B & Q Kitchen

declanj121

Hi All
We recently purchased a kitchen from B&Q. It were designed by B&Q with specific measurements and units to fit those measurements. We found our own fitter (there's was exceptionally expensive!). During the fitting process, we quickly discovered alot of materials were missing and to be fair to B & Q, they sorted all of this very quickly and sent out the missing stock. However, the problem arises when it comes to the breakfast bar. The designed it to a certain specification. I wont bore you with the precise details suffice to say, their measurements had the width of the bar at 938 mm. Out fitter built the unit to that spec but noticed they hadn't sent out the worktop which they apologised for and sent it out straightaway. The real problem happened next.. the worktop was only 900 mm wide so couldnt be fitted. Went back to B & Q and told them this - expecting a correct worktop to be issued in its place. Alas no. They told that the widest worktops they do is 900 and it was the fitters fault. When i asked them to bring up their designs, it clearly showed their designer had measured it at 938 mm. As they do not stock work tops at this size, the only alternative is to go to Howdens and order one from them. this will cost £411. My belief is B & Q should pay for this as it was there error - not ours and not our fitters. They are refusing to. 

Does anyone know what our rights are?

Mr.Generous

The pre fit survey shoukld identify any such issue. The fitter reads the plan and looks at the order and double checks the measurements of the room. Sometimes things slip through, then the fitter needs to find a way. As units have a service duct at the back I'd suggest taking the units for the breakfast bar apart and cuttind down the depth by 40mm or a bit more so the breakfast bar bridges them. I think if the designer planned it wider then B&Q should contribute financially towards the extra cost, but so should the fitter - why on earth build a unit wider than the ordered breakfast bar? When the kitchen was delivered a simple box count should identify shortages. Last kitchen I had from B&Q the driver and porter checked off every item against the order on delivery. They stripped the pallet down and did this quickly too. The only thing they didn't actually count was a bag of handles, just ticked off as bag. Appliances, worktop, sink and taps should always be checked, expensive items.

Alderbank

Your design specified a worktop 938mm wide but B&Q supplied one which did not conform because it was 900mm wide.
B&Q should take back the non-conforming item and refund what you paid for that item.

Howdens make many of their own worktops (they bought manufacturer Sheridan Fabrications in 2022) so you should get a good price. However they do not publish a pricelist, you can only buy through one of their registered tradesmen who all seem to be quoted different prices. If you don't like £411 you could try buying through a different fitter. With care you should get a better price than your refund from B&Q.