Kitchen on a budget

fidgetgreen

Hi, I’ve recently bought a flat and I’m doing it up. I’m looking at kitchen quotes and would like to know what the best value for money kitchen supplier is. I’m working on the kitchen with my dad so benchmark and howden are out. I’ve read that the basic b&q range isn’t very good so I’m left with wickes, magnet (whose flat pack cabinets are 16mm, I’d prefer 18mm), wren and ikea.

Out of those which should I go with? Im going for a handleless style with about 10 units and integrated appliances. I’d like to keep it to under £5k Thanks

FreeBear

Wickes is owned by Travis Perkins who also own Benchmarx, so the kitchens ranges will be identical (perhaps a slight change in name). Prices are always open to negotiation with Benchmarx in my experience (had a good deal on a sink & mixer tap combo from them).

You are right to steer clear of the GoodHome range from B&Q - The quality is really poor even compared to the previous budget offerings.

Ikea and DIY-Kitchens are probably going to be your best budget options.

LidLicker

This is more of a suggestion rather than a recommendation, but have you looked into Wren Kitchens?

fidgetgreen

Wren was one of the first people I looked at and I like what they have on offer. I'm just wary of the hundreds of threads about how bad they are. I also don't get anywhere near a price breakdown with them. They just give a ball park figure without explaining how they got there.

VfM4meplse

LidLicker wrote: »

This is more of a suggestion rather than a recommendation, but have you looked into Wren Kitchens?

Wren's reputation precedes it. Units are ok quality, its the pricing and fitting that cause the contention from what I hear.

Sallyp2

Please don’t use Wren. Quite simply awful. Took 5 times longer to install and caused numerous structural and electrical faults!
Pay more if you need to, long term you won’t regret it

ka7e

The diy Luca range has 18mm carcasses and hefty 22mm doors. I've just had it fitted and and it was nearly half the price of kitchens I had priced by Magnet and Benchmarx. The cheapest laminate worktops I found were from worktop-express.co.uk and hcsupplies.co.uk. AO is keenly priced for appliances, but I also got a graded integrated oven and fridge/freezer which had tiny dings on the side that aren't visible now they've been fitted - they were brand-new, but classed as damaged so much cheaper than perfect ones.

fidgetgreen

ka7e wrote: »

The diy Luca range has 18mm carcasses and hefty 22mm doors. I've just had it fitted and and it was nearly half the price of kitchens I had priced by Magnet and Benchmarx. The cheapest laminate worktops I found were from worktop-express.co.uk and hcsupplies.co.uk. AO is keenly priced for appliances, but I also got a graded integrated oven and fridge/freezer which had tiny dings on the side that aren't visible now they've been fitted - they were brand-new, but classed as damaged so much cheaper than perfect ones.

Thanks, this is what I’m leaning towards at the moment but I’m just worried about potentially getting measurements wrong and other issues due to doing it all online.

Sorry, the a graded appliances, were they from ao.com or somewhere else?

ka7e

I probably checked my measurements 50 times! But getting a firm out to measure, design and quote for a kitchen confirmed everything would fit. I had my own design using the diy planner and it was approved by both that firm and the diy team when I submitted it for checking, prior to ordering. Within hours they had raised a couple of queries - side for hinges, colour of an open unit etc - they also answered my questions quickly. Queries are raised through a ticket system which has been criticised in the past, but they seem to have got their act together. It's important to factor in obstructions like water pipes and position of power sockets etc.


Unless you are sticking with white, order a sample door or two - it's not cheap but you get the cost refunded when you return the sample via the delivery drivers. Samples for internal carcass colours are free, having a contrasting colour inside your units can certainly add a bit of wow factor! For a couple of hundred pounds more, you can actually have a totally bespoke kitchen colour - you send a sample of your favourite paint (their planner uses all the Farrow and Ball colours, but you can use any sample) and they match it and spray the units, fillers, end panels and kick boards to match.



A drawer front was missing from my order, but diy discovered that before I had actually unpacked the units and it was sent by courier within 48 hours. They were also helpful with some queries my fitter raised and actually replaced a piece of a fitting he broke on a dry fit corner unit, for free.


There are a lot of outlets for graded appliances, The Appliance Depot, Appliances Direct , Kingdomappliances - many have eBay shops. I would advise that you get your requirements nailed down and see some appliances "in the flesh" first, as I have had a few niggles with the internal design/quality of my dishwasher and f/f.

peter12345678910

For My Flat the kitchen units cleaned quite well though old with miracle pink cleaner though threw one away though for 200 I got 2 3metre work benches, base sink unit, mixer tap and sink.

Just Need A Builder Now....

VfM4meplse

peter12345678910 wrote: »

with miracle pink cleaner

Are you referring to Vanish?