New kitchen nightmare's

andrew09

Hi there,

We're in a similar position to the OP - just trying to find our feet in the kitchen world as we'll soon be getting an extension done. We've also been looking at Wickes, Howdens etc but would like to look at a local independent too.

We're in Welwyn Garden City in Herts - does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

Canucklehead

Rich_Z wrote: »

Hi there, please be gentle new forum member here!

We have gone from having no kids, to three in a little over 2 yrs after twins recently came along. This is a wonderful thing, but putting it simply, we no longer have enough space! Therefore we are having an extension built (4m x 8m ish), starting in the next few weeks as we have no plans to move and are happy where we are. But with the dog to look after as well at the kids, and me and the misses both working there are just not enough hours in the day to organise anything!

So I was hoping for a little advice to help stop wasting my time looking at kitchens I can't afford, or being messed around by kitchen designers quoting me way more than I can afford, for their benefit and mine! I've seen kitchens at 2K going onto silly money of £10+K, which is some difference! I'm finding it all a nightmare and don't really have the time to trek from showroom to showroom, especially with three kids in tow, as the misses works weekends to help cut child care costs. (Lets not go there-another nightmare!)

Anyway I priced up (on the internet) a B&Q kitchen the other day, which included around 20 odd cabinets with all the extras, work-top, with 2 ceramic sinks and taps. The only appliances I sought with the kitchen was a new cooker, 5 burner hob and hood, which is all going into the existing kitchen and half the new extension. This came in at £4800. On to of that I need flooring, and the cost of a fitter, who probably will be the builder as well. So I'm guess by the time its finished I'm going to be looking at £6K ish. TBH I can't afford any more than this.

Baring this in mind anyone with any tips / advice etc of where else I should/could be looking? My builder has mentioned Howdens and states he will get me a discount, but with no price guild on there website, is this something comparable with B&Q? Like I said £5 or £6K is really tops of what I can afford. We have looked a Homebase, and Wickes, but the misses doesn't really like anything they have to offer. Magnet is another consideration (but I'm slightly been put off by folk saying avoid). But they do have a range the misses likes - Juno with curves and planer cream, but typically of my misses they are more top end as appose to reasonable/middle of the road. Decisions decisions! Pls help?

Thanks
Rich Z.

If you want to save some serious dosh don't rule out IKEA....more on this thread.

HTH

Canucklehead