The kitchen maze...

zoothornrollo_2

ComicGeek said:

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.

Thanks Comic, great info. I might come back to you with our quote and see how it compares to what you got back then.

Doozergirl

zoothornrollo_2 said:

ComicGeek said:

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.

Thanks Comic, great info. I might come back to you with our quote and see how it compares to what you got back then.

Nothing is the same as it was even two years ago and prices are still rocketing in the construction industry because of the energy crisis.  I wouldn't be surprised if your quote was hugely higher: it won't prove much other than inflation.  

Neptune don't offer discounts to trade, even.  

horsewithnoname

https://www.crown-imperial.co.uk/daventry/
i got my lovely new kitchen from here, if you’re able, it’s well worth a visit, I had no idea of the sort of helpful fittings and gadgets available. 

NatNat77

It is a minefield. I've had a quote recently from Howdens for 27k, and this is for a basic layout consisting of a straight wall approx 4.5m and a 3m island. It did include decent appliances and quartz worktops but obviously not fitting. I almost fell off my chair! The units price was around 11k of that, and that was supposedly with a 20% discount. Having priced the units as closely as I can on better kitchens, their units are almost a third of the price of howdens! I'm going to haggle/see if they can price match but this thread has inspired me to look at IKEA!

I've had quotes from wren and homebase as well but, like the OP, mixed reviews make it very difficult to choose... 

J63320

I don’t like the way Howden’s work. You have to buy through your builder, who can apply whatever mark-up they want, so you can’t properly compare prices. Then in a few years time when something has gone wrong, who has the benefit of their well-advertised 25 year guarantee? You? or the builder, who might have gone out of business by then - 25 years is a long time.

NatNat77

J63320 said:

I don’t like the way Howden’s work. You have to buy through your builder, who can apply whatever mark-up they want, so you can’t properly compare prices. Then in a few years time when something has gone wrong, who has the benefit of their well-advertised 25 year guarantee? You? or the builder, who might have gone out of business by then - 25 years is a long time.

Yeah agreed, we know someone with an account but before they'd discuss the quote with me they had to get their permission first, and they did ask them if they wanted anything added on! If we can haggle them down to an acceptable level we will most likely use them for the units at least.

I did go to an independent before Christmas as well, but haven't been able to go back for the design and quote due to having the flu. They did say initially the quote would be ballpark 40-45k though, so I'm not even sure whether to bother rearranging. We haven't got that sort of money to spend on a kitchen and even if we did I wouldn't, although I would like to see their design. It has put me off independents a bit though. 

zoothornrollo_2

As mentioned we are going to the local independent - although of course they have not replied to the enquiry I sent several days ago through their online form.... - so will report back.
I can see why people do the IKEA thing now: good value (I see they come top on Which? best buy for kitchens), cheap to fit, and you can get posh fascias done easily if you want them.
It's shade / painting that then becomes a bit of an issue: we want to match our upper cupboards to the shade we are painting the walls. Can you paint IKEA kitchen units? i.e., are they a finish that can be easily repainted? Or can you get them unpainted / primed?

ComicGeek

zoothornrollo_2 said:

As mentioned we are going to the local independent - although of course they have not replied to the enquiry I sent several days ago through their online form.... - so will report back.

Don't rely on the online forms - we recently updated our company website, and our web designer said that most of them either don't work or get sent to an email account which isn't monitored. Just give them a call or send a direct email.

ka7e

zoothornrollo_2 said:

It's shade / painting that then becomes a bit of an issue: we want to match our upper cupboards to the shade we are painting the walls. Can you paint IKEA kitchen units? i.e., are they a finish that can be easily repainted? Or can you get them unpainted / primed?

DIYKitchens supply many of their kitchens in bespoke colours - you send in a sample of your own paint and they colour match it. The end product may not be exactly the same as the walls as they produce a soft sheen finish.

FluffityBunny

We've got a Howdens kitchen and love it, just make sure you find a good local independent kitchen fitter/joiner/builder to install it
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