Handmade kitchens - costs?

[Uptoongirl]

Trying to distract myself from the horror of homeschooling my three primary aged children at the moment!

We are hoping to start our extension project in the spring time and I'm looking at kitchens at the moment. Obviously it's not really the ideal time as we can't visit any showrooms but I've had a virtual planning meeting with Magnet who have given me a 1st draft plan. I like the layout but there are a few constrictions to using a company like Magnet, for one we have fairly high ceilings which I would like the cabinets to sit flush with and because Magnet cupboards all come in readymade heights this is difficult.

I'm thinking a handmade kitchen may be our best option normally I would pop into a few showrooms and be able to get a feel for pricing without sitting down for a full on meeting but who knows when I will be able to do this.

Has anyone had a handmade kitchen done in the last few years who could give me a rough idea on price and what company you used? Would it be reasonable to email my Magnet plan to a couple of companies and ask for ball park figures without having to g through a whole plan with them? I basically need to know if they look at my plan and think circa £30k (too much) or £18 - 20kish more doable.

If anyone has any NE recommendations it would be appreciated!

I’ve had two in the past 3 years. Both were fairly large (L-shaped cabinetry, 2m+ islands) Caple butler sinks, wine fridge plus 2 x ovens and warming drawer, large fridge freezer. First was 43k, second was 55k. Neither included flooring, second included decorating. We lived overseas so didn’t lift a finger first time. I project managed the second time but mostly because the company were useless at details.

Most companies will tell you upfront that their kitchens start at 20k or 25k or whatever, so it will be easier to see if it will match up with your budget. Good luck! Love a kitchen reno.

Thanks @SherlocksDeerstalker I've seen a few where they say kitchens start at x, which is helpful but typically the companies I have been looking at don't seem to have any pricing info at all. Bit silly as obviously it can vary so much and I don't really want to spend too long going through plans with someone if they are way over budget.

We got our kitchen from Handmade Kitchens of Christchurch. Our quote from them was less than our one from Magnet. All their cabinet prices are listed on the web so you could work out how much it would cost from your existing plans. The kitchen comes unpainted, so just add about £2.5k to the cost for painting. We are happy with it, if it's a traditional kitchen that you were hoping for.

@dogzndiamonds just recieved an initial quote from HMKC (I just sent them our Magnet design and they worked off that) and actually it's very reasonable, basically the same as Magnet. What do you think of the quality? Is there anything you would do differently?

I'm more nervous as we can't get to show rooms to have a good nosey, although I will say DH is pretty happy with this. It's his worst nightmare traipsing around showrooms...or any type of shop!

@Uptoongirl
We have a handmade kitchen by copperleafdesign.org (darlington) - don't be put off by the cover picture on their website.
Ours is an awkward shape with very high units in one part and hiding all sorts of stuff - pipework, boiler, fireplace, pumps. Bespoke was the best way to go by miles.
Ours is solid oak, silestone worktop, brushed SS handles, porcelain floor, German appliances and cost £30k all in bar the dishwasher which we already had. It's beautiful and I seriously love it. We wanted to change something afterwards and they came back to do it no problems. Great service, beautiful product - The owner has a great eye for detail too.
I've worked with them again on a clients kitchen and that was gorgeous too although completely different (white glossy contemporary)

Also like www.treske.co.uk who are making a different clients kitchen

Ours is a big kitchen breakfast room with units in both - that's where the £30k all in figure comes from.
Size of kitchen would make difference to price of course.

Thanks @wonkylegs, I'll have a look at them!

Our first kitchen was a DIY store one with solid oak doors. Rather than use the mdf fillers we got a joiner to make filler pieces in oak. Estate agents thought it was handmade because of the finish. If you’re going for a wood kitchen this may be a better option than handmade.

I am really happy with the quality, in fact we have a friend who is a cabinet maker and he says that the quality of our kitchen cabinets is up there with Smallbone/Devol/Smallbone etc. I would say that there is quite a lot of self-input into the process, I was quite hands on with the design and coming up with my own solutions to problems. The only thing that I would probably change is that I'd get someone to paint it for me next time!! All the insides need two coats of oil and then it took two coats of primer and two coats of paint. A killer! They have a good Instagram account and people use their hashtag a lot so you get can a good idea of how they look.

We’ve had quotes between £30-75k for ours. That’s just cabinetry, no appliances, worktops or flooring. Consider local cabinetmakers, rather than brands

I’m sure Magnet kitchens are fine but they can’t really be compared to a bespoke kitchen like Handmade kitchens of Christchurch so if the cost is the same it’s no contest.
HKOC may even be cheaper as you may need fewer units as there is no extra cost for units up to 1m wide and they should be able to accommodate your taller units.