Magnet kitchen Vs John Lewis kitchen

yaubelle

Hello,

I am about to have the old kitchen ripped out and a new one installed. When I started, I knew nothing at all about kitchens but have slowly got a better understanding along the way.

Basically it is a rental property which we may one day live in ourselves. I did not want to spend a fortune on units but on the other hand did want some thing with a degree of quality. Something hard-wearing etc.

Someone from John Lewis came round to the property, measured up and did a plan. I oppted for their white gloss kitchen. The units (including doors and handles) came to about £2163. I then went to Magnet, and for a more or less similar kitchen, I was quoted the price £1840.

My dilemma now is which one to go for? Should I go for the JL kitchen where I have had someone come in professionally to measure up; and I feel I would get a better level of service if any of the measurements did not eventually add up accurately. Or, should I go with Magnet where they would be working according to my measurements, and the JL plan (although the size of their units vary a little to JL)? But if there are any mistakes then it would probably be more of a hassle to sort out.

I'm afraid I'm pretty hopless with these things. My husband thinks I should just go with JL because if there are any !!!!-ups then they should hopefully sort it out pretty quickly as they are the ones who measured up and do generally offer a good service. (we are getting our own fitter). However, as costs are seriously mounting, I feel we need to try and reduce them where ever possible hence going with Magnet.

Finally, as I have 2 young children to look after whilst organising this refurbishment, i feel I can't really afford/ face the nightmare of dealing with mistakes regarding measurements etc once the fitter starts putting the units in.

What should I do? Also, do you think there would be much difference in the quality of these two kitchen units?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Lisa

vansboy

No idea on JL, but their 'supposed' reputation, might help - although personal experience, on their Price Match policy wasn't too good. & also wonder if that scheme applies to kitchens?

If you do a forum search on Magnet &/or kitchens, think they're not top favourites.

I'm an Ik,ea kitchen fan, as you'll see, from my previous posts, so have you checked them out?

You can do your own designs, using the free downloadable planer, it's a bit fiddly at first, but great fun, once you get going. Gives 3D images, lets you 'move around' the units, as well as looking at it from all angles. & it prices it, as you go!!

I'll show ours again, it cost £2300ish including the special order worktops.

& if you get Ikea store card, usually 5-10% off first order (worth it, if you pay it off the first statement)

If you need an installer, happy to recommend the guys that did ours, if you're nearby - we're Milton Keynes area.

VB

flossy_splodge

I assume you have already had this discussion with JL?
If not, clearly that would be your first step.
If you could even get their price down to half the differential ie get them to lower their quote by £160 'ish' then personally I'd go JL every time.
If you go for the kill, you might even get them to price match.
Personally I always go JL for ANY major purchase as I have faith in them and don't want to have to fight if anything goes wrong.
Just my point of view.
Good Luck and post a piccie when its done and tell us which company was the winner and if you regretted it?
xx:D

Doozergirl

Get JL to price match or buy it anyway.

I've bought many kitchens now but the JL one in my own home is by far superior to any other I've bought.

No brainer, IMO. You'll find much cheaper and perfectly adequate kitchens but if it's 300 quid between Magnet and JL then it's a no brainer.

andyhop

vansboy wrote: »

No idea on JL, but their 'supposed' reputation, might help - although personal experience, on their Price Match policy wasn't too good. & also wonder if that scheme applies to kitchens?

If you do a forum search on Magnet &/or kitchens, think they're not top favourites.

I'm an Ik,ea kitchen fan, as you'll see, from my previous posts, so have you checked them out?

You can do your own designs, using the free downloadable planer, it's a bit fiddly at first, but great fun, once you get going. Gives 3D images, lets you 'move around' the units, as well as looking at it from all angles. & it prices it, as you go!!

I'll show ours again, it cost £2300ish including the special order worktops.

& if you get Ikea store card, usually 5-10% off first order (worth it, if you pay it off the first statement)

If you need an installer, happy to recommend the guys that did ours, if you're nearby - we're Milton Keynes area.

VB

ikea kitchens are good but there choice is limited, there sell gloss doors but no gloss kick panels?

maypole

yaubelle wrote: »

Hello,

I am about to have the old kitchen ripped out and a new one installed. When I started, I knew nothing at all about kitchens but have slowly got a better understanding along the way.

Basically it is a rental property which we may one day live in ourselves. I did not want to spend a fortune on units but on the other hand did want some thing with a degree of quality. Something hard-wearing etc.

Someone from John Lewis came round to the property, measured up and did a plan. I oppted for their white gloss kitchen. The units (including doors and handles) came to about £2163. I then went to Magnet, and for a more or less similar kitchen, I was quoted the price £1840.

My dilemma now is which one to go for? Should I go for the JL kitchen where I have had someone come in professionally to measure up; and I feel I would get a better level of service if any of the measurements did not eventually add up accurately. Or, should I go with Magnet where they would be working according to my measurements, and the JL plan (although the size of their units vary a little to JL)? But if there are any mistakes then it would probably be more of a hassle to sort out.

I'm afraid I'm pretty hopless with these things. My husband thinks I should just go with JL because if there are any !!!!-ups then they should hopefully sort it out pretty quickly as they are the ones who measured up and do generally offer a good service. (we are getting our own fitter). However, as costs are seriously mounting, I feel we need to try and reduce them where ever possible hence going with Magnet.

Finally, as I have 2 young children to look after whilst organising this refurbishment, i feel I can't really afford/ face the nightmare of dealing with mistakes regarding measurements etc once the fitter starts putting the units in.

What should I do? Also, do you think there would be much difference in the quality of these two kitchen units?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Lisa

I would go with JL if you have the choice, but not sure what would happen if you used your own fitter and something went wrong, you would probably have no come back to JL. Is their fitting charge too expensive?

yaubelle

Hello again,

Many thanks for all your replies.

I shall follow your advice and go with JL. I feel much better now after having made a decision!!

What I was most worried about were the measurements not being completely accurate, for example, the units not fitting exactly into the alloted space or bits missing once everything is supposed to have been delivered. I have to say, I found Magnets way of doing things a bit slap dash. Like when looking over their quote, I noticed they had put the wrong handles down and cut corners in certain areas so as to come in with a quote lower than JL.

I feel JL would be easier if there are any problems with the measurements (as they are the ones who did them) and also I have more faith in their customer service. It is not a large kitchen at all. Much smaller than yours, Vansboy, not really that many units, however, I was told JL would charge around £3000 to install it:eek:. I live in London, and I always can't help feeling completely ripped off by every tradesman I have come across. I was told today it would cost £2400 to put in a new boiler. A Vailant boiler would cost about £1000+VAT, and some piping needs to be put down under the floor (which would have already been ripped up)joining the gas supply to the boiler. This plumber only does supply and fit.

I have to say, in the past, I really have been taken for a ride by many a plumber, electrician etc but I'm slowly learning how to be a bit more savvy.

As for an Ikea kitchen, yours looks lovely Vansboy, very impressive!! However, with 2 young children to look after, and a husband working abroad it is very difficult to juggle everything, especially when you are trying to discuss units and you have a screaming, whingeing baby on your lap!!

Anyway, once again many thanks for all your input, much appreciated

Lisa

Steve_the_fitter

Hi there, I live East London way and would be happy to give you a quote.I'm a professional kitchen fitter. Can provide references, work guaranteed for 2 years, certs issued where needed (gas, electric). If your still looking for a fitter give me a call 07900396076 Cheers Steve

Steve_the_fitter

By the way, the JL kitchen is well worth the extra money

racdavmac

Get your kitchen from arena kitchens they sell John lewis kitchen at half the price

Try them out I have got 2 kicthens from them and they are excellent

CKdesigner

racdavmac wrote: »

Get your kitchen from arena kitchens they sell John lewis kitchen at half the price

Try them out I have got 2 kicthens from them and they are excellent

Hi

This information is totally false. John Lewis own brand kitchens are Made by Mereway.

Arena/Alaris do sell Mereway Kitchens, but there is no way that they could purchase Mereway kitchens for less than John Lewis do! After al, John Lewis is Mereway's biggest customer.

By any chance was it that the salesperson from Alaris that told you they do John Lewis kitchens for half the price?

CK