Diy- kitchens - annything an amature should know

blessings3

After lots of advice and looking at old threads I've decided to go with a diy-kitchen.co.uk . and get it fitted myself - Is there anything I should be careful about as a 1st time online buyer of kitchens ?

Ionkontrol

Get your fitter to go over your plan before you order the kitchen.

blessings3

Thanks - I remember you gave me some fab advice before - have gone with a solid wood door painted in farrow and ball skimming stone a very plae creamy grey

evokit

They wont have a back up plan on the painted door your looking at.
There from pws adn have a 4 week lead time just for the door.
They all painted to order esp if your going for the colour matching

Steve_the_fitter

Diy delivery is really good. Ive bought about 15 kitchens from then for my customers and I think I only ever had a problem with one which they solved pretty quick. There may a longer lead time on a painted door but I assume they paint them themselves so course it will take longer.
My advice would be to ask the kitchen fitter to go over your delivery. Its pretty easy ordering all your cabinets and doors but you need to know how many panels, cornice, pelmet, plinths, cutlery trays etc etc need to be ordered

chiefgoobster

and get a proper qualified GasSafe engineer to connect up the
gas supply to your hob.

If you've no gas hob, ignore the above.

majjie

I don't know whether it's been covered before - but look at the delivery options carefully, if you're having standard doors (it doesn't apply to the inset framed ranges). If you want the doors drilled for hinges (and not all fitters have the equipment to drill the doors) there's an extra percentage to pay. The amount depends on the price of the kitchen and it's added at the checkout - but only when you get as far as choosing delivery options.

DIY Kitchens spray their own doors and accessories (the colours are different to the Second Nature pre-painted ones) and I'd guess they're pretty good at sending out replacements/extras. The parent company is a trade supplier to showrooms.

The biggest pain is working out how many painted end panels you'll need. You can only buy them 2.4m high x 650mm wide ... so, you have to work out how to cut the base and wall unit end panels out of those (and they're expensive too - you don't want to be making mistakes!).

majjie

blessings3 wrote: »

... and get it fitted myself ...

That doesn't necessarily mean fitting it him or herself - it could just as well mean finding his or her own fitter. I'm sure Blessings will enlighten us.

In any case, the advice on getting the doors drilled and being careful about the end panels, applies even more to a DIY-er than to a professional fitter.

blessings3

DIY challanged female - am definatly using a fitter, he is expensive but great (trained carpenter)

Terryfromcucina

I am sure your chosen chap will be fine but really he needs to be a kitchen fitter. A unique multi trained type a blend of joiner, plumber, spark with an eye for detail and patience of a saint.

Builders use carpenters and we know what happens to builders kitchens.