Kitchen fitting (B&Q)

inspect · 3 March 2008 at 7:56PM

A professionally fitted kitchen is expensive. There’s no way of getting around that, maybe one but I’ll get to that.

Joiners, builders, carpenters are not kitchen fitters. I consider myself a professional kitchen fitter and yes I occasionally install for B&Q. Kitchen fitters are usually multi-trade, I started as a carpenter and moved into other trades I’m now a fully approved member of the NICEIC (electrical), WRAS (plumbing) and Corgis(gas) and a few other bits and pieces. You need all of these trades and more to fit a kitchen, don’t be fooled by a carpenters quote also consider how much it will cost to connect water, gas, electrics and get the floor and walls tiled. Remember to ask for certificates on completion. Kitchen fitters also carry the full range of tools to correctly install a kitchen.

B&Q offer an installation service and they make money from it, they wouldn’t do it otherwise. But what your buying is piece of mind, whether you get it is another thing,

but if something goes wrong you can hold them to account and they will eventually put things right. If you have a complaint you can go into the store and voice your concerns, they’re not going to change their telephone number because you keep ringing either. I’ve heard far more horror stories from customers who have had a friend of friend or the local builder install their kitchen:mad: than problems with kitchens fitted by the likes of B&Q. Kitchens cost a lot of money, I’d consider them a luxury item, for the cost of a kitchen you could change the car or go on holiday. Don’t cut corners, if you want to save money get the job done right first time by a professional kitchen fitter!

The majority of kitchen fitters subcontract to the likes of B&Q, MFI, Magnets, Homebase etc. the ones you find in the Yellow pages usually work the high end kitchens and price accordingly. For the last three years I have been running a forum for kitchen fitters, I have recently set up a kitchen fitter database. It is on the web but it is in its early stages with a few bugs that need ironing out. I won’t put the address on now but when I do the public will have direct access to kitchen fitters nationally. The same fitters that install for the big sheds so you can go to them direct to avoid the large admin fees. Savings would be in the hundreds of pounds – maybe Martin might be interested? :rotfl:

ukwoody · 3 March 2008 at 9:29PM

Umm, funny how this thread has been resurrected form nowhere just to advertise a new forum.
Cheekyjonsy has posted exactly that posting on at least 1 other forum I am aware off.
As for inspect above, well. I rather fancy just to advertise his tacky site.

I cannot disagree more.
MFI will use almost any idiot they can. Want proof? Go into MFI and say you're a fitter and can they give work to you?. I have had them phone me me three times over the past two years offering me work fittiing their kitchens and asking me if I know anyone who would fit for them? qualification not nesseceray. Thats true! To be fair they do have qualified tradesmen as well.
I lost doing a kitchen for a freind as MFI offerred to "Do everything" nessecary when fitting the kitchen for no additional cost above the quoted fitting. Yeah right. The "additional electrics" that were needed were subbied out to a local electrical company, and the cost of moving the gas cooker and boiler were also subbied out. The final cost? £2800 MORE then I wanted to fit the kitchen and the cost of getting the local corgi guy and the local Sparky I use. That was more than the whole ruddy kitchen!

MOST carpenters like myself will be only too happy to show you pictures of our work and give references if required. How else do I make my living and keep my reputation. I haven't advertised for 4 years now. No need to. I fit several kitchens each year and have noever really had any query over my work

Sorry if this sounds like a rant. I hate it when someone basically slags off tradesmen with many years experience just for their own personal gain.

Ask canknucklehead on here how many times he has sen the work of MFI/B&Q?Wickes fitters and been horrifed. I'm taking a pure guess, many times.

Each to their own trade where possible.

Furthermore, yes you can become Part P and corgi registered, But it costs 1 hell of a lot of money to do as an individual, and even if you get Part P, as a non sparky you then have to get the work checked and or approved. I'm not saying it can't be done, but I'm highly suspicious of Inpsects motives and qualifcations.

woody

inspect · 3 March 2008 at 11:58PM

Ha, what an outburst from woody.:rotfl:

My friend, I have absolutely nothing to hide. I didn’t realise that the thread was over a year old until you pointed it out:D ; I came across it purely by chance via a Google search earlier this evening. But don’t you think the thread is still as relevant as ever?

I know nothing about you woody apart form the two posts from you this evening. Firstly I have no reason to assume that you are nothing but a top class tradesman and that your abilities as a carpenter are second to none. I’m deeply sorry if my posts offended you in any way; it is never my intention to offend anyone at anytime and I apologise if my posts have offended anyone else.

My reference to other trades quoting for kitchen installations was purely to highlight the fact that you would have to obtain quotes from additional trades to compare to a fully installed kitchen.

I appreciate that it makes good reading for others but is there any real need to be so derogatory towards me? Troll? Tacky website? Ulterior motives? And you doubt my qualifications? :mad: :rotfl:

You may find it hard to believe but yes I am that qualified. It took along time, a lot of money and a lot of hard work. If you don’t believe me look up inspect on the Corgi, NIECIEC and Water Board Approved websites. If you want further proof I’ll email you my pass certificates.;)

If I wanted to promote my kitchen fitter website I would have put the link on my post. As for the tacky inspect website, well, that’s just two holding pages, the website is under construction. Didn’t you read that? It’s in big letters across the front. I put the link in my profile, this is allowed isn’t it?:o

My motives? Well I am working on a website that will be beneficial for the public, fitters and if it’s a success myself. But I haven’t pushed it, just mentioned it. In fact you’ve made more of it than me.

You mentioned MFI? I didn’t. I was responding to a B&Q thread. There are hardly any good fitters working for MFI now. The good ones left a long time ago, that’s why they’re desperate to recruit, when did you say they were in touch?;)

You fit several kitchens a year? Well I fit several kitchens a month and have been doing so for fifteen years. Who would you think is more qualified on the subject? I think we are equally qualified.:beer:

Why each to your own trade? A kitchen installation requires multiple trades to complete, surely it would be more efficient for a multi trade person to install? And as a fully qualified electrician (not just part P) I have to advise you that you are not allowed to employ other electricians to test your work. When work is carried out in a kitchen it must be carried out by an approved part P person that self certifies their work.

The reason that B&Q has grade one installers is because that is the nature of the business. Supply and demand – If the customer demands it, they will supply it. That was the reason for my post, to make people aware.

I hope I have cleared the air and we can be friends. We are on the same side.:beer:

Ps

Sorry for the long post but I felt I had no choice.:o

Reina1 · 21 March 2008 at 6:23PM

I can honestly say that the kitchens and bathrooms at B&Q are much better than the competitors. The price for fitting is normally a bit more than what you would get from a builder but B&Q guarantee all work done. they have recently changed fitting companies, who are now the one of the best fitting services around. The problems with delivery are normally due to the suppliers not being able to keep up with demand and this is being looked at. I also think sometimes the right staff are not put on the showrooms dept and I would seek someone with experience working on the dept. The FREE design service is really good and very popular. B&Q are not number one in the UK and Europe for no reason. hope this helps. please feel free to ask any questions on B&Q kitchens and bathrooms.

BobProperty · 21 March 2008 at 11:00PM

Is it "spam-month" and I've not noticed? We (regular posters on here) don't go around link-whoring, (although it would no doubt improve my Google rating, but then I get on the first page anyway with some words) and reserve a certain amount of cynicism for people who have made very few posts but appear to be pushing one point of view or product. Talking of which.....

Reina1 wrote: »

I can honestly say that the kitchens and bathrooms at B&Q are much better than the competitors.

and you know that because...?

Reina1 wrote: »

The price for fitting is normally a bit more than what you would get from a builder but B&Q guarantee all work done. they have recently changed fitting companies, who are now the one of the best fitting services around.

Really. They sub it out to one firm who in turn sub it out to any passer-by who claims to have the necessary skills. And they all take their cut, hence my previous comment on here.

Reina1 wrote: »

The problems with delivery are normally due to the suppliers not being able to keep up with demand and this is being looked at.

Management speak for it still isn't right yet.

Reina1 wrote: »

I also think sometimes the right staff are not put on the showrooms dept :rotfl:and I would seek someone with experience working on the dept.

It would also help if the ordering software wasn't so overly complicated wouldn't it?

Reina1 wrote: »

The FREE design service is really good and very popular. B&Q are not number one in the UK and Europe for no reason. hope this helps. please feel free to ask any questions on B&Q kitchens and bathrooms.

Again, what is the special knowledge that you bring based on? It wouldn't be working for them, would it?

ozskin · 22 March 2008 at 12:07AM

spam spam spam, the fit prices are always well ott and the quality of the kitchens is a best fair. now i do declare an interest as i work in a kitchen specialist studio, but one has to ask why they charge so much to fit their own kitchens, gently encouraging you to do it independently so they can then abdicate responsibility and blame it on 'your' fitter.
last time we did direct price comparisons they were not far of mfpies prices within 10%, and this is comparing a flat pack adequate product with a custom bespoke made rigid glue and dowelled kitchen of infinitely superior quality. can i suggest you go and see local kitchen specialist studios and you might be pleasantly surprised with the pricings, as well as most generally offer a full supply and fit service.

ukwoody · 22 March 2008 at 10:13AM

Oz, you make a good point. We have an independent kitchen studio near to us. They import really really nice kitchens from Germany. I was chatting to the owner a few months back at a seminar, and was surprised at just how well his prices compared to top end MFI ones - with far better quality. His fitting cost, whilst dearer than mine, were certainly reasonable and to be fair of very high standard.

Woody

matt63 · 11 May 2008 at 5:41PM

having worked for bnq as a consultant, i do know that the price they quoted may seem heavy, but may i point out a couple of things... you would not only get one of the best fitting teams in the company doing the work, you would also have peace of mind in the knowledge that their work is guaranteed by a major retailer B&Q.
Having talked to some customers in the process of my job i do know that the last thing you would want is some cowboy who does not care about you or your kitchen once they have your money.

And just a last thought, bnq 's quotes ARE actually competitive with other high street retailers, and remember...all gas and electrical work MUST be carried out to relevent standards in force at present.

So to this end, i do hope your local handyman is up to the job, coz as a fitter myself now, FITTING A KITCHEN IS AN ART WHICH NEEDS FORWARD THINKING, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, NEEDS TOTAL COMMUNICATION WITH THE CUSTOMER. Good luck!

Builder · 11 May 2008 at 7:29PM

Reina1 wrote: »

I can honestly say that the kitchens and bathrooms at B&Q are much better than the competitors.

Maybe in terms of price for the units, but not in terms of the delivery, the same with the Homebase.

fuster · 13 August 2008 at 12:23AM

You would have to be mad to get B&Q to do anything at all, let alone fit your kitchen.
I'm a kitchen fitter and have had nothing but trouble from B&Q (product's ok for cheap crap, but service......doesn't really exist)
Guarantee?!?!?!?!?!?! What does that mean? Eventually, after several years of hell, you may, if you're lucky, get the mess sorted out. But you'll be mad by then.
I refuse to fit their stuff any more. The last one I did had a damaged worktop and it took 6 months to get a replacement. My suppliers would have replaced it same day.
Big company...peace of mind...anyone who buys that is a NUTTER!!!

Kitchen fitting (B&Q)

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