New kitchen- spend or splurge?

[FrogsLegs14]

We’ve finally decided to take the plunge and get our kitchen redone. We have an ok budget but it’s got to cover quite a lot- possibly a small extension, utility, kitchen, downstairs cloakroom and pantry (they’re all sort of connected and need restructuring to make them more usable).

I’ve been looking at ways to cut back, and thinking about what we could save on (even if it’s just for the short-term) and what is worth doing properly and we’d regret scrimping on. My husband and I can’t agree on anything! For instance, he’s convinced we need to get good quality taps, but I think we could buy a cheaper tap for £70 now and upgrade to something better in a couple of years if it’s not great- because as long as it’s in the same place it won’t damage anything. He thinks we can go cheaper on the cabinets but I think we’ll regret that because we’re here for the long term and if we have to change them that’s a big expense.

So what do you think is worth saving on in a new kitchen, and what should you splurge on? What have you gone cheap on and regretted, or it turned out great? And what have you spent more money on and feel like you’ve got your real money’s worth, or now regret?

I definitely wouldn't skimp on getting good, well-thought out plans and getting a good size extension.

Things like taps, I'd actually recommend Ikea- cheap and very good. We had them in our last house and I put them in rental properties and they have never failed me. In the current house, the taps cost obscene amounts and they're actually worse.

When it comes to cabinets, it depends on what you mean. If you're considering off the shelves Wickes/B&Q then spend more. However, if you've been eyeing solid hardwood, hand painted designer ones, then perhaps they aren't that essential.

I was told save on cabinets and spend on worktop, taps and appliances

I think if you're going to do a massive job like a full kitchen refurb including an extension you may as well go all out and get your dream kitchen (if financially viable of course).

I think you'd hate spending all that money (and time without a kitchen while it's being worked on!) to then have to update bits and pieces a few months down the line.

Agre with @chopc , spend on taps appliances and worktops. Basically the things you touch every day. And flooring.
It would probably be a false economy to buy a cheaper compromise tap now with a view to upgrading in a couple of years.
In any case, the couple of hundred savings you'd make on a tap now are insignificant in relation to cost of worktops etc, which will run into the thousands.
FWIW I don't understand the whole kitchen business. Most of it is just cupboard carcasses which are generally made of Mdf etc.
I'd probably try and seek out a used but high end kitchen, maybe solid wood or something.

Spend well or spend twice! If you look at something you don’t like every day it gets you down! We have a saying: don’t spoil the ship for a h’peth of tar! You can save on flooring, for example, ceramic is cheaper than limestone. You don’t need a gadget laden oven, probably. The cost differential
Isn’t huge though. The big saving would be kitchen units but you want them well designed, useful and long lasting. I would not compromise on work surface, appliances or flooring. Buy cheap, buy twice!

We got a budget but good quality kitchen (DIY kitchens but would choose Ikea as well). A decent worktop, decent taps (you can get good quality ones on eBay) and decent appliances.

You won’t want to replace taps etc in a few years - what a ballache. I would cut back on things like decorating which you can do.

Getting a personalised design to suit you is the best investment. Don't settle for a free design done somewhere by someone who just wants to sell you stuff. This is something you'll use every day for next 10-20 years. So getting it right on cad before you order anything is a good idea. Our designer ( OnePlan) helped us choose colours too by showing us options on the drawings. Spend money on the things you touch was a tip I heard somewhere. We shopped around and saved loads when we looked at the quotes and compared. Magnet were the most expensive and DIY and Wickes were the least. Small independent companies can be good if you tie in a kitchen with a promotion for them. Ie if you allow them to photograph it and use it as a promotional thing for them.