Dream Kitchen, Getting e price down

[user1493035447]

I just had a Clive Christian in to give me a quote. The kitchen was absolutely gorgeous. Granite tops, granite on he walls, big island. I asked for the plan and artists impression but they wouldn't give me that until I had paid a deposit. So I can't go away and think about it, or show other people for opinions on it. Bit weird that eh?

Anyway, they didn't include flooring, rewiring or other stuff like skimming the other walls in the quote, which will be a few k in itself. Their quote of 40k is therefore not compatible with my budget - also 40k, due to other stuff needing done. Should say I don't have that in cash but can release 40k when I remortgage in August, which I was going to use for the kitchen. What should I do. Can I haggle with them to get that down to 30k, or is that being unrealistic? Or is it a massive waste and I should get someone else in, then spend the rest on holidays and enjoying myself?

If you live in the south east I have a Woodworks of Lewes kitchen and it's amazing, as good as the 'brands' I looked at and half the price.

I am moving, and leaving my beloved kitchen behind. I have looked for local companies where I am going, and have hopefully found one. You can sometimes find local craftspeople on eBay too. I think it's worth spending a lot on a kitchen, but you can get the same quality for less if you do a bit of digging.

I'm in Glasgow, but if they can manufacture and transport up it's worth getting in touch. I think you're right, it's a traditional looking one and has a lifetime guarantee, so it should last the test of time. It's more, is it acceptable to barter and how should I set about doing this?

You can go to a kitchen designer, get the best plan made up to suit you, then give the plan to 8 or 10 kitchen suppliers and see what quotes you get back from them.
Look at their previous work and get the kitchen that suits you and your budget then. Good luck.

I would love a quarter of your budget btw! I hope you get something really nice.

I'm borrowing over 25 years 3luckystars, and I'll be renting out a spare room to pay for it! But thanks for the suggestion, the more I can save the better.

If you're having to borrow and rent out your spare room, with the greatest of respect you should reduce your budget. £40,000 is loads. Honestly for £20,000 all in you could get an amazing kitchen. I spent £10,000 excluding flooring and building work and it's a lovely kitchen. Double that and you'll have something really nice. £40,000 seems excessive and I don't think it'll be that much nicer than a £20,000 one.

I love a gorgeous kitchen but if you're re-mortgaging and renting your spare too be able to afford the repayments then you can't afford it.

To be fair I can afford 40k of work..., current repayments £890/month, interest rate will drop leaving payments of £700/month. Add another £40k brings it back to £890/month, but the rent is to justify the additional borrowing, although I don't need it. So I can afford it, but wanted advice on bartering etc, although advice on alternatives is appreciated.

Ah, sounds like you've got a good rate!

Rates are record low ATM, my rate has halved in 2 years. It's not going to change imo, there's another housing bubble and they'll do anything to avert a crash, so they'll be this low for a decade I reckon.

We've also remortgaged to buy a kitchen extension, because if rates being so low. We've borrowed £30k, repayments same but added 18 months to the term. The actual kitchen units, worktop etc will only be £6k from DIY kitchens.

As you are in Scotland I would highly recommend Murray & Murray.

I've also heard great reviews from DIY kitchens from friends. I went for an Alno kitchen instead as DIY kitchens didn't have what I wanted and I am really happy with it. It was less then 40k and the design and quote was free.

£40k for a kitchen?

Would you mind sharing the size of the room and what exactly you're buying in the way of units, equipment and gadgets?

We have a big kitchen, and I was hoping to redo for about £10k. Am I deluded?

36k here which included building works (2 rooms into one requiring 3 rsj steels), 4m bifolds, new electrics, fuse board, nice flooring, underfloor heating, granite worktops, American fridge freezer, bespoke hand painted units etc etc.
It's been done by a local craftsperson using all 'his' recommended trades.

Mine wouldn't involve any construction work.

and don't give out to me now but Ikea kitchens are lovely!!!

My friend (who is very rich) just built a massive house and had picked out an IKEA kitchen and was just about to go ahead but a local kitchen guy matched the price for her.

The best things are not always the dearest things, you might find something beautiful for way less money and you will be able to have a new kitchen and other experiences too.

£40k without building work!! That is a crazy amount unless you have footballer WAG kind of money. Really recommend searching out alternative places which will do plans for you, I'd say you should be able to pay half that and not be skimping.

I would say the reason they are not sharing the designs etc is that you can go elsewhere and get the same for half the money. If they were confident they were pricing fairly, they would have no problem with you getting competitors to look at it.

Kitchen is similar wood to this, with dark grey granite on island, worktops and walls, up to cabinet height. 6 hob double oven range, Belfast sink. Extras include wine cooler and dishwasher. It's 4.4m along one wall with a 2.5m island. The reason for the price is it's all hardwood, handmade, with a lifetime guarantee.

Appreciate the advice, I'm going to look around. I am going to try and hammer the price down for this kitchen though, as it will last a lifetime. If they want the business they'll come down.

My parents have a cc kitchen
It was in their house when they bought it but cost circa £100k which is just crazy. But then house is worth a LOT So its all relative.

If your kitchen is only the size you've said and the fact you are in glasgow i'm notsure £40K on a.kitchen would be the best investment.

I know it not what you asked but look at it as a percentage of the value of your house.

I live in Kelvinside, which is an affluent area of Glasgow. Full townhouses easily go for over a million here. What percentage would you apply blankscreen?

User you sound offended please don't be!

My parents house is worth over £2 million. Would they have bought it for the same price with a 50k kitchen i ln it? Yes they would have.

If you can afford and think its worth it ( or don't care) then go for it.

That may have read the wrong way, I'm just saying Glasgow isn't the slum it may appear. It has some magnificent architecture, particularly around Park Circus, and some of the great terraces on Great Western Road, such as Devonshire Terrace. But you're right, looking into something more locally sourced is sensible. I was interested in feedback on how to barter, but not so much help has been forthcoming!

In terms of bartering, know what you are prepared to pay, offer it and leave if they don't agree.

Bartering is always better done when you turn up at a showroom with your own comprehensive and professional set of drawings and item list, asking them for their best prices/ quote as you are shopping around.

That way they instantly see you a a serious buyer, you don't need a sales person to spend hours talking to you , and you don't need their design team to spend days planning on your behalf - so knocks off a lot of overheads in one hit !

It's the best way to get the best deals ! And working out your own design with an independent concept planner is a great experience as no sales pressure ( providing you choose one who doesn't sell product)

The moment you arrive needing all the Design and sales teams assistance you are always going to be a retail client paying retail prices !