Kitchen quagmire - who to go with?

Meepster

Get your kitchen from Wickes (better spec. than Howdens) (The carcase isn't white, it's off white, RAL 9001 to be precise)
Appliances from an online supplier like ukwhitegoods (Much, MUCH cheaper than using the sheds)
And get a local fitter to fit it (By far the easiest way to save some money)
I'm an ex-Wickes Design Consultant (and ex-independant designer) and that's what I used to say to my customers (I had one of the lowest appliance sales percentages in the company, but one of the highest kitchen unit percentage sales, I just HATED ripping customers off) And the customer service you recieve does vary between stores, however the Customer Service dept. in Northampton is really good...

Which store did you go into justick9? And which DC did you have, I might know them and be able to offer you more advice...

HexusOdy

Has anyone tried Cooke & Lewis kitchens from B&Q?

Its not the usual cheapo chipboard crap in the B&Q own range, they look much higher quality with all the usual gadgets howdens and wickes have.

Any experience?

sharkie

Now if you go a Magnet Trade centre (personal visit) you may get 60% discount.

I would have gone with them but Ikea had their 21% sale last year when I bought.

One think I will say about Ikea, once you have bought the carcasses, their doors fit.

Doozergirl

HexusOdy wrote: »

Has anyone tried Cooke & Lewis kitchens from B&Q?

Its not the usual cheapo chipboard crap in the B&Q own range, they look much higher quality with all the usual gadgets howdens and wickes have.

Any experience?

Yes, just make sure you buy in the half price sale, preferably with the extra 15% off. If it's not half price then you're being ripped off.

Meepster

HexusOdy wrote: »

Has anyone tried Cooke & Lewis kitchens from B&Q?

Its not the usual cheapo chipboard crap in the B&Q own range, they look much higher quality with all the usual gadgets howdens and wickes have.

Any experience?

The Cooke & Lewis kitchens are basically EXACTLY the same units as the old B&Q Select ranges. Had ANYONE actually heard of Cooke & Lewis before B&Q started selling them? Didn't think so, it is just a clever rebranding by B&Q...

Doozergirl

mwilletts wrote: »

The Cooke & Lewis kitchens are basically EXACTLY the same units as the old B&Q Select ranges. Had ANYONE actually heard of Cooke & Lewis before B&Q started selling them? Didn't think so, it is just a clever rebranding by B&Q...

They're not exactly the same. I'm told the carcasses have changed - the backs are thicker. Also new ranges introduced as well as keeping some of the doors. Yes, it's a rebranding to introduce something different and to continue to differentiate between their two ranges, so why not relaunch something with a new name. I'm not sure why you need to shout

When they are in the sale they're offering decent value for money. They're nice kitchens.

Careful_with_that_Axe

Have you thought about buying the basic appliances you need and then buying stand-alone units that you can add to as time and money allow, rather than a fitted kitchen? Or do you want it all done and dusted in one go? I can se how that would be the case if you have kiddlies etc.
I know IKEA used to do stand-alone units, but not sure if they still do as nearest one is now 300 miles away *sob*

devotee

leveller2911 wrote: »

PS one last thing DON'T DON'T go for gloss worktops at any cost......if you can get real wood worktops steer clear of Beech as you can get mould very quickly around the sink and taps

What's wrong with gloss worktops as I've just ordered one from Homebase, together with the new kitchen??? Should I cancel? I don't want real wood again, want a laminate.

newnhak

There was a long thread last month about gloss worktops that caused me to rethink my order. Basically they are quite high maintenance.The thread gave ideas on how to keep them clean - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1540595&highlight=gloss+worktop

-so up to you really - nothing wrong with them if you like cleaning!!

newnhak

OP whereabouts are you? I am having kitchen fitted today and have used an independent company which I would def recommend.

With some help from guys on here I picked a kitchen from the many different suppliers the company stocked.

Before this I had plans done by various companies. My opinions listed below (and they are just an opinion)-
B&Q (sales guy was awful so we didnt go any further. He wouldnt even do a full plan without me giving him a deposit)
Howdens (cheap - but couldnt do the little bespoke bits I needed)
Moben (started off expensive but cut the costs loads - last day of sale and all that. However they werent flexible with delivery times and the fitting cost was expensive)
Ikea (not as cheap as I hoped and fitting again was expensive)

I also got 2 builders to quote for fitting but the company I went with could fit for the same price so I decided that I would have someone who does it for a living than a builder who doesnt (no disrespective to builders - I am sure they would be good too but as the price was the same it made sense to work with the company direct as they would then have control over delivery etc - I didnt want loads of cupboards hanging around as i have no space for them)

I bought all my own appliances online.

I know what everyone means on here by it being a hard slog - I too have felt swamped. It has felt a full-time job itself to plan all this (I even had a proper project plan!!). I am just pleased we are on the final leg:-)