Panic! I have 15 mins to choose a Howdens kitchen...!

[kitchenemergency]

Long story which I won't bore you with. Unexpectedly I am getting a new kitchen. Which is lovely. Except I have to pick it by approx 10am today.

It has to come from Howdens. I can essentially have whatever I want.

My current kitchen is a very light oak with dark granite effect worktops. I am being provided with v similar worktops so it will need to match that.

Floor is grey/brown marble tiled.

What would you do if you were me? (other than panic I have that down already!)

We have the navy fairford which I love. Although I like the new wide white one with the copper bits too

I’ve got a Howdens kitchen in my new build. Is dark grey and glossy and my neighbours have light grey and glossy which is much nicer. It has no handles which is good for the cleaning.

This range

I assume this is being done through your insurance. If so, it’s unreasonable to expect you to choose in one hour. Tell your insurer you need more time.

Or is it your builder / kitchen fitter who is harassing you? Or howdens ?

Why can you only buy from there ?

A new kitchen is a big decision and you need time to think and plan. You might want to change around the position of some cupboard or fit some new things. You will be able to do this under the insurance as long as you pay for any element of betterment.

So if you have no dishwasher just now , you could choose to put one next to the sink where there’s an existing cupboard. You would pay for the dishwasher and the plumbing minus the cost of the cupboard.

You might choose to replace two small walll units with one bigger one and this would save money to come off any improvements.

It is through insurance - if I don't choose it today I can't have it fitted by Xmas. Having had no kitchen for 8 months that is not an appealing prospect :(

Why have you had no kitchen for 8 months ? Small domestic claims don’t take 8 months to settle . You must have had something to cook and prepare food in, otherwise insurers would have provided alternative accommodation.

Surely you have been thinking about and planning your new kitchen for 8 months ?

And insuerers would not say “ have any price unit and appliances you want but you have to keep the same worktop “.

Someone is telling you porkie pies. And I’m guessing it’s your kitchen fitter.

Have your spoken to the loss adjuster who is handling your claim ?

Could you chose the design/carcass units and then take the weekend to select doors etc? Not sure if that’s feasible but worth asking. Good luck!

It should be simple.

You price up the cost of the exact same kitchen, or as near as you can get. Include everything they are replacing - wall finishes, flooring, worktop, appliances, units, sink and taps.

That’s your budget.

Then you plan your new ideal kitchen and get a cost. You pay the extra .

Some things you can negotiate . Eg they say your sink and taps can be reused, so they won’t pay for new ones. But in that case they will have to pay for them to be removed carefully by a plumber and stored while your new kitchen is fitted and then refitted .

The labour costs to do that( rather than just rip out the whole unit and throw into the skip ) might be nearly the same as buying a new sink. It’s more complicated to fit an old sink, tap and waste into a new worktop than it is to fit a new one.

So you can discuss this.

Don’t do this in a rush after waiting 8 months.

Linear is what were having when we move. Love it

There is no loss adjuster. I have had a temporary kitchen type facility.

Insurers had said that my original kitchen would be refitted. The original kitchen was not examined until Monday, and the contractors (who didn't remove it) said it was in a poor state and they were not prepared to refit - hence (after debate) the insurers agreed a new kitchen but with the onus on me to make an immediate decision.

Can anyone advise if there is a cost difference between the Burford and Fairford kitchens? I have been offered the Burford but I think the Fairford looks better.

Also...my kitchen currently has solid wood doors. All the Howdens ones seem to be MDF is that right?

Fairfield is more expensive than Burford. I'm very happy with my Burford Grey (which is actually slightly green) and Ivory kitchen.

I've now worked out the Tewkesbury is wood so think I will have to choose that.

However now that won't match with the paint I'd chosen (when I thought I was getting my old kitchen back!)

I have Tewksbury, it’s lovely and being real wood can be repainted at a later date.

I have the Tewksbury in cashmere. Well I say I have it, what I mean is it’s in the garage waiting to be out in. I currently have the kitchen in the picture. When are you having it fitted op