Best kitchen company - who should I go with?

[themummyway]

Getting my kitchen done loves...

I don't want anything too cheap so happy to spend upwards of £10k.

I bought mine from Sheraton Kitchens, a national chain which operates locally out of a small independent builders' merchant. And have been very pleased so far, but I would say that my fitter is a completely obsessed perfectionist. The fitter matters enormously.

When I had mine done, my research suggested that those happiest with their kitchens had gone to local independent traders, so that's what I did. Mine wasn't cheap but it was a good job and I was pleased with the result.

We had ours done by a local independent. It wasn't cheap but they did a wonderful job and we really happy with it.

can those of you that went with a local independent share price paid (if you don't mind) and which part of the country you're in, as this matters... Thanks.

@Smallgoon

can those of you that went with a local independent share price paid (if you don't mind) and which part of the country you're in, as this matters... Thanks.

Great point! I'm London based..

I'm London based too, and am almost about to place an order with DIY Kitchens. I would have loved to have gone for a small independent, and did actually enquire, but the difference in cost, on just the units was 7k vs 15k!! I just can't afford that sort of money.

@Smallgoon

can those of you that went with a local independent share price paid (if you don't mind) and which part of the country you're in, as this matters... Thanks.

In Cornwall. Spent about £16K, including counters, splashbacks and separate utility room, excluding equipment. But the kitchen has 37 feet of extra wide work surface, so quite large.

The independent local kitchen designer suggested we start thinking at about £30K.

We bought a DIY kitchen and had it installed just before lockdown. I’ve been really pleased with it. DIY is the trading name of a company called Ultima, who supply kitchens to independent retailers. So it’s possible that some independent kitchens are just DIY ones at a higher price. Happy with it so far, but second the comments about fitter. We spent £6k on cabinets, £6k on appliances, £3k on worktops, plus new flooring and wiring etc

Before fitting costs. We also needed plumber, electrician and gas fitters.

Without going back to my accounts, I think we spent about £8k on the units, £2k on counters, and about £4k on fitting. The rest was other trades and labour.

We went with a small independent 12 years ago and it was awful! Expensive, he didn't project manage as promised, didn't pay sub contractors and then disappeared half way through (despite having had a shop in the town nearest to us for over 5 years). Only managed not to lose too much thanks to having withheld a fair amount and objecting to his winding up petition at companies' house but it was a nightmare at the time.

Ever since, before we get any large jobs done, have also got people to do small ones first to see how they handle those. I now know exactly who will be fitting kitchen when we finally get round to replacing it and will be guided by them as to where to buy it.

Forgot the painter/decorator and the plasterer within this budget. We took the opportunity to remove the ugly Artex too.

I'm starting to think ours was a bargain job, because we also had several door reglazed at the same time. We replaced nasty 1970's obscured glass with much nicer. I project-managed and was the client/designer.

We’ve ordered from this company - daveyandalger.co.uk/ - they are based in Christchurch but we went to their showroom in Claygate. Really lovely quality with solid Tulipwood doors. They used to be called Handmade Kitchens. We looked at Neptune kitchens but they were about 3 times the price.
Ours comes to just over £8k and that is for many cupboards, larder unit 3 X 1 metre wide pan drawer units etc etc!
The only thing is they come ready to fit and paint so that will be extra. There is a 50% sale still on

10k is a generous budget for a small kitchen or for cabinets only. It's a small budget if you have a big kitchen, cabinets only OR small kitchen but need to get your appliances, tiles, flooring, fitting or anything else. It's a tiny budget if it is to cover everything in a big kitchen.

What do you need it to cover? How big is the kitchen? Is there a kitchen to rip out first? Will you require new electrics and/or plumbing.

There's a lot of information needed before you really start.

We used Units On Line. They've a show room near Taunton and are similar to DIY kitchens. Brilliant service.

@Khione

10k is a generous budget for a small kitchen or for cabinets only. It's a small budget if you have a big kitchen, cabinets only OR small kitchen but need to get your appliances, tiles, flooring, fitting or anything else. It's a tiny budget if it is to cover everything in a big kitchen.

What do you need it to cover? How big is the kitchen? Is there a kitchen to rip out first? Will you require new electrics and/or plumbing.

There's a lot of information needed before you really start.

It's an l-shaped kitchen.

There is a kitchen to rip out first.

Happy to spend in the region of 10k for units.

With another 10k for fittings, flooring and appliances.

Don't think I'll need new electrics and/or plumbing...