New kitchen - how to start?

[howtokitchen]

I have found a local fitter who is very highly recommended and has a waiting list, so I have a few months to get sorted. I'm just not really sure about how to go about it.

He has suggested getting the kitchen units from either Magnet or Howdens.

The kitchen is pretty big because it's a kitchen diner, so sort of like 2 rooms. Due to half of it (the kitchen half) being a bit small on its own, but big when with the diner part, I am thinking of getting one wall's worth of units put into the diner area.

The kitchen coming out is 30 years old so not much to salvage from it. I will keep my washing machine though as that's much newer.

How do I go about it? If I go to one of those shops, do they help you choose etc? I haven't had a new kitchen before so I am clueless.

Thanks for any pointers.

Magnet were very good when we were planning our kitchen. I spent 3 hours there with a designer, exploring various different options. Book an appointment with them, but make sure before you go that you have at least a very basic plan showing dimensions. Also worth having a look round their showroom before your appointment, to see the different styles/colours/accessories etc.

Yes 1st call is to go into one of those shops and they can help design your kitchen. You would usually do this first before you meet the fitter. That way you’d have a full design to discuss and he knows what the job entails. Eg moving any services (or is it all staying in the same place?)

Things to consider

who is doing your flooring? Does it need updating?

Is there any replastering required? Who is doing this?

Is the fitter ripping out or are you?

who is disposing of the old units?

Is the price of a skip/waste removal included?

Can the fitter tile?

I would suggest going to a kitchen store (add wickes to your list) and meet with him again to discuss the questions above.

I would think about alternatives to kitchen units at the far end of the diningroom. What about a sideboard or dresser for there?

I'd start with what bits annoy you about the current kitchen, and what you dream would be different / good / improved / wish was there.

We went to 4 different kitchen designers, Magnet, Howden and 2 independent ones. They all came back with pretty much the same plan with some minor differences. We clicked with the Howden designer the best and it was also the best quote. (Magnets was ridiculously high!).

We tweaked the plans a bit and also, when the fitter was actually putting it in, he suggested some tweaks - including getting a built in cupboard rather than having units put in. Howdens were really good about taking the units back.

could you use any of the 'other room' to box in a utility or a pantry?

5 years on it still looks great.

We used an independent company to get the worktop.

Thanks very much all, lots to think about

Another thing to check before you start is whether your consumer board will need to be upgraded for any new appliances. We had to have that done and a new ring main but only found out when the fitter came to do preliminary checks! Also make sure if you do have to have any upgrades that the quote for the work includes it being certificated.