Kitchen makeover / replacement

Dave_5150

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81914592#Comment_81914592

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81914592#Comment_81914592

Thanks, I will give them a look

Dave_5150

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81914377#Comment_81914377

No worktops included in the first two estimates

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81914836#Comment_81914836

In which case, I'd have to ask what's wrong with your current kitchen?!

Leave it for three years, when it'll either remain 'fine but a bit tired' for sale - folk like to choose their own kitchen - or treat yourselves to a spankin' new one if you are staying.

casper_gutman

I wouldn't attempt to respray or refinish the existing doors and drawer-fronts. I could imagine it working okay on good quality solid wood, but yours are already looking a little tired, with the ends of the vinyl sheeting peeling slightly and the MDF inside probably swelling around the exposed edges.

Don't get me wrong, I lived with worse for many years and wouldn't rule out buying a house with a kitchen in similar condition, but it will never be possible to get them looking like new and changing the colour is unlikely to make the kitchen that much more appealing to a sensible buyer.

I'd look at getting new doors and drawer fronts as a minimum. This might work if the carcasses of the units are still solid and you like the layout.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81915660#Comment_81915660

I do not want to hijack the thread, but my question could well be relevant to the OP as well.

Our kitchen looks remarkably similar to the OP's picture, especially the kitchen units. It was installed 23 years ago and is still in good condition, although a little faded. Even still has the original laminate worktop.

Probably about time we thought about refurbishment, but we are happy enough with the layout, and a very fancy kitchen would be out of character with the house and us.

So your suggestion of new doors and drawer fronts could appeal. Would I be correct in assuming there are standard sizes? and would it reduce the cost significantly, compared to having a whole new kitchen fitted to a similar spec. We would replace the worktop as well, probably just with a good quality laminate like now.

Presume we would have to get new kickboards to match and like with the OP's units there is a strip of material above the doors to hide the tops of the units, that would need replacing as well.

bjorn_toby_wilde

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81916056#Comment_81916056

They aren’t necessarily standard sizes, no. The widths are pretty standard but heights do vary between manufacturers. Wickes doors for example used to be taller than most others. You could buy from whoever made the original kitchen or go through one of the specialist refitting companies.

The plinths, cornice, end panels, etc can usually be purchased to match as well.

It’s definitely what I would do next time as our last kitchen carcasses were perfectly fine although the doors and worktops were a bit tired.

I think I’d probably look to buy good quality doors, worktops etc then get a local carpenter to fit if it were me. We had a really good local lad fit some doors for us last year and he does lots of kitchen fitting and refitting.

The OPs kitchen looks like it may have been a DIY fit, not because it’s a bad job in any way, but the worktop joint in the corner uses an aluminium joining strip. Professional fitters would normally join that seamlessly with a router.

Dave_5150

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81916207#Comment_81916207

It is the original kitchen that was installed by the builder (David Wilson Homes)

twopenny

It's not just colour that people want in their kitchen.

It's designing it to suit their lifestyle. As long as it's clean and workable for when they move in, you can add some display to make it attractive. I think it's a nice kitchen.

Heck the kitchen I've got from my move is gloomy despite the sun but everything is quality just wrong. There are 5 bungalows here where new fancy black ones have been installed and they aren't selling. Fashionable but will be out of fashion in 5 years. And the devil to keep clean.

bjorn_toby_wilde

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81918381#Comment_81918381

I feel the same way about grey or black window frames. Each to their own, but not for me, and maybe even harder to keep clean 🤷‍♂️. The only black car I ever owned certainly was.

otb666

I could be your twin as same kitchen same original builders similar age and was also thinking about a new kitchen. Decided its still got a few years left and personally I think the kitchen has aged quite well. I dont think its worth the disruption or expense as still a nice looking kitchen. Just saying. Although we have replaced hob oven fridge freezer dish washer and washing machine and kitchen tap in our kitchen over last 10 years.