NEW KITCHEN HELP -OPTIPLAN/SECOND NATURE/IKEA which should we go for

Ionkontrol

akitchendesigner wrote: »

Buying Second Nature is a gamble is you ask me. An end user is very unlikely to know what to look out for by way of a decent carcase.

Only if they don't do any research. If they don't, then they are lambs to the slaughter. The kitchen industry is only just behind the double glazing industry in it's reputation as rip-off central.

cddc

Wickes/Benchmarx also use alot of second nature/PWS doors, as do DIY kitchens and they are also the most common door sourced by the independent sector at the lower to middle end. You would also appear to have the budget to look at something German, so I would!

Ikea are a decent budget option and if well fitted, will have a good lifespan. However, the carcasses are not that great and the lack of a service gap for pipework at the rear is painful.

A well fitted cheap kitchen will beat a poorly fitted expensive one anytime.

Despite some horror stories and some genuine shysters in the industry, most people do get a good result.

toylaw2

Thanks for all your replies.

I have had a look at the DIY kitchens website and quite convinced that i will e overchrged at that rate.

I do not know any good local fitter around and as such would appreciate if any one can recommend one around the Essex area.

I thought about the German option but most of them are unable to deliver with our timeframe - 4-5 weeks as we want this done before the property is moved into. I will appreciate if anyone can recommend a german supplier.

thanks,

evokit

cddc wrote: »

Wickes/Benchmarx also use alot of second nature/PWS doors.

They dont actually use there doors. Not sticking up for pws as i think there modern doors aint that good and way to expensive.
Wicks/benchmarx are owned by travis perkins and would prob have as much buying power as pws so they would go direct not from a distributor.
and none of the wickes/benchmarx doors look the same as the pws ones.

akitchendesigner

Most of the larger German supplier will turn around in 4 weeks.

toylaw2

Thanks again.

Which is better Granite or Quartz Worktop in the shiny Black Sparkle.

What is PWS that is regularly used by everyone - just thought to ask as i assume that Second Nature's Company name.

cddc

evokit wrote: »

They dont actually use there doors. Not sticking up for pws as i think there modern doors aint that good and way to expensive.
Wicks/benchmarx are owned by travis perkins and would prob have as much buying power as pws so they would go direct not from a distributor.
and none of the wickes/benchmarx doors look the same as the pws ones.

Ermmm... have a closer look. Not all Wickes/Benchmarx doors are Second Nature/PWS but over half are.......;)

shirlgirl2004

toylaw2 wrote: »

Thanks again.

Which is better Granite or Quartz Worktop in the shiny Black Sparkle.

What is PWS that is regularly used by everyone - just thought to ask as i assume that Second Nature's Company name.

I've never had quartz but love black granite and can recommend Seven Seas marble and granite in Kelvedon.

toylaw2

Thanks Shirlgirl.

Still making my findings - For a German Kitchen which would you go for Schueller or Hacker?

Would they cost the same on a like for like basis?

Thanks to everyone for you responses.

karlos1977

Quartz is a much better product than Granite as it has less maintenance issues and is harder wearing but it depends on what kitchen look you are going for. If is more of a traditional look then usually granite is a more suited producy.
If it is a modern look then quartz is better as you get a more consistent colour.
We have Silestone worktops fitted which look fantastic. We used a company called Stone Valley Work Surface, they are internet based but their service was fantastic, They do all teh templating and fitting and their price was very reasonable. I think they have most of the colours on their website.