kitchen rebuild

[paul_y3k]

Just about to start this summers project - gutting and replacing the kitchen.
We've finished our design and will be using howdens for the units. Our next action is to source the white goods - has any one any recommendations here ? We're looking for

70/30 Fridge freezer
ceramic Hob
combo oven /microwave
single over
integrate dishwasher

is it really just a case of popping over to comet or can deals be had elsewhere ?

[ln1234]

We're currently in the same position - Don't have a comment about the white goods, but check out Benchmarx kitchens if you're considering howdens

[Stig]

Personally, I thought Howdens units were rubbish. Don't know what your budget it, but Cooke and Lewis from B&Q are far better and won't break the bank (wait for a 20% off weekend)

[paul_y3k]

Stig,
define rubbish ? We've looked at them both and couldn't see much difference. A couple of friends have howdens and they look fine and the build quality seems good to us.
howdens are also cheaper by a good £1000

[K50 DEL]

paul_y3k said:

Stig,
define rubbish ? We've looked at them both and couldn't see much difference. A couple of friends have howdens and they look fine and the build quality seems good to us.
howdens are also cheaper by a good £1000

I put a Howdens kitchen in my mother's house 12 years ago and although we re-tiled last year, the kitchen looks as good as it did when it went it, no issues with Howdens quality (at least back then) at all.

[Soir]

our kitchen is currently being done and the fitter couldn't recommend Howdens enough (admitted beter for him as they come ready assembled however)

We went with the cooke & lewis from B&Q and he's not stopped moaning as they are flat pack and (according to him) not as good as howdens

in fairness to him - he is excellent, lots of mates in the trade highly recommend him

Appliances - local indy shops (branded goods?) ebay...?

[Terzo123]

If you have the time, spend a few hours on the net, and you can save yourself quite a bit.

I sourced 4 Bosch appliances and an LG fridge freezer this way. They were all delivered to the house within about 4 days of each other.

First i decided that i wanted Bosch then googled each a type of appliance

Eventually found what i was after through various sites

http://www.electrical123.com/
http://www.appliancebargains.co.uk/
http://www.kitchenscience.co.uk/

Well worth it for the saving







[/quote]

Edited by Terzo123 on Tuesday 11th May 15:22

[Simpo Two]

Try Stellisons in Colchester: www.stellisonselectrical.co.uk/colchester

I wanted to see a particular model of LEC fridge-freezer because it was about the only one that fitted the space, and I didn't want to buy blind off a website. I contacted LEC who gave me several outlets including Stellisons. I rang and they said they didn't have that model at Colchester, but they had one at Brentwood, and they could ship it up to Colchester for me to have a look at.

I told them I just wanted to see it in the flesh and there was a chance I might not buy it, but they were still happy to help. A few days later they rang and I went to see it, and it was fine. They didn't quite want to match the internet price, which is understandable, but got within £15 including free delivery which I was happy with. So if you want helpful service, I recommend them.

[Stig]

paul_y3k said:

Stig,
define rubbish ? We've looked at them both and couldn't see much difference. A couple of friends have howdens and they look fine and the build quality seems good to us.
howdens are also cheaper by a good £1000

Well, rubbish was perhaps putting it too strongly, but the the doors were certainly of a poorer quality as they were laminated construction and not that well made (joint fit of the rails/stiles was very ropey). I thought the carcasses were inferior and hardware (drawer runners etc.) not as good (Cooke and Lewis are more like Blum and soft close etc.).

You pays your money and you take your choice

[Stig]

Soir said:

our kitchen is currently being done and the fitter couldn't recommend Howdens enough (admitted beter for him as they come ready assembled however)

We went with the cooke & lewis from B&Q and he's not stopped moaning as they are flat pack and (according to him) not as good as howdens

in fairness to him - he is excellent, lots of mates in the trade highly recommend him

Appliances - local indy shops (branded goods?) ebay...?

- he's moaning because:

a) as you say, he has to build the carcasses

and

b) you've robbed him of the markup he would have made by sourcing it for you via Howdens!!!

That's a similar story with many trade fitters - it's got sod all to do with the 'actual' quality and I stand by my original comments, Cooke and Lewis are better IMHO (I've bought and fitted 2 Cooke and Lewis kitchen BTW after comparing all the usual sources).

Similarly, a mate of mine is very well respected joiner (works on Abramovich's houses etc.) and agreed that Cooke and Lewis were a better bet quality wise.

Yes, they're flat pack - but they are a doddle to knock up (and the CNC work and lamination on them is excellent) and that's reflected in the price.

[garycat]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Halb]

K50 DEL said:

paul_y3k said:

Stig,
define rubbish ? We've looked at them both and couldn't see much difference. A couple of friends have howdens and they look fine and the build quality seems good to us.
howdens are also cheaper by a good £1000

I put a Howdens kitchen in my mother's house 12 years ago and although we re-tiled last year, the kitchen looks as good as it did when it went it, no issues with Howdens quality (at least back then) at all.

Sounds like good news. I am having my kitchen refitted after a flood and the contractor is using Howdens.

[singlecoil]

Halb said:

K50 DEL said:

paul_y3k said:

Stig,
define rubbish ? We've looked at them both and couldn't see much difference. A couple of friends have howdens and they look fine and the build quality seems good to us.
howdens are also cheaper by a good £1000

I put a Howdens kitchen in my mother's house 12 years ago and although we re-tiled last year, the kitchen looks as good as it did when it went it, no issues with Howdens quality (at least back then) at all.

Sounds like good news. I am having my kitchen refitted after a flood and the contractor is using Howdens.

Probably a good idea to pop into a Howdens showroom and just make sure you are ok with the sort of thing they do, all the same.

[mattdaniels]

Holy thread ressurrection batman!

We're in the process of having our kitchen done, going with a local independent for the units and a mixture of their integrated appliances and some I've sourced myself.

We're having a 70/30 fridge-freezer which needs to fit in a 600mm gap so in answer to the OP we decided on an LG GB3133PVGK.

Whoever you get the kitchen from, it pays to spend some time on Google researching reviews and prices and availability.

[anonymous-user]

Haven't a clue what prices are like but this place was fookin huge when I was doing a job down there.....

http://www.dad-online.co.uk/

[russ_a]

We have got our units from B&Q (Cooke & Lewis) and have been waitng 6 months for the right bits to be delivered!