New Kitchen - Recommend an approach!

ezman

Update: OK, I'm getting there with the new kitchen, in the end I approached the granite worktop company (Marble4life / Mayfair Granite) and asked if they had anybody they worked with.

They have a sister company Interiors4Living who do kitchen design etc.

They don't seem too well known at the moment so it's a bit of a leap of faith but will report back when it's going in and been done.

So far been happy with the design process and they've been happy to give the visuals etc, even before they had taken a deposit.

We're 99% sorted on the design, full true measure up done, just choice of doors and appliances to finalise.

gas hob?..induction?...gas and induction?..choices choices

suisidevw

Induction!!!

MissWhitehouse

Try The Being Honest approach.
Kitchen designers, contrary to popular opinion are not mind readers.
If a designer is any good, by telling them from the off that you have a budget of 4, 5, 6, 10 or £20,000 they will design a room and introduce you to product that will fit your pocket.. If its at all possible of course.

At the end of the day they want your business. NOT JUST YOUR MONEY.
A good designer will strive to give you options, and perhaps design something well within your budget as well as something that possibly exceeds it.
Put yourself in their shoes. If it was a car you were looking for, you would walk into the dealer with a good idea about what you are going to have to pay for your New Polo and tell the sales team what you are looking for and where you are in the market. You wouldn't stroke a Ferrari and ask if you could sit down and discuss payment options, all the while aware that you can only afford £10K any more than you would walk into a scrap yard and ask to see their new Mercedes options.

Give the poor PROFESSIONAL designers some respect and tell them what you can afford and don't waste 6-8 or often 10 hours of their time putting together proposals for something that is unachievable.

Credit-Crunched

I have recently been through the exact same routine myself, and ended up with a kitchen like Angie b's. Nigh on identical, down to wall tiles!

I looked at all of the DIY providers and opted for the B&Q IT range, this house is not one for life for me, but the next 3-4 years, so did not want to go over the top.

My experiences

Homebase - like a used car sales shop, 15% off if you sign today..etc
Howdens - Massively overpriced rrp's which they chuck 90% off on here and there, quote came down 50% over 3 months as I kept knocking them back
IKEA - Told by many people to stay away from them due to build quality
B&Q - Slick online system to help price and design kitchen, good range, again massively overpriced commodities and appliances.

I opted for B&Q IT shaker range with Oak laminate worktops. I am relatively handy and fitted the kitchen myself, had someone in for gas and electric work. I also paid a local carpenter to mitre 2 joints on worktops for me, as I did not feel confident doing that myself. He said it was the highest quality laminates he had seen for some time.

Putting the units together was straight forward, if not time consuming. Again I found the quality to be excellent, considering price range.

I sourced the handles online, much cheaper, plus white goods via an appliances store online, probably 30% cheaper than B&Q.

So in theory, with a bit of shopping around, it is possible to get a real bargain. If you are not confident fitting, then contact a local tradesman, much much cheaper than the DIY fitters. Make sure you get a written quote, and they detail exactly what you are paying for (i.e no extra for electrical work etc)

It is a head ache, however I sourced 18 units, doors, worktops for under £2,000. £1,000 for white goods, and around £500 for gas work, electrical and tiler..

Good luck, and don't feel pressured into using in store trademen!