Kitchens

[Toooldtoworry]

Hi, we are in the process of planning our downstairs remodel. We've had building control go ahead.

In the process of choosing builders and kitchen suppliers. Previously we've had Howdens but they've got very expensive. We've been told magnet or wickes or ventura (live in Southampton area).

Does anyone have any experience with any of these and care to share their experience, or does anyone have any suggestions themselves?

Buying from Howdens now. Thought there prices were good. Noticed in there recent add that they Howdens will match any like for like quote.

We used Wickes some 7 years ago. It's been a great kitchen but obviously because it comes flat packed your kitchen fitter will charge you more as it takes longer to build.

Howdens kitchens come with the carcass already built.

DIY Kitchens. You'll save THOUSANDS.
Avoid Wren. Magnet.
Wickes is better than B&Q.
Spend on a decent worktop.

And there is always re-home.co.uk an acquaintance of mine has just had one from there installed and is delighted.

They're all very dependent on the designer in your local store. We had a Wickes one first time round because the Howdens and Magnet designers didn't listen to what we wanted so hard to compare prices. Very happy with the kitchen, although the doors didn't feel as good quality as our next (Howdens) kitchen. Wickes is flat pack so your fitter will charge more for making them. You could also look at Benchmarx which is the same kitchens as Wickes(!) just with different names - the pics in the catalogue are the same! They supply them ready assembled.

Next kitchen (after a house move, we don't just rip out kitchens after a few years!) was Howdens. Designer wasn't up to much again (different area) but we had a clear idea what we wanted and it was a simpler space to fit. Got a very reasonably priced kitchen but it will depend on how much discount your builder passes on. Doors etc higher quality than the Wickes one, laminate worktop not as good as Wickes.

Howdens has ranges in three prices brackets so it's worth checking which one you're in and seeing if there is a cheaper option.

Double check what is driving the cost up. Runs of simple units are cheaper. Drawers more expensive. Drawers with 'storage solutions' more expensive again.

You can go round all of them and ask them to beat the price for the kitchen design!

Ikea. Everytime.

Really? I don't know anyone whose had an IKEA Kitchen.

We've been to Magnet and got the design (works very well for us) and know how much. We were going with pre-built carcases but the builder we had round last night said not to because they spend a lot of time undoing them and manipulating.

Yep. We put ours in last year, had 1 st purvold house too. My brothers is about 15 years old, it's still good. Honestly, I love them.

Thanks @Seaside3 I'll take a look

Our builder refused to fit IKEA kitchens - they did work on next door too but refused to do the kitchen for them when they insisted on an IKEA one!

@RidingMyBike why? That's really odd. My oh is a joiner, so didn't have to find a fitter.

A lot of fitters don't like them as they have no service void at the back.

Ah. That won't work then.

@OhhhhhhhhBiscuits what provider did you use for yours?

I used DIY Kitchens. Can't fault them so far. Been in 16 months.

Had Wickes in previous house, was good quality. Designer was brilliant but that is very store dependent.
Avoid Wren, they are known for terrible service.
Ikea are decent quality but have no service void - potentially not a problem if all pipes are being run on ground level but if services are already there this can be a pain.
Howdens have good write up.
We had DIY kitchens in our current house, kitchen was fitted nearly 3 years ago and is great, very good quality . I also like the way their carcasses are the same colour as the doors.
However - We're currently using DIY again to fit out a utility room and their prices have massively increased in the past 3 years! But still cheaper than wickes and Howdens.
It's definitely worth getting a quote from a local independent company, they're not always as pricey as you think.

https://www.rehome.co.uk/

DIY kitchens. Independent based Pontefract. Great quality and you will save thousands on equivalent. A bit more effort as you have to either pay a designer or use their on line planner but well worth it.

I intended to get a DIY kitchen but had Howdens round to quote and really liked their design. It was something I hadn’t been able to visualise myself, I couldn’t see how to make the space work.

Howdens did price match to DIY prices but I needed it to be all taken care of measurement wise. I didn’t want to accidentally miss something or for something to not fit.

I'm currently having some issues with Howdens after-sales care.
I will report back if they don't sort this out by Monday.

DIY Kitchens

Currently having ours installed and the quality is excellent.
All units come built so your fitter costs will be reduced, as they won’t need to do this.
Our builder, who was very sceptical when we placed our order and suggested Howden’s, has been very impressed.

We've taken our plan to an independent to see what they come back with.

Thank you.

They fit differently to other makes of kitchen in the U.K. where I think plumbing and cabling etc goes behind, there's no space for that in an IKEA one.

Ours was a big builder who employed quite a large team but he'd plainly had bad experiences with IKEA kitchens!

Makes you wonder how others fit ikea kitchens, it's not like no one has one? We definitely haven't has an issue with it, I feel the need to ask oh how he got around it!

We had a joiner fit the wooden worktops for us (we built the units ourselves) and he said in conversation that he refused to fit Ikea kitchens too. But I thought he was a bit of a lazy corner cutter type of worker. I don’t think I’d use him again. We have one unit in a separate area of the kitchen that is ikea and it’s fabulous. Again, my husband and dad put it up.

There must be plenty of fitters that do fit Ikea kitchens. I think they’re just a bit harder to do and some builders/fitters can’t be bothered.

DIY Kitchens recommendation from me!