Kitchen makeover cost - too expensive?

tetrabrit

After a long time looking for a builder I've found one that seems professional and willing to do the job of renovating my medium sized kitchen. I just got his quote and it looks rather steep. I wonder if you could give me some advice?

The plan is to completely rip out the existing kitchen and install it from scratch: new electrics, new plumbing, spot lights, plastering, decorating, tiles, flooring and obviously installing the kitchen itself. I've also asked him to block up a back door to the garden which I don't use. He's quoted me £7,000 for everything, plus the actual kitchen, which is supplied by Howdens (the builder works with them). The kitchen itself, including units and appliances (fridge, combi microwave, oven, hob, dishwasher) has been quoted as also around £7,000, and it's supposed to include the full discount (the builder doesn't mark it up, I actually got the quote directly from Howdens).

What do you think? Is it reasonable, expensive, or even out to lunch?

Thanks!

missprice

How many units, what brand appliances

comeandgo

That's about £5,800 before vat. Who supplies the tiles, grouting etc. Does he organise the plumber and electrician? I don't think it's that bad. Who gets rid of the old items he is ripping out? That costs a tradesman too. Ask him for a breakdown of the quote.

phill99

I run a property maintenance company specialising in kitchen and bathroom installs.


Firstly, you need other quotes. Secondly, £14k on a supply and fit including plumbing, plastering etc etc is about right for an average kitchen. Our typical 'turn-key' price on an average size kitchen is around £25 - £20000.


How much were you expecting to pay? You say he seems professional. That in itself counts for a lot. You probably will get it cheaper, but that doesn't mean you are getting the same quality of installation or customer service.

rach_k

We had similar done last year - old kitchen ripped out, new electrics and plumbing, all new lights, walls plastered, ceiling boarded and plastered, back door bricked up, window replaced with French doors, LVT floor, tiling.

We bought the kitchen ourselves from Ikea for around 7k so I'm guessing that may be more units than you'd get for 7k from Howdens. The total we paid was around 20k, which we thought was very reasonable. I'm not sure how the size compares to other kitchens but it's about 2.5m x 4.5m, if that helps.

Owain_Moneysaver

£5,800 (before VAT) - if it takes 2 men 10 days that's £290 per man day. If they work 10 hours a day it's £29 an hour. Even without VAT it's only £35 an hour.

They may not work 10 hours a day but they have to pay all their business overheads, national insurance, holiday and sick pay, pension, etc.

NB Blocking up the external door may require a Building Regulations approval, as it may affect the means of escape in event of a fire. Check with your local council.

browneyone

Sounds ok to me,

I've recent had my medium kitchen done and it ended up around 7.5k

glasgowdan

It could certainly be done a LOT cheaper! It would probably be 2 men x 5 days plus odd bits for electrician and plumber. I'm happy I could source the work, done PROPERLY, for under 4k.

Recently paid a joiner 1700 to do our kitchen, including extra work fitting bulkhead and blocking up an internal door, 1100 for tiling and finished decorating, 500 for the spark and plumber incl. New wiring loop and spotlights.

Using diykitchens will also save you a couple of K I reckon, and you'd be buying better units.

Nile

Hi, we move threads if we think they’ll get more help elsewhere (please read the forum rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board. If you have any questions about this policy please email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.

I’ve moved your thread from the 'In my home' board to the ‘Is This Quote Fair?’ board, where it is better suited.

Regards

Nile

somethingcorporate

I think it looks a bit on the expensive side too, however, for a professional all-in-one solution, one that seems decent and trustworthy it would be worth the extra cost than having to source and coordinate everything seperately.

I did something similar for around £5k-£6k but with an internal door blocked up rather than external.

kpwll

We've just had a single storey extension built and for the kitchen units (inc larder unit), Neff double oven & 5 ring ss hob, ss cooker hood, 11/2 sink, worktop the cost was £7,800.
This was for mid-range white gloss units from a local firm that our builder always uses. The builder allowed £3,500 in the overall budget for the kitchen units and we paid the rest to the kitchen firm when we picked the kitchen. (We could have gone cheaper but had exactly what we wanted and are delighted with.)


To put it into context we bought (last month) 1 double & 1 single wall unit & 1 single floor cupboard from Wickes in the sale (white gloss, mid-range) for the utility room + a 4mtr worktop(matching the kitchen) from a different firm and the total was just under £600, without fitting.