Advice Needed for kitchen with the 'wow' factor

bigg2001

I think it would be fair to say that sales are almost permanent so I wouldn't rush and make the wrong decision - you need to get used to the space you have first of all - only thing I would say is that I think many retailers will use VAT increase as an excuse to put prices up (and beyond 2.5%) ibn January - or I am just being cynical??

There are better weekends and times to buy (Homebase had half price and 20% off cabinets offer and then took a further 15% off everything last weekend and Howdens has its October sale) but I would decide on the kitchen you like and then search this forum to find out if there are any 'sale' times to be aware of - the people on here are a wealth of knowledge ...... not me, I am just learning!!

Hope move goes well x

mag34

How much is everyone paying for their kitchens. I've had a couple of quotes, from £10,000 to £13,000 second one was with all NEF appliances first with only a couple of cheaper appliances. It's not a big kitchen L shape with a penisular around 12 units.

ozskin

go to a proper kitchen designer, usually independent specialist and not a builders trade depot like howdens

QTPie

Few photos of my recently finished kitchen (glass splashbacks went in today). Still has an LED/LCD TV to go up on the wall to the right of the window. Already pretty "lived" in and the 9 month old has already had an impact (highchair and extra large playpen...).
















It shows very much that "wow" means different things to different people: it wows me, but wont do it for everyone... . It definitely works for me too - very practical... although, like most things in life, I could now improve on the finished design (after using it for a week...)

Innys

That looks a truly fabulous kitchen QT

mag34

Yep, it really does look great. Where did you get it from if you don't mind me asking and how much roughly did it cost. I'ts a simlar layout to the one that I'm looking for only I don't have units where your sink is, mine would have to run along the wall where your door is and then same as you with oven etc. and the peninsular would be the same. I was also thinking along the the same style with the oak. What is it you would improve now that you've used it.

QTPie

mag34 wrote: »

Yep, it really does look great. Where did you get it from if you don't mind me asking and how much roughly did it cost. I'ts a simlar layout to the one that I'm looking for only I don't have units where your sink is, mine would have to run along the wall where your door is and then same as you with oven etc. and the peninsular would be the same. I was also thinking along the the same style with the oak. What is it you would improve now that you've used it.

Thank you.

It is a Stoneham kitchen (http://www.stoneham-kitchens.co.uk/). The Strata is Maple (although it looks a bit like Oak, it is actually now) - http://www.stoneham-kitchens.co.uk/range/avantgarde/strata.html . The oak looks lovely, but the maple gives more feeling of space and is still very warm and sunny. They do some lovely kitchens and are very well made.

I am very happy with the kitchen, although it is always possible to think of improvements...
- I love the larder unit: I only have a 300mm one with individual pull out drawers - wish that I had another one or a bigger one. It is brilliant.
- love the La Mans corner units - wouldn't change them (I know that they are expensive and not the best use of space, but at least they make the space usable).
- love the deep pan drawers with dividers in too: great for crockery, cooking dishes, pans etc. The one under the hob also has a utensil drawer - really great.
- the cutlery drawer is a little distant from the hob/kettle/sink perhaps...
- adore the 900mm hob...
- I like the built in microwave: it isn't the biggest or the cheapest (it was expensive), BUT it works pretty well and it frees up counter space.
- Love having two single ovens - expensive, but I think that the second oven cavity size on a double oven is too small.
- should have had a slight upward curve in the granite upstand above the hob (following the curved line of the cooker hood).
- should have had a curved end panel on the left o the American Fridge Freezer: it is the only end that doesn't either have a curved unit or a curved end panel. It doesn't look bad (flat), but... I could have added it on during the build process, but was quoted £800 or the additional panel - couldn't justify it (funnily enough!).
- I have a Franke Triflow tap - not sold on it yet... the filter doesn't filter out limescale... might have been better off going for a different filtration system.
- If I could have justified the cost, would have liked "in-frame".
- love the curved units - expensive etc, but...
- have a built-in "custom" wine rack above the fridge/freezer: works really well for me.
- we are currently considering extending the glass splashback (from the corner to the right of the hob, into the window reveal, from the other window reveal until the back end of the peninsula). I am in too minds about it... Might be more practical (splashes from draining board etc), but can't help thinking it looks better without.
- Maybe should have had a bit of a breakfast bar over the back of the peninsula (i.e. extend the granite out - easier to sit at it to eat). The kitchen is in our new house and we weren't sure how we would use the kitchen and our use of it is likely to change over time (we will rebuild the conservatory as a sun/garden/family room over the next maybe 5 years).

I think that is it. I do really like Doozergirl's suggestions (keeping a wall of tall housings - side-by-side ovens, fridge/freezers, larders - is a really excellend idea), but what we have done works for us on balance (in this room).

We have a seperate utility room (same cabinets, laminate work top), with washer, dryer, tall freezer, another sink, water softener, broom cupboard etc...

I probably didn't ought to say the price (not at all MSE...!). We paid over-the-odds for a premium product through a premium supplier, BUT it has been very well managed and took an awful lot of the work and stress off of me (albeit at a cost). The installation was well managed, very well fitted and nothing has been too much trouble...

QT

bigg2001

So I have my kitchen quote and it's so expensive - I think they must think I'm stupid!!

Nearly £13k!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the builder isn't sure whether this includes appliances which I don't want from Howdens or sinks or worktops in kitchen, only in utility!!

Looks like kitchen includes:

2 x 500mm larder units
1x 1000mm bridging unit
1 x 600mm oven tower
1 x 600mm wall unit
1 x1000mm corner unit
2 x 600mm hl unit (incl 1 for sink)
1 x integrated dishwasher front
1 x 1000mm hl unit

And for the island.....

2 x 500mm hl units
1 x 1000mm hl unit
1 x 1000mm 3 drawer unit
3 x 300mm hl units
4 rounded corners

The utility is approx:

1 x 1000mm corner unit
1 x 300mm hl unit
1 x 600mm tower unit
(1 x 600mm wall unit
1 x 300mm wall unit) - want to lose these but they are included in quote


All quoted in Burford White and I asked for Glendevon!!!!!

so will my quote increase when changed to Glendevon??

I want to cry as my builders quote has also come in at £6.4k for labour + materials + plumber & electrician to essentially knock down walls between kitchen and dining room & hall, take out old kitchen, fit new kitchen & utility, build new wall between hall and new room, change arch to door in utility, block up back door and replaster all kitchen & fit 5 new doors downstairs - I am ok about builders' cost as this will include him project managing whole thing - I may change my mind when I think some more about it as I am aware this is expensive!!

But really looking for advice about kitchen cost - help!!
:mad::mad::mad:

Innys

Just get at least two more quotes.

If they want the business, that quote will soon drop like a stone. Everyone, in any business these days can't afford to take customers for granted these days.

Sounds like this quote is simply trying it on but you can't really tell unless you get something to compare it to.

Doozergirl

bigg2001, get a printed copy of the quote. If they've quoted, they can email them as well as print them off.

It's a big kitchen but I have never seen a Howdens quote anywhere near that high. Let's get the breakdown.