When to order kitchen

[Stripedbag101]

I have just started a kitchen extension - build will take a couple of months. I had assumed I would wait until the build is complete to order my kitchen. I want to understand the new space.

but people keep on acting horrified that I’m not rushing to order the kitchen now!

am I wrong?

It depends what kitchen you want. If you are going to stroll into b and q and hope that they have what you want on the shelves then wait until you are ready to fit it. If you plan to order it from anywhere there is often a 12 week wait.

Oh shit! Twelve weeks!!

I thought I could wait until the extension is build and sketch it out.

i know I have plans but I’m not great at visualising things - and it will be easier to see once it is built.

We gave the plans to the kitchen companies and they worked off those. We also needed to know where hob, ovens, white goods and sink were goin* for first and second fix. They need to put pipes and wires in right place or near enough.

we were having hob on island and sink at opposite side of extension. Also where ceiling lighting was going, and underfloor heating manifold.

basically your builder will be asking fairly soon where your sink is going.

and yes easily 8 to 12 week lead in for kitchens.

we had a good independent kitchen fitter who changed cabinets round a bit when fitting just to make it work better.

We’re in a similar position to you - about three weeks into an extension. Very twitchy about ordering before plastering but probably got to just grit my teeth and have had architect check I’ve correctly interpreted the drawings.

DIY Kitchens seem to have a lead in time of about 3 weeks (currently 10% offf cabinets if you order before end Aug and accept delivery before end Oct). Howdens should also be able to turn things round in that sort of time frame (and apparently usually have a sale in Sep/Oct). Magnet said it would be seven weeks for one of their (truly extortionate, MDF) kitchens but that might have been linked to the colour.

This is the lead in time at the moment and we’re looking at standard colours. If you wanted bespoke, it would take longer. I imagine more upmarket providers would also need a longer lead-in time.

For visualising, if you get a few appointments with firms that supply kitchens - and don’t discount local independents, they’re not necessarily more expensive than chains - they will use CAD software and that’s hugely helpful for visualising the space. Many will do this for free in the hope of getting your business.

You can also enter the measurements into the DIY Kitchen planner - it’s a bit glitchy on an iPad so better on an actual laptop or maybe try a different device (not a phone)- and then play around with it putting in units and visualising in 3D. You can even click on the doors and watch them open and close! (I think I’ve spent too long planning mine….)

We’re going with a local company (starts tomorrow) and they said 8 weeks. I also couldn’t get a few of the white goods I wanted so had to find alternatives to Neff hide and slide ovens. Somewhere like Howdens will order and store for you until you’re ready.

We’ve been planning and making changes since February but part of that is due to our work schedules and wanting comparative quotes.

Did you not have a basic kitchen layout in mind before designing the extension? It could make a difference to where connections, doors and windows go. I would get sketching if I were you!

We are going through this ourselves. In my very limited knowledge, its a balance of getting to the point where the actual room size with insulation, plaster board and plaster is accounted for, so more accurate measurements can be made. I know there is normally leeway to a degree though.

We ended up going with an independent kitchen supplier. He can source doors, carcasses and handles from multiple places. For our kitchen, he originally said 4 weeks lead time, but when we ordered, he said 8 weeks.

We then had the order split. Carcasses will be here in 4 weeks and the doors about 8 weeks.

Lead times do change, esp with summer so check.