So how do you go about buying a kitchen then?

[Dottydot]

I know, sounds daft, but I've looked on a few websites and I can't work it out

The house we're buying hasn't got a kitchen in it at the moment. It's very small - enough room for a cooker, fridge, washing machine and about 6 cupboards I reckon.

We've got the fridge and the washing machine and need everything else - cupboards, worktops and cooker.

Do I just go into Ikea and get someone to help me (or B&Q or wherever)?

Budget is about 50p or thereabouts.

dont buy ikea kitchens! they are made for kit houses and dont allow for any walls that arent completely flat. we were about to order one and our builder refused to fit it as he said it was soooo much hastle. for about £100 more we have ordered a fab MFI one that is being delivered next friday.

Oh god, don't go to IKEA, we did, DH was there, I kid you not, for 6 hours. I had to drive the DC"s home and he had to get public transport home. The fitters were good, lovely chaps. BUT, IKEA kept f-ing up the order so it took forever for all the right parts to arrive, so kitchen was in chaos for over a week. . We bought previous one in previous home from MFI - much easier, and so chilled. Just walked in with our measurements, and they planned it with us on the computer then and there. At IKEA you have to do it all yourself, and then your bloomin' computer will crash and you have to start all over again.

When we were getting kitchen done we looked at Ikea. Our builder managed to find kitchen makers that did a made-to-measure kitchen (eg cupboards right up to the ceiling so there is no room for stuff on top or dust etc, and slightly wider shelves) which was solid wood (as opposed to the veneered from Ikea we looked at) and it was less expensive FITTED than the Ikea one was flat-packed!!! Have since recommended same firm to several friends. They normally just get jobs through builders and their 'showroom' is just part of their workshop which has been partitioned off, and they don't advertise, so low overheads, but good quality. This would definitely be the cheapest (and best) option if you could find someone similar. (Yorkshire based)

A friend of mine was just telling me yesterday that he went to MFI last month and had a funky white kitchen quoted up (£6,500). Wasn't sure so was quite cool and said he'd think about it. He then called them back having redesigned it himself and they said he could have 15% off if that helped. He said he still wasn't convinced and so they incredibly said "make us an offer", which he did. Got the same kitchen more or less for £4,000. So obviously they have strict targets. It might be worth not appearing too keen and saying you intend to shop around and see if they knock some money off it.

Can anyone recommend good builders in bedford area as want my kitchen to be fitted