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Original poster

Has anyone got a fitter to do a DIY kitchen design and fit?

14 replies

Sundaycoffee · 10/10/2023 20:06

I've heard good things about DIY kitchens but I'm definitely not confident enough to whip up a design online.
A lot of fitters I've had round to quote try and steer me towards Howdens/ Magnet etc and claim to have either not heard of DIY or don't seem particularly keen on designing them online and fitting them.
I suppose having a company to design, plan and supply is much more appealing to fitters.
If I want a DIY kitchen do I really need to be doing the design myself?? Has anyone managed to find a fitter to measure and create a design online for ordering?

OP posts:

BomeleeBay · 11/10/2023 10:41

@Sundaycoffee I am assuming you are not near their showroom in Yorkshire?

As far as I can tell DIY kitchens do help with planning out the kitchen. There is the online planner but they are contactable for advice too. I follow a couple on Youtube who are renovating a property and DIY ktichens helped them design it around a massive chimney breast. They are also recommended by property renovators as they come ready assembled and are cheaper and of better quality than the ones you have mentioned.

Depending on the size of your kitchen designing a new one isn't that difficult. If you upload a drawing with your measurements and doors/windows etc lots of people on here would suggest kitchen plans for you.

What do you like about your current kitchen, what do you dislike? Drawers are better than cupboards but mine are "larder" pull outs so it looks like a cupboard but the door is attached to the bottom drawer rather than hinged. Easy to access stuff that would normally be at the back.

somersetsoulgirl · 11/10/2023 11:29

I am in the process of drawing up kitchen plans myself with DIY kitchens and their planning tool is very easy to use. If you have the measurements of your kitchen it is actually quite fun to plan and should you have any questions there is help and advice available. In addition, once you have settled on your plan and are happy to proceed, it is checked over by the company to ensure that you have covered all the gaps such as plinths, handles, infill etc. I think it is a very good value if you have the time to put into the plan. Feel free to ask me any questions.

JollyMollyPolly · 11/10/2023 12:18

Join the DIY kitchens group on facebook, there are a few designers on there who can help. I really enjoyed designing my own and it was finally delivered yesterday.

AudiobookListener · 11/10/2023 12:40

I and several friends used companies who do the plan and supply the kitchen for a fitter. And in every case the initial plan was wrong in some way: incorrect measurements, didn't include something asked for or just wouldn't have worked in some way. You need to check the plan for yourself. So if you fancy a DIY kitchen (which are good, my friend has one) you might as well go for it.

wonkylegs · 11/10/2023 12:45

As an architect I have clients who have paid me to plan their kitchens & utility rooms using DIY kitchens who weren't confident to do it themselves - they have turned out very nice but to be honest on most kitchens most people could do it themselves it's a fairly simple online tool.
Fitters we have used for projects have been very happy to fit DIY kitchens (I've had clients use them 5 times in past 3 yrs - all different fitters) only slightly negative comment was about fitting a corner cupboard that didn't come built which was a bit fiddly but it wasn't really a problem

wonkylegs · 11/10/2023 12:46

It's always been part of a project so I've never done this as a stand-alone service.

Ramona75 · 11/10/2023 13:08

We shopped around with Howdens and Wren and they do offer planning, which I sent to DIY Kitchens and they were able to offer an itemised shopping cart, which did save us ~£1000. Personally give their planner ago, it's amazing, once you get the hang of it.

There is also a group on FB that has private kitchen designers, "DIY Kitchens - Design and Planning Forum and Finished Kitchen Reviews - UK" (not the most catchy of titles :-) ). The members of the group seem to have loads of knowledge, which can help, if you get stuck.

Sanch1 · 11/10/2023 15:24

I went to a local kitchen company and got a free design. I then used that to input everything I needed on the DIY website. When you submit the design on DIY they then check it and add things to your basket such as fixings, end panels etc that you may not have thought of. They are also readily available on the phone with any queries.

DRS1970 · 11/10/2023 15:29

We used Howdens. The design stage was really good, and they genuinely took our needs into account, and even thought of a few things we hadn't considered. The price was broadly comparable to Magnet and Wren for us. They liaised with our chosen installer right through the job. We had a few items with damage, but these were all replaced next day no quibble. The only thing I would say is to avoid their own brand Lamona appliances, they are not long lasting in our experience. Hope that helps.

Morechocmorechoc · 11/10/2023 15:31

We bought ours with a massive sale at homebase to get it properly done, then used a carpenter and myself to fit. Sooooo much cheaper than using their fitters, and really quick and easy to install.

Calmdown14 · 11/10/2023 17:21

In all honesty you end up getting very involved in the design process anyway if you want it to be right for you.

Wren did a design for me which looked nice but included four (totally useless) 20cm cupboards. It was more about how it looked than how it would be used

Same with which way cupboards open is the difference between really useable and wedged in an awkward corner.

If you have no idea where to start, go to a showroom and get them to do you a plan. But unless your space is really complicated it's quite simple and you can see it in 3d etc. Have a play even if you start on paper.

Start with what has to go in certain places - sink, dishwasher, cooker, extractor etc.then where you want tall cupboards, then drawers and see what else fits where. You can swap things in and out to see.

Elefant1 · 12/10/2023 09:47

I have just bought from DIY kitchens and had it fitted. I did do my own plan but when I submitted it to DIY kitchens they very quickly suggested some changes and did a new design based on this which was a lot better than mine! I was really pleased with the quality of the kitchen (similar price to a B&Q kitchen I looked at but much better quality) and the local guy who fitted it said he had done a few and was impressed with them.
The 2 men who delivered it were lovely, it was the end of a long day for them and there was a bit of a mess up with vehicle sizes that meant they have to transfer the kitchen to a smaller van before they could get it to my house and they were cheerful despite this. And very importantly you get a packet of Yorkshire tea and flapjacks delivered with your kitchen 😁

Elefant1 · 12/10/2023 09:51

This is a bit long but quite an interesting comparison of kitchen brands.

skippy67 · 12/10/2023 11:04

I designed my own diyk kitchen. Was a bit stressful at first trying to understand the planner, but actually quite fun in the end. They do help you with the process, but you have to have uploaded a design into their online planner first. They made lots of useful suggestions around safety, symmetry and practicality. I'm really pleased with the end result. My fitter double checked all my measurements, and rang diyk himself to clarify a few things he was unsure of. He was very impressed with the service and quality of the units.

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