Benchmarx, Howdens or Ikea? Who to use and how to plan a kitchen? (merged threads)

leeloo1

Thanks Megan, It has been a long week - trying to work and driving myself mad with planning kitchens is hard work. Roll on the weekend!

sugarwalsh

Don't let it stress you. I'm sure you will find answer in the end. Best of luck. Megan

Meepster

leeloo1 wrote: »

trying to work and driving myself mad with planning kitchens is hard work.

I couldn't agree with you more

leeloo1

Thanks for the sympathy.

The plot thickens! Having had a poke under the tumble dryer in the 'utility room' it turns out that underneath it there is what looks like a blocked off toilet pipe!? Does anyone have any clue if this would be hard to reconnect - if it wasn't we could maybe put the washing machine in there too and make more room in the kitchen?!

danemi1

How are you getting on - have you decided who to go with - we are currently looking at ikea and magnet - the builders and carpenters have been this today and whilst they were here suggested Howdens - they said they would give it to us at cost price. They seem decent people and experienced so going to go and look at magnets on friday and a visit to howdens is now on the cards too

*debbie*

We are having an extension - the mess and noise is awful at the moment! - and are going to have a new kitchen in the extension. We looked around at all the DIY places, Howdens came round, Ikea and a local (expensive) one. The Howdens we were very disappointed with as I really want high units on the walls and they only have 1 range. This is in the cheapest end of the range and it was still nearly £2k for a really poorly designed kitchen. Of the DIY ones, I found Homebase the best for design but the worst for fitters cost, and Wickes don't even do any tall wall units! I wasn't planning on liking Ikea, but fell in love with the units and the planning has been excellent. He has taken our rather vague ideas and come up with a stunning kitchen and keeps tweeking it until we are happy. I won't buy the worksurface from them as I think it is poor quality and spoils an otherwise lovely kitchen. And at the moment Ikea are giving a £100 voucher for every £1000 spent on kitchens, so it will cover new bedroom furniture too!
Obviously as it isn't in yet, I cannot comment on the fitters, but the cost we have been charged is very reasonable and far less than out builders quoted for putting in Howdens, which is pre-built!

danemi1

thanks - which range are you going with - I am looking at abstrakt white - hubby likes cream too - have been advised get worktops and sink from elsewhere - units are fab but sink and worktops not so good - keep me posted on how you go hun

our builder and carpenter team are fitting ours as part of the build