Need a new kitchen - questions

CAN1976

Really need a new kitchen. Basically the existing one needs taking back to shell and building from scratch, we're not just talking some new cabinets.


Not sure how to go about it. Do you just take measurements and rock up at B&Q (or wherever), make some choices and they get on with it? Or would I need to contract out the various jobs separately?


Planning to save up the funds first, not being sure what the overall will be, when is appropriate to go and get quotes?

trailingspouse

Yes, basically you rock up.

Take detailed measurements of your kitchen, including where the windows and doors are, height of ceiling, where the water comes in and where the waste goes out, and anything else that can't be moved (eg boiler). Have a think about what you want, and where you want it - this will give the designer a starting point, even if some things get changed.

Then make appointments with whoever you want - we used Homebase for the kitchen, but we got designs from Magnet and a couple of others too. Decide which kitchen you want/can afford, and take it from there. We sourced the appliances separately, as we liked the Homebase kitchen, but they didn't have the appliances we wanted.

You can arrange your own fitters, but in our case we used the ones provided by Homebase. My reasoning was that they do everything - plumbing, tiling, electrics, as well as hanging the cupboards on the wall - and that would be easier than trying to co-ordinate several different trades. Also, of course, the work was guaranteed.

Get the quotes now - that way you'll know how much you need to save up.