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Original poster

Re - idiots guide to DIY kitchens last year!

25 replies

Guardsman18 · 23/04/2018 19:06

I have stolen the title from an old thread and would be interested how poster got on. However am looking for some advice.

My head is spinning from looking at kitchens! I thought I was sold on Ikea but having looked at DIY Kitchens - wow! What a choice.

Obviously I don't want to make a complete mess of the ordering etc. Any advice would be welcome.

Galley kitchen - can't seem to find much - I wouldn't be able to have units running down two sides although could probably have wall units.

Sorry if this sounds disjointed but my head is actually aching now.

Hope someone has some ideas. Thanks

OP posts:
sdaisy26 · 23/04/2018 19:32

What are the dimensions of the room?

Our diy kitchen arrives soon so I'm not an expert yet but I would say that even though we knew we were going with diy we still spoke to other kitchen designers - both the big names & 1 independent. Helped us to refine our ideas & gave us a basic plan.

BIL & SIL have just had theirs put in & it looks fab. The only bit they say they wish they'd thought about more is where to put sockets.

Brittanyspears · 23/04/2018 19:41

does one plan kitchen designer tell you exactly what to order?

BlueAnchor · 23/04/2018 19:45

You could try www.houzz.co.uk for lots of advice including photos and pros who may do you a plan.
Floorplanner is free and great too.

AClearShotOfTheStreet · 24/04/2018 08:58

We went to Wickes, got a kitchen design and an itemised list of what we would need.

Put the plan on here and got it critqued, changed a few things.

Called up DIY, who put talked it through and helped us with things like custom units. Ordered a sample door.

Ordered it, DIY had a few queries but we got there in the end.

Delivered and fitted. There have been problems with one door, they sent us the wrong one, not yet resolved but confident it will be. That's fine for us as the builder has sourced the kitchen fitter and he is happy to come back, bit annoying if you have hired your own for a couple of days.

We over ordered on a pan drawer unit, frustrating as 450 quid down the drain, and in retrospect I wish we had had the kitchen designed by OnePlan, as that would have been about the same price.

AClearShotOfTheStreet · 24/04/2018 08:59

Kitchen looks beautiful though.

Oliversmumsarmy · 24/04/2018 09:15

If you are worried about the ordering process.

I worked doing wall cabinets first, starting at one end of the kitchen and working my way round adding 1 cabinet at a time. Footboards then cornicing. Knowing how long the cornicing was and taking off each measurement adding more for bigger bits or taking off existing bits for smaller bits. I actually drew a line then minused off measurements so I knew I had the right amount.

I then did a manual order on a bit of paper and compared the 2.

Slow process but very worthwhile.Don't forget the soft close hinges and which colour.

Took me several hours but didn't have any mistakes. Even had to measure my road as in the end I had to pay for 2 smaller vans

Oliversmumsarmy · 24/04/2018 09:17

Sorry. Should read Don't forget the soft closed hinges

Original poster
Guardsman18 · 24/04/2018 09:32

Thanks for this. Who are OnePlan?

OP posts:
AClearShotOfTheStreet · 24/04/2018 09:34

A kitchen designer who is often on these boards. She will design it then tell you what to buy, basically. Search OnePlanOnHouzz

Original poster
Guardsman18 · 24/04/2018 09:56

AClearShot - for a fee I assume?

Wickes are coming today to measure, then I go into the showroom to look at the design? They give you the plans then do they? So I can take them elsewhere? Seems a bit mean!

OP posts:
Humptynumpty02 · 24/04/2018 10:16

Do you really have to buy soft close hinges separately? Do they just come with non-soft close as standard?

GrimSqueaker · 24/04/2018 10:32

When we got ours done Wickes would give you the 3D simulated pictures - but wouldn't give you the floorplan because of people doing just that - they gave you the detailed plan etc once you'd paid. Different stores may vary.

AClearShotOfTheStreet · 24/04/2018 10:36

Yes, for a fee. From memory about 400 for the full service. Wickes did us a terrible plan though and I was uneasy with it for ages.

Really Grim? How do they quote you then? Ours gave us a detailed breakdown quote. There was something they wouldn't give us, can't remember what but it didn't hamper the DIY kitchen ordering process.

wowfudge · 24/04/2018 11:42

We had a design we liked from Magnet. Their quote was astronomical so I costed it up with DIY instead. It worked out at half the cost for the whole kitchen, including an independent fitter and a Tristone island top.

Their units come with soft closers as standard to answer a OP's question.

Humptynumpty02 · 24/04/2018 11:59

Thanks wow.

Millipedewithherfeetup · 24/04/2018 12:02

If your actual cupboards are ok then have a think about just changing the doors and handles....works out so much cheaper. We did this last year as I was pretty happy with the actual layout of my kitchen. We also changed the sink and worktops... took about 3 days to fit and mess was minimal.

Wallywobbles · 24/04/2018 12:07

I used Karen Wallace / OnePlan to do the planning. She gave me a list for DIY kitchens. I sent it to them for a quote. Went to see it. Changed a few bits. Bought some inserts etc. Had it picked up and brought over to France for about 1/3 of the cost of one here.

DH has fitted it. Waiting for plumber / electrician to do some bits. Then final surfaces. It already looks pretty good.

Original poster
Guardsman18 · 24/04/2018 13:53

Can we have a photo please?!

OP posts:
Wallywobbles · 24/04/2018 14:50

It's only got temporary surfaces at the moment. Waiting for plumber and electrician to sort final bits - extra sink on island and gas hob.

The big box beyond the window will be next to the colomn with oven and will have a roller blind type door with all the big machines in eg mixers bread machine etc. so they can be used in situ.

Waiting for the final bits from DIY as a few things were rejected by their quality control. (Bin door and dishwasher door). Integrated fridge being delivered today hopefully.

Wallywobbles · 24/04/2018 14:57

Bugger can't get pics to post.

Re - idiots guide to DIY kitchens last year!
Re - idiots guide to DIY kitchens last year!
Original poster
Guardsman18 · 24/04/2018 15:03

Very nice! I wish I had that much space! Thank you for showing me

OP posts:
CotswoldIrish · 24/04/2018 15:23

Having a DIY Kitchen fitted as I type - it's starting to take shape but have had to flag a couple of things up to them so will let you know how they respond and what the final finish is like!

MsLumley · 24/04/2018 15:27

I just had a DIY Kitchens fitted (actually my builders are doing the last bits this week). It's a beautiful kitchen and the units are solid and excellent quality. I would say the ordering/design process wasn't as easy as my last kitchen where I walked into Magnet and they did it all for me. I got my builder to measure up then got Howdens and Magnet to do plans. I sent these plans with measurements to DIY and they put it on their new online planning tool (good, but needs tweaking) but I had to check it very very carefully and do a lot of the planning myself which took a lot of time. I'd say the upfront effort required is far more than a high street kitchen company but their prices and products are excellent.

They do all the usual extras including soft close doors but you have to select this as an extra when you place the order (and remember to do it for any additional/replacement units you may find you need after).

Toothfairee · 25/04/2018 15:35

It's all very well going to wickes to get a plan done if you intend to let the sales person have all the fun designing it. we were an integral part of that process with our designer. She is the one mentioned above .Karen at oneplan. Does a fab job and is a fountain of knowledge too.

Original poster
Guardsman18 · 25/04/2018 16:15

Mind if I ask what she charges or does it depend on size/amount of work involved? (Sorry to ask, but this is all new to me.)

There is only so much you could do with my kitchen so not a huge project for her

OP posts:
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