Kitchen budget - balancing

kabayiri

Hi all,

I'd really appreciate some seasoned advice

We are buying a new kitchen as part of a new extension amongst other things.

My search is leading me to something like the offerings from diy-kitchens, high gloss, as a guide.

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The question is .... how to split a budget?, in our case we aim for £10K.
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The more you read up, the more you start to see 'value' in the higher price things! At some point something has to give.

Should the bulk of the budget go to the furniture, or more to appliances?

I read good advice here about Rangemaster ranges, and if DH wants a range style cooker, I am tending towards something in their range even at the lower end (Rangemaster entry 90cm).

Many Thanks

CyCo_2

There's no real way to split your budget until you know what kind of figures you are talking for the furniture. My advice would be to get an all-in-price for the kitchen and then get a seperate price for just the furniture (and maybe worktops).

You can spend as little or as much as you want on the appliances, just bear in mind you get what you pay for, so sometimes buying cheaper appliances can be a false economy, but it does help to shop around.

Personally, I would buy the best quality kitchen cabinets and sink I could afford (as I'd expect them to last 20+ years) and maybe initially save a little money on the worktops, tap and appliances as these are a lot easier to change at a later date. (There's no point paying for an oven that will last you 15 years if the kitchen wont last that long, or a worktop that'll last forever when you'll need to replace the sink in 5 years and you can't be sure of getting the exact size again).

Does that make sense?

ormus

peeps move house every 7 yrs on average. buying "posh" expensive units that supposedly last 20 yrs, is a bit silly. and pointless.

CyCo_2

Oh, I should have moved 8 years ago then!

My kitchen has been in for 14 years and the cabinets are still going strong. Changed the worktops and hob 6 years ago, oven was changed last year, tap has been replaced twice.

How exactly was spending extra on "posh" expensive units silly and pointless? (Oh and the kitchen was from SieMatic, cream high-gloss "handless" doors, which still look brand new and are very much in fashion AGAIN)

kabayiri

The plan behind building an extension and moving the kitchen location is to not have to move. Like most plans I expect it might be foiled despite my best intentions

Cyco, we have got quotes from reputable local firms and also broken it down into furniture/appliances. I am trying to decide what nice-to-haves can be dropped if we have to stick to the budget.

Thanks all

phill99

I would be suggest getting the cabinets / worktops that you want and then compromising on the appliances. That way, when the appliances fail and need upgtrading, you can get more expensive ones when the time comes and your budget allows.

I had my kitchen fitted 18 years ago and got a 'free' hob and oven - they were very cheap one's made by Fagor, an Italian budget manufacturer. The oven lasted 13 years and I only changed it because I wanted a stainless steel one. It was still going strong. The hob was changed a year later because the ignition had failed. I bought a cheapish Whirlpool washer about 17 years ago and again, still going strong.

So not all budget brands are bad, so may be buying cheap appliances now will allow you the units etc you want and will allow you to upgrade at a later date.