Kitchens - Can't decide - Please help!

HelenDaveKids

Seen 2 kitchens really like (26 units, DW, Gas hob, double built in oven, extra large column fridge, extra large column freezer, sink with drainer and extra half sink bit, laminate work top). Ones an indepedent sells to trade local place. Quote comes at just a few quid short of 10k, all appliances unbranded and fitting in with price. 2nd one is Wickes "melbourne" in their to order range, has all branded appliances , currently 50% off, plus extra 15% (quote good till 15th) comes in at 11.5 but that includes 2.4k fitting which im sure can do cheaper and appliances on kelkoo could get for just over £900 cheaper.

Real dilemma. Genuinely not sure which I prefer. I suspect with a bit of phoning and surfing net I could get the wickes one to sameish price.

Please help......

I guess what Im asking is - is the current wickes deal a good one? are they good kitchens? Are you always better using a local trade?

Alan_M_2

Also Price up Benchmarx "Oakhurst" - same kitchen as the Wikes Melbourne but pre assembled.

http://www.benchmarxjoinery.co.uk/?pageId=8&hierarchy=Kitchens&category=13&subCategory=5&products=true

HelenDaveKids

Alan_M wrote: »

Also Price up Benchmarx "Oakhurst" - same kitchen as the Wikes Melbourne but pre assembled.

http://www.benchmarxjoinery.co.uk/?pageId=8&hierarchy=Kitchens&category=13&subCategory=5&products=true

Cheers. What do you think of the quality?

Alan_M_2

Quite a few of my customers fit Benchmarx and rate them as good value for money and a step up from Howdens, ikea, B&Q etc.

There are plenty of kitchen specialists on here that can give more info on them though.

Meepster

The Wickes/Benchmarx kitchens are decent quality. 18mm carcase, solid back and use Blum drawer runners and hinges and the Melbourne/Oakhurst uses the Milton Oak fascias from PWS.

Avoid the installation service at all costs though. You will find someone to do a much better job for a lot less money...

phill99

Agree with Meepster. Don't use the 'Sheds' fitting services. They are well overpriced (the actual fitter won't even get half of the £2400 you have been quoted). Plus there are often Quality Control issues as the supply chaimn is over extended.

Get a well recommended local fitter and you will probably get it fitted for £1000 - £1200. Also, the sheds overprice their appliances. If you can get appliances £900 cheaper on the web and save £!200 on the fitting, you have alreadt saved over £2k off of your £11.5k from Wickes. Plus if you look at the Benchmarx range, you will get the equivilant kitchen much cheaper.

I know sometimes its a bit of hassle, bit its is often worth it.

HelenDaveKids

Think its going to come right down to preferred kitchen as are now both priced so similarly (£305 in it!), so;

Wickes
Can see exactly what looks like in showroom setting
Well branded appliances which can match like for like by surfing
Hassle of sourcing appliances
Hassle of sorting out another fitter (although already have 2 potential joiners through contacts)
Offered 6 months interest free credit
Vouchers back on their loyalty card scheme


Independent
Look really nice doors / carcuses
Local - problems will be sorted quickly. Already said that as its being built as we speak that if measurements slightly different, it would be sorted as part of quote
2 recommendations
Appliances unbranded (does this matter?)
Own fitter (good price) included in quote

Thanks everyone. Think need to go and look at Wickes kitchen again! Need to take friends and relatives to help decide!!

Meepster

See notes below:

Also, what guarantee are the independants offering?
This might be a strange question, but which Wickes branch have you been to?

HelenDaveKids wrote: »

Think its going to come right down to preferred kitchen as are now both priced so similarly (£305 in it!), so;

Wickes
Can see exactly what looks like in showroom setting
Well branded appliances which can match like for like by surfing
Hassle of sourcing appliances (it's not hassle, it's MSE )
Hassle of sorting out another fitter (although already have 2 potential joiners through contacts)
Offered 6 months interest free credit (if you don't take the IFC you should be able to get the price down a further 5% or 10%)
Vouchers back on their loyalty card scheme


Independent
Look really nice doors / carcuses (whose doors are they using)
Local - problems will be sorted quickly. Already said that as its being built as we speak that if measurements slightly different, it would be sorted as part of quote (you want it spot-on BEFORE you start fitting it, don't aim to be making changes mid-fit)
2 recommendations
Appliances unbranded (does this matter?) (Honestly? Yes it does matter)
Own fitter (good price) included in quote

Thanks everyone. Think need to go and look at Wickes kitchen again! Need to take friends and relatives to help decide!!

cddc

Wickes will price match appliances take in a print out of any internet quotes you have and they will do it, but not if you just go in and say "I can get it for this much".

You really do want to know who makes the indy's appliances though, it speaks volumes that they dont want to tell you.

Whichever you choose, I hope you enjoy your new kitchen.

HelenDaveKids

Meepster wrote: »

See notes below:

Also, what guarantee are the independants offering?
This might be a strange question, but which Wickes branch have you been to?

Not sure, need to ask that!

Branch is sutton-in-ashfield.

Its us that will make it need remeasuring just before as will be in our new extension (currently breeze blocks) so waiting for the rest of internal blockwork then plastering before "final measure". They said they would be out as soon as can measure properly and won't charge for any cupboard changes required if needs tweaking.

Independents have just dropped to 9k.
going to Wickes tomoz and then independents and see if that helps.
Part of me wants to support local trade but the other half thinks that the wickes deal looks very good.

They are makers of doors and carcuses (really not sure how to spell that!), etc. They have only just started to create a showroom but sell predominantly to trade. One of our builders have had 2 from them and said excellent quality and really good fitters. (one was their old house and the other was one they rent out).

Thanks Meepster

HelenDaveKids

cddc wrote: »

Wickes will price match appliances take in a print out of any internet quotes you have and they will do it, but not if you just go in and say "I can get it for this much".

You really do want to know who makes the indy's appliances though, it speaks volumes that they dont want to tell you.

Whichever you choose, I hope you enjoy your new kitchen.

Thats a really good idea. I can easily do that.

No, they are happy to tell me which brand it is, I just don't recognise them. Gave me a very glossy brochure with them all in. They are "CDA". Has contact details etc on back of book and they all look really nice but they aren't a brand I know. Perhaps I need to do a search and see what people think about the brand.

Thanks xx