Yet another thread about mid-range kitchen manufacturers (sorry, I did use the search function, promise)

[shovetheholly]

OK, DH and I have made a calculated decision that our very bog standard semi needs a very bog standard new kitchen. Nothing expensive that looks like something out of Country Life - though I would love one of these, it just wouldn't be worth doing in the house. Basically, this refurb needs to be really affordable.

So we are looking for recommendations from low-to-medium end retailers in a clean German style. The space is very small and we need every inch of space.

I have looked at B&Q, Wickes, Howden and I don't really like the quality for the price.

I am beginning to look at: Mereway/JL own brand (I gather they are the same but that if you buy Mereway they are cheaper?), Schuller, possibly the lower end Alno. Also Ikea, because their units seem better than those of B&Q etc. (though this may be my untutored eye).

Any others I should consider?

Taken after Christmas lunch by the way, which is why it's such a tip!

That's lovely! You must be dead chuffed. And, you know, it's good to see it working at full pelt after Christmas because that's when you really see any issues a space has. It looks like there are very few in your kitchen - such a homely but chic space!

Having ummed and ahhed for ages, and opened what feels like hundreds of different cupboards, I'm getting the Ikea kitchen planner out Friday week. If I post the plans, could you lovely people please give me advice? Because I do not have a clue what I am doing and you all clearly know loads about this!

Thank you! We do love it. I hated kitchen plans. I'm sure the MN collective can help.

Be careful when you get someone round to measure up and give you plans and a quote. You get so caught up in the moment that you'll pay anything. If I paid the price that the guy from a kitchen company gave me when he came to my home, then I would have paid, and I kid you not, 3 times more for the same kitchen! Shop around and do some research. It will pay dividens. As "Whattodowithmum" said, diy kitchens are good all rounders www.diy-kitchens.com/kitchens/

We are having at least three designs done & let battle commence with the lowest price!! Two of the places sell crown kitchens so it will be interesting to see how their quotes come up against each other.

Crown's pricing was rather more what you see is what you get than places like Howdens, but I think we got a couple of grand shaved off with quotes.

This sounds awful, but I am deliberately doing the appointment on my own so that I can say 'I need to ask my husband what he thinks'. I realise that sounds terribly old-fashioned, and in actual fact DH could not give a monkeys provided I am happy, but it will give me breathing space to think!

Do you think they will put pressure on you to buy there & then? We have got apts back at the showroom to look at designs etc.
how does putting the kitchen on credit sit with getting the price down? We have got the cash but thinking if we did buy now pay in a yr it may be better for us

We paid half down, half in 12 months and DH managed to knock several £k off the original price with despite their offer of "free appliances" and the comment about it being an amazing deal already We also didn't agree a price or sign up until the 3rd visit. They shouldn't rush you in to anything and if they try, say you have another appointment and walk away!

Ours starts on Monday, tempers are already frayed clearing out the old one!

Does anyone know if you can get fridges and freezers that can be integrated into mid-height units?

We have just fitted an IKEA kitchen and I don't think you can beat them for value for money (they are a Which? best buy). They are the Lego of kitchens - they have an enormous number of unit width/drawer/shelf combos.

Yes, the carcasses are assembled on site but that means if your fitter knows what they are doing your units will be very well put together - you won't get a Friday afternoon special. Ours are rock solid, although we did plump for the more expensive of the drawer inners. I also didn't rate Howdens/Benchmarx etc - they looked really quite flimsy and there was limited choice of units.

We spec'd two kitchens out to the point of getting quotes - from John Lewis and Ikea. Ikea had much better drawer interiors and was 10K cheaper, the only downside was that I think there was less choice of drawer fronts at Ikea.

Bear in mind there are only about 3 kitchen unit manufacturers in Europe, so unless you go for a bespoke option I think the main difference is in the quality of assembly.

We customised it using our own appliances and splashbacks.