Take-away gloss cream kitchen- BnQ, MFI, Howdens, Screwfix?

catt_2

I need a new kitchen rapidly and cannot wait for delivery times of 6 weeks and risk delays due to missing parts, etc. So I want an off-the-shelf kitchen that I can pick up myself from one of the sheds or similar.

I have decided it must be cream gloss so that probably excludes IKEA but please see the other thread I have just started.

I may want to add more units in future so would prefer availability to continue.

I really like the BnQ It range kitchen called Gloss Cream Slab as it also has attractive glass doors. I don't like the white coffee bean patterned interior carcass as it looks cheap.

I went to Screwfix but nothing is on display and they expect you to buy it unseen!

I liked what I saw at Howdens.

MFI have some stores closing so maybe something ex-display?

Immediate availability and low price are my two main requirements.

I have read the other kitchen threads which have helped get me this far in my decision-making process.

Any suggestions?

ormus

think you need to get your priorities in order. try to get the exact thing you want, cheaply, and right away, is very difficult. if not impossible.
some thing will have to give. if you can bend a bit on the color/finish, then anything is possible.

angelavdavis

catt wrote: »

MFI have some stores closing so maybe something ex-display?

The problem with ex-display is that you cannot guarantee the items will be damage free - they are often ripped out without much worry for their sell-on condition.

I know you said you thought the inside of B&Q kitchens looked cheap, but I have just fitted some units into my utility room and they are perfectly good for their price (particularly if you order online via quidco and use B&Q's special offers). I waited two weeks for mine to be delivered and so far, no damage has been discovered.

My main kitchen units are MFI and I wouldn't say the quality was any better/worse. Once the units are full of stuff you don't see the lining anyway!

Doozergirl

We've bought plenty of B&Q IT kitchens. They will almost certainly be cheaper than Howdens. I was appalled by the condition of the Howdens stuff that H bought a few months back. It was expensive even with the 85% mickey mouse discount and no better quality than B&Q. They are solid carcasses from Howdens which might save a bit on fitting but I think the price difference will be marked between the two and the units look no better in Howdens.


If we need a take-away kitchen we've almost always gone with B&Q.

sarge123

We got our cream gloss slab kitchen units from Elliots. Not sure about how quick you could get it delivered, but we are really happy with it. We also did not like the carcass at B&Q, and Elliots gave us a choice of carcasses; we went for the brown carcass. The one we went for, the handles are slightly recessed into the door at the top / bottom so there is no chance of getting your clothes caught on the handle.

catt_2

Thanks for the advice.

Sarge, I have googled Elliots as I haven't heard of them and turns out they are Hampshire based, as no good for me.

Ormus, the urgency is the availability of my fitter...

Angel, I went to a closing down MFI last week and yes, the display kitchens being sold off were quite damaged and cut to add sizes and shapes.

catt_2

Doozergirl! Was hoping for your input!:T


I've taken another look at BnQ's IT gloss cream slab......Very attractive. I think I could live with that less desirable coffee bean interior.


Unfortunately the range is rather limited. I wanted 600mm pan drawer base units and will have to settle for 500mm ones.


I'd like a curved base and curved wall unit at the end of my run of units and asked the store attendant about the compatibility of the Cooke & Lewis. I was told that the cream colour and shade match as do the unit sizes. Bit pricey but might it 'complete the look' as they say?

I've booked an appointment with their in store designer, although I've already done my own design, I thought I'd see what they come up with or am I wasting my time?

Any thoughts about how best to make a budget kitchen look like a designer high-end one?

My fitter recommends spending the money on a granite worktop. What about adding a wine cooler? I don't really need one but would have the space for a narrow one. They seem to be in all the brochures now...

I'm thinking of not having a plinth but using IKEA's Capita stainless steel legs instead and some hidden lighting. Any ideas? No electrical socket below now...

I'm seeing the BnQ designer today! Should I show my design immediately or see what she comes up with? I've only got an hour but was told a typical consultation lasts 2 hours! Will they push to sell appliances? I've bought these already, having sourced much cheaper on the internet.

Any tips on this much appreciated!;)

Doozergirl

Go and see the designer - it's nice to have other people's ideas - sometimes people just go with very similar to what was there already (including designers often which is a bit disappointing ). They won't push you to buy appliances at all, if you have your own, they're absolutely fine about it.

I'm having the Cooke & Lewis cream gloss for our barn and having the aurbine accent in one run. Someone did recommend mixing it up with the IT cream but it's the curvy doors that I like too.

I think money shows in the accessories you put in a kitchen but if you don't need a wine cooler, don't get one! If you can afford to go for a full run of drawers instead of cupboards, then I'd do it - it looks really good with the lines and you genuinely get more stuff in drawers than you do in cupboards. Larder units are really popular right now and again, you get lots into a small space.

Look at other kitchen designs and layouts even if it's not got the doors you want. If you forget the style of the kitchen you will find lots of ideas in the showroom AND the brochures that you might like to put into your kitchen.

Tell us how you got on!

TigerTanaka

I think you may struggle to get curved units if you are looking for quick delivery as despite what many people may think, these types of units do not sell in huge volumes and retailers are unlikely to stock them. Same for wine coolers but you could always leave a hole and drop it in later. No plinth = nightmare to clean!

If you are looking to buy off the shelf check out Howdens, Magnet Trade or Benchmarx (in the South East). They all say they are Trade only but the staff are never going to call you a liar if you say you are a developer. The showroom will not be up to much (although often Magnet have a fancy retail showroom next door with products that are uncannily similar to the trade product). All these guys only open Mon-Fri and on Saturday morning though and employ kitchen designers who will come out to do a measure and plan. They will expect you to go in first though,

I would source my units from one of these people - they will deliver but you will have to pay them £20 or so for it. Your fitter is right, granite looks great and is expensive from a mainstream retailer so find a local granite company who can do the job. Make sure he is going to template it so you get a good fit and not just drop 2 slabs of granite by your back door. Buy your lighting from someone else as B&Q in particluar make a fortune by selling lighting, You could also consider getting a funky storage unit with some basic wirework inside and some soft close drawers to create a few features to show off.

You are right to buy your own appliances unless someone else is doing a suicidal deal. Remember most of these guys can move the discounts around (ie sink and taps but but less discount on the units).

If you feel that the guy from B&Q has outstayed his welcome just ask hm to leave. B&Q are fairly low pressure but it is probably best to do the negotiation in their branch and not in your home (I would never use Moben for this reason). However, these guys are proper kitchen designers (it is what they do for a living) so it is probably worth looking at what they come up with as they know what works and will have made lots of mistakes before and had to deal with the irate customers! Talk to them about your ideas and ask what will work.

catt_2

Here's my update...

I've been to see the B&Q kitchen designer twice because I didn't like his first design. The second design was a lot better.

I've ordered my kitchen in time for the 50% off deal which has now ended.

I'm waiting for confirmation of an early delivery date.