New kitchen - where to start.

Izzyd

I'm about to start looking for a new kitchen. I would appreciate any advice on which companies are worth looking at and which might be best avoided. I'm looking for a middle range kitchen.

southcoastrgi

just to save alot of re-posting have a look here

phill99

If you identify where you are based, some one maybe able to recommend a fitter etc.

smiffyz

Steer clear of B&Q (see above)

oldskoo1

We just moved house, fairly new house and happy with the kitchen layout.

So we refurbed it with new doors / draws / tops / sink / appliances / pelmet etc.

The doors / draws / handles etc all from B&Q, cooke and lewis high gloss. Looks stunning now.

Yes i had read the horror stories too. We checked the quality of the doors, had no complaints before and after buying. The C&L aren't front laminated so when they sit on the carcass you dont see a dark edge like you do with some cheaper doors. The finish seems to blend all the way round on the door and the Mrs wanted that kitchen/look so regardless we went for it.

It's nicely finished and so far have no complaints. Everything fitted really well, the fitter was a local fitter who fits for various companies and he did a brilliant job.

We had several shipments of goods as we kept changing our minds and adding things. Not one was late or damaged or missing items or incorrect.

No complaints.

Magnet are a bunch of jokers, overpriced and had no time for us, i almost emailed head office about these idiots.

Ikea, we had them before and cannot fault them but installation costs a fortune so go independent. The kitchen wore very well but like mentioned, the carcasses go right up to the wall so gas pipes etc are on the inside of the cupboard.

No experience of anyone else.

evokit

oldskoo1 wrote: »

The C&L aren't front laminated so when they sit on the carcass you dont see a dark edge like you do with some cheaper doors.

Cook & lewis are foil/vinly on the gloss range
where the door is wrapped so wont have an edge but also but are also a cheaper door production

Izzyd

Thanks all. I'll have a look at that link.

We're in Scotland - the Dundee area.

Izzyd

I see that Tesco and Next are doing kitchens. Do you think these should be avoided for any reason?

phill99

Izzyd wrote: »

I see that Tesco and Next are doing kitchens. Do you think these should be avoided for any reason?

Do a search on here or other forums for Tesco kitchens. Would you be happy to buy your groceries from B & Q or Howdens.

ryder72

This has been discussed before-

Ask around for recommendations. Find a designer you can work with and discuss your requirements. Once you have a design you like, you can get other companies to quote for the same layout to get 'like-for-like' quotes.

paulmapp8306

Independant !!

We went to B&Q to look (as they have on display kitchens), and spent a lot of time deciding on stuff. We ended up looking at £4k for bits (tops/appliances/tiles etc) plus tiling costs (unknown) and the actual kitchen (guide at £7k for the one we'd chosen, but someone would come round to measure and give a firm quote). total cost was going to be somewhere between £11.5k and £12.5k.

Happened to go into Bathstore to see if they could fit an electric shower I was going to purchase elsewhere - they said no BUT gave me their fitter for my area. i contacted him and he also installs kitches for other "chains" as well as running his own design company.

Well - he came round, measured and used CAD. he added LOTS like a bridge over the window with spots on the sink, replacing and moving a radiator, re-running pipes (to UT room and behind sink), included Granit tops, with matching Granit risers, splashbecks and windowsills. He quoted for removal of current wall tiles, full skims and painting (of the non granit areas). He worked with reall neat storage options (only half of which B&Q offered). He used solid wood cabinates made to measure if necessary. Total quote was £10.5k. Absolute no brainer. Lots of granit premier floor tiles, solid cabinates, lots of extra detail, and extra plumbing/tidying up for between £1k and £2k LESS.