Kitchen recommendations?

cookpassbabtridge

We desperately need a new kitchen, and were wondering if anyone can recommend a decent kitchen showroom in the Portsmouth area. We have already received a couple of quotes(which i'll post on here tomorrow), but would like to shop around.
Thanks in advance.

Jag1978

Okay every one on here keeps talking about Howdens but I'm not sure if they are local to Portsmouth. Worth looking into

Ikea is a great place for ideas and concepts maybe wait for the next 20% off day as you'll save a packet!! The last one was in May I believe and it was mad!!!

Be a bit weary about places like MFI due to their recent issues with delivery and in complete orders... Regulars on Watchdog I believe. Also not convinced by many of the internet companies, but you never know…

We bought our kitchen about 2 months ago from Homebase. The total price came in at around £2400 (Verona Cherry) not including appliances, handles or hood. I got a quote from B&Q on a kitchen we liked which came in at £2000. Took the quote back to Homebase and asked them to price match… they were a bit iffy about it as the qualities of both kitchens were different, but they gave in. Finally I tried to buy the kitchen on their 10% day but they refused as discount was already applied. So I came back the following week with a voucher I had picked up from a BBC Good homes magazine 15% off. I always tired to talk to the same guy who I was previously dealing with. For some reason he allowed the 15% off and my final total came to about £1750. We were really happy considering the initial price was £2400!! To top things off they even threw in the rapid delivery service so I had the kitchen delivered within 15 days!! Saved another £20. We’re big fans of Argos and I’m quite brand loyal so when it came to buying from Homebase which is the same company as Argos I was happy!! Week later they phoned to say that the sink I had chosen was unavailable so they could not deliver in 15 days and it could be as much as 4-6 weeks. I excluded the sink from my purchase as it wasn’t a big deal (got a better sink off the net) – If you want them to visit and redesign your kitchen they can do that (for free), but since I knew what I wanted it was not necessary. Make sure you measure up first before visiting anyone, including all electrical, gas and water points, also doors and windows. I did both birds eye and side views to help in the in house design process which should be free where ever you go. Even though I didn’t want to buy from MFI I still visited their stores and look round as the showrooms have quite a few displays being kitchen specialists. This is the best way to get ideas!. I even had a plane done by them… £6000 for just kitchen!!! I think not….

Certain things to avoid as I said are the appliances as they are seriously over priced unless that are prepared to package them in at a decent price. When it comes to fitted hobs, cookers and fridges it might be better to stick with the company you buy the kitchen from but as I wanted our appliances free standing I opted out. I also opted out of buying handles… The prices were ridiculous as much £5 per handle on the ones I liked!! These I bought of the internet from a good company which I paid £1.25 each for about 30 handles. Ikea are also very good for handles! Appliances I bought from Dixons online and saved about £350 compared to my local Comet and Currys. Cooker hood again online. Fitting I’m paying about £850 including tiling the walls, and a bit of plumbing! It does all add up but I’m glad I did all my homework beforehand. Also avoid using their own fitters as prices for fitting can be as much as the kitchen. Instead find a local fitter who comes recommended and go and see his work if your able to just to get piece of mind…

Other things to consider when looking at a new kitchen is possibly re-tiling the floor as it’s the ideal time when you rip out your old units.. Also look at electrics and make sure all the sockets are in the idea positions and you have enough as it will be the perfect time to sort that all out when your old kitchen is ripped out!.

Hopefully my kitchen will be fitted next week. It’s a bit of a mind field with so many unexpected costings involved that I didn’t think of! Best thing to do is ask plenty of questions as I did on the forum, people are really helpful and you’ll save a packet.

Sorry for the essay

Regards
Jag

sarge123

We have just ordered ours from Elliots (Fareham). We were really impressed with their designer (Rob). That is basically all he does, not just a worker at a store who also designs (puts boxes into a room on a computer).

The one we ordered came with a 20% discount, but if you know a trademans with an account there (we did), ask him to mention it and we got 35% off.

All in all, very impressed.