Kitchen Renovation - Nobilia quality?

Furts

juliebunny wrote: »

Yes indeed Furts, the comical thing was a) I had to help him carry his samples into the house because he 'had a bad back' and b) the soft closing hinge didn't work when he demonstrated it to me

And the third comical thing was to give all the "German Quality" sales pitch and include with this makes of appliances that you had never heard of. Which of course makes anyone then question whether the "German Quality" kitchen is also a smoke and mirrors illusion.

I have said it many times before, but it does no harm to repeat it. There are numerous "independent" kitchen business showrooms within 15+ miles of me. I have not had a satisfactory experience with any of them. It seems if a person wants to replicate Dell Boy Trotter then the accepted away in the last decade or two is to open an "independent" kitchen showroom. Your experience appears to be along these lines.

By the law of averages there will be good independents out there. The problem is trying to find out which ones these are, and where they are located. The other problem is they will not be ultra profitable if they are offering the same as can be purchased in the building trade. They know one chipboard carcass is much like another chipboard carcass so sales and marketing has to be introduced to get consumers to part with their money. Hence the independents are likely to be offering "German" or "Italian".

Today's consumers love brands, no substance, no questions, nothing discerning, so hey presto all this works! Which in turn means there is little need for any worthy skill, or professionalism. Which again is much as you have found out.

But in fairness to all I am not on a tirade against independents. The reality is the whole industry is dire. To give anecdotal evidence I witnessed consumers queuing at the kitchen sales folks to place orders. Yet all the showroom examples were defective, ill adjusted, damaged and badly fitted. This was at a branch of John Lewis. Which means if John Lewis could not give a ---- then it is little wonder everybody else in the kitchen industry decides likewise.

Buyer beware. That is why I went for an "el cheapo"!

onomatopoeia99

juliebunny wrote: »

Just one thing to add, this same kitchen told me they would NOT dispose of my old kitchen, they said it would cost them £500 (really?!) to get rid of it so that is what they would charge me, or I could sort out disposal myself, get a Hippo bag or skip...

I broke the old units up into panels, and folded down the back seat of the car and took mine up the tip. Took a few trips, but disposal cost was a few quid in fuel and my time at the weekend.

juliebunny

Funny thing about my kitchen search is that I seem to have gone a full circle and am looking at B&Q again tonight. In the (long) time it's taken me to choose a kitchen, they've got some some new ones that might be suitable and SHOCK they actually are transparent in their pricing!!

Furts

juliebunny wrote: »

Funny thing about my kitchen search is that I seem to have gone a full circle and am looking at B&Q again tonight. In the (long) time it's taken me to choose a kitchen, they've got some some new ones that might be suitable and SHOCK they actually are transparent in their pricing!!

B&Q do two different ranges - pick your price and quality. People knock them, people get snobbish about brands, but for ordinary folks with ordinary homes they tick a box. Kitchens are not like cars where components whirr around and wear out. Kitchens are inert pieces of chipboard - no moving parts. This means that if kept clean, dry, and treated with respect they have an indefinite life span.

Your B&Q consideration may end up being 100% in the ethos of a money saving forum. See where you get to, then try any friends or contacts you may have in the trade. Remember B&Q do a Tradecard, so if you know folks with these there may be opportunities on pricing.

VfM4meplse

Kl95 wrote: »

So we are going to have our kitchen renovated, and want to go for a modern handle-less kitchen. We have received a quote of around £15,000 from Kutchenhaus who supply Nobilia kitchens from Germany which includes Neff appliances as well as quartz 20mm worktops and sinks, taps. The kitchen is fairly narrow and long measuring at around 5.7m x 3.9m.

I understand from asking a user of this forum that Nobilia are the entry level german kitchen quality so just wanted to know whether this price is reasonable taking into account what is included? Our budget is around about 15k but we do want a quality kitchen at that price - are there any other german brands that perhaps may be of better quality at this particular budget?

Thanks!

This is a large kitchen, and £15k will buy you a reasonable kitchen. I'm not sure more money will buy better quality, but would certain little allow for more gizmos and gadgets.

I actually think a reasonable quality (as opposed to top-end) kitchen will last for years if it's well looked after.

sarahtop

Am also looking at nobilia and not sure how it stands up against other brands. There don't seem to be many reviews for it. Any ideas re Shuller / Nobilia / - where do I find good reviews?

Debbie_Savard

There's an Audi driver around way with a bumper-sticker "I also have a German kitchen"

Furts

webcrest043 wrote: »

Great company Nobilia sets high standards for developing kitchen with unique quality and build intelligently designed kitchens at exceptional value.

What a balanced, objective, piece of pure cow dung is being put forward here! I recall a similar nonsensical comment being made in the past. Fortunately mse Forum users are savvy enough to see through such comments.

sarahtop

Kl95 wrote: »

So we are going to have our kitchen renovated, and want to go for a modern handle-less kitchen. We have received a quote of around £15,000 from Kutchenhaus who supply Nobilia kitchens from Germany which includes Neff appliances as well as quartz 20mm worktops and sinks, taps. The kitchen is fairly narrow and long measuring at around 5.7m x 3.9m.

I understand from asking a user of this forum that Nobilia are the entry level german kitchen quality so just wanted to know whether this price is reasonable taking into account what is included? Our budget is around about 15k but we do want a quality kitchen at that price - are there any other german brands that perhaps may be of better quality at this particular budget?

Thanks!

I am also looking - large kitchen, large old house. I dont need the comments about buying brands, I simply wonder if anyone has seen a site that compares Nobilia to Shuller for quality, value for money. If you don't have one, or you haven't bought one of the above, not sure your lectures will help me

Doozergirl

Rude, much.