New kitchen - no idea where to start please help

North_Porkshire

If you're using a builder, get him to buy the kitchen for you from Magnet Trade - they can get the same kitchens as those in the showrooms, but at a discount. They also have cheaper kitchens that you won't see in the main showroom.

Meepster

zolablue25 wrote: »

What is the supply issue at B&Q?

The supply issue at B&Q is that they supply poor quality kitchens

Meepster

clairehi wrote: »

The kitchen salesman is always going to try and up-sell you, by claiming low-end stuff will fall apart as they will have better margins on the more expensive kit.

Of course a sales person is always going to try and upsell, they wouldn't be a very good salesperson if they didn't. And I'm sure every kitchen sales person would love to sell Parapan to every customer. HOWEVER, a good sales person will assess your wants and needs. They will chose a product which best suits the requirements and advise on the best options available. I have sold plenty of Scope kitchens, and whilst I have had a few problems with doors blowing (usually above a kettle or under the sink) I still sell them. I do however, explain that the doors aren't the best quality and issues can arise. No kitchen door is perfect (although Parapan is pretty damn close) and there are always pros and cons of each type.

And as to having a higher margin on a higher spec'ed product. Quite the opposite, I'll always sell a low spec'ed product at a higher margin than a higher spec'ed product.

Meepster

clairehi wrote: »

we have just replaced a 15 year old oak kitchen with cathedral arch doors ugh , and the units were fine, except that some of the fixings for the plinths had broken. no sign of doors slumping, shelves bowing etc etc.

Were they solid wood doors by any chance?

bryanb

rjh1972 wrote: »

but when you come to sell house they may well ask for gas/elec safety certs as is now required (

Don't take any notice of this. It is simply not true that a private householder has to provide any certificates when selling.

sec79

Hi all. Thanks for all of the helpful responses

I'm having design issues at the minute, so not had anymore thoughts about quality/ colour of doors. The local supplier has given me a very good price, but when I asked for a copy of the design so I could make sure I had enough drawers and cupboards (storage purposes) he said he wasn't able to give me a copy as his photocopier wasn't working. I'm not sure I believe him but my dad needs to go along to have a look so I think I will go along then, and make notes as he explains the plan he has designed to my dad. He did run through roughly what he would suggest but when I came out I'd forgotten half of it. It was a bit annoying but I didn't want to push it. So no more action from me until mid week on this, or possibly next weekend.

Meepster

sec79 wrote: »

The local supplier has given me a very good price, but when I asked for a copy of the design so I could make sure I had enough drawers and cupboards (storage purposes) he said he wasn't able to give me a copy as his photocopier wasn't working.

You're right not to believe him, this is common practice, he just doesn't want you to take the design elsewhere and get a like for like quote. If he's giving you his best price, then he should have nothing to worry about, so just put this to him. Either he gives you a plan that you can take home and ponder at your leisure, or you will take your business elsewhere, I'm sure he will then give you a plan...

Doozergirl

bryanb wrote: »

Don't take any notice of this. It is simply not true that a private householder has to provide any certificates when selling.

I wouldn't say that the post you were responding to was strictly correct with regards to 'safety certificate' but I'm not sure your comment isn't either.

If any of the work carried out does fall under the remit of building regulations then a certificate is required; either a building regs completion certificate or something from the approved contractor. Whether the buyer knows about the work to ask is a different matter.

CKdesigner

mwilletts wrote: »

Of course a sales person is always going to try and upsell, they wouldn't be a very good salesperson if they didn't. And I'm sure every kitchen sales person would love to sell Parapan to every customer. HOWEVER, a good sales person will assess your wants and needs. They will chose a product which best suits the requirements and advise on the best options available. I have sold plenty of Scope kitchens, and whilst I have had a few problems with doors blowing (usually above a kettle or under the sink) I still sell them. I do however, explain that the doors aren't the best quality and issues can arise. No kitchen door is perfect (although Parapan is pretty damn close) and there are always pros and cons of each type.

And as to having a higher margin on a higher spec'ed product. Quite the opposite, I'll always sell a low spec'ed product at a higher margin than a higher spec'ed product.

Couldn't agree more Mr W. You beat me to a response.

bryanb

Doozergirl wrote: »

I wouldn't say that the post you were responding to was strictly correct with regards to 'safety certificate' but I'm not sure your comment isn't either.

If any of the work carried out does fall under the remit of building regulations then a certificate is required; either a building regs completion certificate or something from the approved contractor. Whether the buyer knows about the work to ask is a different matter.

I see your point, but I was refferring to the Gas/Elec certificates the poster said were required. Of course the work must be done (or certified) by a Qualified tradesman and certificates issued. My point was that a seller does not have to pass on certs to a buyer.
Building regs certs are a different ball game.