Kitchen quotes and DIY kitchens

[Willow3131]

Hi we are getting a building an extension next spring Is it too early to start getting kitchen quotes? Would like to start writing down a budget.

Also, has anyone got a shaker kitchen from DIY kitchens? What we the carcouses like? Would you recommend?

Thanks

DIY kitchens are very good quality standard carcases in a choice of colours and wood effects if you want, solid back panels etc. I don't think you could get better in particleboard, until you start going to real wood veneers/bespoke units etc which is a whole other price range.
The other thing is they have a massive choice of sizes and types of unit if you want to make good use of your space, some ranges they will make doors and units to measure.

Magnet price matched my DIY kitchen Quote. I was very tempted by DIY kitchens but the aftercare was often criticised on reviews. This turned out to be important as we had to ask Magnet several question and go back for bits which I am not sire would have gone so smoothly with DIY kitchens.

It doesn't really matter how early you do it just don't leave it late!

The builders will need to know where you need water (not just sink/dishwasher but also things like american style fridge freezers which need plumbing in) also where you want electrics, ducting for extractor fans etc, they will need to know this stuff as soon as they start, be prepared for a million questions!

Thank you everyone that is very helpful. I will start getting some quotes! :)

Have you looked at Units Online? They do many of the same kitchen ranges as DIY kitchens and at slightly lower prices. We're going with the Fitzroy painted Shaker kitchen.

Thanks, I'd forgotten about Units Online. I will take a look later!! I'll have a look at Fitzroy :)

If you can, I would try to make it to the DIY Kitchens showroom in Pontefract. It's one of the best showrooms I've seen: lots of room, all the ideas for using corners etc on display.

I was able to tie it in with a trip to see a friend in Sheffield, so even though it was a journey it was a two-birds-with-one stone journey.

I used Diy kitchens, I went to the showroom like "Shortlass" and ordered it a few weeks later. I could not fault them at all and the price was great. I'm not sure if I could have got the same kitchen elsewhere any cheaper than I did. Do Units Online do cheaper spec units?

Thanks for the messages. Yes have been to the showroom - it is huge :) We are going to Yorkshire next month so shall go & have another look round. Thanks again!

ramona I think its actually the opposite. Unitsonline do the Second Nature kitchens (which DIY Kitchens sell too) but they obviously don't sell the Innova brand (which I think is DIY Kitchens own brand) - all mdf carcasses. However, they stock quite alot of other brands most of whom offer solid wood cabinets - DIY Kitchens do a couple of solid wood cabinets, but there is quite a large choice at Unitsonline. The prices reflect that (probably double the MDF carcasses of wither DIY Kitchens / Unitsonline) but still very much cheaper than if you bought the branded solid wood kitchens from a showroom type kitchen company.

As I understand it, neither of these companies do MDF or solid wood carcases.

Ordinary kitchen cabinets are made from MFC melamine faced particleboard/chipboard, ideally good quality Egger-type board with proper PVC edging strips. The two companies' cabinet specifications look pretty similar to me. In fact the cabinet colours are all standard Egger ones: "Ferrara oak" etc. DIY kitchens are more upfront about the materials used for different parts, that's all.

Doors/inframe fronts and trims are normally MDF or solid wood, depending on the range, is that what you meant?

Ignore me! I need to go back to the drawing board! Yes to particleboard and door / inframe!

Sorry to correct you, I've just fitted a few different kitchens that's all can't resist technical details. Both those companies look similar with slightly different angle TBH. On Diy kitchens every page states what the doors are made of: "solid painted oak with ve

...Veneer panel etc. I like that clarity.

We used diy kitchens and they were fab. Half the cost of benchmarx and better quality. Loved the fact that the draws and doors came already attached. It was like putting together a jigsaw :). I got design done by magnet then sent it to diy and they told me what I needed to order. Here's some pics of mine.

And another!

We fitted that ourselves

Stunning!

Titsy your kitchen is stunning. Please can I ask about your flooring?
I love the warm colour, please tell me is was not eye wateringly expensive...

Thanks :)

No it wasn't too expensive at all. It's engineered wood. Some say that is not good in a kitchen but we have had no issues (we put the flooring across the whole expanse of floor so it is under the cabinets as well and waterproof glued every joint so no chance of leaks ruining it). Have had puddles sit on the surface for days (small leak while away) and no damage done. It is laquered which helps and it doesn't scratch easily. Very similar to this but we got it from a local cheaper place. Total cost inc a good underlay (special one for wood) for 8 x 4.5m was £1100 so not expensive at all really.

Oooh, Titsywoo, I have kitchen envy!

Thank for the pics Tityswoo your kitchen looks lovely :) Which DIY kitchen is it btw?

I think it's a discontinued line but the shaker kitchens look pretty similar tbh - this one is just a foil wrapped mdf. It's ivory in colour.

Titsywoo, please could I be really cheeky and ask if you have a spare moment to measure the usable storage space in your pan drawers and the stack of drawers beside your fridge.
Don't worry if you don't have time to do it. I am obsessing about planning my kitchen with the best possible storage for all my junk lovely kitchen stuff.

Pan drawers have 82cm wide by 23cm high by 47cm deep usable space. The small drawers which are 300mm wide unit have 22cm wide by 8cm tall usable space. They are teeny though we just had a gap to fill. Good for teatowels and general crap! In the pan drawers I keep all plates bowls etc in one, food in 2 and tupperware etc in the last. Having two big cutlery drawers is fab as I have normal knives and forks etc in one and utensils in the other.