Kitchen planning-help please. UPDATE!new design page 2

hotcookie101

Hi everyone, we got a kitchen design done yesterday, and I love it! But its over £5k over budget (no appliances!) so we need to see if we can get it done cheaper

The main part I am unsure about is this bit The 2 large cupboards-currently the boiler lives in the top of the one on the far left, and the kitchen designer has then made it so freezer sits below that, the washing machine is in the cupboard just beside that, with a shelf in it and the tumble dryer stacked on a shelf within the cupboard. But-the picture shows a plinth, which would mean we wouldn't be able to open freezer door? Or am I being thick and the appliances will be sitting INSIDE the cupboard, not on the floor? In which case-is that OK with a washing machine?

We won't go for the longer glazed cupboard on the end, just the same height as the other wall units

I would really appreciate any input on this-I LOVE the idea of it, as it gives us 2 extra cupboards-but will it work?

Argh-picture doesn't come up-here is photobucket link

irnbru_2

hotcookie101 wrote: »

The 2 large cupboards-currently the boiler lives in the top of the one on the far left, and the kitchen designer has then made it so freezer sits below that, the washing machine is in the cupboard just beside that, with a shelf in it and the tumble dryer stacked on a shelf within the cupboard.

Look at the cost of separate washing and drying machines compared to combis.

How are you venting the dryer?

Built-in or integrated appliances will handle the plinth/door issues.

Have a look on ebay at the MFI stock that's being sold. That should give you an idea of the cupboard costs that can be achieved.

phill99

Where did you get the quote from?

hotcookie101

irnbru wrote: »

Look at the cost of separate washing and drying machines compared to combis.

How are you venting the dryer?

Built-in or integrated appliances will handle the plinth/door issues.

Have a look on ebay at the MFI stock that's being sold. That should give you an idea of the cupboard costs that can be achieved.

We already have all the appliances-so its a freestanding freezer WM and dryer-do NOT want a washer dryer-this is an attempt to hide our ugly appliances and make kitchen more streamlined, but don't want to buy new ones!

phill99 wrote: »

Where did you get the quote from?

Its Wentworth kitchens-I LOVE the kitchen, but WAAY too much money

hotcookie101

I had howdens out today, and she said basically that I cannot put a freestanding machine in a cupboard designed for an integrated one, as they are too big
SO-am now considering switching my old washing machine for a new, integrated one. She is going to quote me for the bosch one-the howdens code is HAP8510-does anyone know which bosch machine this applies to? (also-the width of this one in the book is 600mm-so surely thats the same as the freestanding, or do they mean once its IN the cabinet?

Am then possibly thinking of putting tumble dryer in the cupboard in the spare room (its full height ceiling, used for storage at present-890mm deep x 1020 wide, and has an outside wall for venting the machine. As long as it is vented-can anyone see a problem with this? I use it for storing linens, suitcases and camping stuff?

Thanks

WLM21

B & Q have a free online kitchen design program here...

https://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/account/login.jsp?referrer=/diy/jsp/bq/kitchenplanner/kitchenPlannerLauncher.jsp&st=true&planner=true&KitchenPlanner=true

It's not the easiest planning software available, but being free it may be good to try different layouts, if you have a bit of patience. It isn't too fast either.

Most suppliers sell the same sized standard units, so you are not stuck with using B&Q stuff.

hotcookie101

Has anyone heard of/any experience of CDA appliances? They seem midpriced?

Don't worry-will avoid them-had searched on here, but didn't find anything, then realised was searching CBA :rotfl:

PeggyAnn_2

We have the same problem in the cottage we've just started renovating. We're solving it by going to a local independent kitchen firm who make their own made to measure cabinets and also offer over 1000 different styles/colours/materials of doors to fit.

These doors can be any size up to 650mm, that in turn means units up to about 654mm. With 18mm carcasses these gives an internal width of 618mm, that should be easily enough to fit standard 600mm appliances.

Our kitchen is an awkward shape due to RSJs, so having made to measure units is a big plus for us for this reason as well. It also does away with wasting storage space with infill panels or boxing in, and enables us to have some deeper than normal cupboards and worktops.

Unlike Howdens the carcasses are also colour-matched to the doors (not just to white and beech ones) so there'll be no annoying different colour carcass showing through. They're also better quality carcasses than Howdens as well.

Surprisingly, even with a 75% discount from Howdens via a builder friend, the cost is less than 10% extra! It's certainly less than buying new appliances.

So it may be worth getting a quote from some of your own local independents.

hotcookie101

Thanks, we are going to an independant place at the weekend, and I think they custom build, so will see then. Would be good if they could Built in washing machines are more expensive than I realised :eek:

slummymummyof3

Try sourcing everything but the carcasses and doors from elsewhere - there is nothing to say you must buy their door handles and you will find them significantly cheaper on ebay!! Where soft close hinges don't come as standard - buy them from Screwfix (we saved over £130 per drawer pack doing this!) They came as standard on all of our cupboards just not on the drawer packs.

Worksurfaces, glass splashbacks etc you can source significantly cheaper elsewhere, as you can sinks and taps, appliances and cooker extraction hoods. Don't rush in to ordering and just spend a little time on the internet looking at sourcing things elsewhere as you will save a fortune. We cut thousands off our kitchen by doing this!!!! All these little things add up rather frighteningly especially when kitchen retailers add on ridiculous items like handle templates etc - you need to go through the quotation item for item and see where you can save.

Becareful trying to use carcasses from other retailers such as MFI as fittings might not match up with the doors and carcasses - hope that makes sense - this was an avenue we explored but then had to ditch.

hotcookie101

Are soft close doors and drawers worth it? I'm not really bothered about them, but not sure if they are a "good thing" :rotfl:

Worktops-def getting elsewhere-they don't do granite and thats what I have my heart set on. I did chose a sink, and a tap, but don't like the tap-so will be looking elsewhere, and not sure of the quality of the undermount sinks from there?