How to haggle for a kitchen?!

juliebunny

Has anyone had success haggling with any of the big kitchen providers such as Howdens, Wickes, Magnet or even local firms?

I'm reluctant to accept the first quotes because I know they will have sales but I'd really like my new kitchen over the summer. I'm not planning to use their installation services.

Thanks !!!128522;

cranford

You don't need to haggle if you are going to fit it yourself.
Look at http://www.diy-kitchens.com/about-diy-kitchens/price-and-quality-comparison/

I did this six years ago and kitchen is still as new.
Units come pre assembled glued and dowed (unless you require otherwise), good range of sizes available to fill all those gaps, Units are colour coded so you don't need end panels, plinths, cornices and pelmets all at a good price.
You will find others on this forum have used DIY-Kitchens.

juliebunny

Definitely not fitting myself, but l'll see what my builder thinks. Yes I've seen that website talked about on other threads. It's hard to think about buying a kitchen I haven't seen in person though...

Doozergirl

I think the easiest way to haggle is to have more than one price and play them off against each other.

pollypenny

Having our kitchen from a local firm meant that the owner included a number of things which should have had a charge. Pull out racks in two deep cupboards for example.

Furts

Have a quiet word with a friend in the building trade. Offer to buy them a beer, or a meal, and pick their brains on value. No answer can be given here because there are a multitude of unknowns, and different qualities, within kitchens.


Do not overlook local builders merchants - many have kitchen showrooms, and they are used to dealing with the building trade. This means less Swiss Tony type characters, coupled with down to earth talking without a multitude of spin that goes with countless kitchens.


Controversially, and I get shot down for saying this, I have yet to come across an independent retailer that is any good. OK with high end and high priced German kitchens they are bound to be out there but for ordinary folks, with ordinary homes, dealing with ordinary independents it is all a pointless exercise.

pollypenny

Furts wrote: »

Have a quiet word with a friend in the building trade. Offer to buy them a beer, or a meal, and pick their brains on value. No answer can be given here because there are a multitude of unknowns, and different qualities, within kitchens.


Do not overlook local builders merchants - many have kitchen showrooms, and they are used to dealing with the building trade. This means less Swiss Tony type characters, coupled with down to earth talking without a multitude of spin that goes with countless kitchens.


Controversially, and I get shot down for saying this, I have yet to come across an independent retailer that is any good. OK with high end and high priced German kitchens they are bound to be out there but for ordinary folks, with ordinary homes, dealing with ordinary independents it is all a pointless exercise.

I have to disagree with your last paragraph. The guy from whom we bought lives in the community, as do his now-adult children one of whom I taught.

He has a reputation, both personal and professional to maintain.

Obviously use personal recommendation as well.

another_casualty

I just let the builder show me a few ideas that met my requirements , let him purchase and fit whatever I needed. I was happy with the quote , and my kitchen is almost finished. He got the stuff from howdens. Having a good builder is a main part of project imho.