New kitchen: recommendations

TELLIT01

Our kitchen came from Howdens and we are very happy with both the kitchen design they came up with and the quality of the units.  There were a couple of issues with wrong coloured doors and the correct ones were delivered the following day.  We dealt directy with the designer at all times and, although the business was done through a trade account, we paid them direct.  We had a problem with the oven and, again, dealt with Howdens direct and that was sorted in a couple of days.

I know you tend to see more bad reviews posted about most companies than good, that's the nature of the beats, but Wren seem to have more than their share.

When we were thinking about extending our kitchen we went to Magnet for ideas, and gave them very specific details of things we didn't want.  Every one of our 'do not want' list was included in their design and spec.  If they don't listen at the design stage, I don't want to deal with them.

Albermarle

trance said:

SootySweep1 said:

Hi

Have a look at some of the independents around you to see what they can offer.

I actually found my kitchen through Ebay! We were having a lot of building work including a new kitchen and I had my heart set on a larder cupboard. So I was being nosy on Ebay & realised that there was a company local to me that built bespoke larder cupboards and I ended up buying my entire kitchen from them. Not the cheapest but not that much more than the likes of Wren etc etc but I got precisely what I wanted.

Jen

Thank you!

I've just researched local kitchen companies, and their gallery shots are all of massive kitchens, and they use the word "bespoke" a lot - so I translate that as "expensive"!

It might be worth giving them a call though, telling them our budget at the start so they can tell us straight away if they're out of our range - I don't want to waste their time, or ours!

Of course these companies prefer clients willing to spend a lot on a high end kitchen. However if they are going through a quiet time, then I am sure some of them at least will be happy to fit a more mid spec kitchen.

jonnydeppiwish!

I can’t recommend DIYKITCHENS more highly. Quality of fittings is better that Howdens, Wren, magnet etc. and normally cheaper. 

Planning tool is good and simple to use and they’ll check a design for you. 

The kitchen below we £4,500, pan drawer, kidney corner, integrated bins and mini larders.

FreeBear

jonnydeppiwish! said: The kitchen below we £4,500, pan drawer, kidney corner, integrated bins and mini larders.

Yay. No wall units to speak of.

My kitchen is only 2.4 by 3.4m, and I also opted for no wall units. The space looks so much bigger as a result. Downside is a lack of storage space, but it helps to limit hoarding of tat'n'crap.

silvercar

National companies always have big marketing budgets that you are indirectly paying for. Find a local kitchen company, that rely on personal recommendations and there should be some within your budget range.

Your near enough to @Doozergirl, who may know people.

ka7e

Another DIY fan here. I love the fact that you can get all the bells and whistles of a bespoke kitchen at a fairly reasonable price. I have a tall larder unit with internal drawers, slim pull-out larder, pan drawers instead of cupboards, a pull out double bin and all integrated appliances for a sleeker look.

cpbackhouse

Last year I replaced our kitchen myself from DIY Kitchens.

I forgot to select the option to have one of the units "flatpack" rather than pre-assembled as I needed to adjust it to the wall. After spending a long time cutting it apart to make the adjustments I came to the conclusion that their cupboards are very sturdy and well put together. (From a DIYers perspective).

I would definitely recommend DIY Kitchens maybe with a local fitter. Only downside might be that you are then responsible for the units etc and handling any defects. We had a couple of things missing but couldn't have been happier with the quick service we had to resolve it.

Green_hopeful

I don’t like wall units. I am quite small so I always have to climb on something to see what is in there. I have had two kitchens with no wall cupboards but as Freebear says you need less stuff. 

pieroabcd

Whatever you choose, I'd make sure that the fitters don't leave even the tiniest free space around the pipes, and in general that they close all holes with thick wood boards.
The worst surprises always come from there.

MysteryMe

Most kitchen complaints you see online are to do about fitting and customer service. The numbers about the actual quality of cabinets etc come below that.  The largest suppliers of kitchens are likely to have the most complaints online so people need to exercise a bit of their own quality control when judging any business on numbers online reviews.