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?

You accepted a price of £11k, not £15k. The mistake is theirs, not yours. Either they honour the original price, or you walk away. Tbh, I'd always get a second price anyway.

We are in the process of updating our kitchen. We found an independent kitchen designer that came recommended, and she's given us a very good quote on a high end kitchen. A certain well known high street brand quoted around £40k, she's doing it for around £22k and it's better quality and that includes appliances.

It is often down to the workman, not the actual firm. I had a B&Q kitchen in my last place. It was excellent and the fitter took so much trouble.

Otoh I used a local firm to fit my bathroom here. The work was a bit shoddy and the final bill was hugely bigger than the agreed quote. Their workmen were unreliable and one bloke came and ripped everything out and then I found he'd gone on a cruise for three weeks! Being a small company there was no higher authority to complain to, I just had to deal with the (scary) owner.

How many appliances?

Was in Ikea yesterday and their prices even with appliances were cheaper than that.

You've had good advice here, cancel with the original company and get 3 new quotes.

I know it's a real pain but you're spending a lot of money so worth it in the end

Walk away OP -

I went to a local kitchen shop for MIL's kitchen, they quoted £20k! I got a Howdens kitchen, fitted, new hob, oven, sink etc for less than half that.

Used my own builder, and sourced electricals separately.

Walk away.

If it's Homebase then the quote is subject to survey and the final price is after the tech survey

The designers go on a 3 day training course a large part of which is how to use the software then a 1 day install training course

The computer automatically generates install codes but it is pretty flakey and doesn't allow for things like moving sockets, ring mains etc -a new designer won't know this and will often be caught out by how much the install costs rise once all these things are added on

I'd put money on the huge rise being install cost rather than product cost -stores can flex the kitchen price but not the install cost

I'd find a local independent -often cheaper, always better service

I had kitchen re done 2 tall cabinets 3 base units one double sink unit 1 3 draw unit 5 wall units all solid wood, dishwasher,cooker (from AO) and hood (already had new washing machine and fridge) 4k fitted by local independent firm.
4 years later it still looks brand new. Was installed in 2 days, couldnt have been happier
Always try independent fitters as well as the big firms for quotes, and check testimonials/ references.

You were being ripped off at 11k.
Listen to MEDDIE above.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to shop around for a couple of other quotes as it seems even the original 11k quote is high considering it's not a big kitchen.

John Lewis did this to us - we ended up going with Ikea who did an excellent job. Cannot recommend them enough.

I don't have an IKEA kitchen but have had many recommendations for them as good value and reliable fitting service.

If you can just find a recommended local builder, show them the plans and ask them to discuss with you and quote for fitting. Most of the big kitchen companies sub out the work to local builders and put a margin on top. If you can get a local recommendation then you effectively you control the choice of builder - they can all get units from the same suppliers.

Also get more than one quote and ask them to explain where the costs lie.

If you have the quote take it to another kitchen company or just call out another company to design and price kitchen
It seems bad that they are trying to make you pay more for a staffing error yes we all make mistakes but that seems excessive.

Dreams to be honest, reading the responses and advice on this thread, it's looking increasingly like even the original quote was on the expensive side for a smallish kitchen.

I am shopping around, am going to have a look on the Ikea website as suggested by several posters.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this - make sure they know they kitchen is for an older person and plan it accordingly. Hopefully you gran is fit and healthy now but she may not be so in 10 years.

Make sure everything is at the correct height and very well planned. And exactly what she needs and not just an off the shelf design e.g. A split level oven and coffee machine if she doesn't use them.

Go for easy to clean and a classic style that won't date, she won't want to replace it if she had her last one for 25 years.

You probably want a washer / dryer rather than a washing machine, unless she has a separate dryer.

Have a look on here quotationcheck.com/ for a benchmark. I found this site really useful for all the building work we've had done recently.

Re Homebase - I could write a book! Suffice to say - my most recent kitchen nightmare started by the designer who fucked up virtually everything including measurements, not knowing we'd need electrical work in the kitchen before installation, and ordering parts that wouldn't fit in the space.

Original fitters came for the survey and then realised they couldn't fit the counter top I'd ordered, causing several weeks delay.

Appliances and counters were ordered well in advance but still couldn't arrive in the correct order for them to be fitted without delays in between, leaving me with no water for days.

Second fitter fucked off on holiday, without telling me, for three weeks, mid-job!

They bashed my boiler pipes under the floor, causing a water leak and essential emergency gas repairs.

The tilers made racist remarks and sexually offensive comments. I made a complaint to the regional manager, who came to see me to apologise but I was way to stressed to be appeased by this point.

Almost immediately, bits of fixtures and fittings began falling off - I got the fitters back in twice for repairs, which haven't lasted.

Never again!

IKEA for us as well. Very happy with the whole process. We spent our budget on good appliances and received a good discount, a fantastic tap and a nice sink. We have glass panels instead of tiles - easier to clean.

I'm another one saying avoid Wren

When you get a kitchen from ikea, do you have to buy appliances from them too or can you choose your own for them to fit?

If it was Magnet, run for the hills OP.

Turnstiles

No. You can get other appliances, as long as they fit. I did, in the end because I couldn't be arsed looking around, but it's not a problem.

I am not sure if the "Ikea" fitters fit, non-IKEA stuff (you'd have to check that). The fitters are contractors but I think they might charge extra for fitting other stuff

Ikea appliances are made by Electrolux AFAIK

Ohhh hopefully Abbie knows ^^