The kitchen maze...

zoothornrollo_2

Total newb when it comes to buying a new kitchen, never having done it before. We're having a side return extension done which will involve ripping the current kitchen out and starting afresh. We have detailed architectural plans so know what shape and size it will be.
But as for choosing the kitchen itself.... bleurghh the whole thing seems designed to send you mad.
All the big names get totally conflicting reviews: 'Howdens are great!' / Howdens are crap!' 'Wren are great!' / Wren are crap!', as do some of the boutique / fancy places. This is before you get on to the whole German thing.... And using IKEA carcasses with nicer doors etc... 
Does anyone have any sensible advice about how to go about choosing a kitchen supplier? I suppose you set a budget?
But frankly I've no idea. I mean I like the look of Neptune kitchens for instance (and have heard they are great, and also crap), and believe we could get cabinets alone from them for c.£15k, if we're lucky (it's a small kitchen). But then if you don't use their fitters the warranty reduces from lifetime to a year. And our building quote includes kitchen fitting...

maurice28

We've just gone through this very same thing, and it was the first time for us too! We've recently completed a rear extension, which involved knocking through into it from the kitchen, and then replacing the kitchen and turning it from an L-shape of units to a U-shape, to give us more space etc.

You're right that it is a bewildering maze of options! I started by looking at the Wrens, Magnets etc and using their very rough online calculators to get an idea of cost. Obviously you will need to set a budget - we had a general idea of the maximum we wanted to spend.

We then asked friends and family who had had kitchens done in the not too distant past who they had used - most had used local companies. We went to speak to one of them (they were recommended by my wife's parents) and looked around the showroom at the various cabinet options, and they came to have a look at the space, measure up and then came up with some designs.

We had a bit of back and forth on the designs, changing various parts, taking and adding away, until we were happy. Then the rest proceeded as planned, they installed it just before Christmas and we've been really happy with it.

I have no idea where in the country you are and what level of kitchen you want. We had about 15 units, which arrived flat pack and were built by the kitchen fitter. They were 'off the shelf', not bespoke painted. We also purchased a new built in fridge freezer, hob and extractor hood from them, but used our own oven and washing machine. The cost, fitted, was around £11,000.

We had the fitting arranged and carried out by the kitchen company. We probably could have got it a bit cheaper sorting everything out individually but honestly, it made it so easy having the one outfit do everything - they organised an electrician, plumber and plasterer to do the prep before hand, then sort everything after (new sockets, installing the hob etc). The fitter also boxed in pipework and a consumer unit as part of the fit. Really can't fault them at all.

I know you say the builders' quote includes installation so it really depends on how much you want to source/sort yourself. I know after months of extension work and planning we were glad to have someone else take most of the strain of planning, so it might be worth considering getting the whole thing done through one company. It may cost a bit more for the convenience though. 

In a nutshell then, definitely have a look at Wren and the like for ideas, but you can't really beat recommendations from other people who live in your area, if you can get them.

baser999

The other option would perhaps be to negotiate a discount on the building work to exclude the kitchen fitting? That way if there’s problems with the kitchen you also save the inevitable stand off between fitters and suppliers each blaming the other

zoothornrollo_2

V helpful Maurice thank you.
Our job sounds v similar: we currently have a galley kitchen with v little counter or cabinet space.
It will turn into a C (or U) shape - an open-sided square if you like. Larger but not room for an island unfortunately (it's a cottage terrace plot, only about 4.5 metres wide). I suppose we could ask for kitchen fitting not to be included in our quote / contract, it sounds like it would be easier.
Your outfit sounds great. We're in Twickenham. 

Doozergirl

You'll find your builder's fee for kitchen fitting is likely a lot less than any household named kitchen retailer.  Even Ikea used to charge more to fit than the price of the kitchen.

Check the fitting fee from Neptune... 

I was going to say DIY Kitchens as that would with the builder fitting it, but it sounds like you want something a bit posher.

Go and have a look at Life kitchens under the arches at Waterloo.  They've got a fabulous 4D set up.  I know how to get some of their kitchens for a lot less.  I have their shaker slab kitchen but not from them.  😬

Slinky

We are also talking with kitchen companies, although in our case we have spoken to a company about refurbing our current kitchen. Keeping most of the carcases, new doors, new worktop, moving a bin cupboard, making up two new cupboards and replacing a run of 5 short cupboards with two full height double door units.

This was our quote:

• Blum Motion soft closing hinges
• 2 x Base units
• 1 x Standard drawer box
• 2 x Tall wall units
• 4 x Tall doors
• 2 x Tall wall panels
• 2 x Classic Cornice
• 2 x Pelmet
• 1 x Long Shelf
• 1 x Shelf
• 1 x Tower panel
• 2 x Base panels
• 6 x Standard drawer front
• 3 x Pan drawer front
• 2 x Plinth
• 1 x Plinth vent
• 2 x Corner posts
• 4 x Wall panels
• 1 x Fly panel
• 9 x Base doors
• 3 x Wall doors
• 25 x Handles
Total £8,614

• Trend Stone Worktops in White Copper £4,125
• Door Replacement Programme £8,614
• Blanco XL6S in Tartufo £438
• Plumber for gas and sink £200
TOTAL £13,377.00

We were astonished at the cost considering how much of the existing kitchen is being re-used. The worktop is a 7mm cover over the existing one.

Doozergirl

I'd be astonished at nearly £9k for replacement doors too!  

Slinky

Doozergirl said:

I'd be astonished at nearly £9k for replacement doors too!  

It doesn't even include the only new drawer being soft close!

koalakoala

I would buy the best available from Howdens

zoothornrollo_2

Thanks DoozerGirl, baser, Slinky, koala. (Doozer I thought exactly that, that whatever the builder had factored in for kitchen fitting is probably a very small part of the quote and we will be paying a lot more for fitting if we pay kitchen supplier to do it.).
As much as I like the look of Neptune it sounds from all accounts that their aftersales is dodgy. Might still go down there for their free intro design consultation though.
Having done a bit more googling / thinking, my two favoured options at the moment are:
1) Ikea cabinets / units (Metod, Ehnet well rated on Which?) and get some posh doors / fascias made (there are apparently firms that offer specifically this?)
2) There is a local kitchen / bathroom company that seems very highly rated, so we're going to make an appointment and see what they come up with. 

ComicGeek

zoothornrollo_2 said:

As much as I like the look of Neptune it sounds from all accounts that their aftersales is dodgy. Might still go down there for their free intro design consultation though.

We had our kitchen and utility from Neptune a couple of years ago. Design and installation was excellent, but like any national company is only as good as the individuals working there. We had lots of problems with a dishwasher, which wasn't their fault but they were good in resolving. First time with a kitchen where 100% was delivered on the date promised, and without any damage or replacements needed.

At the time we got a really good price for the works, which didn't work out much different to local firms. We also have other Neptune furniture from years ago, so it was more of a known product for us.

They did have massive price rises a couple of years ago though,  and changed the way that they price installation. So I don't know if it's just silly prices now - but it's a kitchen that's going to last for years. Change of handles and a repaint is a cheap and simple way to update in 10 years time.