need new kitchen but don't know which co to choose

pigeonpie

We're looking for a new kitchen, to be installed late September. We have the quote on installation (which is ok) and the quote on our new boiler (likewise) but are going nuts with kitchen companies, trying to find one that offers good quality at a decent price.
Our carpenter can get trade prices at Howdens, Magnet and JL of Hungerford (although think we messed up on the latter by getting a quote before we realised he could get trade prices with them).

Magnet weren't helpful when I went in and their quote was frankly ridiculous, so I've discounted them (£20g for a small kitchen without appliances and supposedly including their 50% off offer :eek:).

Our carpenter often uses Howdens so is keen on them. They also sent a free designer who was very pleasant. However to me they look a bit IKEA-ish. The flat isn't big but has quite upmarket finishes, and need to keep it looking good in case we sell it in the next 5 years.

Trouble is, the tired old kitchen we are replacing is of far better quality than what I'm being asked for pay £££s for now.
I'm getting very despondent.

The kitchen is small and quite narrow and has a main wall that's not straight so it's not an entirely simple space, but needs some thought by the designer (we have our own thoughts but they don't always match what's possible, unit size wise). A lot of co's won't come out unless you commit to them first, which we don't want to do.
I've looked for hours online and it seems certain kitchen co's are the same as others, just at lower prices and so on, and I'm very confused and running out of time to place an order.

I'm in SE London - any suggestions please? I'm just looking for units and sink/extractor/tap as will buy appliances online myself and probably source granite worktops myself too as it's cheaper.

cattie

I've posted before about Benchmarx, so perhaps give them a try.

I had a new kitchen fitted earlier this year, getting quotes first from B&Q, Magnet Trade & Howden's & finally Benchmarx.

Discounted B&Q pretty quickly, then Howden's after they gave my fitter a bit of a run around & couldn't be pinned down on a price. Then when Magnet refused to lower their price to match or closely match the price for what was pretty much the same kitchen Benchmarx had, I decided to go ahead with Benchmarx as their price was much lower than Magnet.

I only had their units & worktop, buying everything else myself, including sink & tap, oven, hob, built in combi microwave, integrated washing machine, handles etc. and everything went exceedingly well with delivery etc. When fitter discovered that a draw front was missing he rang Benchmarx who had a van drop it off that same afternoon.

This has been my first experience with Benchmarx, having had kitchens from Magnet & Howden's before & I would certainly be more than happy to use them again.

DirectDebacle

Trouble is, the tired old kitchen we are replacing is of far better quality than what I'm being asked for pay £££s for now.

In that case renovate what you have.

You want good quality units at a decent price. You won't find that in a chipboard based kitchen.

pigeonpie

It may be a stupid question, but I wondered if I could paint oak (veneer) kitchen units and frames white?

I also have the problem of the re-siting of the new boiler (to conform to building standards) meaning that half of my kitchen and the whole floor would have to be removed so that the pipework can run through the floor and not have to cut the granite worktop. That was the motivation for a new kitchen as well as disliking the oak effect look of the old, 13 year old kitchen too.

To complicate matters,we've just realised by measuring each unit individually that 2 of them seem to have been customised originally as aren't standard width.
Agreed a price for labour with my usual, reliable carpenter but he doesn't make kitchen units.

CKdesigner

Hi

I would have to advise on visiting some independents as you should get much better value than going to national companies. You should also get someone that is better at finding out what you truly need in your new kitchen and design the kitchen accordingly.

A decent independent will also give you up to date best advice on appliances and use a good granite fabricator that does all their work.

You should also find they would give you better than online prices on the appliances when purchased as part of a new kitchen. Their granite company should also do a better job of the stone work than the typical online granite company. And overall you will have a lot less hassle than if you buy different parts of the kitchen from different suppliers.

Any decent independent would be able to ask several past customers if they would mind you visiting them to see their new kitchens - well worth doing this.

Good luck

CK

john.h

CKdesigner wrote: »

Hi

I would have to advise on visiting some independents as you should get much better value than going to national companies. You should also get someone that is better at finding out what you truly need in your new kitchen and design the kitchen accordingly.

A decent independent will also give you up to date best advice on appliances and use a good granite fabricator that does all their work.

You should also find they would give you better than online prices on the appliances when purchased as part of a new kitchen. Their granite company should also do a better job of the stone work than the typical online granite company. And overall you will have a lot less hassle than if you buy different parts of the kitchen from different suppliers.

Any decent independent would be able to ask several past customers if they would mind you visiting them to see their new kitchens - well worth doing this.

Good luck

CK

My mother had a local independent kitchen company fit her kitchen, the quality of the kitchen and fitting was terrible. I was working in a house last week, they also had a local independent company fitting there kitchen. That was also terrible.

John...

CKdesigner

Hi John

Unfortunately it would seem then that your mother chose the wrong kitchen company, and the same with the other people you mention. You do have to be careful as with all major purchases but generally independent kitchen companies that have been around a long time with the same owners, have a decent showroom displaying quality kitchens, with good brand appliances and can provide references then you should be fine. After all if the displays are of good quality and well fitted then that is what a customer can expect with their new kitchen. Likewise if the displays aren't reasonable quality and poorly fitted why would you expect any different from a kitchen purchased from that company. This obviously applies to national companies as well.

Could I ask did you or your mother complain to the kitchen company she used?

CK

Leif

DirectDebacle wrote: »

In that case renovate what you have.

You want good quality units at a decent price. You won't find that in a chipboard based kitchen.

I'm surprised you say that. As far as I know virtually all kitchens today are built around chipboard carcasses, with some made from MDF carcasses. Very few will use solid wood except for the doors. Chipboard is cheap, but it does the job. There are grades of chipboard, better ones being moisture resistant. And the quality of the edging is important, as are the doors and worktops. I assume companies such as Smallbone use solid wood carcasses, but I might be mistaken, it might even be MDF. I was quoted about £20K for a bespoke kitchen with MDF carcasses. Smallbone would be twice that I think. A good 'standard' kitchen is about £12K.

I was horrified when I discovered that kitchens are normally made from such cheap materials, but it makes sense since most people don't want something that was in fashion 30 years ago. And tastes differ too.

Leif

My kitchen was installed by an independent with a small chain of shops (Optiplan). The furniture quality is probably no better than Howdens, Magnet etc, but the customer service, and quality of fitting are excellent.

DirectDebacle

Leif wrote: »

I'm surprised you say that.....

...I was horrified when I discovered that kitchens are normally made from such cheap materials, but it makes sense since most people don't want something that was in fashion 30 years ago. And tastes differ too.

Some of my views on chipboard here post #26.

Apparently kitchens have a philosophy:

The Angela Bonfante Kitchen Designs Philosophy:

"The best thing that I do for my clients is find out who they are, and how they live and translate that in an authentic way, creating a functional, beautiful space that belongs to the client."

• The most beautiful spaces embrace the way you live.

• The kitchen is where life happens.

Its chipboard. Before long it and its philosphy will be embraced in a skip.

pigeonpie

CKdesigner wrote: »

Hi

I would have to advise on visiting some independents as you should get much better value than going to national companies. You should also get someone that is better at finding out what you truly need in your new kitchen and design the kitchen accordingly.

A decent independent will also give you up to date best advice on appliances and use a good granite fabricator that does all their work.

You should also find they would give you better than online prices on the appliances when purchased as part of a new kitchen. Their granite company should also do a better job of the stone work than the typical online granite company. And overall you will have a lot less hassle than if you buy different parts of the kitchen from different suppliers.

Any decent independent would be able to ask several past customers if they would mind you visiting them to see their new kitchens - well worth doing this.

Good luck

CK

I'm in London so this seems difficult. Just had a local kitchen shop quote £13k also for a basic kitchen.
I can't afford bespoke, especially London version!

Has anyone on here had their existing kitchen resprayed ? I have oak and oak veneer units and end bits, plinths etc so not all could be removed and taken off site. I've found some cos online but the painter I usually use can't vouch that it works well or lasts.