Have you had your kitchen done recently?

[NeurologicallySpeaking]

Just that really. Have had a kitchen done before with Howdens and an independent fitter. We don't know any fitters recommended in our local area so thought we'd go to Magnet for all. The price they have quoted in their 'sale' is insane. Average handleless units, laminate worktop and sourcing our own appliances. £6k to fit the kitchen. Units £10k after 50% off- kitchen is medium sized, no island or anything like that

We are South East London and don't know any independent showrooms/fitters. Got a quote from the one recommendation we got but their communication was dire.

Buy pre built units and easy fit doors, then just get someone to fit the worktops/sink/hob, shop around for hob and sink, we got our black glass ones online for a third of the price wren wanted.
We paid £4k for 10 units ( one was full height for built in oven/microwave, one was 1 metre wide drawer unit) worktop with edging to match the units, oven/microwave and 20 handles.
We found a guy locally who spent all day here doing the worktops and he made us a door from an extra side panel we’d bought for the purpose and charged us £300.
Our sink and hob were less than £500.

We had quotes from both Magnet and Howden and haggled a bit. Magnet ended up price matching the kitchen if we used their fitter. So ended up getting a better quality kitchen for less.

@GenderApostate19

Buy pre built units and easy fit doors, then just get someone to fit the worktops/sink/hob, shop around for hob and sink, we got our black glass ones online for a third of the price wren wanted. We paid £4k for 10 units ( one was full height for built in oven/microwave, one was 1 metre wide drawer unit) worktop with edging to match the units, oven/microwave and 20 handles. We found a guy locally who spent all day here doing the worktops and he made us a door from an extra side panel we’d bought for the purpose and charged us £300. Our sink and hob were less than £500.

This sounds just like we have gone for so it is beyond me how they priced it up at £20k worth of units. They have given a line by line quote so will go through it this evening to see what we can trim. Am going to speak to Wren as well- have heard such conflicting reports on their quality though

I'd suggest hitting insta for some inspiration - plus people very often tag the brand used too. A personal favourite of mine is diykitchens - cheaper than howdens and better quality.

I'd also consider checking out #ikeakitchen as theirs are good quality, and really affordable. Some fitters moan about installing them but just get an ikea recommended one to do it.

P.S I've heard absolutely terrible things about wren

My wren units are fantastic quality, ready built carcasses, easy fit soft close doors and the wall units were fully adjustable, DH put them up in no time. It’s been in for almost 3 years now and looks like new, unlike the howdens kitchen in DD’s rented house, which is the same age.
I went for acrylic high gloss with a driftwood worktop but I’m not sure I would do it again, it’s quite high maintainance, cleaning wise.
I didn’t go the DiY kitchens route as we were dramatically changing the layout so wanted it properly measured and designed.

We are in SE London and had our kitchen done last summer. DIY Kitchens kitchen and found someone locally to fit. Worktop from GMQ Stone - would highly recommend them. Super fast and v professional.

Magnet (and any other company) are always expensive. They quoted me £8000 just for units, laminate worktops and fitting. I have managed my whole kitchen, including new window, plastering, electrics, tiled floor (over 25sq/m), quartz worktops and new appliances for £10k. I sourced each independently which saved a fortune. Kitchen from DIY and then independent fitter, independent worktop company etc.

Just had a quote of £4.5k for fitting including flooring, decorating, installing lighting, sorting electrics etc.

My budget for the whole think is about £11k so i just have to find the kitchen I want and the tiles etc for that.

If you have a list of the cabinets in your quote have a look at Handmade Kitchens of Christchurch and compare the prices daveyandalger.co.uk/ Our total cost for kitchen units including 4 pan drawer units, a larder and a pantry has come to £8,500 but on top of that we have to pay for fitting and painting.

Their units are all bespoke and there is no extra cost regardless of the size. All of our units are 1m wide.

@Redskyyy

We are in SE London and had our kitchen done last summer. DIY Kitchens kitchen and found someone locally to fit. Worktop from GMQ Stone - would highly recommend them. Super fast and v professional.

@Redskyyy, would you mind sharing the details of the fitter you used please? We're also in SE London, and looking to go with diykitchens.

I too paid £4k for 10 units, which include two full length units and a 1m wide drawer unit (shaker). I don't understand why people don't just go to DIY Kitchens where can you can a kitchen of superior or equal quality for a fraction of the price Howdens/Magnet/Wren charge. Even if you don't end up going with DIY, use their planner to get a quote for the number of units that you need, and then request a price match with your chosen kitchen supplier. They always price match!

I am in process of having kitchen put into btl. I bought good quality second hand kitchen off eBay for £750 and included Neff double oven, Diplomat integrated fridge freezer, 5 ring gas hob, integrated dishwasher. 10 floor cupboards, 8 wall cupboards including pan drawers and smaller drawers, round the corner units with SS wire baskets. No sink or cooker hood. I bought those, SS splashback and worktops and metal end caps new. I Paid fitter £750 for fitting and he had to adjust plumbing too. He used Lazar beams to make sure it is level. He is charging me additional £200 for tiling the walls and another £200 for tiling the floor. I am supplying the tile adhesive, tiles and grout. House is empty so he can work safely. He started it on Friday and had Sunday and this afternoon off and thinks he will finish kitchen units and all worktops tomorrow. Then move on to tiling on Thursday. I am so pleased with work he has done I am looking out for another good quality second hand kitchen to go into another property. He has worked for me before. I am in West Midlands.

Just thought we did take out old kitchen and skip ourselves. Took about 3 1/2 hours and me and DH.

I always source the things I want in houses. I got 6 lights at Screwfix then got electrician to fit them when he was already coming out to install me an electric cooker box and add some new wall plug sockets to each of the bedrooms and kitchen. Only one call out charge to pay then. I save us a lot by shopping around and I sometimes buy good quality second hand. My rule of thumb is if I would live there it is OK to let. Sometimes trades people put cards in shops like the Plumb Centre, B&Q, Screw fix advertising. I always ask if they have a website showing work they have done.