DIY Kitchens advice needed

Sls

Hi everyone,
I’ve read here, at MN a lots of good reviews about DIY Kitchens. I am very much leaning towards them rather Wren where we’ve got our quote which seem very expensive and had read lots of negative reviews here.Thinking to order from DIY kitchens, but scared of doing the measurements. Never done this before , is anyone ordered from them could you please share how did you measure and plan? Did you use a professional to measure for you? What happens if size of ordered item is wrong? Are you happy with your kitchen? Thank you!!

bugslet

Just to say I had my kitchen units from them about 18 months ago and they were a doddle to order from and it was great that they came all built up. I was happy with the quality.

I found it easy to measure, but I was having in effect just one run down one side, which I imagine is not that common.

Captain_Kirk427

Hi,
My order arrived only a couple of weeks ago. I used there online planner to put in my own room measurements, sent off for checking and then ordered.
A couple of items were incorrect, and they have swapped them out with no issues, and a couple of minor damages, again swapped with no fuss, only a little time lost. All companies make mistakes, it's how they handle the mistake that sets the good companies apart, and DIY Kitchens have been perfect so far!

As for measuring, I used a tape measure - measure at least 3 times before committing. Even then one of my measurements is a little tight, (about 10mm too much cupboard - but I have a solution which will work for me). No kitchen is perfectly square, or going to accept units perfectly as plastering etc isn't an exact science. If you can make it up to the showroom their staff are very helpful.

The units themselves are very solid and well made. Come fully assembled except the feet, so pretty much ready to put into place, a couple of screws to hold them together and fit a worktop. Done!

Sls

Thank you Captain_Kirk427 and bugslet.
Captain_Kirk427, how did you send off for checking? Just your kitchen size and chosen units details?
Thank you!

cranford

Just a few pointers if you are fitting yourself.
DIY Kitchens units are made in colours than match your doors so you don't need end of run panels, no need to allow for these when selecting your units. You need to check whether you need to modify any units. In my case I had to cut down a corner unit so I had it delivered "dry" and assembled it myself. Also changed the sink unit to accommodate my sink.
You can also get them to send sample doors and if you return them with the delivery you get a refund.

Doozergirl

Someone was talking about the kitchen design tool the other day but I can't find it.

Does anyone have the link, please?

Doozergirl

Pushed the search tool a bit harder and found it:

https://planner.diy-kitchens.com

Now to see if it works!

Captain_Kirk427

planner. DIY-kitchens.com or something along those lines.

For whatever reason, it isn't linked through their main site, but a quick google brings it up.
I used this planner tool, dropped in all the units where I wanted, and then when you go through the steps there is a button to send over to them for checking.
A quick point to note, remember to add handles onto your order, even if they are specified in the planner as I missed the fact that they were not on my order.

Sls

Thank you everyone for your advice! Online planner is brilliant, I thought they had only a paper version of it.
I will play with it, but based on prices I can see the sink we chose at Wren costs £369 whereas DIY Kitchens sells very similar and costs only £170ish, omg!

johannalf88

One thing to mention (what my parents didn't consider) is that the measurements are for the cabinets with the doors closed. If you put a cabinet right next to the fridge for example, you wouldn't be able to fully open the cabinet doors - so make sure you add about a cm in width if you are place them right next to something bigger than them!

(I hope that makes sense!)

cranford

I don't have the problem that Johanalf88 has, my doors open within the width of the cabinet side panel. Maybe you could look at adjusting the hinges to pull the doors in?