New kitchen

cddc

Quite fair summary of the market in many of the points above. However Ikea carcasses, 25 year guarantee nonwithstanding, are poorer quality than any of the others mentioned above. They are cheap though and in terms of wirework and accessories available at the price point, hard to beat.

Having said that, the kitchen market is very agressive at the moment and though you will pay more to Howdens, Wickes, et al then you would to Ikea, you are getting a better product and the premium is not as much as you might think. There are even some independents pricing German kitchens at incredibly reasonable prices at the moment.

It is very cuthroat out there right now, and a buyers market. Usually the market waits until the post Christmas sales to turn into a dogfight, but there seems to be deals to be had everywhere at the moment.

Yes you would pay more than Ikea for any of the above, but you are getting a better product....

keystone

verydeeppockets wrote: »

Most fitters HATE Ikea kitchens as there's no void at the back for plumbing.

What you means is there are fitters out there who are basically lazy and want a easy life. If you plan the work schedule properly its not rocket science to get around what is, in reality, a non-problem.

Cheers

suki1964

keystone wrote: »

What you means is there are fitters out there who are basically lazy and want a easy life. If you plan the work schedule properly its not rocket science to get around what is, in reality, a non-problem.

Cheers

Totally agree. We fitted our own ikea kitchen last month and all the plumbing and electrics were re sited. Not a problem for either plumber or electrician

I also don't like the shelf holes all over the carcasses but then it makes them so adaptable. I'm just living with my kitchen now and finding what works really well and what doesn't. It's great that nothing is an expensive mistake. If I decide a basket is better suited then a shelf, off I go buy one and fit it where suits me

I also found the service we got in store and from customer services and from the delivery guys to be fantastic.

blackshirtuk

suki1964 wrote: »

I also don't like the shelf holes all over the carcasses but then it makes them so adaptable. .

Cheap fix?

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/310274329856?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&adtype=pla

moneypanicker

Thanks to all that have replied.

We still have to find out what ideas wickes has and how much! We are expecting alot so hopefully wont be too shocked when we hear the price.

This isn't our forever home but we cannot afford to move at present and after managing with this kitchen for 7 years as a compromise on not moving we have said we shall get a new kitchen instead. I have been looking at ikea kitchens and I think i will go and have a look.

We have a fitter in mind recommeded to us so i shall give him a ring to see if he recommends a make.

Thanks for all comments.

keystone

moneypanicker wrote: »

We still have to find out what ideas wickes has and how much! We are expecting alot so hopefully wont be too shocked when we hear the price.

Wickes and Benchmarkx are the same. Which you can get cheaper on any particular day depends on the deals in place on that day but don't necessarily expect Benchmarkx to be cheaper for the same design for the same range just because its trade.

I have been looking at ikea kitchens and I think i will go and have a look.

Good idea for a budget solution.

Cheers

Steve_the_fitter

There really is a lot of misinformation on this post. Not all carcasses are the same. They may look the same to an untrained eye but there can be massive differences which could result in your kitchen lasting 5 years or 25 years.

LouE

Hmmmmm im looking at getting my kitchen from ikea, i really like their storage solutions. Ive been looking at more expensive companies but tbh i dont want to spend over my budget as i live in a small flat, i think if i had a big house it would be a dfferent scenario.

timjim

We have had both Howdens and Ikea kitchens in the last few years and in terms of quality I would say that the Ikea one has better quality hinges on the cupboards and runners on the drawers, the carcasses are very similar. The last kitchen was from Ikea and my son and I made up:
2 x Larder Units
1 x Oven housing
3 x Pan Drawer units
1 x Sink Unit
2 x Base Units
in a total of 4 hours so the fact that they come flat packed is not a problem and once assembled they are solid.

Also bear in mind that because there is no service channel you gain space in the cupboards e.g. Howdens pan drawers are 600 x 400mm deep but Ikea are 600 x 500mm deep therefore you have 25% more space in the Ikea drawer.

The Ikea kitchen was also cheaper and the fitter was not bothered which I bought as I had arrange for the services to be at skirting level anyway.

paulmapp8306

Its a minefield !!

Weve gone for an independant. Hes a fitter for several companies - both kitchens and bathrooms - but runs his own design/supply/fitting company as well.

Had B&Q round for a quote - and it come to around £12k with wooden worktops, our choice of appliances, floor tileing, wall tiling. Carcasses have the thin cardboard back though - which I dont like.

Well - the independant came round and its worked ut he same price almost to the penny (with us supplying the appliances and floor tiles, though that is included in the £12k) - HOWEVER, the independants includes solid wood carcass's (including rears), granite tops, with granite riseres and matching granit splashback and windowsills. Same flooring - but pain rather than wall tiles. It also includes a new (smaller) radiator which will move location - and some re-routing of some plumbing (that currently gets to our UT room via the outside of the house - hes going to route it inside). All the doors are soft close and include magic corners. He also added some nice touches we hadnt though about - like a bridging unit over our window with spots in, wallnut trim (which suits our doors and colour scheme) etc.

We got some names/addresses of work hes done in the area and have been to two - and the owners are both happy, while the kitchens look great.

Our kitchen is 3.7m by 2.9m if that helps, which is around 11' by 9' so a similar size to the OP.

So - while Whicks, Ikea etc are worth getting quotes from - check out a locak independant specialist. You'll pay around the same but get a better finished product. In todays market they will fight for your buisiness more as well as its their livelehood not a big chain.