I want a new kitchen, don't know where to start

KaratePigeon

Hi all,
This is my first post but you seem like a friendly bunch so thought I'd give it a go!

We really need a new kitchen, I don't know who installed our current one but it's really badly fitted, wonky and is driving me mad! I want white gloss units, I quite like the Wickes or Homebase ones but am open to suggestions really.

But where do I start? I've found a local fitter's number from the internet, he only lives down the road so thought I might try him, although I can't find any reviews or anything, should I risk it? I'm guessing a local fitter would be cheaper than using the store ones, but he said he can do the planning too, do you think he'd charge for this, ie. would I be better getting a free design from wickes or somewhere first?

I know the answer is probably to get a few different quotes but I'm so bad at getting talked into things and I kind of feel obliged to buy things once someone's put a load of effort in! I do have a tight budget so just want it done as cheaply as possible. (within reason) Any advice appreciated!

Gangstabird

I would speak to friends/family mums at the school gate and ask them to recommend a fitter.

It really is worth putting in the groundwork on this or you could have a nice cheap kitchen and a very expensive repair job.

Also maybe you could speak to any local ceramic tilers who might know of someone, they usually work hand in hand by doing the floor & walls.

Not much help I know. My husband is a tiler and does install kitchens, but is usually too busy tiling to fit them. He would definitely recommend people he has worked with though. He finds it terrible when someone has had their kitchen fitted badly, it really does ruin it.

Alias_Omega

we spent ages looking at kitchens, and kitchen designs.

Homebase have an online program where you can design your kitchen, and view it in 3d.

We measured the kitchen, planned it ourself. Whilst we were in homebase, in the moben section, we got collared into having someone come around. 2 hours, and £8000 price later we had the plans. We said nope, and still have a copy of the kitchen plans.

Now its to price it up, and fit the bases ourselves, worktops can be done by us or fitter, units have adjustable legs.

for the price of a fitter for the worktop, we could probably buy a router, jig & bits, then practise the 3 cuts on the old one..

sebastianj

What if you wanted a granite worktop?
rgd seb

KaratePigeon

Thanks for that, I tried to download the homebase planner but it wouldn't work on my pc I think we are going to book an instore appointment with them and get a design but try not to get talked into anything!

andyhop

Alias_Omega wrote: »

we spent ages looking at kitchens, and kitchen designs.

Homebase have an online program where you can design your kitchen, and view it in 3d.

We measured the kitchen, planned it ourself. Whilst we were in homebase, in the moben section, we got collared into having someone come around. 2 hours, and £8000 price later we had the plans. We said nope, and still have a copy of the kitchen plans.

Now its to price it up, and fit the bases ourselves, worktops can be done by us or fitter, units have adjustable legs.

for the price of a fitter for the worktop, we could probably buy a router, jig & bits, then practise the 3 cuts on the old one..

theres more too it then just routing a joint

what if your walls are not square etc

you will also need a biscuit jointer to help with getting the worktops at the correct level

when i bought my router,jig and biscuit jointer i paid well over 1000

router bits should be of good quality avoid the likes of screwfixs own brand and even there trade trend range are pretty poor

Canucklehead

Good evening: KP...Have you considered an IKEA kitchen?...Lots of fans on MSE and several threads discussing the pros and cons of various suppliers etc.


Canucklehead

andyhop

ikea kitchens are good, the service leaves little to the imagination at the edinburgh branch

you will get a free meatball voucher after keeping you waiting hours while there look for there stock thats dissapeared

for the money you will struggle to find better

Lally

I had forgotten all about ikea kitchens, thanks for that!

Canucklehead

Lally wrote: »

I had forgotten all about ikea kitchens, thanks for that!

You're welcome...we've fit several over the years in our own properties as well as client's homes....easy to assemble the cabinets yourself if you want to save a few ££...no problems with the service at Lakeside and Croydon branches though other MSErs have reported isssues with both. We call ahead now to do a stock check rather than using the online facility.

Canucklehead