'Lower' End Kitchens

Hello123_2

Any experiences/opinions of Wickes 'take away' kitchens? Eg quality, finish?

Am especially interested in the Stamford range (cream shaker style).

The prices seem really good - but are they too good to be true?!

Also, can anyone recommend any other lower end kitchens.

We have about £1500-£2000 max for all cupboards, carcasses & handles.

Ruski

Very very very basic. I'd avoid if you can.

cddc

Get what you pay for and very basic range of cabinet options, though they added slightly to it in the summer. Stamford is not a bad door for the money if the units fit your space. Soft Close is now standard and drawer boxes etc. are decent for the price point. 15mm carcasse and flappy back panels though. Do what they say on the tin as long as you avoid the Miami door which is utter garbage.

At that end of the market there are far worse options out there (see the threads on Wow Kitchens,Kitchens Uber etc.etc.etc.), but if you are within striking distance of an Ikea, it would be worth having a look there.

Hello123_2

Ruski wrote: »

Very very very basic. I'd avoid if you can.

Thanks for your advice. Could you elaborate a little? When you say basic do you mean in what is available or the quality?

Problem is we are on such a tight budget (£1500ish for around 12 cabinets).

Wonder if they'll be any January sales on for better quality kitchens, and if so what 'lower end' kitchens would you all recommend? We are after a country style/cream shaker if possible - opinions on this welcome too!

Ruski

Basic in what you can get and the build quality - I'd compare them to early 80's standard - no legs, 15mm carcasses with poor laminate, plastic handles etc.

You'll easily get 12 cabinets for 1500 - as CDDC has said price up what you want in ikea - they a very good standard for the money, soft close etc blum quality mechanisms. B&Poo It kitchen range isn't bad if put together correctly. Or get a friendly builder/tradesman to price up from Magnet - use howdens if you have to but I prefer Magnet.

Don't forget that if you're paying a tradesman to fit it you'll probably pay what you've paid for the cabinets in labour for the fitting overall.

HTH

Russ

Hello123_2

Ruski wrote: »

Basic in what you can get and the build quality - I'd compare them to early 80's standard - no legs, 15mm carcasses with poor laminate, plastic handles etc.

You'll easily get 12 cabinets for 1500 - as CDDC has said price up what you want in ikea - they a very good standard for the money, soft close etc blum quality mechanisms. B&Poo It kitchen range isn't bad if put together correctly. Or get a friendly builder/tradesman to price up from Magnet - use howdens if you have to but I prefer Magnet.

Don't forget that if you're paying a tradesman to fit it you'll probably pay what you've paid for the cabinets in labour for the fitting overall.

HTH

Russ

Thanks for your advice. My OH will be fitting it so no labour costs.

We looked at IKEA but couldn't see any 'country' style ones.

Are howdens only available to the trade? I thought Magnet kitchens were £££? Sorry for all the questions!

ormus

i fitted a wickes stamford range last year, for a mate. pretty good value, and easy to fit.
ive done a number of wickes kitchens over the last 25 yrs and never had any real problems.
for anyone on a budget, they are hard to beat.
better than BQ & MFI.

Hello123_2

what are the cheaper homebase ones like? Ie the portland?

Hello123_2

ormus wrote: »

i fitted a wickes stamford range last year, for a mate. pretty good value, and easy to fit.
ive done a number of wickes kitchens over the last 25 yrs and never had any real problems.
for anyone on a budget, they are hard to beat.
better than BQ & MFI.

Great, what did you think of the overall quality and finish? Did it look nice when all done or did it look like a cheapo kitchen? Thanks

daggy

Ikea Country Kitchen

We were in homebase t'otha day and they had some decent kitchens for approx £1200. They felt sturdy and had slow close hinges t etc...

If you are not changing the layout of your kitchen, have you considered just purchasing new doors?

cddc

Stamford is one of the classier looking doors in the 2go range. Very comparable with Homebase, Homebase will probably have more options in cabinet sizes and accessories available but are to order rather than from stock.

As I said before nothing wrong with the Wickes ones for the price you pay them. Fittings are decent for the price and are all soft close. The only real downside compared with Homebase is the range of cabinets that are available.

Ikea still make the best budget kitchen around though, 18mm cabinets and a huge range of accessories. Good quality drawers etc. too.