Replacing my kitchen!!!!!!

al_yrpal

Just finishing mine after a leisurely four months refit with many interruptions for various trips and adventures (I'm retired). Got the units from https://www.diy-kitchens.com, they were first class professional units ready assembled. Also got a turnmotion from them for the corner - absolutely magic! Fitted all new Neff appliances purchased on the web for a fraction of what you would pay at Magnet etc. As I fitted a granite worktop (https://www.stone-circle.com/kitchenworktops.html )pulled out the old units one by one and put in the new ones having cut the old worktops into sections. Then the granite people came and measured up, and a week later the worktop was in. Plumbing is dead simple now with all fittings push together (the plumbing guys in B&Q give sound advice for free). I capped off the old gas with a compression fitting. I did get an electrician in for a day to make some changes and wire in the new induction hob, but I fitted all new electical fittings myself. Fitted the new oven, microwave and cooker hood and ducting - dead easy. Tiling the walls was easy, the only mistake I made was to tile the floor with 18" square ceramic tiles. Its hard to get them level and I think a professional would have done a better job than me. Probably would have cost an extra £300 or so. Had to buy a 20 quid laser level to level the units for the granite, and a 6Kg drill/breaker to rout some channels in the walls, but these tools are so cheap from places like Screwfix the cost disappears in the savings you make on the whole job

All in all it has cost half what a kitchen co would have charged, and it was fun. If your handy, go for it.

davsidipp

al yrpal did you buy the units online without seeing them or do they have a warehouse you can view them from? also how many units did you have and what was the cost thanks for your info

al_yrpal

davsidipp wrote:

al yrpal did you buy the units online without seeing them or do they have a warehouse you can view them from? also how many units did you have and what was the cost thanks for your info

You can go and see them at Pontefract in Yorkshire, but I didn't. I asked them the make of board they used and looked at the method of construction. They are using computer controlled machines to cut and assemble units, there is a video on their website. The Doors they supply are PWS doors which are some of the best available. I was satisfied with that. I ordered plain glossy ivory doors which are plastic coated, but first I ordered a sample door and handle for a few pounds which they refund if you purchase. I did look at all the high quality stuff in B&Q, Wickes, Magnet etc, but DIY-Kitchens did just what we wanted, and seemed to be cheaper. My pal supplys and fits high quality kitchens, I asked him to quote for the same units and he couldn't beat the prices even at trade.
I had a tall pull out larder with baskets all fitted, a tall double oven and microwave unit, a 1000mm wide unit with one shallow and two deep drawers, one double cupboard with drawers 850 wide, two 450 wide units with top drawers a sink unit, a 5 drawer 450 unit, a corner unit with turnmotion, 3 wall units and one corner wall unit, plinths, pelmets. About 3 grand in all.

davsidipp

thanks al yrpal will deff be looking and asking for sample of doors as will be doing refit on kitchen extension next couple of weeks after foor is screeded. the information you have given has been great as we were contemplating getting an ikea kitchen but changed our mind with the hassle and quality of them thanks again.

Mr_Grumpy_7

Just a couple of comments.

Regarding worktops, I did a kitchen last year and found a company who could supply the worktop ready cut and mitred. They would only supply their own worktops, but they had a very good selection, and the end result was perfect. I still had to cut the holes for the sink and hob, which was the scary bit.

Regarding Part P, you can remove the oven and hob, and install new, as long as it is a like for like swap. Again, you can replace exisiting sockets and light fittings, but the fitting of additional sockets and light fittings will, strictly speaking, require certification. Just to highlight what a load of b****cks part P is, I dont't belieive it covers earth bonding. So, you can legally replace your bathroom or kitchen, cut off those nice green/yellow wires, but as long as you don't touch anything else electrical you are quite legally unsafe.

Good luck with the project. Just take your time, and give yourself plenty of time. Estimate 1 week, allow 2, you know the sort of thing!

TWOQUIDKEV

This is my first post on here, due to diy being my favourite subject

I've just finished building my new kitchen, for pictures see here:

http://kevinsharples.bulldoghome.com/photos/BDRES/kevinsharples_bulldoghome_com/kitchen/

From all my shopping around I found Ikea to be the cheapest but still offering good quality kitchen units. all the units you see in the kitchen cost £1100, including 4off pull out wire baskets either side of the cooker, and carousel type wire baskets in either corner unit. (these cost more than £150each at B&Q etc)

as for the electrical appliances I bought at Next electrical http://order.next.co.uk/electric/ , which I found to be quite reasonably priced. I bought Slimeline Built in dishwasher/under counter fridge/under counter freezer/electric oven/gas hob all for £1050. I'm not saying don't shop around for your electricals using pricerunner etc, I did this also and there wasn't much in it to be honest. the bonus was that no matter what you order the delivery is only £25, so that saved me on delivery for all items if I'd shopped around.

the plumbing was easy enough because the sink was in the same place as the last one. I got a plumbing waste kit from B&Q, it was a 1.5 bowl waste kit with dishwasher attachment, I got this from the kitchen aisle near to the sinks it was priced at £4.99. yet when i went to the plumbing section a few aisles down the same kit was £9.99 except in a different package I couldn't believe my eyes twice as expensive wow. As for the taps I recommend you get the flexible hose attachments with compression fittings they allow for a greater freedom of adjustment. and are easy enough to fit.

As for wiring the oven up anyone who has wired up a 3 pin plug should be able to do this, just follow the installation guide no problems and use the correct gauge of wire as stated in the manual. NOT the normal 3 core wire you use for a plug, it's a lot thicker.

I had to get a plumber in for the gas supply to the hob though, but it only took him 2 hours and cost £30, so I wasn't that bothered. I was lucky though when I come to take out the old gas hob there was a shut off valve installed allready so I didn't have any problems with turning the gas off for long periods of time. I recommend fitting shut off valves on all taps and gas appliances etc to save time in the future.

A good tip when uninstalling something like electricals is to take a digi pic of it before dismantling then when it comes to reinstalling you have some idea of how it went together in the first place.

Make sure all the base and wall cupboards are square and level, take your time and you should be all right.

If your getting laminate worktops then the but and scribe joints look the best, my local timber firm savoy timber did them for me, but your measurements have to be spot on or you could be in trouble.

thats all for now but if anyone wants to ask anything go right ahead.

monkey_writer

hello Mr Grumpster. Who was that company? I am looking for a worktop with Formica surfaces in red to fit on my 1950's kitchen units. Want it as authentic as possible.

RICHARDGREENLAND

As a builder who has done too many kitchens to remember, I'd say, whether you DIY it or get professionals in depends on your standards. I've seen some horrible messes that the DIY owners were very proud of, and I've been called in a few times when folk get out of their depth and realise it. But I can honestly say I've never seen a DIY kitchen that I would remotely be happy to put my name to, or have the barefaced cheek to ask a client to pay good money for. Getting units in plumb and level right at the start, accurately fitting doors, seamlessly mitreing worktops, cornice and pelmet, even fitting handles lavel, are all problem areas for DIYers. However, fitted kitchen companies charge an arm and a leg for this sort of work - and then the other arm and the other leg! They SHOULD give a very high class job, tho. Or alternatively, you could ask your freinds and neighbours to recommend a local carpenter/ tradesman who can do the job for you at a sensible cost. You may still choose to DIY it - but remember, you get what you pay for!

Good luck!