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Original poster

Any one with a DIY kitchen who would post a photo?

27 replies

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 04/07/2017 23:03

We are just about to start a full house refurb and extensions etc.

I've started researching kitchens and am reading lots if good things about DIY kitchens. The website looks great but I don't actually know anyone with one in "real" life.

Would anyone who has one mind posting a picture - know this is very cheeky!

Also, are there any cons of using them? All seems too good to be true and our builder is a Howdens fan who is worried about how quickly things can be sorted if any problems during fitting

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Wiifitmama · 04/07/2017 23:05

Here's mine. Finishes about a month ago. Love it and the company was excellent to deal with. I would highly recommend them.

Any one with a DIY kitchen who would post a photo?
Any one with a DIY kitchen who would post a photo?
Original poster
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 04/07/2017 23:06

Oh that's beautiful. Thank you.

Did you get work surfaces from them?

We have a big area and I really want an island with curved units etc which DH keeps glumly telling me will be ££££

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Wiifitmama · 04/07/2017 23:12

No our granite came from an independant supplier recommended by our builder. It took 8 men to lift that piece on!!

wowfudge · 04/07/2017 23:20

Ours isn't quite finished. No photos until it is I'm afraid. We have curved units. Part of a magic corner unit wasn't right - they sent a replacement part out quickly. We had a unit door with a paint problem and I had a replacement door next day. The kitchen fitters took the touch up paint and DIY happily sent us some more. We had to order a couple more units thanks to the builder miscalculating the position of the sink and dishwasher feeds and they weren't ready in time for the fitters to fit - they are coming back.

Original poster
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 05/07/2017 09:23

This all sounds positive. I will pass onto builder. The units also seem to be ready built which should make him happy!

Wondering about painted but have 3 very little ones so worried about units being clonked!

As a final question, I don't feel very confident about measuring up myself. I will have the builder to help and he has advised getting various kitchen designs done. Was it very hard?

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SummerLovingGal · 05/07/2017 12:49

Mines not finished yet but this is it so far, it's the malton sage one.

Any one with a DIY kitchen who would post a photo?
IheartCaptainHolt · 05/07/2017 13:02

This is mine. It's the Welton inframe in oval room blue.

Any one with a DIY kitchen who would post a photo?
Any one with a DIY kitchen who would post a photo?
Any one with a DIY kitchen who would post a photo?
IheartCaptainHolt · 05/07/2017 13:04

Mine has had a couple of knocks but you get some touch up paint and that works a treat.

I was very nervous about measurements and designing it myself but there is loads of help on the website.

IheartCaptainHolt · 05/07/2017 13:05

I spent ages planning it and it was worth it!

ShortLass · 05/07/2017 13:24

There are also more here. Although, obviously, curated by the company. Scroll past videos for pics and narrow down the range with tick boxes on the left hand side.

www.diy-kitchens.com/customer-reviews/all-styles/all-colours/all-finishes/0/

MrsBadger · 05/07/2017 13:32

whichever you use, definitely spend ages planning it. Ages. Much longer than you think you need. I found the Magnet planner was the best for layout etc, could even handle the bloody awkward unique shape of our room.
(Bought from Howdens but we are in the trade so got trade prices, would hesitate before paying retail.)

Original poster
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 05/07/2017 14:08

Hmmm - I've just spoken to the builder who buys a lot at Howdens and has said I can have his full discount as it's such a big job.

Thanks for posting the photos - all absolytely lovely.

Any thoughts on quality of DIY v Howden?

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MrsBadger · 05/07/2017 14:15

Not fondled a DIY one but very happy with Howdens - they were also responsive re mis-ordered bits, extras, returns etc (though I was dealing with them with my trade hat on)

check the quality 'band' you're in though - we had Burford which isn't the cheapest but isn't premium either.

Original poster
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 05/07/2017 14:21

I would like an inframe one I think which the fitter has said are good quality from Howdens.

The builder has been regaling me with horror stories about things ordered from the internet but bas looked online and said the stuff does look good

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wowfudge · 05/07/2017 15:22

We have the Harewood painted inframe kitchen from DIY. It is lovely. Get a design you like from Howdens and ask DIY to quote for it in their closest design. See what you think with the two quotes.

Ramona75 · 05/07/2017 16:35

I've seen a friends' Howdens discount sheet. The discounts look massive but the end price is still more expensive than most other places.

Tootsiepops · 05/07/2017 16:37

Our DIY kitchen is going in next week. I'm so excited I'm not a loser

PickyParent · 05/07/2017 17:18

Ours has been in 6 months and I'm still thrilled with it. It's handleless in Luca Alabaster with soft close doors, laminate worktop on working area and solid oak on island and on 'sideboard' in dining area.

We also have just had a small new kitchen put in our rental property and the fitters were astounded by the quality given the low price and choice available. They had recommended a Wickes off the peg kitchen which was about £150 cheaper but didn't have the cupboard sizes we wanted.

Any one with a DIY kitchen who would post a photo?
Any one with a DIY kitchen who would post a photo?
NotMeNoNo · 05/07/2017 17:50

This might be more interesting to your builder - it's our DIY kitchens units during installation. The dovetail drawers were from somewhere else and the two shelf corner was a customisation, but DIY do full extension steel drawers as standard, not an extra as in Howdens. Cabinets have a solid back panel and a chip resistant edging on all the front edges.
Howdens units are OK, they are certainly not rubbish but I'd say not quite as refined or wide a choice. For instance not sure if they do the unit with 3 pull out baskets which is really useful.

I suppose the con is that you do need to plan and get it all on one delivery but if you have measured and designed properly the risk should be small. It's different to the make it up as you go along and pop down the trade counter for extra parts approach.

Any one with a DIY kitchen who would post a photo?
Original poster
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 05/07/2017 20:50

THank you all so much for the info and photos. I'm quite excited now Grin

I think a trip to the show room is in order.

We have a magnet near us so I think as soon as we get keys, i'lol go in for some planning.

I do have floor dimensions etc and current layout. Is there anything that can be done now or would the kitchen designers need to get into the kitchen?

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MrsBadger · 05/07/2017 22:45

No, the Magnet planner is on their website, you can do it from the comfort of your sofa in your pyjamas yourself!

MrsBadger · 05/07/2017 22:46

(You will need really accurate measurements, don't trust agents' floor plan figures)

OnePlanOnHouzz · 06/07/2017 17:25

But please get your own designs safety checked before you order anything !! There are some independent designers about with tonnes of experience who will do this for you either for free or for very little charge ! ( I do it for mumsnetters for free)

Original poster
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 06/07/2017 18:37

I'm just wondering about having a rough go at the moment with some online design thingys so thank you for the warning. I won't need to look at ordering stuff for at least another 3 months but want to be as organised as possible!

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Vickih83 · 07/07/2017 11:40

We've just finished ours and thrilled with our Howdens kitchen. We bought at trade but also in October which is their kitchen sale month so saved extra. I know from speaking to the team they have recently increased their ranges so have even more choices available. We bought based on our drawings to get the sale price and had to change a couple of cabinets as the sizes changed slightly once extension was finished. There was no issue with doing this and they did everything at the original price even though it was 6 months later