Who's planning a new kitchen in 2021 ?

[chillibeansauce]

... following from the massively helpful 2020 thread. I'm planning a brand new extension with kitchen and utility. Deciding between HKOC and Units Online. HKOC took 2 days to provide a quote, still waiting for Units Online after 2 weeks and numerous calls..

That didn't make sense 😂 the extension is quite large, two stories to the side and single storey across the back. So not just a kitchen. We are up to wall plate level but will be left a plastered shell at the end.

We are going for (light) black and white. I feel that whatever we choose will be out of fashion within a number of years anyway so we've just chosen the one we like best.

I am! Knocking through a wall to create a kitchen-diner and completing renovating the space, down to new windows and radiators. We've had builder's quote but been waiting ages for them to give us a starting date. Not sure why it's taking them so long to schedule.

Had Howdens around last week to measure up and design so should get that through soon, and will compare against DIY Kitchens.

Had never thought of using HKOC - they don't get talked about a lot. @chillibeansauce how do their prices compare to DIY Kitchens and why did you go for them?

We have the builders booked in for the beginning of April, and they have pointed out that we need to get french doors and kitchen chosen and ordered ASAP due to lead times. So I had a thread on here the other day and as a result we’ve chosen this bamboo kitchen, which is very eco and (I think) looks amazing! Thank you to Zinnia.

We were on the IKEA planning thing last night to get the layout sorted, and squabbling about where to put the fridge.

customfronts.co.uk/pages/bamboo-fronts

Yes! Total kitchen refit and turning the bathroom next door to a shower/utility room. Small Victorian terrace, so need to utilise as much space as possible.

Work started in Feb (moved back door into dining room, floors up, new window in kitchen, new radiators) then obviously covid happened so have been living in a half-finished house since March. It’s driving me to distraction.

@TaleOfTheContinents

I am! Knocking through a wall to create a kitchen-diner and completing renovating the space, down to new windows and radiators. We've had builder's quote but been waiting ages for them to give us a starting date. Not sure why it's taking them so long to schedule.

Had Howdens around last week to measure up and design so should get that through soon, and will compare against DIY Kitchens.

Had never thought of using HKOC - they don't get talked about a lot. @chillibeansauce how do their prices compare to DIY Kitchens and why did you go for them?

I can give you info on HKOC - they are probably more expensive than DIY Kitchens but then they are totally bespoke and handmade inframe kitchens that compare favourably with DeVol, Tom Howley etc. Their pricing is here daveyandalger.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Handmadekitchens-PriceList-v14-Sale-05.pdf and what’s really good is that the cost is the same for a unit regardless of size up to a metre wide so you can save money that way - all our units apart from the bin cupboard and sink unit will be 1m wide.

Hoping for our (small) extension and kitchen to go ahead next month!

Any clever people here know wheres good for buying worktops in the uk, particularly quartz? Considering getting one separately to the units etc as sure we can get it cheaper....

Yep, new kitchen planning here too.
No building work to be done but want to change the layout.

We have had a quote from Wren but weren’t impressed with the designer particularly. I am currently playing with diy kitchens online planner to try out different layouts then we’ll go to somewhere like magnet or wickes to get another design done for ideas.

A trip to diy kitchens showroom is also on the cards but it’s two hours away so want to have a few more ideas before we go.

Placemarking, as just about to start planning new kitchen.

We started a whole house renovation, plus front/side two story extension, rear single story 6 metre
extension and loft extension mid November - whole place is stripped to the bones at the moment and brickies mid building... gotta sort the kitchen layout and quotes but now have 3 kids home and hubby out at work 😱🤪

@curiouscat1987

Hoping for our (small) extension and kitchen to go ahead next month!

Any clever people here know wheres good for buying worktops in the uk, particularly quartz? Considering getting one separately to the units etc as sure we can get it cheaper....

I'm interested in this too...

Ooh @VenusClapTrap I'm thrilled you're going for that Custom Fronts kitchen! Will definitely need to see photos when it's in.

We have almost got a layout design (small Victorian terrace side return) but still waiting for my architect to get the plans into the council and to hear from our builder. Had originally planned to start in Feb but clearly that's not going to happen!

Will do, Zinnia. We’ve worked out the layout, and yesterday I got out the graph paper and did the utility room (there’s a wall coming out and the outside door is moving). So now we just need to order it all and choose a work top. I want white marble but not sure how practical it is.

@SocksForceFive . How come you are ordering the kitchen mid feb if you haven't finalised the extension build?

My kitchen design week starts this morning so its very exciting here and Im still pinning and Houzzing like crazy. Extension not yet started but starts in 3 weeks' time.

I am using the fabulous Karen at Oneplan.

I went to IKEA in august and planned my kitchen. I had considered just replacing the doors and worktops along with the floor and lighting.
I then decided that, as the carcasses are 14 years old and I am not keen on the layout, I may as well start from scratch.
I wanted a home visit to check my measurements, but C19 put paid to that.
Once the IKEA sale starts, I’ll order it and then sort out the floor tiles.
Can’t wait

[quote Sunflowergirl1]@SocksForceFive . How come you are ordering the kitchen mid feb if you haven't finalised the extension build?[/quote]
For 2 reasons really - the main one being that when I checked the delivery dates for the kitchen I want (from DIY kitchens) a few days ago they said that they weren't delivering until mid-March. So on that basis if I order in Feb it'll probably only be ready in May.

The second reason is that the house we're moving to is currently vacant (we're living in rented accomm while it's being done up) so we have space to store it if it arrives when the extension isn't quite ready.

@SocksForceFive

Goo you can store it but be aware you have a time limit to go back to DIY with problems ..ie if stuff missing...we found it difficult to work out anything missing with the volume of stuff

Also...be aware that between plans, planning permission, tender exercise and builder availability for us took 13 months so your kitchen could be stood a while?

[quote Sunflowergirl1]@SocksForceFive

Goo you can store it but be aware you have a time limit to go back to DIY with problems ..ie if stuff missing...we found it difficult to work out anything missing with the volume of stuff

Also...be aware that between plans, planning permission, tender exercise and builder availability for us took 13 months so your kitchen could be stood a while?[/quote]
That's really helpful info, thank you! We're hoping to have our scope of works completed this week and out to tender early next week as builder availability is very much a concern for me.

Our extension is within permitted development so hopefully won't be tied up with the council for too long

I'll hopefully have a better view of how it's all looking re timetable by mid-Feb (which is when we have One Plan booked for) which will help me to get a sense of when to order the kitchen.

If the extension is within permitted development then you won't need planning permission at all, just building control.

@HasaDigaEebowai

If the extension is within permitted development then you won't need planning permission at all, just building control.

Yes, sorry, I'm conflating the fact that we're also doing a loft conversion and not explaining myself properly! We also need a build over agreement from Thames Water as there's a drain where we want the extension to go and party wall agreements - so I'm just thinking of the next 8-12 weeks as the "paperwork phase".

I tried Karen at oneplan today hoping for a last minute slot and unfortunately she couldnt fit us in until march but recommended emily covey as an alternativekitchen designer, has anyone else used her before or heard anything?

@SocksForceFive

"Our extension is within permitted development so hopefully won't be tied up with the council for too long"

I assume you are applying for a certificate of lawfulness? My neighbour did this and after two months (deadline for replying) was told it wasn't within the rules and apply for full planning. Apparently it is only a few quid more to go for full planning and same timescale so my architect is generally advising that now if time is importent

I tried Karen at oneplan today hoping for a last minute slot and unfortunately she couldnt fit us in until march

Yes she's doing mine this week although we're not quite ready since otherwise the next slots were March. She's worth the wait though IMO since its not just about what will fit where and all about centre lines and symmetry and knowing all the tricks to make it look high end.

@moostermum

Yes and we picked some colours initially. Looks bad doesn't it? Too grey. Please help with colours

Use contrasting colours and textures on tiles, floor and worktop?