Quote to get kitchen redone. Does this seem reasonable?

darkazuria

Hi all,

My partner and I recently bought a house and we are looking to get the kitchen redone (the kitchen is quite small, 2x3 meters).

We've received this quote for the work (excluding the kitchen units, flooring, and tiles). We’re in North Yorkshire and just want to check if this seems reasonable to people who have done a similar job recently?

• Skip: £280
  
• Site prep: £380
  
• Plumbing: £840
  ensure gas connection is correct for new hob
  tidy up/ replace pipework under sink
  alterations to radiator to suit tall decorative rad
  2nd fix sink, appliances, rad after install
  
• Electrics: £980
  replace ceiling fitting for 2 x LED down lights
  run new lighting feed to supply under unit and cab lights
  (2 gang switch an entrance point)
  relocate isolation switches to within units
  1 x new double socket to left of hob
  relocate boiler spur
  points to suit appliance suite
  all visible fronts supplied in an antique brass finish
  2nd fix after install
  supply of LED strip light
  
• Electrics additional: £1,700
  rewire all circuits within the kitchen
  supply and install appropriate sized consumer unit fitted
to suit kitchen layout
whole house certificate
  
• Plastering: £835
  
• Installation: £1,620
  
• General: £775
  prep and install flooring
  refit skirting boards
  supply and install best match door bar
  tiling (labour only)
  
• Project Management: £570

Subtotal: £7,980
VAT 20%: £1,596
Total: £9,576

We would be keeping the sink and the rest of the appliances in the same position. The pipes are original from when the house was built 1996. He did mention something about doing some work to them, but not sure if this is fully needed as not too old.

Howdens quoted us:
- £6582 for painted timber door cabinets + kitchen sink, tap and handles
- £1080 for compact laminate worktop

That would bring the total close to 20k if we include appliances and tiles/flooring.

We’ve been talking to family who had their kitchens redone 5–10 years ago, and they thought this seemed a bit high, especially because the kitchen is really small, but I guess prices have gone up quite a bit in recent years.

Albermarle

Duplicate post.

Quote to get kitchen redone - does this seem reasonable? — MoneySavingExpert Forum

darkazuria

Sorry, I posted it originally in the buying a house thread, but then realised it would be better suited for here.

Tried to delete the other post, but can't seem to be able to?

silvercar

I'll close the other post and direct over here.

Emmia

We have a 2x3m kitchen and spent around £12k 5 years ago with John Lewis (in London) That included the rip out, new oven (neff slide and hide), hob, sink, tap and slimline dishwasher - glass splashback, quartz worktop and wall to wall Amtico LVT flooring... We didn't go for the most expensive units they offered.

Rates for labour and materials have gone up, but I'd be trotting round some other places to see what they're quoting.

uknick

£20k is what the Which? magazine say is about the average cost of a new kitchen.

But, I have a similar size kitchen to you in a house built in 1998. I looked for quotes early last year and the prices including all new appliances apart from washing machine and dishwasher were about £10k including removal of old units and installation of new ones.

What the quotes didn't include was;

a) making good the old walls and then decorating or tiling and

b) new flooring

c) any new sockets

Grumpy_chap

None of those itemised trade line items look high.

Units from Howdens will have to be purchased via the Builder, so your consumer rights will sit with the Builder, even if you pay Howdens directly.

darkazuria

@Grumpy_chap Do you reckon it's better to get the kitchen units separately instead of from Howdens/through the builder?

Grumpy_chap

Howdens only sell to the trade.

Do you have a trade account with Howdens?

What usually happens is you have to obtain the quote for the Howdens kitchen via your Builder. All the paperwork from Howdens is then in the name of your Builder and you either pay the Builder who pays Howdens or you might pay Howdens on behalf of the Builder.

Here is a recent thread that covers exactly that point

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6653458/

ButterCheese

That sounds exceptionally high to me, given that it doesn't include the units, floors or tiling. To offer you some comparison, I paid £7,200 for my kitchen which included all units, appliances, edging etc. Me and my Dad fitted the kitchen which took us 2 weeks, but professionals would have done it in 1 week probably. We paid an additional:

£90 for tiles

, £90 to hook up the gas hob and test,

£200 for Lino to be supplied and fitted (and he even cut off the bottoms of the doors to accomodate the new height).

£180 for electrics (sockets and lights and testing)

Like for like, for that quote you're paying £13,000 for labour. Even if it took them 2 weeks with 2 people on the job, £400/day x 14 = £5600 for labour. Call it £6000. That's still way short of £13,000.

These prices are in the SW which is cheaper, and 3 years ago, but even then it seems like you need another quote. An independant firm or one man band would probably come out a lot cheaper.

Also, these firms will employ additional tradespeople instead of doing it themselves, and they usually have an approved supplier for these services. Much like the NHS paying £8 for light bulbs because they're under contract, that's where prices can soar.

jennifernil

Sounds like a lot to me for that size kitchen, but then we have never paid anyone to install a kitchen!

Why would you need to replace pipework from 1996? Ours is from 1988 and is fine. And if sink is not moving then surely very few alterations will be needed?

I think the Howdens units are sturdy, but no idea about their range of sinks and taps. Are you buying appliances elsewhere?