Anything I need to think about if buying a kitchen from an independent

[DizzyBlondeMum2]

We're having a new kitchen. Have had quotes from Magnet, Homebase and Wickes -all over or top end of budget.

Then called into an independent who has since been round to measure. Looks like we may be able to get better quality kitchen with better choice of cabinet sizes etc for same kind of price.

We really liked the guy and he clearly knows what he's doing. However we don't know anyone whose used him before and I'm concerned there won't be any come back if there's problems or the company goes bump.

What should we be doing to check him out? Are there any protection schemes or insurances we should be thinking about ?

Thanks!

I would ask for some references - if he is good he should have no issue with putting you in contact with people who have used him before.

Also, get everything in writing - down to the number of handles, electrical sockets, etc, etc - and also make sure you have detailed sketches/pictures of how things should look.

Will he be making the cabinets from scratch or do he buy in carcasses? If he buys them in, then that company may have some sort of guarantee which would help.

I've used independents before and had no issues but did make sure I had everything agreed in fine detail so that my expectations matched what they actually did.

Good luck!

Thanks. That's really useful!

Are there any industry associations they should be members of?

Magnet seem to be part of some kind of guarantee scheme. Does anyone know anything about that?

Thanks again!

Thanks. That's really useful!

Are there any industry associations they should be members of?

Magnet seem to be part of some kind of guarantee scheme. Does anyone know anything about that?

Thanks again!

You would have more chance of getting an none stocked door or a very very close match off an independent than a chain as they can source (or should be able to) where they want where chains buy in bulk and stock materials.
A decent independent should be able replace any damaged goods the next day unless it was a painted to order item, then that should take about week to get the new item painted up and delivered

Thanks. Has anyone had problems with an independent? How did you resolve them?