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Ikea vs Homebase kitchens

39 replies

TerryWogan4President · 28/12/2014 21:29

Just wondering if any of you have experience of either/both of the above kitchens? Any ringing endorsements or horror stories? Considering both the kitchen quality and aftercare of the company.
Have had both companies do us a plan. Fairly similar on price and style. Homebase are ever so slightly more expensive but did us a much more comprehensive plan which included some extra bits Ikea didn't. We're going to get our own independent kitchen fitter as both quotes we've had have been extortionate and each advisor all but told us not to bother with their installers as they're grossly overpriced.
So any reviews would be greatly appreciated.
TIA

OP posts:
thekitchenfairy · 05/01/2015 06:06

We've had nothing but problems with our homebase kitchen.

bryte · 05/01/2015 06:52

Love our recently installed Ikea kitchen. Despite some hassles in getting all the bits we needed, I wouldn't make any different decision. The fitter grumbled about Ikea, as used to Howdens, but had to admit fitting was actually was in the end.

Blackeyez09 · 05/01/2015 11:12

I'm interested in replacing just the units and work top of an 8 year old ikea kitchen... I don't want to change tiling or electrics or flooring just need fresh units is this possible
Also if it is currently ikea could I switch to wickes or homebase?
I would also consider ikea just whatever works out cheapest.., also what is the rough cost ( my kitchen is l shaped freestanding appliances and quite large

Smile
mandy214 · 05/01/2015 12:00

moregeous.wordpress.com/2014/02/15/farewell-faktum-hello-marvellous-metod-new-ikea-kitchen-range/

Have a quick look at this designer blog. I think you will struggle with replacing worktops and units of an old IKEA kitchen with a new IKEA kitchen.

Sususu · 05/01/2015 12:44

We got a quote from Homebase, the exact same layout cost more than double what we paid at Ikea for very similar looking units ( off white shaker style).

We didn't get quotes for fitting from either store but everything I read suggested arranging your own fitters is the way to go.

I've heard stories of tradesmen refusing to work with ikea kitchens, which is an easy way to weed out the rubbish, because quite frankly they're a piece of piss to assemble and fit.

Sususu · 05/01/2015 12:47

We got a quote from Homebase, the exact same layout cost more than double what we paid at Ikea for very similar looking units ( off white shaker style).

We didn't get quotes for fitting from either store but everything I read suggested arranging your own fitters is the way to go.

I've heard stories of tradesmen refusing to work with ikea kitchens, which is an easy way to weed out the rubbish, because quite frankly they're a piece of piss to assemble and fit.

DIYmaster · 15/01/2018 22:43

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Orchardgreen · 16/01/2018 04:21

The faktum.co.uk website is full of bad spelling and punctuation. It's not going to get much custom that way. Is it yours DIYmaster?

tigger123456 · 23/01/2018 12:57

Sainsburys sold Homebase to Australian company Wesfarmers in the summer of 2017 and they have completely different kitchens now (and no bathrooms worth talking about at all). Also their website no longer lists cabinets, doors etc. separately. I am trying to make an appointment with one of their kitchen designers but I'm afraid I'm half expecting it to turn out like the appalling waste-of-time hard sell session I endured at Wren last week. Why else would they no longer list individual items for purchase on their website and only sell complete kitchens? It doesn't look good.

Also, I went into Homebase Finsbury Park a couple of weeks ago and the man I spoke to was breathtakingly unhelpful. There didn't appear to be any proper managers onsite to complain to. They no longer sell the type of Schrieber bathrooms I was interested in, despite the fact that months after the takeover the said bathrooms are still on display. Infuriating!

Also, Sainsburys have kept the Schreiber name but now only sell a few ropey sticks of "their" bathroom furniture and knick-knacks through Argos (which they also own).

Another Homebase staff member suggested I go to Victoria Plumb or The Bathstore, rather implying (I thought) that those shops now sell the Schrieber brand or something very similar, but they do not.

Also, the comparable range of bathroom units is fast disappearing from B&Q - rather like watching a picture evaporate before your eyes. All incredibly annoying. Bathrooms and kitchens seem to be regarded by these big chains as ephemeral fashion items these days, not useful, functional items that will be in your home for many years.

Moral of this tale: if you see something you like at a reasonable price, do not hang about for months thinking about it!

I am currently trying to organise an appointment with the kitchen designer at another Homebase store, but they have still not responded to my request. I get the impression that new owners Wesfarmers may be reducing costs by simply not employing many staff. Morale seems to be appalling.

whiskyowl · 23/01/2018 13:12

Ikea kitchens are great quality, but the process of ordering them is a nightmare. I ordered mine on 28 November, and it was supposed to come on 27 December. Nothing showed up. The order has since been split into 7 separate deliveries, arriving over a 2 month window.

At various points, they have managed to run out of stock not only of cover panels and drawer fronts, but also of ovens and the fucking base cabinets, which are used for every kitchen. Customer service is pathetic - people on the phone who are basically trained to apologise but can do nothing to help you out. You can't get through to speak to anyone senior without waiting on hold for an hour.

It is honestly chaotic, and one of the worst customer service experiences of my life. I would never, ever do it again, much as I like the pieces of my kitchen that have arrived.

3luckystars · 23/01/2018 17:24

Have you looked at DIY kitchens?

If I lived in the UK I would go there first for a kitchen!!

whataboutbob · 23/01/2018 21:06

my husband bought freestanding ikea units to fit in my brothers home- the warehouse really messed-up on the screws, gave him th earring ones then said they'd post the right ones out but it could take 4 weeks, so he had to trudge back out to the store and travel back to bro's house. He wasn't chuffed. He also didn't think the quality was that great.

MiaowTheCat · 23/01/2018 21:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Stillamum3 · 24/01/2018 03:02

Love my Ikea Kitchen. Build quality is amazing and still looks good 10 years on

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