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Property/DIY

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Original poster

DIY kitchens?

18 replies

maneandfeathers · 15/07/2021 06:47

Has anyone used this company who could tell me if they are worth trying?
If you went for it did you measure yourselves or pay someone to do it for you?

I know what we want, units only no worktops or sinks etc as I’ll be sourcing these independently. We also will be using an independent fitter.

It’s between this and wren or B&Q but DIY are not flat pack so seems like it would be easier to install!

My only worry is getting all of the bits delivered on time and also dealing with a company that’s so far away if there’s any issues?

OP posts:

cancancan · 15/07/2021 07:06

We are thinking of using them too.

Their quote has come in so much cheaper then wren... works too are half the price!!

I need to order samples but haven't got round to it.

There are quite a few threads praising diy kitchens so would have no concerns ordering from them myself .... other then being worried that what we order would be completely wrong!

SparkleMonster · 15/07/2021 07:11

We've just taken delivery of our units from them, and they seem great so far, although they won't be installed for a week or so yet. Builders are impressed they've come fully built including that the doors are attached. Time will tell, but good so far for us!

Friends have also had one of their kitchens for about 6months and have had no complaints.

SparkleMonster · 15/07/2021 07:13

It's worth using their beta planning tool too, although it's a little buggy still it really helped me.

Chasingsquirrels · 15/07/2021 07:19

I got mine autumn 2019.
Measured myself (lots of times, I spent a lot of time on the planning & design).
Visited the showroom when up that way on holiday.
No problems at all with the supply, no quality issues, I needed to order a bit more cornice (I underestimated the amount needed for corner joints, I was only about 0.75m off, very annoying) and also a thin wall cupboard which I'd originally decided not to go for. Called about the delivery charge and they said order them email us and we will discount it to standard courier charge rather than standard delivery charge (which they did).
Fitter, who usually did Howdens, was VERY skeptical at first but by the end of the fit was VERY impressed, said the build quality was better than Howdens.

I'm really pleased with it.

I ordered worktop separately from Worktops Direct.
Got sinks and taps individually from ebay.
Reused existing integrated fridge.

Ravenspeckingontheroof · 15/07/2021 07:30

We used them. Measured ourselves. Kitchen fitter was very impressed with the quality. We bought everything from them except the wall tiles, sink and appliances. It looks great and 1/3 of the price of magnet. I emailed the regularly about bits I wasn’t sure about in the planning, and got speedy helpful replies. Would definitely recommend.

Original poster

maneandfeathers · 15/07/2021 07:33

That’s great thanks everyone!!

We need to chat with the fitter before we order as we do want to make some of the cabinets deeper than normal to fit around annoying alcoves and things like that but sounds like the company would be easy enough to deal with.

The quotes are coming in around £1000 cheaper than wren for the same units!

OP posts:

Goatsdorhone · 15/07/2021 07:34

If you use Instagram it might be worth checking out se9 edwardian terrace (with underscores rather than spaces). They recently put a DIY kitchen in and have saved so much helpful info about the design ordering and installation process to their highlights.

BeautifulandWilfulandDead · 15/07/2021 07:45

We used them to supply our new kitchen 6 months ago. The quality is brilliant and the planning tool was really helpful. Their customer service was excellent. I would really recommend. Do go to the showroom if you are able, it really helps to understand the range that is available.

TobyHouseMan · 15/07/2021 16:41

We used them back in 2018 and they were fab. Quality is really very good and with the styles available you're likely to find something you love.

I liked their business model. Actual prices are displayed on their website, no stupid 60% off offers and such crap. Service was excellent and they delivered the day they said they would without issue.

I don't know if they still do it, but they used to do 10% off sales every once in a while. We actually ordered when they didn;t have the sale on and with a bit of pressure we managed to get the 10% discount - worth a try but they may have stopped this now.

And it was the cheapest option.

Original poster

maneandfeathers · 15/07/2021 21:57

Everything sounds really positive!

I’ve contacted 3 fitters and all 3 have advised me against online kitchen companies and want me to use their own accounts with Howdens…I’m sure they are going to be nowhere near the same price point!

OP posts:

SparkleMonster · 15/07/2021 22:14

@maneandfeathers

Everything sounds really positive!

Our kitchen from DIY kitchens was c£4k less than the same from Howdens.....

TobyHouseMan · 15/07/2021 22:51

@maneandfeathers

Everything sounds really positive!

Howdens only sell to the trade and they will never discuss pricing with you. The builder will earn a mark-up on each Kitchen they sell which can be a significant amount as the more business they put Howden's way, the bigger the discount they get.

If you want to use Howdens then get a DIY Kitchens quote and tell the fitter that is what you're going to pay - if Howdens can match then so be it. Stick to your guns. They can then go back to Howdens and negotiate.

Original poster

maneandfeathers · 16/07/2021 07:42

Well the quote from DIY kitchens is coming is at around £1.5k for all of the units plus sink and tap unless I’m doing something drastically wrong
We are sourcing worktops etc elsewhere.

I doubt Howdens will be able to match that!

OP posts:

Minibea · 16/07/2021 07:52

We used DIY kitchens for our new utility room as a trial run before potentially using them for our kitchen when we do our extension. We had a very positive experience with them - the quality is very good, they are very sturdy (and heavy!) delivery was prompt and efficient and they were very helpful in organising an extra bit we’d forgotten to order. They look great and have worn well 18m down the line and we’ll definitely use them for our kitchen when the time comes.

newyorky09 · 16/07/2021 08:54

We have just had a DIY kitchen fitted and are very impressed. Our very experienced fitter had never used them and was sceptical before they arrived. He was so impressed though and is telling other customers about them now.

BlueisthenewGrey · 16/07/2021 09:46

We have put two kitchens in with DIY. The first was 2018 and we used a carpenter. He then installed a DIY kitchen in his own house.
We then moved the installed kitchen was only 6 years old from B&Q and it was knackered.

Unlike our last house, the electrics etc. we're all fine, so we installed ourselves and treated us to a quarts worktop.

Highly recommend and because they are built, the instal time is a lot less.

Go to the showroom if you can and order the samples so you can see the colour in your kitchen.

Bythemillpond · 16/07/2021 09:53

My DIY kitchen has been in for 5 years and has stood up to the abuse we give it.

I would definitely use them again

One think I looked at when I was deciding about a kitchen was the reviews. Most kitchen companies at that time had terrible reviews. DIY had brilliant ones

MerthyrMum · 01/08/2021 19:03

Hi clever people,
Has anyone successfully managed to use ‘DIY Kitchens’ units to make a banquette seat?

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