How much to budget for a kitchen?

[Madblondedog]

We're doing a full refurb of the house we've just moved in to. Part of this will be doing an extension, then getting a new kitchen (we're doing it separately for a few reasons).

We will need EVERYTHING appliance wise. We're probably going to go cream handle less cupboards with wood effect laminate countertops (can't be bothered with real wood) and either bamboo flooring or tiles.

I can't work out what to budget, we're not going to be buying top of the range anything but would like it to last and look good.

The kitchen area will be around 4m x 3.5m if that makes much difference

I'd love to use DIY kitchens but I'm scared of getting the order wrong as it some of the walls will have little bits which stick out

Would £7k be enough?

There are a few online sellers who you could ask for quotes - but not all offer a planning service - but don't be put off by that.

It can work to your advantage to have your plan done independently ( you can find independent designers by asking around or asking on sites like this or Houzz etc . )

Some work remotely without a site visit, but if you can sketch a plan and take measurements of the room including Windows and doors etc as you see it - that's the most important but done - (and you can double check measurements by re measuring with a friend or doing overall measurements then adding up the smaller measurements to check again .) You can ask any independent to design for /with you !

And then, when you shop around, ask each shop/site to price up from the same plan that you have had done .

That way you can truly compare like for like !

I'm kind of happy to do the design, its more the ordering that terrifies me if I don't go through a full service company.

Locally loads of them offer a free design service so would probably get 3 or 4 to do that to see what ideas they come up with. I'm just nervous of using DIY kitchens and messing it up (DP would tease me forever!)

Do you think £7k is a fair budget or should we try to safe up more?

Save not safe

Is the £7K just for cabinets or for everything? Appliances, cabinets, extractor hood, worktops, flooring, lighting, plumbing, sink, taps?

I think you'd be pushing it to get everything for £7K to be honest. You'd be able to get just cabinets for that if you're savvy. Handleless cupboards cost more as well, ironically!

We've just had a full kitchen of a similar size. No appliances except for a dishwasher (we have our own fridge, range, hood etc) and with worktops it came to just under 7K. We used Howdens. This doesn't include the cost of fitting the kitchen as that fell under the bigger cost of building the extension etc- and we have builders on site anyway).
We went to Magnet, Wickes, B&Q and Homebase, and finally Howdens. The latter was the cheapest by far. Your other option is Ikea which many many people absolutely swear by.
Personally, I would save up about 10K and earmark 7K for the kitchen and the rest for fitting and flooring/lights etc.

I was hoping everything, but if its not then so be it (we will just hold off doing the bathroom).

What do you think is more realistic?

Thanks Lenibose I think we could manage £10k

We've got a good Howden fitter locally I've heard.

I've been thinking about Ikea too, and possibly paying the cost of visit so I don't cock up the ordering.

A similar sized Ikea kitchen would be about 3K, maybe a bit more, and then again, an extra 3K for fittings etc. You could also get an Ikea kitchen and splash out on worktops.

Hmmm, just playing with my budget calculator now.

10K would be max budget I think

I did a smaller galley style kitchen for just over 6k inc appliances - DIY kitchens for units, Homebase for v lovely bamboo effect laminate worktop. Worked out approx as 2k for units, 2k for fitting, 1.8k for appliances and about 500 for flooring (screeding and vinyl tiles) . So I think it's possible!

It's years since we did it, but when we did our kitchen i used the ikea gadget kitchen planner tool online which was good for ballpark pricing. I don't know if you can still do it but it will give you a good idea...

7k is reasonable budget

We paid 3.5k for our Ikea kitchen, including appliances (not Ikea). Another 3.5k would cover fitting if you are not DIYing.

That's a lovely kitchen you have tizwoz

Maybe an ikea kitchen it is

Did you get one of their planners to do the plans for you?

No, we planned it ourselves using the online planner. Then just had them look over it in store before ordering.

Brilliant idea.
Thank you
Very excited for an ikea trip now