DIY Kitchens v Magnet Trade

[Secretsout]

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)

Still caught up in kitchen hell with a million quotes

We went to a work top online showroom yesterday. Would really recommend them for wood worktops.

They also do solid wood kitchens painted in farrow and ball for anyone interested. I have gone off inframe now I realise there is a lip and it makes cleaning (for me) more difficult. I just want units I can wipe straight out. Plus the integrated dishwasher door can't be inframe (unless bespoke) and I don't like the look of the pretend one. Only found this all out after looking at millions so thought worth pointing out in case anyone is as lacking in observation as me!

Sorry! Work top express showroom

We went for the Second Nature Fitzroy in Hartford Blue and we used their design service too. I can't fault them at all. Great service. The pic shows it about 75% done.

Sorrel that looks amazing! I wish I had enough space to go without top cupboards, and I really, really want the blue, but my kitchen is just too small I think, plus it’s open plan and everything else is white/grey - or should I say ‘will be’.

What is your worktop?

Gobbolino I’m totally fed up of it too. I can’t find what I want, it’s all a great big bloody compromise anyway because it’s such a stupidly small kitchen. All I’m getting is kitchen envy. I’m going to have a look at the place you suggested, maybe I will just paint the bloody thing myself. I don’t know whatbthough because all the greys look perfect on one wall and bloody beige on the other wall. Too much to hope the Easter Bunny will magic up a kitchen overnight?

SecretsOut. That’s great your builder thinks he can get it done for your budget.

Alicia the Norton is nice. I just don’t really want a shaker & definitely not such a deep one. Not in this kitchen.

Sorrell I have looked at them, but I’ll go and have another look (online). They’re a couple of hours from me, but worth the trek if they have what I want.

Wally 😂 I want a more ‘French look’. I’d be in my element if I could buy previously owned wooden cabinets from there! What style & colour have you chosen?

Am completely fed up and now agonising over work tops.

I also seem to be the only person in the world to get a MORE expensive quote from DIY kitchens than Howdens or Wickes

@sorrelForbes that kitchen is gorgeous. Exactly the ‘look’ I am after.

I’ve had a look at their website and notice they quote they are supplied of Second nature etc. Are Magnet doors from one of these companies or do they source their own? Anyone know?

Our worktop is quartz, supplied and fitted by GMQ Marble.

Thanks Sorrel, I thought you might say that 😖

Because I’ll likely end up having to rent this place out, I’m going to go for a 25ml square edged laminate. If I really hate it, I’ll have another think.

SecretsOut. If I had a functioning memory I could tell you as I asked the same question...if it comes back to me, I’ll let you know. However, I think pretty much all UK doors come from about 4 manufacturers.

Gobbolino. I spent hours looking again last night. I need to make a decision, it needs doing and I’m fed up of it taking up so much of my time & head space! However, it’s an expensive mission so it needs to be right. It doesn’t help that I spent forever trying to find the tiles I wanted for the bathroom and I was just about to give up and settle on some others when I found them! It’s making me very reluctant to ‘settle’ on cabinets I really don’t want. I’m at the screaming stage though.

G. I’d suggest you have a really good look at both quotes. Make sure DIY hasn’t doubled up on any units, make sure both have (or not) all the soft close hinges, end panels, kick boards etc. Something isn’t right if DIY is coming out more expensive - unless of course you’ve chosen a lower spec cabinet/door from the others and the highest spec from DIY.

Our worktop (and there's a a lot of it!) I
Including the utility room and pantry, cost under 3k. GMQ were significantly cheaper than all the other quotes
.

Thats interesting sorrel. Thanks fornthe tip. We have 9ms in the kitchen run that needs a solid surface. Going for wood for the island. Got a good wood quote but would you mind telling us how many metres you needed as might be worth us getting a quote from GMQ too.

I am finding the surfaces research the most dull!

Thanks also annie. Will check quote

Sorrel. I’d love to know too. I’ve been quoted a minimum of £3k for a tiny bit, under 5 linear meters.

We've just had a great quote from mrmarble for quartz. £1,800 for over 9 linear metres (my measuring was wrong - thankfully sent Howdens plan). That includes two sink cut outs and a hob. No up stands as we are tiling. Have been v impressed with the customer service so far. Free samples en route and am going to the showroom too

Excluding the pantry and utility we had 11.5 metres.

Am now agonising over whether to just have quartz everywere and having a wobble as to whether to have an inframe. They do look lovely but everytime I look at them in the showroom I worry about the lip and cleaning. Arrrgghh. This is awful. Am normally really decisive

Following!

Kinda decided on Magnet trade Somerton with creamy white quartz worktops. Trying to copy Tom Howley so will get seriously expensive handles. Would prefer butt hinges and farrow and ball colour. Really don't know where to start looking. Liked Handmade Kitchens but they were too expensive. Anyone successfully copied Tom H, at a realistic price?

Jewson have sale on their kitchens up to 30 June.
I spoke to one of their sales people yesterday and she told me that customers receive the same price as a trade person.
My builder wants Howdens, I really don't like their kitchens.
I much prefer Jewson.
Anyway, I fired him because he was too sloppy.