800 (price matched it at B&Q against Ikea prices).
Got a local fitter to put it in for another £300.

Next time, I would actually use Ikea. We just couldn't get to one and wanted to physically choose doors/handles etc in the flesh.

They were nuts to give you an actual quote without measuring though, if that's what they did.

I used B&Q- designer was good and helpful. Units still look new 4 years later

Our Ikea kitchen looked great 8 years on, we updated the doors when we could afford it. Great service and lots of options. For a medium sized kitchen it wasn't more that a grand or so.

Ours (17 units plus built in f-f, hob and built-in double oven, under unit lighting, ceramic sink and wooden laminate worktops) was £7,000 incl VAT and a further £2,000 to fit in a location where a kitchen hadn't been before (so all new waterpipes, drainage, gas etc). Surrey / London border.
So yes, yours does sound dear Would want to go through the costs line by line / investigate alternatives.

Howdens - kitchen units have been great, don't even think about getting the appliances, they are total rubbish. Builder fitted kitchen and he was fantastic. They used to do an amazing sale in October, don't know if they still do, but we got our solid oak work tops for £20, filter tap £10 etc.

Ikea - kitchen amazing, no pressure to take appliances although we did and they were great. Kitchen was going strong 20 years later, when house was sold by the person who had purchased it from us. You have to book an appointment with a kitchen fitter and go with all measurements. There was something about the plumbing being lower down than normal so just to warn your kitchen fitter/builder although long time ago so may have changed by now.

I recommend IKEA. We have a massive kitchen (we have a big kitchen table in the middle of it, with units on all 4 walls), and the whole lot including fridge freezer and double oven only cost £7000 (about 8 years ago). They were great all the way through the process - and we had to make a few alterations from my plan when their man came to actually measure up (due to me being a bit crap when measuring it myself) - they were fine with it all.

I think that they have to honour the signed agreement at £11k. It's not your fault that the original quote was less due to lack of experience (training by the company) of the salesperson/design person.

I dont see how they can enforce payment.

OP for a big project like kitchen you should ALWAYS get 3 different quotes. You don't have to choose the cheapest, but it helps you know you are not being ripped off.

I've used B&Q twice in two years for kitchen units to refit two rental properties, and have been very happy. I used my own kitchen fitters though. I highly recommend their high white high gloss units which look high spec and stylish.

Have you asked around for any recommendations from people you know?
You might be better off getting a local reliable fitter who can do it all for you

We really liked our IKEA kitchen - super good value. I wouldn't be happy with the change in quote you've received.

My Mum had a similar experience-sorry, no help as can't remember the manufacturer. But they stayed until midnight- I was fuming when I found out. They left without a deal and Mum complained the following day and was offered something more palatable.
We went to IKEA for ours. Spent a while there but spent a fraction and it's fine. Definitely no ripping off done.

We've just had a wickes kitchen fitted when they had 65% discount. The units are amazing and all work perfectly! We ordered our own worktops, door knobs, sink, tap and appliances. And also got someone else to fit it who charged £600 rather than wickes 3k!! Also things like the tap... wickes £250, Victorian plumbing £56 and it's exactly the same design!! Also appliances, wickes put on a £800 washing machine without checking with us, we managed to get all our appliances for £650 from AO.

You need to ask them the price of everything! Also fancy kitchen units like pull out cupboard will cost you atleast £400 even with a discount.

As we speak we are having a Benchmarx kitchen fitted.
In total the units are costing 3.5k. It is a small kitchen but that's 8 units, 900 wide pan drawers, a small pull out larder unit, a bin unit.
The dishwasher was in the JL sale and the cooker and fridge are staying.
£500 for solid wood work top
Another £1k for a chap we know to fit it.

Benchmarx supply the kitchens for Wickes. They are less than half the price of Wickes but you will need to find a fitter as they supply to trade only.

I had a new kitchen fitted last year. 18 units, all new appliances, new sink and taps, solid oak tops. 9 grand all supplied and fitted to a very high standard. Got a few quotes and went with B and Qvin end

Sorry I mean B and Q. I got the quote from them first which was useful as every little thing is listed and itemised on the paperwork they give you which you can then take to other suppliers and they will match price or offer a lower one

Also heard very good things about the IKEA kitchens as well x

Wtf? They can't agree on a price without measuring the kitchen first!! Imagine if the kitchen was a lot larger then the customer had said it was? We could all be trying it on like that, getting a quote for a smaller kitchen and expecting them to honour the price after a measurement shows it's significantly larger!! (I'm not saying you are trying it on op, just that this company seems to be operating backwards!)

Yes, I don't think you can really blame the firm. It's only when you have actually carried out a site visit that you can provide a written quote.

And those saying, "Well, I only paid X" - lots of people don't have the time/inclination/expertise to get a sink from here, floor tiles from there, a plumber known by their Auntie Jean and a carpenter who is dh's brother's best friend's cousin. Some of us want a whole package and that is obviously going to cost more. And, frankly, could work out better if there is a problem.

I think for sure they are doing that ..... think how many people especially older ones will
Be taken advantage of by that tactic :( I think you should shop around first or just say your not interested anymore !
That's a lot more than original price ..... you could buy all essentials (washer etc) either 4 grand ....
Hope you say something.... :)

For any Job always, always get several estimates.
Some of the companies will give you a price then come back with a lower one when you say no thanks

For the one you choose get a written quote with a breakdown of what is to be done.

Check before any work starts if you will need extra wiring, heavy duty cable, plumbing work etc

Find out how much is to be paid and when. Never, ever pay the whole amount up front

We had our kitchen done last year. Howdens units. Bought our own oven etc through AO.com
We got a local firm in , after falling about laughing at other prices. We are lucky in that the local firm is a friend of my eldest DC but we still got written quote and a list of what they would be doing and what would have to be extra ( like gas fitting , vinyl , appliances)
We got rewired, replumbed, fitted the scullery as utility with a sink in it, got extra sockets put in, got the floor hardboarded to even it out.
We got drawer unit under the prep area to house chopping boards, utensils etc. A basket arrangement in the corner unit to make best use of space. Lighting to illuminate the worktop areas.
I love my new kitchen

Howdens have a web site, you need a trade account to buy anything. The units are delivered assembled

I would warn against B&Q.

The kitchen fit took 4 weeks in our small space and the cupboards are nice, but they patch plastered and didn't fill holes they had made, which means that we're going to have to have the walls skimmed when we can afford it. And do NOT get bathrooms done by them. Only done last year and one sink just fell off the wall and the other now leaks constantly, they've repaired, but it happened again.

A friend of mine has had just this problem with Wickes, although there the real issue seemed to be bad communication between the local contractors and the overall project management from Wickes. Another vote for Ikea here.

Love our Ikea kitchen. Still going strong after almost 10 years.