What are Homebase & B&Q Kitchens/Bathrooms Like?

Crabman

We're looking at doing a kitchen and bathroom (supply and installation) and were wondering whether anyone's had a Homebase kitchen or bathroom?

They seem eager for business, but they want to take the entire payment upfront and their discounts (supposedly 60% off all kitchen cabinets, plus a further 20% off kitchens generally) are all smoke and mirrors. I'm not convinced there is even a discount there in the first place. They only offer a three year guarantee.

B&Q are another option, they offer a 5 year guarantee but I've not seen good comments about their product quality, workmanship or project management.

We'd like to use a local builder/fitter but are worried about their guarantee, which is worthless if they stop trading or move away from the area. It's also difficult to know how someone can be trusted in the first place.

Cost is important but not at the expense of quality or the standard of workmanship. I've never had to do anything like this before so if anyone has advice I'd be very grateful.

Nile

I can't give you any feedback, just wanted to say that I'll watch your thread with keen interest. I'm looking for a new bathroom too.;)

Babbawah

I would rather have a family bonfire with my money than employ the services of a DIY shed like Homebase or (spits) B&Q to supply & fit a kitchen or bathroom.

You don't mention Wickes, I wonder why? Wickes are a major player in the supply & fit of kitchens & bathrooms. Possibly 2nd or 3rd biggest in the UK, yet I'd still rather open the backdoor & chuck it all to the wind.

You really will be better off with a local builder. Someone with a local reputation & needs to maintain that reputation. They don't need to advertise heavily, so you won't always find one that way. They work on 'word of mouth' & personal recommendation, so you're gonna need to talk to local people & ask questions.

Have you introduced yourselve's to your neighbours yet?

A lot of general jobbing type builders are perfectly capable of fitting a kitchen or bathroom, but a good one will happily refer you onto a regular fitter that they use.

There are lots of independant kitchen & bathroom fitters out there, who probably contract to the DIY sheds, who can supply & fit much higher quality cabinets, doors, appliances & suites etc than the sheds at a price that will be 30-60% cheaper than those huge warehouses stocked with cabinets from China & staffed by minimum wage children on zero hours contracts.

boxoflove

We did our kitchen last summer through B&Q, product seems fine but I'd highly recommend staying away from their fitting service. To start with not everything was supplied as requested and the less said about the quality of the fitter's workmanship the better. We're still not happy with the tiling job but given the cupboards literally fell off a wall, that has been the least of our worries! While they have repaired damage etc, it has ultimately been a drawn-out and unsatisfactory process.

Crabman

Babbawah wrote: »

You don't mention Wickes, I wonder why? Wickes are a major player in the supply & fit of kitchens & bathrooms. Possibly 2nd or 3rd biggest in the UK, yet I'd still rather open the backdoor & chuck it all to the wind.

Because Wickes admitted their installation work will only last for two years. Plus, their salesman didn't inspire confidence.

A concern with local recommendations is the only two people we know who've had work done by someone local (recommended to them), have lost out as the fitter has since "retired" into a different trade, meaning they've had to pay for small remedial works that should have been guaranteed. Considering the price they paid I don't think they saved anything by buying local either.

Neighbours recommended the big sheds as did other contacts and friends, unfortunately. I like Homebase but their stupid games with prices and fake discounts have been confusing and annoying. I think I've seen enough now to say we'll stay away from B&Q.

Scottie_dog

We are currently getting our bathroom done. You will get a much better product at a reasonable price at plumb centre, MKM, Jewsons, somewhere like that. They advertise as trade but anyone can go in an buy things. Arrange your own tradespeople by recommendations from friends and family. I have done my research and wouldn't bother buying any bathroom from b & q or homebase. You really can get more for your money.

dearlouise

B&Q kitchens, poor quality for the price. You could get the same quality for much cheaper elsewhere.

CKdesigner

Hi Crabman

Look for a local independent kitchen specialist that has been around for a while. I'm sure you will find someone with proper experience in the design, supply and installation of kitchens and bathrooms and you will pay a fair, reasonable price for a good value for money job.

An independent specialist will have a showroom that you can visit to get an idea of the quality of work and products they do. They will also happily give you 2 or 3 local customer's names for you to visit.

Consumers often have a perception that independent specialists will be expensive, sure some will specialise in expensive products, but most occupy the middle ground and will offer good value for money with the emphasis on good design and service with proper advice.

If you have not been recommended to a local specialist by family, friends or neighbours, then have a look for 'dealers' on the Miele, Neff and Siemens appliance websites. These have search facilities to find local kitchen specialists in your area, and to be a dealer of these brands (especially Miele) these specialists should be fairly well established and professional in what they do.

Good luck with your projects.

CK

trailingspouse

We used Homebase. It's been in 18 months, and we're perfectly happy with it. We also used their fitters - they were local kitchen fitters who worked on their own account as well as having the contract with Homebase. We've had them back since to fit the utility room, going direct to them.

Homebase were £5,000 cheaper than our local independent kitchen place, a nicer colour (and cheaper) than Magnet, had better design ideas than B&Q, and were happy for me to do all the negotiations without reference to my OH (who was working abroad at the time), unlike Tesco. Also, I liked their kitchen best.

thor

trailingspouse wrote: »

We used Homebase. It's been in 18 months, and we're perfectly happy with it. We also used their fitters - they were local kitchen fitters who worked on their own account as well as having the contract with Homebase. We've had them back since to fit the utility room, going direct to them.

Homebase were £5,000 cheaper than our local independent kitchen place, a nicer colour (and cheaper) than Magnet, had better design ideas than B&Q, and were happy for me to do all the negotiations without reference to my OH (who was working abroad at the time), unlike Tesco. Also, I liked their kitchen best.

Did you get quotes from any other local fitters? If so how did they compare to Homebase's fitting cost?

no1catman

I suppose it depends on how much your home is worth!
I remember an Estate Agent remarked that it's pointless overspending on a kitchen relative to the property.


We put a new kitchen in my previous terrace house (circa 1890s) - please note this is going back at least 10 years.


Thought, B & Q looked 'cheap', it was a toss-up between Homebase & Wickes. Chose Homebase because better size of units. Bought work-tops separately.
I got three quotes for fitting, one over £2,000 another £1200, and finally £900 (which included disposing of the old one). I chose the last one - but worked out fine, used him again for some other odd jobs.
Homebase, CS were great, any problems soon sorted.


Moved to a 1939 Semi, which had a local independent Kitchen Designed & fitted kitchen. Not impressed, it was okay, but could have been better - work-top dull, no display cabinets, or vegetable draws.
After insurance restoration - replaced the work-tops, and re-tiled - amazing what a difference its made.