Handmade Kitchens of Christchurch

[iwantabreakfastpantry]

Does anyone have experience of this company. I had decided on DIY kitchens but now having a wobble, as some on the Facebook page received their order with several pieces damaged.
TIA

Following as I’m in exactly the same boat. Had decided on DIY but seen so many of the posts about the quality of the items and the hassle so having a wobble. Also I’ve seen some of the posts complaining about the quality of delivered items have been removed because they break the ‘post a complete kitchen’ rule which gives me further wobbles. I like that HKOC are so customisable. I emailed my plan to them for a quote but not had anything back. I read that they’re very fixed. So once they’re made and delivered they can’t be adjusted at all. Not sure if that’s true.

I have a HMKOC kitchen and had a DIY Kitchens kitchen last. They are very different propositions so they can't really be compared. If I could afford HMKOC I would definitely go with them because of the difference in quality.

I've not heard of the Christchurch company but I've mentioned in a few of my posts about the fab job that tkckitchens did. The quality's is amazing and they were so helpful. They are a bit like DIY in that they're an online company but I ordered samples had video calls (lots of calls lols because I kept changing my mind) but I love my new fitted kitchen , its been over a 18 months now and I can't recommend them enough! When I bought mine they had an offer where if you sent them your quote from whichever large company they would beat it. I saved about £1700 it was the exact same kitchen I'd seen in wren and had a design plan made Xxx

Long long long lead times for HMKC. I wouldn't let a bad review put me of diy kitchens as there's so many good ones. Didn't he say that there were fixing things anyway, if it was the post I saw too. He'll probably post a happy finished review next month.

My HMKC kitchen looks amazing. Totally bespoke so it looks incredibly expensive as it fits every alcove. Looks more expensive than one 4 x the cost. Height, width, depth are all bespoke sizing within reason and units can be shaped around pillars etc. However i would never have considered DIY anyway as I wanted a breakfast cupboard 1.6m wide with bifold doors and I wanted a bespoke larder and pot ends on island. Visible butt hinges were a deal breaker for me too and oak drawers with dove tail joints. The hand painted finish is so durable and easy wipeable and colour could be changed in future. It can be quite cheap if in the sale especially if you can plan to use wider units ie it is same price for a set of drawers/unit anywhere between 600 wide to 1000mm wide.

HMKC help you with the process and design unlike DIY but there is still a lot of work as you have so much choice. I literally designed my cupboard depths around the things I had to go in them such as glass fronted display wall unit or larder or appliances in breakfast cupboard. By having so much choice it took a lot of time, really worth the effort though as I wouldnt change anything.

The thing i was most impressed about was their after sales - they seem to ensure everyone is 100% satisfied and resolve any queries quickly which seems very different to DIY where if you have issues it drags on for months. People are waiting months for paint specialist to come and look when it is obvious some batches have poor painting with no agreed date to visit to even assess. HMKC resolved things even where it was possibly not their fault.

Just seen your user name. My breakfast pantry is 1.6m wide, 1.5m and sits directly on the quartz. Looks something like this photo but doesnt have the vertical dividers on the shelves. It works so well for tea coffee making, snacks, breakfast, microwave, food mixer, bread maker, sandwich toaster etc for the kids and then shut the doors!

New handmade kitchen needs painting and fitting - anyone know reasonable kitchen unit painters and fitters in Essex? Handmade Kitchens of Christchurch kitchen. and utility - 25 units in all..... getting ridiculous quotes - most want to spray the units in their workshops , not hand paint them on site (hand-painting which is recommended route as apparently better finish and can be touched up by light sanding).... Appreciate any and all suggestions . Don't fancy taking a risk by using CheckATrader etc. Nel

Heyy, did you find a good recommended kitchen fitter to install your HMKC kitchen in the end? We are looking for one currently and struggling as well!

Just curious, you're username is literally HMKC... are you the company itself making this post?

No - I still can't find someone to paint the kitchen and fit it in Essex, at a reasonable cost. The kitchen painters I did find wanted to take shortcuts (spray paint for the first 2 coats, which means you lose the graining of the tulipwood frame) and/ or use alternative brands of paint which I've not heard off and feel and look plasticky (but are possibly more wipeable and durable- who knows).

Please could anyone out there suggest avenues I can try to try to find a painter/fitter in Essex (or generally)?

If you mean am I HMKC then no I just changed my name for the post!! Am in Essex, painted it myself. Happy to show you/give you tips on doing so. I used Tikkurila paint which is matt, totally wipeable and lovely to paint with. Mixed to my colour for primer and helmi top coat

Hi there hmkckitchen- I started this thread as I wanted to find a painter and also in fitter in Essex. I would love to know more about how you pained it. Is it possible to end me details (I am new to Mumsnet so don't know if there is a way of doing private messaging). Also would love to know of fitter you used and where you got your worktop!

Me again -You mentioned a "helmi top coat" - was helmi a typo? what does it mean? Thanks.

Helmi is the type of tikkurila paint - matt eggshell type

headspace - think i sent you a pm when you asked before offering to share our tips. can you not see pms?

JDC52 - you sound like a disgruntled competitor!

It is perfectly possible as a home owner to paint the outsides and oil the insides and very rewarding and enjoyable. Three coats of oil inside and a light sand does not take that long. Painting is slower but incredibly satisfying. The sense of accomplishment to have a kitchen you have painted and get continual compliments on is fantastic. Plus to know that one day you could change the colour. Beautiful matt, easy clean finish and knowing that if someone did damage it could be repaired instantly. Also handles could be changed repositioned as easily filled and touched up. No idea how a painter could justify 6k for 2 weeks work.

It is not as simple as saying they are oak veneered - they have a number of components including oak, tulip wood and water resistant mdf. I can guarantee you there is no moisture ingress and doors open beautifully. Their after sales is amazing hence the 6 month wait for delivery as return customers are all word of mouth. they put things right years later as it seems instead of advertising they ensure customers are always happy. I couldnt have been a pickier customer so was astounded by the after sales as i thought they would have been totally fed up of me! Hence posting here as it is so rare I have experienced a company with good after sales.

£5000-£6000 to paint the kitchen cupboards. LMFAO pull the other one! 🤣

I did mine for £36 last year and that was with three coats of the naice paint. 🤔 Even COL couldn't make it cost that much! Also pro-tip, if you're sticking your head in the cupboard and breathing in toxic fumes while working, you're doing it wrong. Also if you're on your "hands and knees" how are you holding the brush?

Also sounds like you need help with understanding how to ventilate a house if you've such a bad damp problem that your kitchen cupboards swelled and warped so soon between buying and painting them. Try opening some windows.

I dont understand JDC52 how can you have all this knowledge on HMKC kitchens? How do you know about their moisture ingress and that their doors swell and warp? How do you know much they cost to paint?

Yes of course it is easier to buy a finished kitchen however that is not what you posted. You listed the problems with HMKC that you know about. You only ever post about white kitchens, nothing else. No idea why you are going to their open day if you already have their kitchen.

Thank you MNHQ