New kitchen needed - any recommendations?

Donnam155

Hello. My husband and I are currently purchasing a new property. We will be looking to buy a new kitchen. Does anyone have any recommendations for who we can use? We have been looking at Wickes, B&Q, Howdens and Tescos. Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with any of these? We are not sure whether to get them to fit it or not, or a use a local fitter, any advise/experience?

phill99

Where abouts are you based? Someone maybe able to recommend a fitter.

aggypanthus

Many people ask this question so look back at other posts.
Mostly B and Q have a bad name, Howdens quite popular, but you need to find a fitter or joiner.
I got mine from diykitchens .com, great quality, good prices.

cddc

Wickes are generally good, nothing wrong with Howdens as long as you get it at the right price, Cooke and Lewis from B&Q aint bad either, though the IT (cheaper range) should be avoided.

Not many people have too many good things to say about Tesco's who are not really Tesco's at all (whole business is run by a company called Mark2). Their so called "free" fitting is built in to cost of the kitchen.

If using stores fitting services, ask the designer for their best fitter, not the one on the shortest lead time! You do pay more for a company backed fit (they don't do it for nothing!) but in all cases you do get a big company backed warranty, any problems should get sorted, and the fitters normally know the product inside out (though not always, hence ask for the best one.).

If using a local fitter, get recommendations. Preferably also find out if they are familiar with the brand you have bought. Otherwise they will like as not spend the whole time moaning about it! (Only really justified if you have wonky walls and buy from Ikea!).

A local fitter should be cheaper than the store service, and a good one will be just as good, if not better. Good fitting is key either way though.

Bristolbird_2

Avoid Tesco Kitchens at all costs - expensive with awful installation.

trailingspouse

We used Homebase. And I would recommend their design service even if you don't buy their kitchen.

We used their own fitters, a team of two who were able to do everything that was needed (electrics, plumbing, tiling, joinery).

Yes, we could have got cheaper fitters, yes we could have got a cheaper kitchen (we also could have got a more expensive one) - but as a previous post said, they were backed by a large company so we knew we had some protection if things went wrong. A year on, we're still pleased with it, and I got the same fitters back to put in the units for our utility room.

I wouldn't touch Tesco - they were the only ones who didn't want to come out and quote unless my husband was also around. Obviously the little woman can't make this sort of decision on her own.

MissWhitehouse

Go see a local independent company who will value your business, strive to give you what you want and perhaps even design something that you didn't even know you wanted until an expert got involved. The trouble with the B&Qs, Homebase,Howdens & Tesco environments is that rarely would you find an EXPERT. Their sales people are salespeople not designers. A good designer will use the three EEEs, their ears eyes and expertise. Be honest with them, tell them what you want to achieve and be up front and realistic with your budgeting for the project. They will design something to suit you, your needs and your budget. On top of all that they WILL have a good installation team that aren't going to fleece you and they are going to do it properly because they will have pride in what they do and will value your potential future recommendation. On top of all that I'll bet you will find they give you a better all round service, better value for your £££s and give you a far product than the multiples could hope to.

Melaniep101

We used Benchmarx, couldn't fault them. Kitchen still looks pristine after a few years of use.

katejo

I used Magnet Trade (similar to Howdens who also gave me a decent quote) and ordered it through an independent fitter. Still looks pretty new 2 years later.

SomeJoeNamedBob

I've used professional kitchen designers the last 2 times and both worked out cheaper than any kind of big name or DIY route I investigated. They not only know how to design to suit your requirements but also allow you to select a wide range of materials/customizations and of course install everything to a high standard.

For my last kitchen I used a small outfit based in Salisbury - Lacewood Designs - perhaps no immediate use to you but should give you an idea what to expect from a designer as distinct from a supplier/installer combo.

storytime

Our Howdens kitchen - Burford white gloss is 3 years old and is in pristine condition. I cook in it everyday and our large Labrador dog and 2 year old grandson try their best but haven't damaged it yet!We are moving again and have chosen. Howdens Glendevon cream gloss this time. The only thing I would say is don't get their appliances and I think the worktops aren't the best.