Is Wickes Best Value New Kitchen?

Bazman

Hi there,

I'm looking to have a new kitchen fitted.

First thing though the kitchen I have currently is free standing units from habitat which are actually quite nice (although not to my taste) is there much pf a market for second hand market for kitchens? What is the best place to sell them?

Having compared Wickes, B&Q, Homebase, Ikea and John Lewis. Wickes seem the best in terms of value for money.

Homebase and B&Q were laughably bad. I admit to being heavy handed but I do not expect things to come apart first time I touch them. Even the slow closing mechanisms on any of their kitchens I tried either snapped shut or more often wouldn't shut properly at all?

Ikea I didn't like the designs. John Lewis was nice and seems well built but not appreciably better than Wickes.

However I'd like to hear the experiences of those who have bought a Wickes kitchen as to how happy they have been and how well built they feel they are? They say they habe a 10 year guarantee but how happy are they to fix a problem when it does arise?

Also before I commit fully I would like to get other peoples experiences and recommendations on other kitchen suppliers I have not yet considered.

Lastly the biggest stumbling block for Wickes is the worksurfaces. I want granite and they are nearly twice the price of B&Q and homebase!!

How can I know I am comparing like with like when I compare these quotes? What questions should I be asking.

Can someone recommend a company to supply the granite worktops seperately?

Thanks

Baz

issy18

we priced loads of suppliers and in the end went for wickes, their worksurfaces were dear so we sourced our own, all in all i can say excelent service, spot on delivery and 2yrs on had a problem with 2 of the doors which have been replaced with no bother, if , buts, would certainly buy again.

Btw the kitchen looks fab:D
hope this helps,

Doozergirl

Thre will be an excellent second hand market for your Habitat kitchen on ebay. Try to get some really nice pics of it in situ and I'd put it on with a 99p start and just watch it go!

www.diapol.com for worktops. I've used several companies now and these guys are second to none in professionalism and price. You don't pay a penny until the worktops are fitted and you're happy. They are Estonian, sometimes they have quite strong accents but they know exactly what they are doing.

This time they were templated within a couple of hours of my first phonecall to them! They drove straight to us from Nottingham (they are all over). And they were fitted within the week.

Bazman

Doozergirl wrote: »

Thre will be an excellent second hand market for your Habitat kitchen on ebay. Try to get some really nice pics of it in situ and I'd put it on with a 99p start and just watch it go!

www.diapol.com for worktops. I've used several companies now and these guys are second to none in professionalism and price. You don't pay a penny until the worktops are fitted and you're happy. They are Estonian, sometimes they have quite strong accents but they know exactly what they are doing.

This time they were templated within a couple of hours of my first phonecall to them! They drove straight to us from Nottingham (they are all over). And they were fitted within the week.

Thanks for that.

Any recommendations on the type/thickness I should be looking for.

I want something fairly dark but not comepletly matt. However it shouldn't be too "sparkly" either.

Most companies seen to quote 30mm thickness is that enough or should I be looking for more?

Doozergirl

30mm is usual. It's heavy stuff. There is no need for more than that.

They will come with samples, one of which will certainly fit the bill. Absolute black isn't absolutely black, it still has texture to it. Then you get ones that have a slight sparkle and the very sparkly quartz tops. Or ones that are more grey/blue/green.

clay

Ive been looking for a new kitchen for the last month or two now, its either going to be a Benchmarx (same as Wickes but trade) or ( not been to see them yet) wren.

http://www.benchmarxjoinery.co.uk/

http://www.wrenkitchens.com/

slummymummyof3

Also been looking at kitchens but in Homebase. Shall be buying handles (ebay at 1/10th of the price), soft close hinges for the drawer packs as standard on cupboards (screwfix 1/10th of price) and worktops (worktopexpress at 1/4 of price) and also sink and appliances elsewhere.

ormus

unless your kitchen units are covered in gold, i doubt they are worth a fiver.
give em away on freecycle. or skip em.

sunshinetours

ormus wrote: »

unless your kitchen units are covered in gold, i doubt they are worth a fiver.
give em away on freecycle. or skip em.

I disagree if they are freestanding Habitat units in good nick. i would ebay for local collection only and insist buyer dismantles to avoid any potential damage issues

Bazman

sunshinetours wrote: »

I disagree if they are freestanding Habitat units in good nick. i would ebay for local collection only and insist buyer dismantles to avoid any potential damage issues

They are in very good nick includes, a good extraction unit which is sadly too small for the range cooker we have planned.

I'll stick them on ebay nearer the time and see how I get on.

It'll be a shame if they end up in a skip as they really are in first class condition.

Bazman

Is benchmarx exactly the same as Wickes (i.e. they supply wickes) or just very similar?

Also if they are trade do I have to start claiming to be a developer? (although it may be truer than I first though, I've just dicovered I have a huge loft :-))

Just to add, having looked at the benchmarx site I have to agree that their kitchens so look very nice. Given they are trade I don't suppose they offer a planning service?

On average how much cheaper are they than Wickes? Will I still have to pay VAT if it is for trade?