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Novice kitchen questions

11 replies

Veterinari · 24/01/2020 17:10

I'm renovating a small property for the first time and need a completely new kitchen including appliances but an on a tight budget.
It a toss up between DIY kitchens and ikea.
My questions are:

How is the quality of each?

Appliances - with ikea I can just order Ikea appliances that fit (job, cooker, extractor etc) do DIY kitchens offer the same? If not are appliance standard sizes eg I want a tall unit with integrated eye level oven - can I buy any oven for the DIY kitchen unit?

Fitting - for ikea I have to remove the existing kitchen myself for their fitters to fit. For DIY kitchens I assume I just get a local fitter? Can I ask them to rip out existing kitchen too? Will they install appliances? Can they cut the work surface to fit the hob if different suppliers etc?

Any other tips?

Sorry if dumb questions but I have no idea how this works!

OP posts:
isseywith4vampirecats · 24/01/2020 17:37

I don't know about ikea as we didn't like their kitchens, but DIY who we are going with their units are good quality but you have to go down with all the measurements accurate, we got wickes to measure as we were looking at one of their kitchens, I have a son in law who is a fitter so he is ripping out the old kitchen and putting the new one in, their units come ready made up, so getting the kitchen ready for them to go straight in is a good idea, we have to have the full works done, electrics plastering painting, so hopefully I can co-ordinate everything at once, if you look on their website it tells you the dimensions of their cabinets in the buy it section, I don't know about appliances but other people on here have said they are expensive compared to other online retailers, worktops we asked about if they come with cut outs as we will be getting the sink from them and they said yes they do, total accuracy is the key with them check everything and then check it again

Veterinari · 24/01/2020 17:56

Thank you!

I'm fine with measuring for cabinets and have used the diy kitchen online planner to check but I'm worried about cut outs for hob/sink and oven options

Do I need to have actual measurements of these products before I order the kitchen?

OP posts:
isseywith4vampirecats · 24/01/2020 18:25

I would say yes so that you have all the measurements there when you order better to be safe than sorry afterwards a kitchen is a big expense most appliances come in fairly standard sizes we only had to take into account our washing machine as that's going under the worktop and the cooker as we have gone for a freestanding one, but had picked this before working out measurements , and our fridge freezer is freestanding too

MarieG10 · 24/01/2020 18:28

DIY Kitchens is a no brainer. Quality is excellent

Henryloveseatinglego · 24/01/2020 23:51

All the kitchens are much the same now with very little difference between them . ikeas kitchens are designed for straight plumb walls with very little adjustment in the cupboard fitting to accommodate older wonky walls . the diy store will help with design even if supply only if your unsure of the sizes . appliance are all standard size now .

monday1983 · 25/01/2020 00:03

Ikea can dismantle and dispose your old kitchen if you use their fitters for the new kitchen

Veterinari · 25/01/2020 01:24

Thanks @monday1983

I was told specifically during my kitchen planning apt that they no longer do this (Dec 2019) which is why I stared liking at other kitchen suppliers.

I'm leaning towards DIY kitchens but anxious re- sink/appliance measurements

OP posts:
monday1983 · 25/01/2020 08:43

They must have changed this recently as we did our kitchen in August 2019

MTJTD · 25/01/2020 09:24

Integrated appliances are typically universal and DIY Kitchens has standardised sizes; any single oven will fit in either a built-under or eye-level oven housing.

If you're looking at a built-in oven/microwave combination, be aware that microwaves can be ~380 (Built in Microwave) or ~450 (Combination Built in Microwave) so the type of housing you need may change.

If you're looking at a double oven; check the size. Most are standard at ~900, but a rare few are ~1000+. Also be sure that you're looking at Built-IN double ovens if you want it eye-level.

Built-UNDER double ovens don't take a housing and go under the worktops.

If you're putting a built-in microwave into a wall unit, not a tall housing .. check the depth of the unit and the microwave. Some appliances are too deep for wall units.

Integrated dishwashers come in standard (60cm) and slimline (45cm) sizes.

On the sink & taps, check the size of the bowl(s) is smaller than the cabinet that you're putting it above. Most conventional sinks will require a minimum of a 500mm-600mm cabinet underneath it, but there are exceptions.

On Hobs, consider the drop; especially if you're looking at induction hobs. They're deeper than most worktops (especially thin worktops like 20mm quartz or 12mm compact laminate) and will need a cabinet underneath them that won't obstruct the hob.

As long as the cabinet is the same size/larger than the hob, you should be fine. Just don't (for example) put a 500mm unit under a 600mm induction hob with 12mm worktops.

Integrated Fridge/Freezers are typically 50/50 or 70/30, and housings are the same; just a case of matching them.

Extractors can be tricky. If you're using colour-matched clad on panels on the wall units, be sure to bear in mind that they'll reduce the space you have available for your extractor.

AnnaMagnani · 25/01/2020 09:35

My DIY Kitchen arrives next week -so excited.

My fitter recommended them, checked all my measurements, added some bits and took away some others. Watch out for corner cupboards where you need an extra 30mm for a corner fitting piece.

He also suggested I bought my worktops from Worktop Express as it would be cheaper - big mistake as I promptly liked a more expensive worktop there but never mind.

If you are anywhere near their showroom it is worth going as you can see the quality is amazing and they are v helpful. Also you might change your mind about what you want - I was dead set on one kitchen and then immediately changed my mind in the showroom.

AnnaMagnani · 25/01/2020 09:39

Oh and my fitter is doing everything - ripping out old kitchen, redoing electrics, plastering, laying flooring, changing the plumbing, cutting out the worktops, installing the appliances.

If he isn't doing it personally, he is arranging someone else to come it and do it.

So far the room looks like a bomb has hit it but I am assured things are going well Grin

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