Kitchens - money saving

[WelshMoth]

Two builders that I've spoken to in the past have said not to ever bother getting a kitchen with the larger companies (won't name them - don't want to slander anyone) as you will end up paying top prices for something that can be done a lot cheaper - getting carcasses made up in the factory, sourcing counter tops independently etc.

Has anyone done this type of kitchen build? I'm keen to plan for as much saving as possible without compromising on quality and I need as much advice as possible. Thanks!

@TiddleTaddleTat I spoke to a fitter this afternoon. He said the problem with IKEA has been resolved with their new design. Something about no backs on units

@Smallgoon @Sooverthemill thank you both, I have contacted a couple of local kitchen fitters and will seek their thoughts on Ikea. So far Ikea has been the most straightforward to deal with and easiest (and best) design process. I do like their designs too, and am considering Plykea doors (we are likely to only have 3-4 doors to do, so hopefully affordable)

Our kitchen fitter was a carpenter rather than someone who just fits kitchens so he didn’t find it a problem at all.

I've had plans drawn up for a property I'm hoping to renovate. At the moment, I'm planning for an island but after this thread, I've changed my mind about having a gas job on the island because of the extractor fan. Looks like a sink could go there but I really love my Belfast sink. Has anyone ever seen a Belfast positioned in an island?

Drawings showing Belfast sink in an island here, there's loads and loads of design to look though on Karen's page here just navigate around a bit by clicking on the word OnePlan on the page.

www.houzz.co.uk/photos/kb-s-kitchen-design-traditional-kitchen-phvw-vp~148576239

Thanks!

What do you think of the 'look' of it?

I also wish that magazines would include dimensions. When articles follow the renovation projects of readers, they include the before and after plans. I wish they'd include the dimensions of all their pics - I know how much space I've got to play with roughly but can't picture it visually!

This is my Ikea kitchen, had it fitted by an independent fitter and I’m really pleased with it. I knew I wanted a white gloss kitchen and the Ikea one didn’t really offer anything less than the alternatives which were 3-4 times more expensive.

@IkeaKitchenSuccess that is beautiful! What are your worktops made of? Also, I don't suppose you know the dimensions of your kitchen?

Following for all the advice

The long run on the left of the picture is 4.8m and the units with the ovens 1.8m. That’s the unit width not the wall which is long because of the corner.

The island is quartz.

@ikeakitchensuccess Your kitchen is lovely - you must be pleased! Is that a F&P dishwasher I spy on the lhs? Any good?

Thanks @Celeriacacaca

Yes it’s a F&P dishwasher and it’s brilliant! I love that one is always empty so no stacking crockery on work surface until the dishwasher is done.

I've just tried to find the DIY kitchens online planner but can only find a paper version? Can anyone please point me to the online version?

I got an email from them saying they have taken it off the site for now but giving me a link to it as I had existing plans. I expect too many people are on it at the moment.

@Celeriacacaca try this link planner.diy-kitchens.com/

What a lot of people don't realize with the bigger companies that you'll never see the actual price. Your fitter/builder will always add some in for themselves. The price you'll see is made up. This is done through the kitchen company. Usually upwards of £500. It keeps the fitter/builder sweet and they of course recommend the company to their customers.

Thanks @smallgoon, really helpful.