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Original poster

I know this gets asked a million times about kitchens, but....

100 replies

Ginkpin · 29/12/2020 20:46

Wren?
DIY Kitchens?
Benchmarx?
Howdens?
Something else?

I would get the worktop (quartz) and ironmongery elsewhere probably.

I am going to look at the much recommended Handmade Kitchen's Direct, but I am assuming that they cost more than the above and offer less internal storage options?

I can't really cope with the Howdens pricing system - it's so changeable and vague. We have a Howdens kitchen at the moment and it's fine but I have no idea if our builder got us a good deal or not...

Large kitchen extension being built so will need quite a lot of cabinets and a largeish island. Help!

OP posts:
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isseys4xmastinselcats · 29/12/2020 21:08

and you will get 50 different answers we went with DIY Kitchens but not a huge kitchen five base units and four wall units didnt get any fancy interiors no full length cupboards pan drawers just a basic L shape which maximises the space we have with a free standing gas cooker, laminate worktops and stainless steel overset sink we are very happy with ours , what we did was narrow down what type of finish we wanted then looked round at as many as we could that did what we wanted got the measurements absolutely spot on then went shopping for qoutes then narrowed down to company and ended up with a totally different finish to what we started (( from graphite matt to light blue acrylic wrapped gloss)

Original poster
Ginkpin · 29/12/2020 21:52

Thanks. I just feel overwhelmed. I have to get on and choose soon but we are Tier 4, so I can't saunter around looking at four million kitchens so am trying to at least narrow down to two good suppliers.

OP posts:
isseys4xmastinselcats · 29/12/2020 22:24

DIY kitchens are online and their site is really easy to navigate, wren ive heard their units are good but their customer service is not always top notch, wickes did us a good measure design service but their kitchen was £1700 more expensive, howdens deal with the builder / fitter, benchmarks never even got back to us to come and measure maybe our kitchen was too small for them, have heard good things about handmade of christchurch but i have no idea of their prices

TracyTomatoes · 29/12/2020 22:28

Don't go near Wrens.

Wickes were ok but relatively expensive and then on day one of installation they came up with loads of extra costs despite having done two site visits.

DIY kitchens is where we'll be going this time round (new house).

Ive heard of people getting Howdens to match prices once a design and price has been done via DIY kitchens. It's up to you if you like their business practices - I'd rather they just gave the final offer up front.

Benchmarx are the same as Wickes but you need a builder to go in and order like at Howdens.

Alexalee · 29/12/2020 22:40

Diy yes
Wren... God no

Charlieandlola · 29/12/2020 22:42

DIY Kitchens - if you have to go high st then Wickes or Benchmarx. We have just put in a DIY Kitchen and I'm impressed with quality for ££.
I am not a fan of Wren or Howdens.

IdrisElbow · 29/12/2020 22:50

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IdrisElbow · 29/12/2020 22:51

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hollygoflightly · 29/12/2020 22:53

No one ever talks about Magnet, but we just got ours from there and I'm v happy with it. Was cheaper than Howdens and Wickes never returned my call, so they were out.

StanfordPines · 29/12/2020 22:53

We got Benchmarx. Really happy with it. It’s worth noting that Wickes kitchens are Benchmarx.
Get the brochure for both, the pictures are the same.

Original poster
Ginkpin · 29/12/2020 22:54

i've temporarily subscribed to Which? to help me, but even that is inconclusive. Wren actually scores quite well, but I keep reading horror stories...

DIY sounds quite promising - are they transparent with pricing?

OP posts:
Original poster
Ginkpin · 29/12/2020 22:55

@hollygoflightly

No one ever talks about Magnet, but we just got ours from there and I'm v happy with it. Was cheaper than Howdens and Wickes never returned my call, so they were out.
Yes, I forgot about Magnet. I actually put a Magnet kitchen in my old flat about 20 years ago, and it's still going strong....
OP posts:
bouncydog · 29/12/2020 22:59

Advice from me is to get a kitchen fitter as in that’s all they do, to undertake the installation. Go for good quality worktops, taps and appliances. Our last kitchen was from MFI and was very cheap. It lasted nearly 30 years and several “experts” thought it was bespoke, which was all down to the fitting and finishing!

Mumblechum0 · 29/12/2020 22:59

Harvey Jones seem to have a good rep. I’m in the early stages of kitchen planning and was impressed by the showroom quality and the fact that they make units to suit.

bouncydog · 29/12/2020 23:00

My mothers kitchen fromMagnet had so many issues she got it for nothing! Appalling quality.

ButterMeUpScotty · 29/12/2020 23:01

Are there no local places near you? We went local and it has been super, they do the kitchen Stori range and I love it.

teenytrees · 29/12/2020 23:02

Another vote for DIY Kitchens. Our fitter was very impressed and he also said avoid Wrens.

Charlieandlola · 29/12/2020 23:05

DIY are transparent in pricing - what you see on the internet ( once you've added in VAT and soft close etc) is what you pay. No price difference based on your fitter etc, which is what I liked.

2 of my neighbours have put in Wren Kitchens this year ( there is a MASSIVE and Impressive showroom locally), and both report ease of ordering and then a nightmre with bits missing etc, and the showroom washing their hands of it. *once they have their commission.

oohmamama · 29/12/2020 23:14

I don't understand why Wren don't do something about this.

I'm buying a new kitchen and because of the reviews I've heard I won't even go and look at them.

Surely it's worth investing a few hundred Gs in some decent customer service? It seems like they would recoup via Mumsnet alone!

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 29/12/2020 23:16

@Ginkpin

i've temporarily subscribed to Which? to help me, but even that is inconclusive. Wren actually scores quite well, but I keep reading horror stories...

DIY sounds quite promising - are they transparent with pricing?

Exceptionally so. You can book an appointment to go to their showroom- it's massive with loads of kitchens (& ventilation) it's a 3 hour drive from me & I've been twice (it was great pre Covid)

You can order sample doors (& the cost is taken off if you buy from them) & there are lots of free samples you can order too, to get 'real life' colours etc

(They currently have a sale on)

Once you've done your 'order list' they'll go through it with you and make sure you haven't missed anything

I went to LOADS of places pre Covid and DIY was definitely the best value for the money and better quality than most. Maybe if money was no object & you wanted to get one made you might find something you're happier with, but if you're choosing between the other ones you've mentioned, I think it's a no brainier.

Best of luck.

FoxinaScarf · 29/12/2020 23:36

Wren is great. Very good quality, designs and service.

XmasBelle · 29/12/2020 23:41

dont get the shops fitter - get an independent one for less than half the price

Mummyto3gorgeousgirlies · 30/12/2020 01:03

I'm also undertaking a house renovation - but I've not heard of diy kitchen - who are they?

caringcarer · 30/12/2020 01:11

I got our kitchen from Wickes. I have also bought 2 identical kitchens from eBay in fabulous condition and put in btl properties.

AlwaysLatte · 30/12/2020 01:16

Our house is so wonky we had to have a kitchen hand made, but it was a local joiner who was semi retired and didn't have massive overheads, therefore it didn't cost us as much as we might have thought and it was totally bespoke. 20 years on and we got another joiner to build more in the same style on the other side of the room, so it looks identical and he painted it all in cream eggshell so it looks brand new and is easy to keep clean. The worktop is beech so sanding it occasionally makes it look new again and it's reassuring to know it's all solid wood. I think it's worth considering if it's your forever home.