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Original poster

DIY Kitchens v Magnet Trade

44 replies

Secretsout · 27/03/2018 22:52

Couple of years ago had a beautiful kitchen from handmade Kitchens of Christchurch. It's was 2 years in the planning and a thing of beauty. However, I've now had a change in circumstances, including a house move and I desperately need (another) new kitchen but at a significantly smaller budget.

I previously had a hand painted in frame and I'd like to replicate the look.

I've spoken to a recommended builder and he has flat refused to deal with Howdens or Benchmarks (I'm glad really as I didn't fancy them anyway.). He has recommended Magnet trade. I popped in to the retail showroom and their 2 higher end Kitchens looked suitable but lacking in colour choice.

Looking at Magnets Newbury or Somerton and DIY's Helmsley or Harewood.

When I had my previous kitchen I'd looked at DIY Kitchens but went with HMK in the end as I loved the product.

Can anyone give me the low down on quality/cost etc. I'm a bit worried about not being able to see before I buy with DIY (it's quite a distance)

OP posts:
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 27/03/2018 23:01

Weve just had a ridiculous quote from magnet and an awful design.

What exactly is wrong with benchmark or Howdens? The carcasses are exactly the same as magnet's (arguably benchmarx are better). the only difference is the doors and, after much personal inspection and checking the specs, I can see no difference between a Tewkesbury door (Howdens's solid wood), a Tiverton one (Wickes - public arm of Benchmarx) and the Somerton one. Visually there is very little difference either apart from colour.

I suspect your builder is getting some kind of kickback from magnet. If you do go with them, make sure all the quotes are sent directly to you and not via the builder. Ideally generated in front of you to ensure that there is no hidden margin for him

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 27/03/2018 23:02

You can also get sample doors from DIY kitchens sent to you too

AnnieAnoniMouser · 27/03/2018 23:13

I’m in the middle of trying to decide too.

Like you, the previous kitchen was spendy, this one needs not to be. I’ve looked everywhere, but I can’t find what I want. I have been to DIYKitchens twice - it’s a 3 hour drive from here 😖

I’m currently getting quotes from two local kitchen places, both do UK made & German kitchens. Benchmarx’s price was about £1800 (units only) and the quote I got back today from one of the local places was & £3000. The main problem is that they can’t do a corner wall unit without a blanked end. The place I’m going to tomorrow can, so I’ll see what they come up with.

Magnet were ‘ok’ but ignore their price, your builder will get a HUGE discount buying trade. The guy at my local retail branch was quite open about the trade prices.

It’s all a PITA and it’s not at all lovely, fun, exciting or anything else everyone keeps suggesting it is.

Original poster
Secretsout · 27/03/2018 23:14

Yes the builder will be fine with me having the quotes. He's come highly recommended. He did say Howdens and Benchmark after sales service was awful.

I didn't feel I could get 'the look' with their products, and very limited on colour whereas DIY I can get a bespoke colour.

OP posts:
Original poster
Secretsout · 27/03/2018 23:17

It's a minefield annie especially when I've done it all so recently with 5 times the budget!

I've not had prices from any of them yet. The Magnet guy knew it would be going through trade and I know it's probably at least half the retail price.

Is it worth driving to DIY?

OP posts:
AnnieAnoniMouser · 27/03/2018 23:19

If I was going with a shaker style, I would go with the Stanbury out of the DIY kitchens range.

I’d never choose without visiting though.

Original poster
Secretsout · 27/03/2018 23:23

Ah yes, and that's the other thing annie can't decide on 'inframe' or 'shaker' 🙁

OP posts:
AnnieAnoniMouser · 27/03/2018 23:23

Yeah. It’s a really big showroom & worth visiting.

I suppose it depends a bit how fussy you are too. I’m incredibly fussy.

I can’t even explain what I dislike about all the kitchens I’ve seen, except to say they all feel/look ‘plastic’. They’re all ‘finished’ rather than actually painted, so they have that lacquered look. When I try to explain they just give me a look and say ‘Well, you don’t actually want brush marks do you?’ Well, no, but I want them to look like painted wood, not plastic dipped. Arghhhhhhh

Oliversmumsarmy · 27/03/2018 23:24

Tried and failed to find anyone in the Magnet showroom on 2 occasions so gave up on them
Opted for a painted DIY kitchen in F&B Dimpse looks great all came on time. Excellent kitchen can't recommend them highly enough.

AnnieAnoniMouser · 27/03/2018 23:26

Oh yes, sorry, I forgot you said ‘inframe’.

Definitely forget benchmarx for in frame, it’s horrible.

I like ‘in frame’ but not in this current kitchen.

Oliversmumsarmy · 27/03/2018 23:26

We didn't visit but there was a kitchen showroom nearby that did the same kitchens. It was good because I could see the choice between the plane finish and the grained finish which I preferred

AnnieAnoniMouser · 27/03/2018 23:27

oliversmammy. Which kitchen did you choose?

wowfudge · 28/03/2018 07:18

So the builder has a trade account with Magnet - all the trade places give trade account holders discounts which the tradesperson may pass on to the customer in part, in full or not at all. That's in response to the pp who commented that the builder is probably getting a kick back from Magnet.

Anyway, we have a DIY Kitchens' painted in frame Harewood kitchen. DIY also sell their kitchens under the Ultima brand name - the showroom is next to the factory. The quality is excellent - everyone who worked on the kitchen commented on it. The units are supplied rigid which saves on fitting costs and time. DIY offer a bespoke painting service but they also do a large number of painted kitchens which colour match F&B paint colours without the bespoke price tag.

There's a huge range of cabinet sizes and specs - not everything is available in every range though. We visited the showroom twice; the first time because DP had never heard of them and needed convincing, the second to sense check the design and our shopping basket to ensure we had everything we needed.

belhamwalk · 28/03/2018 08:53

i immediately thought the builder was getting a kickback. its always fishy when they insist on one brand. don't let the lack of a specific thing stop you (the corner cupboard.) you can mix and match kitchens. my last kitchen was ikea cabinets (cheapest and good quality) and doors from two different places, plus some wall cabs were from one of the door companies. it was a bit confusing but i got there in the end.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 28/03/2018 18:17

So the builder has a trade account with Magnet - all the trade places give trade account holders discounts which the tradesperson may pass on to the customer in part, in full or not at all. That's in response to the pp who commented that the builder is probably getting a kick back from Magnet.

Yes. I understand that. We are currently choosing a kitchen and our builder is giving us his full Howdens' discount. I'm pretty sure that is is the case as all quotes come directly to us and he is unbothered about where we get the kitchen from and has quoted the same to fit a DIY, Benchmarx or a Howdens. Wickes more as flat pack. But not trying to steer us anywhere and only advice is make sure doors are 18mm minimum. 15mm OK for utility.

If he started telling me that magnet were amazingly better than Howdens or Benchmarx, I would be very suspicious as that is - clearly - bollocks

wowfudge · 28/03/2018 18:45

The OP's builder commented on their after sales service though. Anyway, I've heard good things about Magnet trade kitchens - is their retail side which is stupidly expensive.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 28/03/2018 20:58

Even then supposed trade Magnet quote we have is ridiculous. It's about £5k more than Howdens and Wickes for a far inferior kitchen. The whole kitchen pricing thing is ridiculous though - reminiscent of 1980s double glazing quotes with massive pretend sales. Am thoroughly fed up of the whole thing!

NotMeNoNo · 28/03/2018 21:28

DIY kitchens cabinets are as good or better than anywhere else mentioned, more choices of colours, more solid, more sizes. I think the painted doors are sprayed, some are smooth and some grained depending on the timber /material. So they will never have brush marks.

Just be aware in frame does not work well with narrow units, you end up with inaccessible cupboards, particularly if they use the bulky spring hinges rather than butt hinges.

If you really want hand painted try getting unfinished (sanded or primed) doors, DIY kitchens don't do them any more (I think) but units online and other similar suppliers do. Then you can paint them yourself with oil eggshell paint.

AnnieAnoniMouser · 28/03/2018 22:48

Gobbolino

I went to another place today, nice enough, but not outstanding - same German kitchens I’ve seen elsewhere. Our kitchen is tiny, he said it would start at £25,000. It was all I could do not to laugh. I am so over it.

NotMeNoNo

That’s why I’m not going for inframe here, I can’t afford to lose the space.

I was tempted to paint them myself, but we’ve had the entire house replastered and the thought of painting that's daunting enough without starting on the kitchen cabinets...but I have been thinking about it again today.

NotMeNoNo · 29/03/2018 13:38

Could you pay a decorator, in the scale of kitchen costs it would not be much?

Original poster
Secretsout · 29/03/2018 21:50

Thank you all for your replies. The builder has now come to have a look and is confident he can bring it in on budget....I'll await the quote.

I've since spoken to my previous fitter who will fit a Howdens and has previously fitted DIY. He is happy to help me out with quotes etc if the builder doesn't come up trumps but strongly suggested that if the builder can do what I want it's much easier than me trying to PM fitters, sparky, plumber etc.
notme and annie I really didn't feel I lost any space at all with my precious in frame. It was stunning. Wish I could afford it again 🙁
Regarding

OP posts:
aliciagardner · 30/03/2018 08:44

I have DIY norton. It has that painted look/ feel, wood grain visible. I know exactly what you mean about the plasticky look!

I've been really happy with my DIY kitchens kitchen. Took a lot of planning and thought, but it's stunning (if I do say so myself :) )

SorrelForbes · 30/03/2018 08:47

If you like DIY kitchens then have a look at Units On Line. Their showroom is near Taunton. We had a Shaker style from them and are really pleased. It came out a little bit cheaper than a similar one from DIY kitchens and it included the design too.

Wallywobbles · 30/03/2018 08:53

I've just ordered a diy kitchen. Great service. I came from France to order so I suspect you are closer than that to be honest. Just go and see them.

countingto10 · 30/03/2018 09:49

Sorrel which one did you go for and did you use their design service?

Having a major kitchen revamp including knocking down walls and shifting beams beginning end of June. Builder wants to use Howdens Hmm but is happy for me to use who I want obviously. I don’t want to make an expensive mistake or put up with shoddy after sales care.

Really want a shaker in frame style with butt hinges as have an older house. Excited about all the planning but too many choices Smile

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