Buying a new kitchen

stevedosdedos

Hi all,

I am wanting to replace the kitchen in my new flat, however with cost a major issue I am just wondering the best way to go about doing so and which companies are recommended and to be avoided!

My kitchen is very small being only a 240 x 240 cm square accessed off my living room by a 118 cm arch at the left side of the wall.

Essentially I don't want to spend more than £5000 in total on the project.

Should I be installing the majority of the kitchen myself and getting a professional to finish it off, or is £5000 a realistic amount to buy a kitchen with fitting?

I've looked at b&q kitchens and also ikea but not much apart from that. Other specialist companies seem to be far more expensive ( and yes I've read the mo en thread and won't be going near em!)

Any recommendations as to how and where I can get the best kitchen for my buck?

Thanks in advance
Steven
Aberdeen

Doozergirl

You can do it for £5000, easily.

What is really, really important is that it is fitted professionally. It's better to have cheaper units fitted well than spend more on units to save on the fitting. Ask around for recommendations, do not use the fitting services of the DIY shops because they don't offer anything close to value for money.

stevedosdedos

Thanks for that!

Any recommendations on where to buy kitchen units and appliances from?

Ikea? B and Q?

Steven

Doozergirl

Lots of people seem to like Ikea, I'm not their biggest fan but the price reflects the quality evenly, I guess.

Wickes seems to be a more popular choice than B&Q because the carcasses are genuinely solid built, or if you know someone that can get a sensible price, Howdens. If you find the fitter first, they will probably have an account there, just don't let them charge you too much.

Appliances, I'd pick the ones you like and then check the internet shopbots to find the best price on them. I'm a big fan of appliance city, they were cheaper than everyone else and even knocked more off because I was buying a whole kitchen worth of goods. When I accidentally ordered the wrong hob, they took it back without quibble and swapped it for the right one as soon as they physically could.

The way to get best value for money is to buy things from different shops.

If you tell someone youv'e got £5000 to spend, they will magically make it £5000 even if it didn't need to be that much, so tell them to aim lower.