New Build - Hate kitchen options

1994Baz94

Hi,

I’ve recently exchanged contracts on a new build due for completion later in the year. In the week we went to chose kitchen surfaces and all of the options that were being offered were horrible and dull - really didn’t like any of them.

One of the premium kitchens that cost £3k had a nice surface but they weren’t willing to offer that surface without the full upgrade, something which I am not willing to pay.

I also made the suggestion that we could purchase a surface that we like from band q and they fit it for us, they save on material that way, but the sales lady said that for insurance reasons this could not be done.

It seems a real waste of time/money for everyone to have a standard surface fitted, just to be ripped out and replaced on day 1 which as this stage seems like our only option.

Anyone been in this situation before or able to offer any advice? It seems as though now they have us locked in they couldn’t care less about us.

Thanks in advance.

[Deleted User]

They're not going to want to get into a fight about whether if was sub standard materials or fitting in the event of a dispute.

Get it changed once you're in. It doesn't need to be day 2. Leave it until the weekend.

markin

It will probably only be worth £200 anyway, Many people will happily rip out a perfectly good kitchen costing 000's, just one more reason to never buy a over priced new build.

goodwithsaving

Go for basic kitchen, change worktops and doors once in. IKEA even do some nice doors

1994Baz94

Do you think that it’s a case of them being lazy, not allowing us to provide our own materials, is it a case of creating extra work for them, or are they telling the truth so you think?

Doozergirl

1994Baz94 wrote: »

Do you think that it’s a case of them being lazy, not allowing us to provide our own materials, is it a case of creating extra work for them, or are they telling the truth so you think?

You're creating extra work and opening up the possibility of a dispute if what you provide is sub-standard or faulty.

They're building the house, not you, and you're limited to what they want to sell you.

markin

They want you to upgrade, They may even get a commission for it.

Thrugelmir

1994Baz94 wrote: »

Anyone been in this situation before or able to offer any advice? It seems as though now they have us locked in they couldn’t care less about us.

You locked yourselves in. I've never paid a deposit for a new car without considering all the options that are available before doing so.

1994Baz94

We’re unwilling to upgrade, considering the price.

Would removing the existing worktops early have an effect on the warranty/snag list?

Sibz

1994Baz94 wrote: »

We’re unwilling to upgrade, considering the price.

Would removing the existing worktops early have an effect on the warranty/snag list?

It could have an effect on the surrounding items if it could be argued that the work you done replacing the worktops damaged any other items in the house (possible examples: dents/scratches on a doorway when carrying the stuff in, white goods damaged by a worktop being dropped or by them being removed and reinstalled during the fitting etc).

To be frank, if the colour of a worktop is your primary concern when buying a new-build then you must be in a pretty good place. You might decide just to stick with their range for a while as you're likely going to find a few more things you'll want to be doing when you move in, without adding a (practically) unnecessary change of kitchen worktops to the list. I'd balk at paying the upgrade prices on new builds, if it's purely a monetary thing then surely there are more pressing uses for your cash than changing the aesthetics of a perfectly functional worktop.

ka7e

There are numerous "kitchen door" suppliers that will enable you to upgrade your kitchen for hundreds rather than thousands of pounds. You might need to buy or hire a jig-cutter to form the correct holes for your original hinges. You can then choose your own handles and upgrade the work surface if/when required.