Yet another kitchen question! Finding the right independant.

AshW

This is my first actual post but I've done a lot of reading over the last six months especially with regards to kitchen installation.

We've got a bit of money saved up and are looking at replacing our aging kitchen. It will involve a bit of work on the walls and floors and a tiny bit of structural work (knocking out a pointless non-supporting wall). It's a kitchen on the small side of medium, but a very awkward shape (three doors ) and we have a budget of around £8,000 - £10,000.

Early this year we got a quote from Moben, and while the missus was wowed by the glossy catalogue I had my doubts and wasn't happy that we'd have to organise some of the work ourselves and the quote was a bit over our budget. I had a check on the internet and in doing so found this site and a lot of good advice, a lot of which suggested you end up paying over-the-odds for the big glossy brochure chains.

We put the project on hold for a bit, but now I'm looking at it again trying to find a decent local independent. We want someone who will do the design, source the cabinets and project manage all aspects of the installation as I'm useless at organising that sort of stuff. I've located a couple I like the look/sound of. One is from a recommendation, the other form their website. Although the latter is probably not something to base anything on as the best installers in the world might have a lousy web designer!

I guess my main problem is that beyond recommendations how do I know what to look for. I'm thinking it might be best to get a few initial designs and quotes, but beyond gut feeling I'm not really sure what I should be looking for.

Anyone got any advice on how to judge these kind of companies?

Edit: I'm telling fibs, looks like this is my second post

Also, I'm in Stockport (South Manchester/Cheshire) so if anyone has any recommendations feel free. Not sure if you're allowed to name names or not though. Maybe I should check the forum rules!

ormus

find a fitter and then buy all the units/appliances yourself.
youll save about half the price of a moben/bq/wickes kitchen.
my BIL had a moben kichen. 5k and yet it looks like 500 quids worth of units and the local cowboy fitted it.

pimento

What a shame you aren't in Essex. I know someone I can highly recommend.

phill99

Always try and get a recommendation. If that isn't possible, there are a few steps you can take.

Make sure you have the business address (or if he works from home, his home adress) and a landline telephone number. Cowboys will only work from mobiles and these can easily be changed. If it is a limited company, get the regidtration number and check it at companies house to see that they are who they say they are and the Directors haven't been barred. if VAT registered, again check that they are actually registered ao that they don't charge you VAT and then pocket it.

Ask for a written spcification on headed note paper. Decent traders will give you a spec with a quote plus all the info I've outlined above.

Ask for references - get the phone numbers of 4 or 5 customers and ring 2 or 3 of them. Ask if you can see the work. Most people are happy to show off decent work they have had done.

Check to see if the trader is registered with any trade bodies eg Federation of Master Builders and check out the registration.

Ask to see a copy of their current liabilty insurance. If they burn your house down, you need to know that they will have it rebuilt!

sophieschoice

These people fitted my kitchen from start to finish including all plumbing and electrics.
I would highly recommend them and they're not too far away from you.
http://www.greyhoundkitchens.com/

CKdesigner

Hi AshW

Other than the fairly good advice from Phill99, a simple thing to do would be look on the Miele and Neff websites for built in appliance stockists. If these independents are listed then they should be fairly reliable as you have to demonstrate a certain level of professionalism and credit worthiness to have a direct account with these appliance manufacturers.

Anyway, good luck with your new project.

CK

ormus

quote:
Check to see if the trader is registered with any trade bodies eg Federation of Master Builders and check out the registration.

all cobblers. all they do is pay their fees to the trade bodies.
they do not take any care of the consumer.
its just another con game.

RX-78

Ohhh, whilst you are here CKdesigner, would you answer some myth about kitchen I was dying to ask? I think it will be relevant to the thread.

1. Which door is the best? Lacqured? Vinyl wrap? PVC??
2. Are there ay point in having expensive carcase (e.g. 19mm Hi-Density Egger MFC carcase) or are they pretty much the same?
3. Gross kitchen fades over time - is this correct?
4. Most high street kitchens are from same manufacturer/factory - true?
5. Is it cheaper to source mineral work tops from independant then from kitchen company?
7. What would be the advantage of getting an independant kitchen designer?

Lots of questions I know, but your experties would be much appreciated!

Meepster

RX-78 wrote: »

Ohhh, whilst you are here CKdesigner, would you answer some myth about kitchen I was dying to ask? I think it will be relevant to the thread.

1. Which door is the best? Lacqured? Vinyl wrap? PVC??
2. Are there ay point in having expensive carcase (e.g. 19mm Hi-Density Egger MFC carcase) or are they pretty much the same?
3. Gross kitchen fades over time - is this correct?
4. Most high street kitchens are from same manufacturer/factory - true?
5. Is it cheaper to source mineral work tops from independant then from kitchen company?
7. What would be the advantage of getting an independant kitchen designer?

Lots of questions I know, but your experties would be much appreciated!

CK is obviously busy, so I thought I'd answerfor him lol:

1. If it's a gloss finish you're looking for, then a lacquer is usually the best, although you do get some VERY good vinyl wrapped doors.
2. It all depends. 15mm is the minimum you should go for, but only if that is a German brand, as they use higher quality materials (RWK, Hacker etc) If you're buying British, go for at least an 18mm carcase.
3. Over time, yes and they will fade at different rates depending on sunlight exposure
4. Nope, completely not the case.
5. Again, it all depends. Most of the time you can make a saving going to a specialist, some kitchen showrooms have good buyin power/good terms with their suppliers and can give good deals.
6. Why no question 6?? lol
7. Independents do TEND to be more experienced and can USUALLY offer a more tailored and personal service. They also tend not to feed you as much bulls**t as the multiple dealers. BUT there are some designers in the multiples, who are equally as good as the independents and likewise, some independents who are shockingly bad.

I hope CK agrees??

CKdesigner

mwilletts wrote: »

CK is obviously busy, so I thought I'd answerfor him lol:

1. If it's a gloss finish you're looking for, then a lacquer is usually the best, although you do get some VERY good vinyl wrapped doors.
2. It all depends. 15mm is the minimum you should go for, but only if that is a German brand, as they use higher quality materials (RWK, Hacker etc) If you're buying British, go for at least an 18mm carcase.
3. Over time, yes and they will fade at different rates depending on sunlight exposure
4. Nope, completely not the case.
5. Again, it all depends. Most of the time you can make a saving going to a specialist, some kitchen showrooms have good buyin power/good terms with their suppliers and can give good deals.
6. Why no question 6?? lol
7. Independents do TEND to be more experienced and can USUALLY offer a more tailored and personal service. They also tend not to feed you as much bulls**t as the multiple dealers. BUT there are some designers in the multiples, who are equally as good as the independents and likewise, some independents who are shockingly bad.

I hope CK agrees??

Spot on!

Like most things in life, you generally get what you pay for.

RX-78

Thanks guys, much appreciated!

I think with the VAT increase next year we'll really have to push hard for a new kitchen this year. 2.5% o (say) 10k kitchen would be £250 so thats a tidy saving to have just by getting it done this year!

Mind you I can also see a host of "buy our kitchen before VTA increase" sales coming up....