New Kitchen - Supplier?

travel_freak

Hi,

I've just had Moben and Kitchens Direct in to do quotes for a new kitchen - they both came out around the same price and they're both really more than I wanted to spend.

K Direct is just cheaper - has anyone used them and what was the service like?

Luckily Moben left me their plan - so I thought I would try and source the same size units myself maybe from Wickes, MFI or Ikea - please can anyone suggest any other cheaper kitchen suppliers? If the kitchen with K Direct were £7,500 - would I make a big saving going down the Wickes route? Some people say Wickes kitchens are good quality (not of course my Moben or K Direct reps though..!).

Many thanks for any advice.

ormus

buy the units yourself and get a man to fit them. you will save a fortune.
i use wickes with no problems. maybe not the best but very hard to beat for value.
but look at the others too. ie BQ, howdens etc...

VickyM_2

Ignore the comment above about IKEA being cheap and cheerful - it certainly is a lot cheaper than everyone else, but from what I can see of comparing and contrasting kitchen suppliers, it looks extremely good... you can also download their kitchen planner and try and design your own kitchen.

Howdens is definitely worth a look too - they prefer to sell direct to builders but you can easily open an account with them. Very solidly built, good stuff.

travel_freak

Hi

Many thanks for the replies.

VickyM - how could I open an account with Howdens - don't they check if you actually are a builder? This would be really useful as I did have them round also to quote yesterday but they said they wouldn't send me the price, only to my builder so I had to give him the name of the builder who came round to quote although I'm not sure I will actually use him.

If the figures only go to the builder then I can't be sure he won't be creative and add a little something on to the cost of the units. (Can you tell I'm mistrusting of builders?!)

Regards,

majjie

Moben and Kitchens Direct are the same company - so it's perhaps not surprising that they came out at about the same price - although Moben usually charge more (they have showrooms whereas Kitchens Direct don't).

If you like your Moben plan then it is worth taking it round and getting quotes from other kitchen suppliers. Do you have any small independent kitchen showrooms near you? Many of those do good deals. Look for Colonial or Chippendale or Omega or Milano - all good basic level kitchens - or own brand kitchens where they make the carcasses themselves and buy in doors.

It might also be worth getting another plan done - Moben (&KD), Howdens and IKEA all have very limited unit sizes - you might get a plan that you like much better with a more versatile range of units (or you might not - all depends on your individual kitchen )

As far as Howdens are concerned, the whole point of them doing a big trade discount on their (heavily inflated) retail prices ... is so that the builder/fitter can make some money on the kitchen! Whilst still doing the kitchen at a reasonable price.

Some builders will pass on the whole discount to their customers - others won't. Members of the public sometimes manage to open a trade account by saying that they are property developers - doing up one house at a time.

amandada

VickyM wrote: »

Ignore the comment above about IKEA being cheap and cheerful - it certainly is a lot cheaper than everyone else, but from what I can see of comparing and contrasting kitchen suppliers, it looks extremely good... you can also download their kitchen planner and try and design your own kitchen.

Howdens is definitely worth a look too - they prefer to sell direct to builders but you can easily open an account with them. Very solidly built, good stuff.

Having had an Ikea kitchen installed last week, by ikea fitters, I'd wholeheartedly recommend them!!!

amandada

natkits wrote: »

I am in no way putting Ikea's kitchens down! For the money you pay for them, they're fine. However, you get what you pay for. I've worked in the Kitchen industry for many years and have dealt with many different quality kitchens, so any comments I make on differing qualities, are based solely on experience.

Ikea have a very limited selection of units
Their carcasses come in a very limited selection of finishes
They don't include legs (according to their website)
The don't include Soft Close Hinges and Drawers as Standard (so, an extra cost if you want this)
Their is no Work Void at the back of their units, which adds to fitting time and costs
Their units are flat-packed, which adds to the fitting time and costs
Their Sink Bases do not include a rail top-front to strengthen the unit
Their Sink Bases do not include an Aluminium Drip Tray (these prevent water ingress)
Fitters invariably charge more money to fit Ikea kitchens

Now, none of the above should be a reason to forgo buying an Ikea kitchen, they really are fine, for the money. If however you want all the above included in your kitchen, then an alternative should be looked at.

Do some cost comparisons and see how alternatives pan out.

I hope this helps.

Alec

have you actually looked at Ikea kitchens recently? I'm sure you deal with a great product but what you're saying seems to be a bit out of date.

HUGE selections of cabinets
HUGE selection of finishes, including some stunning hi gloss ones now
legs ARE included
work void-if you have a competent fitter, it's not an issue
Flat packs can SAVE you money if you're able to assemble them yourself and the "green" issue comes into play here too
I've just been charged £1400 for a basic fit of a kitchen which incorporates over 20 cabinets/drawers

ormus

yes but wickes charge from 250 to 500 for the basic design 8 units.
all very stylish too.
worktops from 35/70 quid.

here in the NW you can get a man to fit the lot for approx 500/1000 quid too.

VickyM_2

amandada wrote: »

I've just been charged £1400 for a basic fit of a kitchen which incorporates over 20 cabinets/drawers

Mind if I be hugely, hugely nosey?? That was £1400 for the fitting, on top of the kitchen price, or £1400 in total?

amandada

Vicky that was on top of the price of the kitchen, and included all plumbing, electrics and plastering.
I initially thought about organising fitters myself, but this way, I didn't have the headache of being "project manager" and having to co-ordinate the various tradesmen.
I've honestly never seen guys work as hard as these 2, they arrived just after 8 in the morning, and worked till at least 6-7pm, and on one of the nights, 9pm. Courteous and tidy workers too.

dreamypuma

I'm actually having a kitchen fitted today. I've got 17no Solid Oak units with 18mm carcases and 18mm back panels fitted with all plumbing, plastering relocation of gas, electrics and replacement of a consumer unit for £5480.

The 17no units also include a Tamba unit.

This includes the sink and taps, but excludes appliances.

Having originally wanted a Howdens Kitchen, I was put off by the carcass back panels and lack of soft close as standard. The standard drawer packs didn't look the best either.

Wickes do some good framed kitchens and the quality is very good in comparison to any other large DIY Store. I had the 17no units (not solid oak) quoted for by Wickes at £3600, and the fitter wanted £1400.