New kitchen and bathroom - recent recommendations

bingobangobongo

Looking at buying a new house which would benefit from a new kitchen (cupboard fronts, work tops, floor tiles, double oven and hob).

Any recommendations on where to look and get quotes? Preferably in the newtownabbey area!

Same goes for the bathroom - new bath, walk in shower, tiles etc..

Any good recent experiences? Some forum users have had good experience with b and q. But I have read that they sub contract out the fitting and it is best to source your own fitter?

Parisien

Find out when they change over their show kitchen, buy it for 1/4 price.

Measure up your kitchen, get a van and remove on the day of changeover

bingobangobongo

I couldn't even begin to guess how to remove a kitchen. I'm not very diy inclined.
Although I heard about a place that removes then for free and resells them.

thefreckle

bingobangobongo wrote: »

Looking at buying a new house which would benefit from a new kitchen (cupboard fronts, work tops, floor tiles, double oven and hob).

Any recommendations on where to look and get quotes? Preferably in the newtownabbey area!

Same goes for the bathroom - new bath, walk in shower, tiles etc..

Any good recent experiences? Some forum users have had good experience with b and q. But I have read that they sub contract out the fitting and it is best to source your own fitter?

I got a new B&Q kitchen ia few months ago. I first went to Ikea and got a price - after that I went to B&Q when they had one of their 25% off sales and priced it there - it was far cheaper than Ikea.

Their fitting prices are ridiculous (though not as bad as Ikea). The kitchen is pretty small (built in fridge freezer, built in oven with cupboards below and above, hob and fan, built in dishwasher and approx 7 other units. They were looking to charge about £1k to fit that if I remember correctly. I priced it separately and with me removing the old kitchen and tiles I got it fitted for £600. That included fitting everything (including electrical work but that was just wiring it up - no moves needed), tiling (walls and floor) and some plumbing work to move the washing machine to the far side of the kitchen.

I got a bathroom done too - priced around for everything and VP Jebbs (Peter's Hill, Belfast) were by far the cheapest supplier we came across. Got it fitted by 2 fellas I found on gumtree and whilst they were good, they weren't the cheapest. If I'd known about the man who fitted the kitchen then I would've got him to do that too

A.L.D.A

Why people go to IKEA and B&Q is beyond me. All carcasses are not the same and all MDF is not the same. As pointed out by the time you add on all the hinges etc it can become quite expensive.

There are people who manufacture kitchens in NI and many small companies who supply and fit. If you are pricing a kitchen I suggest getting a price comparison from some of these companies you may be pleasantly surprised. Apart from anything else you will probably also need some tiling, wiring etc done at the same time.

bingobangobongo

Thanks, I'd be looking a complete solution.

Companies on my radar so far:

LD units, Carrickfergus
Shearer kitchens, Belfast
VP jebb bathrooms, Belfast

OneStepBeyond

You should also try Kitchens Direct NI - they can offer a complete solution and they also design and install bathrooms.

Used them recently for a new kitchen and very happy with the service they provided.

bingobangobongo

Thanks all - I'm compiling a list of companies that are recommended (and those that are not).

Without going too off topic. Regarding an Oil to Gas conversion:

1. Is it best to get this done first, and then put in a new kitchen/bathroom? Can they leave the pipework in place to hook up a gas hob if you don't currently have one?

2. Any recommendations as to boiler types, and fitters?

3. Rough total cost for 4 bedroom detached c 2000 sq ft?

Thanks!

A.L.D.A

Try D. Henderson He is a builder and has (a lot bigger one than you would think) now virtually retired he calls himself Kitchens in Carrick and should know what he is doing. He has a lifetimes experience in listed buildings etc. http://www.4ni.co.uk/127566x1312x14_kitchens-in-carrick-carrick.htm They may have moved but the email and mobile are the same as far as I know.

I would be inclined to get all done at the same time, less disruption and general hassle.

Boilers for efficiency ratings go to a site called SEDBUK and again if you have a builder fitting the kitchen and whatever else let him employ everyone. Last thing you want is your plumber damaging the kitchen. Make one person responsible for all!!!!.

The price for new build can vary a lot. We were getting some ridiculous tenders a few years back, but prices seem to be increasing. Allow £700 per square meter plus some for site works which depends on site.

thefreckle

A.L.D.A wrote: »

Why people go to IKEA and B&Q is beyond me. All carcasses are not the same and all MDF is not the same. As pointed out by the time you add on all the hinges etc it can become quite expensive.

There are people who manufacture kitchens in NI and many small companies who supply and fit. If you are pricing a kitchen I suggest getting a price comparison from some of these companies you may be pleasantly surprised. Apart from anything else you will probably also need some tiling, wiring etc done at the same time.

What bit of it is beyond you? I priced both Ikea and B&Q. I had two of the small company people you mentioned as well come to the house (which Ikea and B&Q didn't do) and whilst they had some great ideas that we ended up "stealing", they were still expensive. The combination of B&Q materials and my own fitter who I found separately was the best priced combination for the quality of kitchen I wanted.

I went to B&Q, got the price (with hinges, etc...) and for all the materials it was cheaper than any of the other quotes I got - their post Christmas 25% off sale helped to keep the price down. They didn't try and hide the fact they'd have to add in hinges or anything - their planner sat with us, went through the whole plan and gave us a total price at the end. I priced fitting with them but knew I could get it done for about half the price they were charging - my fitter was able to do the tiling and plumbing work required.