new kitchenproject management

aah

Hi there

I want to get a new kitchen - we will buy from Ikea or BQ or Wickes probably and either get them to fit it or get someone local in.

I will have to project manage - and in which order should I do things like electrics, floor, tiling, plumbing etc.

And where would I source a good kitchen fitter? Ane recommendations in the Newcastle / Durham area?

Many thanks, Anne

BTB1_2

Cant help you with a fitter, but have your electrics, plumbing and plastering (if needed) done first, based on your kitchen layout plan.

Tile the walls when the kitchen is fitted and then tile the floor and cut down the plinths as required.

Steve_the_fitter

Get a kitchen fitter in who can do it all for you. You will end up getting a much better price. I very rarely fit a kitchen which doesnt include electrics and plumbing and if the room needs plastering I will sub it out to someone. I prefer this as I know I can rely on my sub trades to come in when I ask and the customer likes it as they only have to deal with one person. Alot of people seem to think they pay a premium for this kinda service but Id say its cheaper than getting all the trades in yourself.
As for good fitters. Ask about and if no luck look up kitchen fitters in your area on the tinternet and go with one you like.

aah

Steve_the_fitter wrote: »

Get a kitchen fitter in who can do it all for you. You will end up getting a much better price. I very rarely fit a kitchen which doesnt include electrics and plumbing and if the room needs plastering I will sub it out to someone. I prefer this as I know I can rely on my sub trades to come in when I ask and the customer likes it as they only have to deal with one person. Alot of people seem to think they pay a premium for this kinda service but Id say its cheaper than getting all the trades in yourself.
As for good fitters. Ask about and if no luck look up kitchen fitters in your area on the tinternet and go with one you like.

Great advice Steve, sounds perfect. Friends have tried to do it themselves, and its still been going weeeeks later and I couldn't bear that - nor could my marriage I don't think!

Its unlikely to need plastering but who knows when the old one comes off the wall.

Will a kitchen fitter also source units for me? or would they be ok fitting to plans drawn up by ikea, bq etc, would you know?

keystone

Steves right - get a kitchen fitter to manage it for you. Theres no way you'll do it yourself with the vest will in the world and not end up with tradesman A wating for materials whist B is waiting for C to finish so he can do his bit. Thats just a recipe for mounting costs. Order of works IMHO:

Strip out old kitchen
Plumbing
Electrics
Plastering works
Sub-floor upgrade (if required - say for ceramic tiled floor)
Fit new kitchen
Tiling
Flooring

Cheers

Steve_the_fitter

Will a kitchen fitter also source units for me? or would they be ok fitting to plans drawn up by ikea, bq etc, would you know?[/QUOTE]


I do both. I must admit my favourite is when a customer has been somewhere like b&Q , got plans they a happy with and then call me as if they have already bought the kitchen I have the plans to price up the fitting side and if they havent bought the kitchen I can offer them a much better quality kitchen and sometimes still beat their price. Especially the cooke and lewis ones. Most kitchen fitters will work like this. I know when Im busy B&Q kitchens are the first I stop quoting on as their delivery service is very bad and a kitchen which should take say 4 days will always end up needing a return visit for something which hasnt been sent and this can become a big problen when you are fully booked and you have to find a extra half a day because the cornice wasnt delivered for example.
I think Wickes are the best on quality and delivery as far as the big stores go but if you find a good independant you can end up with loads better without having to spend any extra money.

CKdesigner

That's refreshing Steve! A kitchen fitter that doesn't instantly say 'I'll get you a much better kitchen from Howdens'.

Steve_the_fitter

CKdesigner wrote: »

That's refreshing Steve! A kitchen fitter that doesn't instantly say 'I'll get you a much better kitchen from Howdens'.

I have never bought a kitchen from Howdens. Although they do look nice when fitted properly they really arnt worth the money they charge. And the fact you have to haggle with them even though you have an account isnt really for me.

Ive always thought Howdens kitchens are for builders who dont know any better.

Steve_the_fitter

ben-10 wrote: »

I have seen your question and the replies to it and found it very intersting. Just like to let you know that we are just brought our website online. What we are trying to do with this website is to help people like yourselves to carry out their own kitchen makeovers and as other replies have said it is imperative that you do it right. We have over the years become very competent at doing full kitchen makeovers. This includes:

Ripping Out!
Making Good (Walls,Floors etc)
Plastering
Relocation of Pipes, Electrical Works, Gas.
Tiling (floors and Walls)
Kitchenfitting
Appliances
Painting
Organising and Scheduling.


You really havent got this in the right order. Relocation of Pipes, Electrical Works, Gas should go before plastering and whats the point in wall tiling before fitting the kitchen??

aah

Steve_the_fitter wrote: »

I have never bought a kitchen from Howdens. Although they do look nice when fitted properly they really arnt worth the money they charge. And the fact you have to haggle with them even though you have an account isnt really for me.

Ive always thought Howdens kitchens are for builders who dont know any better.

thanks again steve, wish you lived near me!

davey_005

I agree with Steve, find someone locally who can do the lot. It will be cheaper and easier for you. I had a customer recently who decided to project manage his own job (the type that knew best on everything, sorry no reflection on the original poster) and he made a pigs ear of the whole thing and the job took 3 times as long. Kitchen installs that involve electrics, plumbing and plastering etc. throw up obstacles that tax even experienced fitters, but experienced fitters just get on and deal with it without the customer ever knowing a problem existed. Also an experienced guy will have Gorgi plumbers, Part P sparks, and plasterers on hand who will fit in with his timeline as they have a working relationship. Someone project managing their own job to save money will probably have to wait longer as they are a one off and not a priority. Also all tradesmen tend to be more conscientious when working for another tradesmen as their is less room for a blame culture to develop which can be a nightmare for an inexperienced person to deal with.
I'm sorry that I can't recommend anyone but try and get a recommendation and remember you have to wait for the good guys. I also partly agree with the Howdens comment about builders that don't know better but it is a generalisation, some do know better and still use Howdens on occasions.