Anyone getting a new kitchen in 2020?

[skippy67]

If so, are you up for a support thread? I'm equally excited and terrified at all the decisions, I'll have to make!

Your second query I can unfortunately not help too much with .

My understanding is that you don't need to get an asbestos removal company unless your artex tests positive for it; you can get a kit to check.

If the artex has been on for that long though, it may well contain asbestos fibres. I think it was mid 80's that they stopped using it.

It contains very very low levels- it was tested. Not a huge issue I was planning to get the professionals in to strip it - thanks!

@Extrapepperoni - how did you find the place in Esher? We're near there and will be looking for a new kitchen in about a year. I'd much rather go to an independent than a big chain. Especially given the advice that they're usually cheaper. But I worry that as we're in this area, they'll add an extra zero (my husband is adamant that's what everyone will do!).

I gave my "must have" list to various designers - independents / Howdens/ Wicks and there wasn't a huge variation in design. However Schmidt were the most expensive and Howdens the most reasonable. As I had an idea of the price I knew I got a good deal with Howdens. Plus I like to fact the items are instantly available and it is easy to get new bits and bobs for bespoke work

Oooh please may I join in? We've been thinking about putting in a new kitchen as our 20 year old one is falling apart. I have a complete rabbit in headlights reaction over it though and too scared to do anything! Seems like such a massive decision and won't be changing it ever again. Am I the only one feeling so ridiculous 😳.

It's a 400 yr old cottage and my first problem is whether or not to replace the floor, it's terracotta which I'm guessing is pretty outdated? Trouble is it's quite cosy, part of me would love a nice light stone but would it look cold? Not grey anywhere though. It does give greater choice of unit colour if floor is neutral.

@Spaghettio lots of online research! If you search Handmade Kitchens of Christchurch on Mumsnet they were apparently the go-to for a while. They have very open book pricing on their website (recco is only to buy during their half price sale which are a few times a year) - completely bespoke, lots of flexibility and you cut costs by using your own fitter, organising your own painting and sourcing your own appliances and worktops. Obvs these will need budgeting for but they don't get marked up on the way they would in an all-in quote. Managed to convince the OH to check out the showroom in Esher (one of only two, the other being on Dorset) and he is sold on the quality and the website means the price is not an unknown. Look at the trustpilot reviews, lots of people rate them and say they are on parity price wise with the big high street kitchen shops (wren etc.) But for much better quality and customisation.

Thanks @Extrapepperoni - you (and everyone else on this thread) have been v helpful!

@Conformingtoregulations Terracotta in a 400 year old cottage would look nice if you keep your new kitchen to a traditional style. I think dark contrasting colours work best with it so deep blue or green, possibly a mustard colour. Have you gone on houzz? You can look at photos of kitchens filtered by things like flooring type to get some ideas.

Just found this thread. Amazing advice being given, thank you. I'll be creating a checklist of what to look for and how to get the best price/quality.

We are still at the architect meetings stage. We might be extending but there is definitely some internal restructuring to be done, so it'll be a while until I have a space to plan into.

Does anyone have an opinion on a corner sink in the kitchen? I'm starting my actual Pinterest (not just the fantasy Pinterest kitchen)search for layouts. Does it save space or make it more awkward?

My sink is next to my boiler cupboard and I find it quite enclosed. I'm having to keep it there to save re plumbing too much but am placing the drainer that side and the sink where drainer is now. I am hoping it will feel more open.

Make a list of must haves, nice to haves and then speak to at least 3 independent design shops and get them to do some designs for you. Take the best bits from each design layout wise and use an online planner (the DIY one is good) and start setting out your own design. We ended up with something very different to what any of them suggested by moving a doorway 6 inches! Source independent plumbers and electricians and a fitter. We had a suggestion from our electrician of putting all of the switches in one cupboard, which meant no cut outs in the splashbacks - much more streamlined and in an emergency everything is in one place to switch off. Kitchen fitter suggested small shelves either side of the extractor in the extractor cupboard. We have no bins in our kitchen - everything goes straight out of the back door into the bins giving more under sink space. See if you can have pull out drawers under the sink instead of cupboards - much easier to get into the back. DH and I each had a wish list - me ceiling height wine cooler and boiling water tap :-) Him two ovens! We got everything in with plenty of space and by taking our time ended up with a fab kitchen which exactly meets our needs!!

Hi.. we are also looking at new kitchens .. Handmade Kitchens of Christchurch are near us and before we handed over a deposit I went to see a couple in real life - one had only been in for a few years and the doors were not closing properly, loads of dents - Tulip wood is very soft and that is why they are cheap!

I then went to see another and the larder doors were very flimsy so I would do more research if you want it to last. It really put me off!

The search continues!!

After a good 6 months of planning (and saving) we are having our new kitchen fitted at the moment!

It is part of a large renovation, actually relocating the kitchen into an entirely different room, plus some building work involved. We struggled hugely to find different tradespeople to quote to do the works (most builders couldn't be bothered with such a small job and it was too much for like for like kitchen swaps) and eventually found a local independent kitchen shop who had a builder available to do the works we wanted.

The builders knocked a hole in an external wall and fitted new french doors, and built steps. The kitchen units are mostly in and the services have been moved. Appliances are waiting to be fitted and the worktop people are coming out to template next week.

The original flooring in that room was solid oak and it looks like we will be able to keep it, resand and seal it.

We have a period house so we've opted for cashmere painted shaker style and a white marbled quartz worktop.

So far it's looking good, had a couple of minor snags but they've been resolved quickly. I can't wait to actually start using it now!

I've taken the Mumsnet advice and put in 3 x large sets of pan drawers and oodles of sockets...

They'll come out to the property, measure up and take some notes, then go back to store, complete the design and then present the price and pictures to the builder in a pack.

People always say this about Howden’s but the designer sent the design and quote pack direct to me as I didn’t even have a builder at that stage.

People always say this about Howden’s but the designer sent the design and quote pack direct to me as I didn’t even have a builder at that stage.

Aye, I've seen a few people say the same lately. It's against their own rules/procedures (I've friends who work there) but they're under a lot of pressure lately to grow their business and make more profit, so some of their designers are "disregarding" the rule because they can price higher for retail customers.

so some of their designers are "disregarding" the rule because they can price higher for retail customers.

My Howden’s quote was comparable with two others I got so I was happy with it. I don’t feel I was ripped off in any way and I’m extremely pleased with the kitchen.

Mine is starting in a week - it's been ages in the planning while I awaited funds and since they have come through it's all go. Panicking I have made the right choices on layout and colours.

I didn't want to get into moving utilities which are only on one side so could not do much different anyway!

We had ours done last year. It was an insurance claim, but we took the opportunity to make a couple of changes to the layout. We got quotes from Wren and Howdens. The insurance company went for Howdens and our builder/ plumber did all the liaising with them.
We opted for freestanding appliances from AO, whereas the previous ones were built in. The problem with built in appliances is that it can limit your choice. When we had to replace the built in dishwasher in our old house we bought the same make and model, but it never sat right - wasn't quite flush with the other cupboards.
There are a few things with the Howdens kitchen that aren't as good as the (more expensive) kitchen we had put in our old house, but it looks nice and really they are just cupboards.

Having been without a kitchen for two months we were grateful that there was no waiting time with Howdens.

I will reluctantly join the thread, we NEED a new kitchen... but out of three enquiries so far, we've only had one quote, which was £6k over the budget we gave them We've made a rough plan with the IKEA kitchen planner online, but we need the boiler upgraded, it would make sense to move it 90° on to the next wall when we do. The IKEA plan was just under £4000 for units and appliances and we are hoping not to go over 9k in total... Does anyone know if that's madness or totally achievable? This company quoted £3500 to supply and fit the boiler alone!!

So I'm back to the drawing board of trying to get quotes, and considering we had one no-show and one who didn't respond I'm not feeling hopeful.

At the moment I'm looking more at independent all-trades firms because we don't know ANY tradesmen, or anyone who has had work done and could recommend anybody. Is this a bad idea? One who I'm going to contact also fits IKEA kitchens etc so I'm naively hoping he'll give advice on what is better value.

We've never done this before and I'm really worried that we're going to choose someone dodgy because I'm only looking online

I think that might be tight if you need new boiler as well. A friend did their kitchen and I think it was about £10k all in but not sure if they bought all new appliances. But then it depends how big your kitchen is, what sort of cupboards and worktops you go for etc.

I have gone for an independent kitchen firm and their recommended fitter who then brings in various trades as needed. It could be a risk as don't know anyone that's used them however they do large scale jobs as well and have recently fitted out a 25 flat block near me so hoping that bodes well.

Im only 2 days in but impressed so far - unfortunately he's picked up I need a new gas pipe to supply my new bigger cooker!

Can I just say please pay by credit card, whichever supplier you go with. We didn't, our supplier went under and we lost £1000s.

well slight delay for us as our master plan has gone kaput, the smaller window in the kitchen has decided iot does not like the winter rain when the rain is lashing it down and in the wrong direction I have water pouring through the top of the header, so have to wait for the weather to improve so my builder son can sort it out for me so instead of march for my new kitchen its going to be more like May boo hoo but it is an 80 year old house @cottipuss enjoy your new kitchen

Having gone through the design process with two different Howdens branches and Wren, none of which came out amazingly and were extortionately expensive for our tiny space, we've gone with Ikea. The designers at our branch were great, transparent pricing and absolutely fine with us sourcing the appliances elsewhere (no hard sell). In fact when there was a supply issue with some of the doors we wanted, I decided to use a custom door company (Naked Doors) and IKEA gave me a full parts list of what I needed to order seperately.

Top cabinets: tall handleless white matt doors - IKEA
Bottom cabinets: Brancaster blue slab doors - Naked Doors
Handles: Copper Holy Wafer handles - Superfronts
Worktop: Selco Solid Oak (bit of a risk but really cheap)
Tap: Urban Copper Pronteau Abode 3 in 1 boiling water tap
Sink: Reginox Amsterdam Compact Single Bowl black granite - Tap Warehouse
Wall tiles: Microline Matt white - Tons of Tiles - in herringbone pattern with dark grey grout
Floor tiles: Windmill geometric floor tiles - Tons of Tiles (a MN find!)
Appliances: AO (all black, extra height fridge/freezer, induction hob, single oven)
Lighting: LightwaveRF smart dimmer and recommended under cab strips

Cabinets and appliances have just arrived his afternoon!