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Kitchen on a budget
chib
Posts: 537 Forumite
I'm starting to make plans for when we get the keys to our new home in about eight weeks time, other than decorating and carpet replacement throughout the biggest job we've got is replacing the current very dated kitchen.
My plan is to remove the current kitchen units and appliances completely - decorate all the walls and have new lino fitted then order and fit a new kitchen.
Our budget (Excl. Washing Machine & Tumble Dryer) is around £1,500. I've visited a couple of local kitchen places that have stated even although I'm fitting myself that the budget is very low.
This surprised me, it's a small kitchen (Around 3m x 3m) - I thought this budget would be good enough for new cabinets, refrigerator and oven & hob.
We're considering either a Wickes take-away kitchen or B&Q (IT Kitchens Range) - does our budget seem realistic? I've seen some other options such as Stilhaus but the negative reviews have put me off a bit there.
The only job I plan to outsource to a local joiner is the replacement of kitchen windowsill (Inside) and fitting of worktops.
My plan is to remove the current kitchen units and appliances completely - decorate all the walls and have new lino fitted then order and fit a new kitchen.
Our budget (Excl. Washing Machine & Tumble Dryer) is around £1,500. I've visited a couple of local kitchen places that have stated even although I'm fitting myself that the budget is very low.
This surprised me, it's a small kitchen (Around 3m x 3m) - I thought this budget would be good enough for new cabinets, refrigerator and oven & hob.
We're considering either a Wickes take-away kitchen or B&Q (IT Kitchens Range) - does our budget seem realistic? I've seen some other options such as Stilhaus but the negative reviews have put me off a bit there.
The only job I plan to outsource to a local joiner is the replacement of kitchen windowsill (Inside) and fitting of worktops.
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Comments
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I'd say its plenty adequate. 'Kitchen places' have incredible mark up compared with B&Q or IKEA, especially if you catch a sale, and in the case of B&Q, get a B&Q trade card (which anyone can do with a bit of letterhead or brass neck) or if you have a pensioner friend and buy on their oldies' discount card day. Wickes strike me as a bit dearer and Howdens much more so. The only reason builders use Howdens is their bulk account discounts and because of the convenience their pre-assembled carcasses (which save time=money)
I'm a rank amateur but I've fitted a few kitchens with a few hours help from plumbers (or if new points are required, electricians) and for a small space like yours I'd say its fine.
IKEA are a pig to deal with unless you take time to visit and pick the stuff yourself- which is also v time-consuming, but their stuff is great; in my view, the best for quality and value. And you can save space in a confined kitchen by using their shallower wall-units as base units; just add legs and plinths and cut the worktop narrower (this only works on areas with no 600mm deep white goods)
And for a real cheapeskat job, you could avoid joiners to custom-fit the worktops by using simple butt-joints or filler strip- once in place, no one notices. IKEA have an incredible range of worktops and can even custom cut.
Good luck0 -
Thanks for your response.
I've taken a couple of weeks off work when I get the keys to the property so have the time available to do a non-rushed job. One of the largest B&Q stores in Scotland is about 2 miles away from the house, and IKEA about 4 miles which may be handy.
My partner isn't so keen on IKEA and is more interested in B&Q - got to confess though my guilty pleasure these days is visiting IKEA and building the stuff when I get it home so I'd have no problem with that.
My only drawback with IKEA is some complaints about pipework and space for piping - have you found this a challenge at all?0 -
A benefit I have with B&Q is a 10% discount via my employer - on all purchases.
I get 5% at IKEA.0 -
Ikea are changing their entire range of kitchens and selling off the displays at a further 40% discount. Worth looking at quickly!Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
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We've just bought an Ikea kitchen for my boyfriend's flat - 3.7m run of base and wall units on one wall and 2 shallow base units with breakfast bar on the opposite wall. TBH nowhere else even came close to the price and we are on a tight budget. We spent around £1000 on the units and worktop, including a custom worktop with join which cost £220.
I've ordered an electric hob for £96 and an oven for £199, plus we got an extractor fan from Ikea for £100 - you can get cheaper for all of these things but we want something decent. We're also getting the sink and taps from another retailer, as we want a better quality than the Ikea ones.
The kitchen also requires plastering, new electrics and new floor covering. Everything other than the plastering will be DIY (BF's uncle is an electrician so will do that for material cost). My Dad has fitted several Ikea kitchens over the years, and hasn't found the lack of a service space at the back of the units to be an issue. Their new range of units is coming out at the end of this month, I'm not sure if they will have a service space.
We're hoping to get the whole thing done for around the £2200 mark, but have budgeted up to £2800 just in case.0 -
Ikea's new METOD kitchens are detailed on some of their foreign sites.
One in English is here:
http://www.ikea.com/eg/en/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/0 -
Ikea's new METOD kitchens are detailed on some of their foreign sites.
One in English is here:
http://www.ikea.com/eg/en/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/
That looks like something you can have fun with. Launching in February, so I expect there will be a general reduction on the Faktum stuff. Need to make sure you buy everything before it's discontinued though!Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
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Try the usual auction sites for 2nd hand appliances - people get rid of perfectly decent ovens and hobs when they have their kitchen re-done. I had a Bosch double oven and gas hob thrown in for £36. I may replace them when I'm a bit more flush as they're standard 600 unit appliances, but for the meantime, they'll do nicely!0
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We'll be looking at ordering the kitchen the first week in March, fingers crossed there may be some FAKTUM stuff available at reduced rates failing that we'll try out the new range.
Scottishblondie, did you use IKEA in Glasgow? I'm in Renfrewshire so will likely be using the same store. How did you find getting the parts, did you use a delivery service?0 -
Scottishblondie, did you use IKEA in Glasgow? I'm in Renfrewshire so will likely be using the same store. How did you find getting the parts, did you use a delivery service?
Yes, I used the Glasgow Ikea. We went in store and took it all home on the day - we've got 2 large Volvos though! The custom worktop will be delivered at the end of the month - there is a 4-6 week lead time on them. There were a couple of items out of stock which are being shipped to us free of charge. You can also order in store for delivery, but I don't know how much they charge for it.0
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