Tips for cutting cost of new kitchen

hels234

Hi, I'd really appreciate any tips for installing a new kitchen. Once our extension is finished we will be fitting a new kitchen, floor and appliances. Any tips on where to save much appreciated or what you think is worth spending money on. This is our first time at this and all my previous kitchen stuff eg cooker was second hand. Do people think integrated is better than a range? Where's best for units? We'd like an old country cottage style, is granite worth it? The space we've got is reasonably big so I've been told ex display will be hard to come by :-( for the number of units wed like. Anyway, and tips or recommendations greatly received :-)

jm2926

I've just ordered mine from diy-kitchens.com. A big difference in cost/style I found was whether the units needed end panels. We were going for a shaker style kitchen, which didn't need end panels as the units are colour matched. We've changed our minds to a high gloss kitchen which does need them, and it certainly adds to the prices.

Another big difference is the door construction, solid wood is more expensive than foil wrapped and there are many levels in between.

I shopped around for appliances, and used gift cards which I can buy through work with 10% off where it was practical.

We're having granite, and sourced it direct from a local stone provider, who provided a competitive price.

We did have quotes from kitchen companies to supply/fit. This seems to be the least painful way, but we are saving money by doing bits ourselves and organising individual trades. It will take a bit longer but it is much cheaper if you know people.

teddysmum

I've never had a range (ie huge ) cooker, but have a slot-in at present.However,my new kitchen is having an integrated oven and induction hob, as though one can take a slot-in on a house move, debris does get down in the tiny space between unit and cooker and is a real chore to remove, as the cooker has to be pulled out.

suisidevw

Just had our kitchen done..... went down the induction hob, double oven at head height and are over the moon wtih the decision.....

Also got Silestone Quartz and very happy with this expense too

themull1

There is that granite overlay that goes over existing worktops - looks fantastic, my friend had it done in black with sparkly bits, its stunning. I got my 'new' kitchen 12 years ago from MFI and to be honest, its lasted brilliantly and cost next to nothing. If you want cottage style, get wooden second hand units off ebay, people change their kitchens more often these days, and some are nearly new.

Milky_Mocha

I've found this thread very useful. I'm at the very beginning stages of researching for a new kitchen and I'm looking for all hints you save money too. My existing kitchen is actually in pretty good condition and appliances are still working, albeit all now ten years old. I'm wondering, how do I go about getting some money back from my existing kitchen that I can put towards a new one? Is there a big market for second hand kitchens and would buyer remove and transport it himself?

sam1970

Milky_Mocha wrote: »

I've found this thread very useful. I'm at the very beginning stages of researching for a new kitchen and I'm looking for all hints you save money too. My existing kitchen is actually in pretty good condition and appliances are still working, albeit all now ten years old. I'm wondering, how do I go about getting some money back from my existing kitchen that I can put towards a new one? Is there a big market for second hand kitchens and would buyer remove and transport it himself?

This is exactly what I am thinking of. My kitchen is also 10 years old but in a very good condition. We are building an extension and I am wondering if I could get some money for my old kitchen to help. I am looking to keep the appliances as all are Neff and in perfect working order (will just buy an induction hub)

PheoUK

Avoid drawers, use basic cupboards not stuff with complicated wirework. Install a galley kitchen with no corner units. Minimise the complicated stuff =cheaper basically.

notanewuser

PheoUK wrote: »

Avoid drawers, use basic cupboards not stuff with complicated wirework. Install a galley kitchen with no corner units. Minimise the complicated stuff =cheaper basically.

If you want a kitchen that works, ignore the above advice.

PheoUK

notanewuser wrote: »

If you want a kitchen that works, ignore the above advice.

Well they said cheaper, not one that works.

All this info on the DIY Kitchens blog. Just start planning it out and look at the options!

Nibnob

I wanted a nicer kitchen than I could afford, so I spent about a year (while I was sorting extension plans etc) checking eBay search results and ended up with a second hand smallbone kitchen for a shade over £1,000 with fairly new (just by chance) fitted neff pyrolitic oven, combination microwave oven and large gas hob. Even got integrated Miele larder fridge, but not sure if it works yet -looks a bit old, but housing will take a new one if not. It helps that I don't have to fit it it into an awkward or limited space and made sure I sourced it from a large kitchen with more units than I can use to ensure I can mix and match combinations of units to fit. And since it will all be painted, I can fill in gaps without having to worry about matching colour (and I'm lucky - should only have about a 5cm gap at one corner to fill in). But I did spend a lot of time looking at options online to make sure it would work in my space - and viewed before I bid just to make doubly sure.... Half of it is still in garage waiting for extension to be built - other half already looking great and waiting for final makeover when extension is built. Got all units and good ovens for less than price of ovens alone when new (kitchen came with the oven manuals and invoices stuffed in a drawer). Hoping I've saved enough to splash out on granite worktops - will end up very cottagey - but will be a lot of work painting - it's that or a gazillion quid on something new though which I wouldn't have liked as much... But it does require time and patience to search for right one - and a willingness to take on a big painting job - could ask builders to do it but extension's expensive enough as it is - and I want to lavish a fair bit of care and attention on the paint job to make it look just right...