Purchasing a supply only kitchen.

John-Loves-Leica

Hello all. I’m new to the forum and this is my first post.
The house renovation is coming closer to the all-important Kitchen overhaul and its now time to purchase the white gloss slab units the good wife has set her hart on. I’ve been looking at one particular Company called e-kitchens.co.uk and wanted to know if anyone has used them before?. They advertise as a division of the Richmond Cabinet Company who also happen to supply Jewson’s, Grahams and Factory Kitchens as well as other company’s within public and private housing sector. We had sample doors sent and to look at seem (as a budget door) more than sufficient, the specification seems similar to the likes of Wickes and B&Q . A pre-assembled carcass constructed from 18mm MFC with a 15mm backing and a 23mm service gap, the doors being a no frills MFC with Lacquered High Gloss finish and 2mm ABS Edging . On the whole it seems like a good deal, but this makes me feel a little wary and would greatly appreciate any suggestions or advice.
John.

aggypanthus

I got mine from DIY kitchens, been to the factory and were given a tour.

Still great after 6 years. The doors they sell are made by SECOND NATURE see website, which are sold by many independants.

aggypanthus

http://www.diy-kitchens.com/

John-Loves-Leica

I initially looked at diy-kitchens, they seem to have good reviews by both end users and professional kitchen fitters. Their gloss kitchen range has a 18mm mdf acrylic faced door that is extremely well priced compared to any other acrylic's Ive seen. But our goal is to purchase a budget kitchen, a Lacquered MFC that's similar to what main street sellers like Wren, B&Q,Wickes sell. And going on spec e-kitchens seem very similar to Second Nature. They (e-kitchens) are also cheaper and I think have a 5 year warranty on the doors compared to the 1 year diy-kitchens provide. Only thing with e-kitchens is they seem to have a lack of reviews online, its also proving difficult to find reviews searching kitchens made by the parent company Richmond Cabinet Company/ Regency Kitchens. Might be worth posting on a builders forum?

aggypanthus

I never heard of ekitchens, but will look.
You could try DIY Not forum.

Have you searched this forum for other kitchen queries? Good idea, as people tire of answering to everyone. I dont mean that to sound rude. you may find answers to help you.

Meepster

Richmond have been manufacturing kitchens longer than most of the top UK suppliers. The reason not many people have heard of them is that they've never really pushed their own retail business, it's only the last 18 months or so they've looked to expand their own sales. Previously they've been happy with selling through builders merchants and public sector housing developments, with one off projects like Centre Parcs and Snoozebox.

And if anyone remembers Wickes Manor House kitchens - they were solely supplied by Richmond

eastonian

I got a great kitchen from Supply Only Kitchens. Sent them our design & requirements, specced every detail from carcass & edging colour to having door runs bookmatched (cut from single piece of laminate so the grain matched up).

Very competitive and the only place we could source a 'true' handle-less kitchen outside of Europe.

iwanna

Hi John-Love-Leica, I'm about to make a similar purchase in the coming weeks. Most likely from diy-kitchens. You might want to check again as in white gloss they actually have a choice of:
Lacquered MDF (18mm)
Acrylic Faced MDF (19mm)
Vinyl Faced MDF (18mm)
Lacquered MFC (18mm)
Lacquered MDF (22mm)
Hope that helps

John-Loves-Leica

Thanks for all the reply's. I think Im going to bight the bullet and go with e-kitchens. Many thanks to Meepster for pointing out a little more on the company's background.
iwanna your absolutely right it was a 19mm Acrylic door, thanks for pointing that out and good luck with your kitchen build.

Furts

I assume OP is going to fit his own units. Just ensure the kitchen is accurately surveyed first. Ping off the survey to assist with the kitchen design. Then when completed get an as built survey to check against the original proposal. A good Leica could be helpful on all this.

Most kitchen companies do not possess one but it should produce a superb job. However, if you need help I could pop round with my clipboard and 8metre Stanley pocket tape.