New Kitchen

justpaper

i would advise shelling out for a Granite worktop if u buying a cheaper kitchen,

i wouldnt mine doing a layout if any one wants one done, just pm me the sizes of the kitchen and what shape ur after L U or galley,

Baz_Bee_2

As stated above most kitchen units are very similar in quality so in the main chose the units that offer the best value in the finish you want.

Built in appliances are are real rip-off. Becuase they are not bought in the same quantity as stand alone/built under appliances the choice is low and the prices (in comparisson) high. I would say do not be fooled in to buying your appliances from the same place you get your units. SHOP AROUND. For example: All my units are built in. Last August the integrated washer/dryer finally died. I checked out what was currently the best option and AEG looked a good bet. The model that I wanted was in B&Q at £849! (Really Cutting Prices my !!!!!!) It was priced similary at other major names (Comet, Curry's etc). I also checked out the on-line prices and got it down to £550. Eventually I sourced the same model from a local independent supplier for £525 (bit of haggling needed)!!!! Took me a couple of hours but saved over £300. I also out of interest did a similar exercise for other built in appliances and found the same applies. The large suppliers rip you off big time.

On fixing, the majority of the large national chains that sell kitchens (and bathrooms) that offer fixing nearly always sub-contract out the fitting. They mark up the fixing prices that they pay the fitters, and the fitters have no loyalty to you only the company who pays their bill. I would always recommend that you buy the units etc, etc, separately and then try and find a local kitchen fitter and/or small builder to do the fitting and associated works for you direct. Or of course there is always DIY?

Do not forget that if you do DIY then any electrical work, excepting the very basics, must now be done by a qualified sparks who will issue a certificate of compliance or otherwise certified by your local Building Control Dept. So even if you do get MFI or anyone elses fitters if they do electrical work always ensure they issue with the Electrical Compliance Certificate. If they do not do not pay! Without this cert you may have issues with your hose insurance if there is an incident that could be attributable to the work as wel as problems when coming to sell. I would imagine any of these certs will need to be included in the House Buyers Packs that will arrive shortly.

pazzazz

JeNjEn wrote:

Firrybabe - let us know how you go on with Betta Kitchens - was thinking about using them.

I have seen a fantastic kitchen in John Lewis - out of my price range!!!! Does anyone know who makes Jonelle Kitchens for John Lewis.

Thanks

The jonelle / John Lewis kitchens are supposedly the same as those you can buy direct from arena kitchens but at approx half the price.

JayS_3

pazzazz wrote:

The jonelle / John Lewis kitchens are supposedly the same as those you can buy direct from arena kitchens but at approx half the price.

I didn't know John Lewis did kitchens, where can you see them (I know my local very big John Lewis's x2 don't have them on display)?

catznine

JeNjEn wrote:

Sorry meant to ask if anyone had a website address for Howdens Joinery please?

I don't have a website address but do have their head office address which is:-

Howden Joinery Ltd
Southon House
333 The Hyde
Edgeware Road
Colindale
London
NW9 6TD

hth

We are in the process of having a Howdens Kitchen installed, the Howdens designer was very good and incorporated all our ideas and suggested other good ones (we don't have a very big kitchen so needed to gain more work surface) Things like a built under the worktop microwave and a pull out table in a draw. We are still at the messy structural stage with our local building company knocking out walls and chimneys and re plastering but hopefully by next week it will all start to come together. Will let you know how it goes. Ours is not an expensive range of units (beech with stainless steel handles) but it meant we could afford integrated units.

freestyle_3

http://!!!!!!.co.uk/jnf8

Presentation and information on howden

JeNjEn_3

Our local John Lewis in Cheadle (nr Stockport) has a kitchen display department - they sell kitchens by Alno but also have a range of their own branded Jonelle - they seem good quality but not cheap! Thanks for the info on Arena and Howdens.

Suewre

Hubby fitted our kitchen. He is a self-employed plasterer, and set himself up an account at Howdens so he could buy the units. He was given two brochures. A plain one for himself and a glossy one to show to 'customers' The one showing the prices that he would pay was 60% less than the one to show to 'customers'. For example, a unit costing £100 in the glossy brochure, only cost us £40. So if you order your units from a glossy brochure your kitchen fitter shows you, he is making a nice little profit on the units before he even charges you for fitting.

firrybabe

JeNjEn wrote:

Firrybabe - let us know how you go on with Betta Kitchens - was thinking about using them.

I have seen a fantastic kitchen in John Lewis - out of my price range!!!! Does anyone know who makes Jonelle Kitchens for John Lewis.

Thanks

Yeah will let you know how I get on. I am getting the kitchen supply only from them, as the cost of their fitters is significantly higher than the other quotes I've had.

I didn't decide on my kitchen straight away, I told them I had others to consider, and they became more flexible with the price which is what I like.

Hopefully the quality will be good.

deedums

Are any of the Howden kitchens the same design as MFI's or is that too much to expect?! Thanks