Higham Kitchens

[PenguindreamsofDraco]

I know there have been threads here before where people have been raving about their Higham kitchen, but I just wondered if those who have used them have any tips for getting the costs down?

I have had a quote from them, I really want to use them, but the cost is jaw dropping. They have suggested moving from a 4 door to a 2 door larder, which is fine, but haven't really come up with any other suggestions. I thought I remembered from other threads that they were meant to be quite resourceful making suggestions?

I really need to get the cost down by several thousand if I can go ahead with them.

Can anyone help?

Thanks

Several thousand seems a big ask! Drawers are pricier than cupboards - work out how many drawers you really need and how many would be fine as cupboards.

What sort of stuff do you have in your kitchen and how big? Can you change anything on the finish?

I have a Higham kitchen - it has been done 2 years and I still totally love it and pretty much everyone who comes round comments on it. Sorry I suspect that is not much help but if you're wondering whether to stretch the budget….

Thanks. Yes, I have asked for more drawers than cupboards, that is definitely true.

I suppose I've just been a bit disappointed that, after I went back with a face, they haven't really volunteered any suggestions for cutting down the cost. So I have no idea if changing the finish would make a difference.

The kitchen isn't massive, but it's not small either. They have quoted for a larder, crockery cupboard, upright cupboard with built in ovens, bridging unit over FF, a big drawer unit, a couple of base cupboards and an undersink unit, and the quote for units alone (including fitting) was 29k, which I just thought was jaw dropping.

sounds to me like they are targeting customers with £29k to spend.

I bet the carcases are made of laminated chipboard, and the hinges and runner are Blum.

Big pan drawers are much better than cupboards, and will take your kitchen machines.

Ah well, they have targeted the wrong customer then !

They do say their carcasses are wood, not MDF though.

Piglet. Highams work are individually made pieces of furniture. Solid wood
And no chipboard or laminated anything. They build high end bespoke solid wood furniture.
Eg. My island is 1200mm x 2400mm and is made up of three separate pieces of furniture.
This isn't the flat pack stuff you buy from Magnet or second nature etc.

Completely bespoke. They can build you anything you wish for.

OP I have a Higham kitchen. The handle less shaker. Stunning durable and fantastic.
Mine was featured in an interiors magazine not long ago (ask them and you can have a look ).

In terms of price. There are ways to lowering the cost. Have fewer drawers.

Big pan drawers are a pain. You fill them with crap and they look untidy when you open them.

To save I ditched all the drawers from my island and have cupboards in stead. It's fab.

I do have two pan drawers at the bottom of my dresser/drawer. I don't use them. One is empty and the other has tea towels in.

Kitchens been in for two year and it's still beautiful. Pretty indestructible despite having a 3 and a 5 year old.

Tall units are expensive too.

It's very hard to say where your most expensive items are without seeing your plans and layout.
Pm me if you like and happy to help. If you want me to look at you plan. I'd happily do that too.

Did you ask about discount at all? Sometimes they will offer a few % off (don't tell them I said that).

Also their fitting costs may seem high. However their installation was second to none. And aftercare. I had a hinge break (DS and DD involved)
I only called to ask where I could get an exact match but they sent someone from their workshop and refitted the door.
Wasn't their fault my DC were using the low unit doors to hang on and swing.

You could also make changes to your plan/layout to save. Again can't be specific without more detail.

The larders are always expensive. There may be cheaper ways of achieving the look so to speak.

Post more about what you're after and we will all help you.

Is it the handle less shaker you're after?

Ah I suspect they have shown me yours They asked where I had first heard about them and I said MN... I think I may also have noticed it on a recent thread...

Yes, I was originally after the handleless shaker, but I think my husband apparently labouring under a delusion that he ever cleans the kitchen has vetoed that on the basis that the grooves would attract grease and grime.

My current layout has a larder and a full height crockery cupboard on one side. I can cut costs I think with a 2 door larder instead of 4, and having fixed rather than pull out shelves in the crockery cupboard.

The island contains a sink with an under sink cupboard, and a dishwasher, so no units.

There is then an upright containing 2 built in ovens with a small drawer underneath and a small cupboard at the top, adjoining a bridging unit over a FF.

On the other wall are 2 counter top cupboards, with 2 below counter cupboards. The base cupboards are higher than average because we're a tall family! One big 7 drawer unit under the hob. 2 other base cupboards. 2 wall cabinets either side of the extractor, which I could possibly do away with.

If you could possibly help I would be so grateful - I want them but I can't afford them

Penguins. Of course I'll help.

Good news is that you won't get charged more for taller base units.

Could you post your room dimensions pls?

Also are sticking with current layout? How about something different?

If you want to PM me I will give you my email. I could be more helpful if I had a photo of current kitchen along with room dimensions.

It could have been mine, Penguins - it featured recently in KBB magazine and the interview included the information that I'd discovered Higham via Mumsnet

7 drawers under the hob? Could you manage with fewer?

Also handless shaker is more expensive than the standard so you're saving there.

Yes to fixed drawers in tall units. It saves. However the pull out drawer are beautiful.

Bear in mind that kitchen cabinet makers/manufacturers employ "designers" to "help" you. However their main purpose is to sell as many cabinets as possible with as many signing and dancing extras to hike price up.

It's their job and the reality of any manufacturer.

What you need to do is look at your layout very carefully and also not be swayed by swanky extras (soooo hard I know).

Post info on your room layout and I will try my best.

Pootlebug, yes, it may have been you, and if so, it seems from this section that I am not the only admirer

Right, lovely ladies, as far as I can manage (the kitchen is for an extension which hasn't yet been built, so the measurements may not be exact), the long wall of units which will contain the hob is about 4.2m long.

The wall which will contain the FF (big US one) and the ovens is about 1.63m long - and it's between 2 doorways so not much wiggle room.

The larder (and I do want my larder, not least to hide toaster, kettle etc) and crockery cupboard wall is 1.87m long.

The island contains the sink, one undersink cabinet and the dishwasher, so not much scope for re-jigging that.

Since this is for an entirely new space, I am completely flexible on layout. The Higham design does seem very efficient though.

Basically I want exactly what they've designed for me, at a much lower cost

I see.
If you love this layout, there won't be a lot of scope for making it cheaper.

However here are what you can look at.

1. Cabinet interiors. Go for the lacquered birch. That's what I have it saved me a couple of grand on the oiled oak veneer.
2. More fixed shelves.
3. Cut out as many drawers as poss. They literally cost the earth. By pulling all the drawers out of my island, I saved 20% on total costs.
4. Your larder. Larders are mega expensive. It will also contain lots of "extras" such as spice racks etc which cost a surprising amount. Look at ways of limiting that. Essentially redesign the interior of the larder to save.

Also you mentioned your quote was £29k. What's you budget? It's important because if your budget is say half of your quote, you'll struggle/nearly impossible. Whereas if your budget is £6k/£7k below the quote it's absolutely possible by looking at the above areas.

You can also paint it yourself and have someone install it for you.
Higham charge circa double what most fitters charge. However it's worth it because you get lifetime after care. They will come out at the drop of a hat.
But if getting someone else to fit it is the difference between getting your dream kitchen or not then obv get someone cheaper.

And again ask for a percentage discount as well.

You're a star! I will go back armed with the info and see what I can negotiate. I could go to 22k or so with fitting. Since the whole kitchen is being built from scratch, I have been wondering whether just to let the builders get on and fit since they'll be there anyway. But it sounds like Higham is worth the expense in that regard.

Right, onwards!

Peguins.

For me Higham are well worth it. I rate their product highly.

Someone in the property/interior trade recently assume my kitchen was a £70k kitchen. It most certainly isn't.

It's the build quality.

Do talk to Higham about where your budget is and where you need to get to.

Do bear in mind that kitchen "designers" employed by cabinet makers are sales people who sell as many units and as many extras as possible!

Be honest about budget and tell them that you need to get under or to £22k or you won't be able to buy a kitchen from them.

I assume they had added in oiled oak veneer? Very nice but a very unnecessary expense! The "basic" lacquered birch is beautiful and very functional. Always admired in my kitchen.

Highams are just brillaint and that's from somebody with 40 years in the construction industry, dealing with magnet, howdens, smallbone, poggenphol,. We started at Martin More and found Highams on here. If you want chipboard and mdf then that's what you pay for and it will have about a 10 year life.
They are quality, Tim is brilliant and the finished product made my wife cry.

mrsflorrick are there pictures of your kitchen online anywhere? I'd love to have a nose. We are considering a shaker style handmade kitchen with lacquered birch interiors at the mo and would love to see some pics!!!!