best place to buy a kitchen

rev229

I have about 2500 to spend on a new kitchen units been to MFI, Homebase, B&Q ,and Ikea really like Ikea but wonder how it compares pricewise with the others. I have tried to work it out myself but it gets very confusing! We don't need installation as we will know someone to do it for us! Thankyou

Katie_Bell

I've got a homebase kitchen and love it. I used to work for Magnet, and the company that make Magnet kitchens also make Homebase ones.

I went round the factory that makes both kitchens and the only difference between Magnet and Homebase are:

1) Magnet are ready made units and Homebase are flat packed
2) The back of Magnet's carcass are a couple of mm thicker.
3) Homebase's wall units are deeper and can hold a dinner plate, whereas Magnet's can't.


Whilst I'm talking about deep cabinets, Homebase are very proud of the fact that their wall units can hold a dinner plate whereas B&Q and MFIs don't.

caveat_emptor

rev229 wrote:

I have about 2500 to spend on a new kitchen units been to MFI, Homebase, B&Q ,and Ikea really like Ikea but wonder how it compares pricewise with the others. I have tried to work it out myself but it gets very confusing! We don't need installation as we will know someone to do it for us! Thankyou

As styles and prices vary so much, thing to do is to plan what you want or let the shop do it for you and for them to quote (supply only) once you've decided on a style.
Think you'll find that Ikea are more expensive but quality is better.

mbailey

rev229 wrote:

I have about 2500 to spend on a new kitchen units been to MFI, Homebase, B&Q ,and Ikea really like Ikea but wonder how it compares pricewise with the others. I have tried to work it out myself but it gets very confusing! We don't need installation as we will know someone to do it for us! Thankyou

Be careful if you are looking at B&Q as there are major shortages and delays on some kitchen items due to a fire at there distribution centre a couple of weeks ago.

I ordered a B&Q Select kitchen - I have had 2 deliveries but I am still waiting for a door they managed to miss twice! At the moment no one has any idea when they will get the items back in stock as everything is being reordered from the manufacturer again…

jennifernil

We have recently put an Ikea kitchen in our Guide Hall, also used their units to fit a utility room and 20 storage cupboards for the guides and brownies to use. We also did a study and a hobby room in our own house a couple of years ago. My husband did all the fitting and reckoned the units are very sturdy and easy to put together, and very good value for money. The units are a little deeper than many, so suggest you use their worktops too as they are also that little bit deeper. Plenty depth in the wall units for big dinner plates.
Be aware that their base units go right back to the wall, so lay any piping low down so it is in the plinth space. The units sit on adjustable legs.
We chose units we could get in the store to save on delivery, also means you know you have all the bits you need. They are very good at replacing/exchanging stuff or taking it back if you buy too much.
If you get their beech block tops don't use their wood treatment, we find the Junkers or Danish Rustic Oil gives a much better finish.
Their sinks and taps are pretty good, but personally, if I was staying in a house a number of years , I would opt for Franke ones. For appliances I would choose Bosch, Neff, Siemens or Miele if you can afford it, again if you plan to stay awhile. The Ikea ones are ok but I think are made to a price, and with appliances you pretty much get what you pay for. There are some excellent prices available on-line for appliances.
If you take your sizes to the store they will help you. They also have an on-line kitchen planner program you could try.

ceebeeby

We got a B&Q kitchen about 3 months ago - without installation (which we got B&Q fitters to do as a back-hander for half the price :whistle: ) and it came to about £3.5k .... however, also managed to go back and get 10% off - even after we ordered it when they had a special offer on - and we ended up with loads of 'extra' bits (the planner obviously over-ordered) so got about £300 refund at the end. No probs at all with it - and it's quite a big kitchen and we went for the 'deluxe' with all inbuild appliances, breakfast bar, over-hanging display cabinets with lights etc. (p.s. person waiting for door - which type is it, 'cos we ended up with a couple spare in the garage that we didn't take back ....)

shelly

I wouldn't recommend getting your kitchen from MFI. Would take too long to list all the probs we had but basically lots of items damaged then a 6 week wait for replacements as they don't have stock in store. Maybe we just got unlucky but I'd never shop there again.

Katie_Bell

shelly wrote:

I wouldn't recommend getting your kitchen from MFI. Would take too long to list all the probs we had but basically lots of items damaged then a 6 week wait for replacements as they don't have stock in store. Maybe we just got unlucky but I'd never shop there again.

I'd personally avoid MFI at the moment anyway, until their future seems a bit more stable.

SammyD_2

We got a B&Q kitchen - we are really pleased with it, a few delivery hassles but the designer was helpful. Also the cupboards DO fit dinner plates, so not sure whether that is a recent change or not (see Katie Bell's earlier post).

mbailey

ceebeeby wrote:

p.s. person waiting for door - which type is it, 'cos we ended up with a couple spare in the garage that we didn't take back ....

It is the B&Q Select Sheringham Ash Inset - The missing door is "Sheringham Door Pack CC" - It is for the 625 corner cupboard.

Happy_saver_4

We have now fitted a few kitchens and always go to Howdens.

For a complete kitchen fit they will quote you 'true trade' rates giving up to 75% discount. The same units are supplied by MFI ( they hate it if you mention Howdens in an MFI store )

If you open an account with Howdens you will actually be supplied with the units before payment! I hate giving companies money before they have supplied. It ties you in to possible delays, part delivery and bad service.

The units comes with the carcass's assembled and square; not flat pack. Just fit doors and worksurface.

They will come to site, measure up and draw plans etc. , with no charge.

Before anyone asks - I have no connection with Howdens. Just, a very satisfied customer who would never go anywhere else to fit-out a kitchen.