Bauformat, Schuller or Mereway

MrsJNair

Hi,

This is my first post to this forum. I am a huge fan of this forum and usually my search for internet product reviews lead me here.

I am looking to remodel my existing kitchen. It is a small sized kitchen - 2.6 m X 2.65 m.

I have been quoted about 3K for Bauformat Cube Collection and Schuller (Collection - Living) by some independent suppliers. I can get a Mereway Cucina Colore kitchens for slightly less than 3K from one of the suppliers. I am getting a kitchen fitter to install my new kitchen.

I am very confused now as to which one to go for....

I have read very good reviews about Schuller kitchens. However their supply lead time is 6 weeks. Also if one of the units are missing or faulty, I don't know how long I will have to wait. Besides I may have to pay my kitchen fitter again to replace the faulty/missing unit.

I haven't yet come across good reviews about Bauformat kitchens although I haven't read anything negative about their kitchens yet. The Bauformat suppliers will also provide fitters which is a plus and I hope will take care of any extra expenses due to faulty or missing units.

Mereway Cucina Colore kitchens - Their lead time is about 3 weeks. Also, I presume that should there be a faulty or missing unit, it should be relatively easier to get a replacement as it is based in the UK.

Ideally I would like to go for a German kitchen.
Would you say that the quality of a Bauformat Cube kitchen is at par with Schuller kitchen?

Cucina Colore - Are they very behind a German make such as Schuller in quality?
Does anyone know what kind of doors they provide for their Matt finish wood grain doors - MDF or MFC doors? Their brochure says MFC, although some sellers did tell me it was MDF. Are these veneered or vinyl or foil finished?

Any opinions on Scavolini kitchens? I got a quote for about 5K for the units. The model that I was quoted for has handleless units.

Thanks,
Mrs Nair

ryder72

Schuller and Bauformat are similar products in terms of quality, perhaps giving Schuller a slight advantage.

These problems are almost always down to one of two reasons-
1. Transport damages - German companies are generally very good in terms of their deliveries and show-stopper problems are rare but no one can guarantee it wont happen. Neither can anyone guarantee it wont happen to a Mereway kitchen. That said, remedial turnarounds with German suppliers are fast tracked so your wait may not be 6 weeks, but check with the supplier.

2. Designer/Fitter not surveying the site properly or incorrect ordering. Your safest bet to eliminate this risk is to go with what level of confidence you have in the chosen supplier.

Usually a good independent kitchen company will see an installation through to completion with damages/remedials dealt with at their cost. If you chose to get it fitted yourself, the risk transfers to you.

Between the 3 makes you suggest, Bauformat and Schuller are both definitely better than Mereway. No doubt about it.

If the brochure says MFC, the door is a chipboard base with melamine wood decor finish on it. However, matt wood decor doors can also be made from chipboard/MDF with vinyl/foil wrap or veneer. Its almost certain that the ones you are looking at aren't veneers and very likely MFC.

Scavolini is a good innovative designer brand but its reflected in the price.

Meepster

+1 what kmdesign says...

MrsJNair

Thanks a lot for your replies.

ryder72

You have PM

takeadvice

thank you
we found this very Useful - we definately wanted a German kitchen. after much research we went for Bauformat Cube - they have a much longer established presence in the UK, more than 30 years (Schuller have only been selling here for around 6 years).
The Bauformat Cube is a better specified kitchen than the Schuller. we had more internal options, pull outs, glass sides and soft close everything for less money. The bauformat showroom offered their fitting service at a very good price, so we did'nt have to take the self fit risks that the Schuller kitchen came with. We felt more at ease with the way Bauformat operated - deposit and interim payments (not all our money upfront):T
Delivery was much quicker too - arrived within 4 weeks (schuller quoted 6 to 8)
all now fitted and we are over the moon - No problems, everything arrived and happened exactly as they said it would.

CKdesigner

takeadvice wrote: »

thank you
we found this very Useful - we definately wanted a German kitchen. after much research we went for Bauformat Cube - they have a much longer established presence in the UK, more than 30 years (Schuller have only been selling here for around 6 years).
The Bauformat Cube is a better specified kitchen than the Schuller. we had more internal options, pull outs, glass sides and soft close everything for less money. The bauformat showroom offered their fitting service at a very good price, so we did'nt have to take the self fit risks that the Schuller kitchen came with. We felt more at ease with the way Bauformat operated - deposit and interim payments (not all our money upfront):T
Delivery was much quicker too - arrived within 4 weeks (schuller quoted 6 to 8)
all now fitted and we are over the moon - No problems, everything arrived and happened exactly as they said it would.

Hi Takeadvice

I think the reasons you have stated why you have purchased a Bauformat kitchen rather than a Schueller one says more about the dealers/designers than the manufacturers. The fitting service and payment terms are decided by the dealer and have nothing to do with the German brands.

With regard to the specification, all that you have stated and a lot more is either standard or available from Schueller. Your estimate for delivery times is also in accurate, I can get a Schueller kitchen in 4 weeks if required.

I am also not sure you are correct about the time Bauformat has been present in the UK, I think a maximum of 12 years. What is more important in my opinion than the time in the UK is the size of the available range and how many kitchens the company produces. In both I believe Schueller does much more than Bauformat.

In truth the differences in construction, quality and longevity of the 2 brands is minute, so what is far more important is the quality of your chosen dealer/designer.

You have made your choice, so I wish you luck in the fitting of your new kitchen.

CK

phancey

MrsJNair and/or takeadvice,

where did you get your Bauformat cube from? We are looking for one of these but have been quoted £24k!! Want a cheaper version of the same.....

thanks
Phil

CKdesigner

phancey wrote: »

MrsJNair and/or takeadvice,

where did you get your Bauformat cube from? We are looking for one of these but have been quoted £24k!! Want a cheaper version of the same.....

thanks
Phil

Hi

The 'Cube' range is just the name that Bauformat gives to the standard grid system that virtually all Germany kitchen manufacturers use, which is that they divide the height of the door fronts into equal multiples. A very popular multiple is 130 mm. As an example a standard base unit would have a carcase height of 780 mm which is 6 x 130 mm.

So you can go to virtually any German kitchen retailer and get something near enough the same.

Good luck

CK

Gtee

We are currently looking for a new kitchen have had quotes from Benchmarxx, investigated Wickes, Magnet Homebase and discounted those. Been to John Lewis (Mereway) and impressed, also liked Alno, have seen Scheuller in a local independent, and liked that very much, is that better than Alno? Haven't seen Baufort so would like to know more.
Galley kitchen, 1 very long run, 1 short, need integrated tall units for freezer and fridge, and pull out larder and oven housing and larder. Pan drawers, 2 x Base units, and 1 1000 midi hieght unit. Price - Rough guide for Scheuller and Baufort?
Have quote from online supplier for Mereway Cucina Lastra (needs modifying for some of above units but nearly there £6.5k, no fitting, no worktops? But I do want a quality kitchen
thanks, Pauline

Steve_the_fitter

Both Mereway and Scheuller are good quality kitchens so go with the one you prefer.