Kitchen quotes - what would you do.

madeinireland_2

I've received a quote from Benchmarx for a fairly large kitchen / utility without appliances or work tops of about £11k. It's their Somerset bone range.

It includes 17 base units (including 4 tall units), 6 wall units - all of various sizes and includes a larder pull out and corner pull out, cornice, pelmet plinth etc. it also includes a 1400 by 900 istand made up of some other units including 900 pan drawer, wine rack etc.

I have a fitter who is very good (I am told) who will charge £1800 plus vat.

The fitter would prefer to stick with benchmarx kit as that is what he seems to always fit.

I do need to get other work done as well, plus all the normal tiling , floors, work tops etc - but this quote just covers the units.

Now I sent the design off to Diy-kitchens and they have given me a quote of £7500 using the broadoak painted shaker kitchen. They are also running a 10% discount meaning I could save a cool £4k.

I have no idea on the quality but all reports seem to suggest they are good. Solid door as opposed to a veneer door, made to order, colour matched carcass, fully built etc. There is also the risk of damage and problems with delivery and I suspect I will have to find a new fitter.

It seems too great a difference and worth the risk. I intend to visit their showroom soon to ensure we have picked the right range for us. I presume I can mitigate some of the risk by getting the new fitter to help me order and inspect well before they start on the kitchen - as I can store it if required.

But - what would you do ? Take the risk or stick with what appears to be the safer Benchmarx option ?

Thanks...

rustyboy21

Speak to your fitter and make sure he is ok with installing it. If he isnt, then you will have to get another one instead, but then you dont know what their work is like.

We all like installing something that we know about and feel comfortable with. You have to make sure they are happy, otherwise you will soon find out, when he stops work and complains about the carp you have bought !

Be prepared for him to charge you for designing/checking what you are ordering. I wouldnt do it for free !

madeinireland_2

I'm fine with him charging for the assistance. On the other hand as it all comes pre-built then that would save him a lot of time on fitting.

I don't think the existing fitter will be interested and I can understand that. I do have a couple of other options where I have seen their work which I will try.

I just think £4k is a lot to pay for him to have the convenience of fitting something he is comfortable with. I have also seen many comments on various websites about diy-kitchens where they said their fitter thought it was really good but who knows maybe they are fake - hopefully someone who knows about them will be along soon.

CKdesigner

Hi

I can understand you wanting to potentially save £3,500, but if you are prepared to spend £11,000 on cabinetry then have a look round some local independent kitchen specialists. I'm sure you will find vastly better quality for the same money. You will probably get a mid range German kitchen for that sort of money at the moment because of the current exchange rate.

As for your fitter, if he is truly any good and you find a better quality kitchen for the same money as a Benchmarx one then surely he would be pleased. A better quality kitchen will be easier to fit and make his work look better! To be frank if all he wants to fit is Benchmarx kitchens then I would say look for a more open minded fitter!

Good luck

CK

redmalc

I went through a similar issue a few years ago and we settled for the better quality cabinets,we have been very happy with our kitchen and it looks as new as the day it was fitted.
It was the little things like,curved doors,cornice,and hinges what made our minds up

xyz123

We had diy kitchen fitted a year ago. We decided after approaching likes of benchmarx, Howden, homebase as well as few independents (who incidentally were 50% more expensive for apparently high quality which was not seen by us. This doesn't mean it's not higher quality, just that we couldn't see it so differently so as to justify premium). Very happy with kitchen. If u r in doubt, ask ur fitter what would it take for him to install diy kitchen. He can look at videos on their website but generally carcasses are pre assembled with service cavity at back so there shouldn't be an issue. If he is unsure maybe negotiate slightly higher install price to cover his risk as in my opinion a fitter who u know is good is better than an unknown one...

madeinireland_2

Thanks for the comments so far

honeyend

I have been a lurker on here for a while. We built a house last year and I got most of my information about different makes off sites like these, they are basically made by 3-4 companies, sold with slightly different spec with Brand names. Off the top of my head I think Wickes/ benchmarx, etc. have google of forums and you see which are the main makers.
What ever they tell you they are not 'handmade' they are all made by MDF or water-resistant board and slotted together in the factory or for you to do. At one time I knew all the types of board, but being a feeble woman can no longer retain the jargon.
I hate the way kitchens are sold, no clear pricing and you have spend two hours of our life to be told you need to spend 10k plus for some chip board.
In the end we bought from DIYkitchens.com, we designed our own layout, had visited the showroom and were impressed, we able to tailor the price to the budget and my husband phoned when he did the orderand spoke to a real person who knew about what they were selling.
They come ready made, you just put the doors on and we had nothing lost or missing. We spent money on having the worktops fitted as it was a large kitchen with corner joins.
I do not work for them and anyone can pm me. I just wished I had not spent two months of last year trailing round the kitchen showrooms being condescended to because I am a woman. and being made to feel stupid because I wanted to know the cost up front. 'How much is your basic 1000 base unit with double highline door?' I want to know because I want to know if I can afford it before you bore me to death with your sales pitch.

bugslet

Glad you posted honeyend, I'll be placing an order with them in about three weeks time - good to hear a positive experience!

Furts

bugslet wrote: »

Glad you posted honeyend, I'll be placing an order with them in about three weeks time - good to hear a positive experience!

For reassurance on value get an itemised break down of figures and then compare against the Screwfix catalogue and other published prices such as Tradepoint.

bugslet

Thanks furts. It's something I've been looking at for a while now and got my kitchen fitter to look at it as well. He's given it the thumbs up:)