Talk to me about Wren kitchens
Discussion
I've put a deposit down on a kitchen with Wren today - the deposit is refundable so this isn't a "Ah it's too late". I fully expect tales of woe and tales of "Yeah it's decent". Comparing against an independent the product seems to be good for what we're after. Fully built, decent wood (18mm doors). The units themselves are MFC. Having done some reading on this, I'd previously been wedded to the idea of solid wood units - however, given that the kitchen might be quite hot/humid, the contraction/expansion on these and the gaps created wouldn't be ideal so MFC does seem a reasonable option here. Appliances we've gone for 2x Neff double ovens, and we've got an island so a venting induction hob. Quartz worktops, sink and all of that comes to 14 grand exc fitting.
Independent I'd tried came in £10500 for units, with appliances (~4500 to directly compare with Wren), worktops, sink on top so probably about 17k all in. Wren are 14100 which doesn't seem horrible. DIY Kitchens I came up with a similar design at 8200, again appliances 4500 with worktops on top so again this feels like a reasonable price.
Having searched, looks like the most recent thread was from a few years ago and given the passage of time, those stories may have evolved a little more to "Actually it fell apart" and so on.
Independent I'd tried came in £10500 for units, with appliances (~4500 to directly compare with Wren), worktops, sink on top so probably about 17k all in. Wren are 14100 which doesn't seem horrible. DIY Kitchens I came up with a similar design at 8200, again appliances 4500 with worktops on top so again this feels like a reasonable price.
Having searched, looks like the most recent thread was from a few years ago and given the passage of time, those stories may have evolved a little more to "Actually it fell apart" and so on.
Thanks for all of the comments so far, especially with the doors. This is something I was aware of and I *believe* we're using painted doors (so far!) but have sought clarification on this.
There's been some changes since I last looked at this with DIY Kitchens but utilising the same plan as Wren have provided, DIY kitchens comes in at a couple of hundred quid more expensive, whilst everything else in terms of the number of units, layout, thickness of Quartz and so on remains the same. There's some differences in Wren using Neff appliances whilst using AEG at DIY, but the overall cost difference on the appliances is negligible. In terms of fitting, it would be a fitter that I've used previously for other projects. He's... hesitant at using Wren but has said he'll work with it if that's what I opt for. He's asked for me to send the plans to him to compare Howdens and Benchmarx, too, which I intend to do. One issue I'm facing with the partner is that the Wren design is true handleless, whereas DIY can't replicate that, but I can probably get that over the line if needed.
I think I mentioned previously but DIY are coming in at 14700 and Wren at 14100.
Plan provided by Wren if anyone wants to spot any glaring errors.
This is the 3d view of the plan with DIY (albeit the venting hob isn't placed on the island, but is priced in).
There's been some changes since I last looked at this with DIY Kitchens but utilising the same plan as Wren have provided, DIY kitchens comes in at a couple of hundred quid more expensive, whilst everything else in terms of the number of units, layout, thickness of Quartz and so on remains the same. There's some differences in Wren using Neff appliances whilst using AEG at DIY, but the overall cost difference on the appliances is negligible. In terms of fitting, it would be a fitter that I've used previously for other projects. He's... hesitant at using Wren but has said he'll work with it if that's what I opt for. He's asked for me to send the plans to him to compare Howdens and Benchmarx, too, which I intend to do. One issue I'm facing with the partner is that the Wren design is true handleless, whereas DIY can't replicate that, but I can probably get that over the line if needed.
I think I mentioned previously but DIY are coming in at 14700 and Wren at 14100.
Plan provided by Wren if anyone wants to spot any glaring errors.
This is the 3d view of the plan with DIY (albeit the venting hob isn't placed on the island, but is priced in).
QuantumTokoloshi said:
They only supply and do not fit, which is where your issues are.
Be carefully with their recommended fitters, cowboys is understating it.
Once they put the kitchen into production, they have you over a barrel, and the fitters know it, so they delay until then with "we can price that once the project starts" and then things get very expensive, very quickly, with you having no kitchen, massive storage costs and the fitter milking it for everything it is worth. Extreme caution. We barely escaped without being burnt.
Just clarified that it is painted doors for our orders. We're fully aware that we're buying a pile of wood and some appliances - we're using our own fitter and will be stripping the room back, ceiling down, floor up, electrics and network being done - all of that is additional to the cost of the units, worktops and so on, so we know that there's no hidden surprises on that front. I'm chatting to my fitter later - as I say, he's already done the "If it's what you really want then ok but let me price it up with Howdens and Benchmarx first" which we're very much open to. Be carefully with their recommended fitters, cowboys is understating it.
Once they put the kitchen into production, they have you over a barrel, and the fitters know it, so they delay until then with "we can price that once the project starts" and then things get very expensive, very quickly, with you having no kitchen, massive storage costs and the fitter milking it for everything it is worth. Extreme caution. We barely escaped without being burnt.
FWIW said:
Just making sure you didn't miss my earlier post:
"Painted doors from Wren also suffer problems; the j-pull doors in particular are prone to chipping and flaking.
The ‘pacrylic’ doors are also notorious for fading."
The advice above, to 'proceed with extreme caution', is good.
Apologies, I had missed that. Thanks for the advice. Going to see what Howdens and Benchmarx come up with and go from there. The handleless issue is proving more of an issue than I hoped it would. "Painted doors from Wren also suffer problems; the j-pull doors in particular are prone to chipping and flaking.
The ‘pacrylic’ doors are also notorious for fading."
The advice above, to 'proceed with extreme caution', is good.
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