What does 'high/medium/low spec' mean?

[samosamo]

Seen many references to spec on these boards and I have no clue - can you give me some names to look up so I understand? and is it just a brand thing, or....?

Are there any affordable options for kitchens and bathrooms that people rate quite highly? I really can't afford £70k on a kitchen! I work for the NHS ;p

high spec = pogganpohl
medium spec = independant joiner or kitchen fitter
low spec - ikea

High spec - any house on Grand Designs
Medium spec - Escape to the Country
Low spec - Homes under the Hammer

Tune in and you will soon get the gist!

In all seriousness your low spec would be a package deal from B and Q or Ikea (though of course you can get better spec from there if you want). Your average kitchen purchaser probably would go to Magnet/Howdens, high end is your Devol, Tom Howley. This is just a general guide, a lot of companies offer budget and high end ranges, though Devol etc would never really be classed as budget!.

Also, a kitchen no matter what spec it is, is only as good as the installation team.

If they don't fit it well, then the cost is irrelevant

And appliances - Beko vs Whirlpool vs Miele for example. All will do the same thing, but you get more bells and whistles (and possibly a longer product lifespan?) as you go up the pyramid.

replace the word "spec" with "price"

Check out the reviews on trustpilot for high spec Miele only 41% of them are good. Just because something is high spec ( price ) dosnt mean it’s better than a cheaper product.

It’s really just low priced, medium priced and high priced.

So if your kitchen is the basic kitchen from b&q or IKEA with the cheapest appliances it’s low cost. Mid is the more mid priced range from a multitude of suppliers, high is the high end more designer stuff

@PigletJohn

replace the word "spec" with "price"

This.

@PigletJohn

replace the word "spec" with "price"

This made me laugh, and it's very true. Spot on

My builder always reminds me to follow the 5,2,1 rule. Spend 5% of the value of your house on your kitchen, 2% on the bathroom and 1% decorating and you should get your money back if you need to sell. Always worth getting an estate agents view on other building work to see if it worth it.

I agree mostly spec = price, although you can for example hack ikea to look a lot higher spec because the build quality of Ikea is generally quite good (e.g. they use Blum hinges). Some architects use Ikea carcasses with custom fronts.

So, Ikea paired with a great design, skilful installation, custom doors and handles, a quartz worktop and Neff oven, etc could end up looking much higher spec. But it requires more work to do that.

Therefore I think it's a combination of price and design?

User It depends surely? I have large unfitted Edwardian pieces in my kitchen for food and china/glass storage. I have one run of units and a centre island. I am not going to spend north of £20k to replace those. That would get the side of the house slated, and some double glazed sash windows.

@cunningplan101

I agree mostly spec = price, although you can for example hack ikea to look a lot higher spec because the build quality of Ikea is generally quite good (e.g. they use Blum hinges). Some architects use Ikea carcasses with custom fronts.

So, Ikea paired with a great design, skilful installation, custom doors and handles, a quartz worktop and Neff oven, etc could end up looking much higher spec. But it requires more work to do that.

Therefore I think it's a combination of price and design?

I was thinking just this.

how can I get help with kitchen design? Is it just looking around on the internet at houzz etc?

Oh, sorry, and for bathrooms? Any advice there?

Spec is purely personal preference. One persons mid spec is another persons high.

Kitchens - go to DIY Kitchens. They have an online planner which updates cost as you go (tick the 'show VAT' box); you choose from their range for you price point and off you go. They build quality is excellent, as was the service I received. My builder has even switched to them for all future work

Bathrooms - go to an independent and get a quote. Then go online (I went to Victorian Plumbing, get a trade account) and price up a similar bathroom. You can't compare the two really as the indpendent will be local to you and give presumably brilliant service whereas online you literally just buy it.

Spec is also relative to comparable properties. What would be deemed a reasonably high spec terrace house in south east London, would likely be a pretty low spec for a mews house in Mayfair.

I have a job in property now, and I would say I am pretty good with identifying spec level of middle class homes...but get into high end and stuff that looks good to me I am told is terribly low spec!

Another vote for DIY kitchens.. great online tool for planning your kitchen. You can use it even if you don’t go with them in the end.

We went with Howdens first. Was good because they came and did accurate measurements and did a plan for us, but we didn’t go with them in the end because they just make up the prices depending on how much they think they you have to spend.

If you do go with someone like Howdens, also get a quote from DIY kitchens and ask them to match it.

I think those who think that DIY kitchens are high spec are under a false illusion - there is no doubt they are probably good kitchens as those on here who have them are very happy with them. DIY kitchens themselves do not compare themselves to high spec kitchens like Smallbone, De Vol, Bulthaup etc - they do not even compare themselves to mid spec kitchens like Neptune, HKOC, or Harvey Jones - instead the compare themselves to other low spec kitchens like Howdens, Wickes and Wren!

Focus upon the finish. Make sure everything looks good to the eye. Edges and corners finished well. Add a few higher end appliances and a granite worktop and get tiling done professionally with even spaces and everything centred. That would be better than an expensive kitchen fitted badly. Finish is everything and even a mid range kitchen can have the wow factor if fitted and finished well.

@Qc16

I think those who think that DIY kitchens are high spec are under a false illusion - there is no doubt they are probably good kitchens as those on here who have them are very happy with them. DIY kitchens themselves do not compare themselves to high spec kitchens like Smallbone, De Vol, Bulthaup etc - they do not even compare themselves to mid spec kitchens like Neptune, HKOC, or Harvey Jones - instead the compare themselves to other low spec kitchens like Howdens, Wickes and Wren!

Don;t think anyone has said DIY are high end? They're a very solid option for most people with a great range to suit most budgets. If you want 'High spec' and high cost then you go to an independent. Spec is in the eye of the beholder (and budget holder lol)

I think I was under the impression that those recommending DIY Kitchens were doing so as they thought they were high spec.

I’m not sure why they are mentioned as the question is about the difference between high/mid and low spec and of course the various levels are priced accordingly.

“I think I was under the impression that those recommending DIY Kitchens were doing so as they thought they were high spec.”

I’m under no illusions that DIY kitchens are high spec.

As to why they’ve been mentioned... OP states she wants options for affordable kitchens... so...

I think Ikea really are the most hackable option to go from low -> mid, if you stick with a modern aesthetic.

I think modern, minimal kitchens are much more suited to 'hacking' than traditional looking kitchens. DIY kitchens will be good quality and look very nice. But a shaker kitchen from Ikea or DIY will never look like an in-frame shaker kitchen from DeVol because the in-frame shaker kitchen from DeVol is a handmade piece of furniture (that's my personal opinion).

But look at the kitchens here:
www.reformcph.com/en/
www.nakeddoors.com/

These are ikea kitchens transformed creatively into high design. Of course, as soon as you open the cupboard door, you will see it's Ikea. But I think part of the aesthetic statement is taking something basic/functional/utilitarian and transforming it into something exceptional.

Sill, if I had the money and was opting for modern, I'd go for Bulthaup. But it's not necessary to achieve something lovely.

For bathrooms, if you're near London, we found these guys great:
www.bathdisc.co.uk

They have a showroom, but will match online prices. So they offer Bette baths, Crosswater taps, etc at big discounts. And you can go actually see (& sit in!) the bath in the showroom (once they are open again) without feeling guilty that you'll then just go and buy the same things online.