Who would you use for a fitted kitchen?

[skilly1]

I know there have been discussions before, but who would you go to for a fitted kitchen. Just cancelled a Moben rep the missus organised after reading about their tactics.

I am after midrange kitchen shaker style, but we are moving house in 2 years so don't want to spend a fortune, £4-6k

Should we use a local fitter or a company that does it all - Howdens etc? Any help where to go greatly appreciated.

We are based in Gloucester if that matters - if someone has a recommendation for a local company ?

[homeimprovements]

Without doubt I would use an independant fitter, but then I am obviously slightly biased. All the big companys subs the work out anyway so why bump up the profits of a national co.

If you let us know you kitchen dimensions i could price you a howdens kitchen if any of their range takes your fancy. I could also ask them if they have any reccomended fitters.

Cheers

Nigel

[skilly1]

I have not got a plan yet, I need a company to do it. I have entered the dims into a planner but its bloody useless - well I am !

[GTO-3R]

For your budget I'd say howdens mate

[-Pete-]

I have a fantastic Howdens kitchen, fitted by an independant fitter. The quality seemed higher than most competitors, and they were the most flexible on price, just keep negotiating until you get what you want - a fitter should be able to get you 60-70% off RRP. You need to get a recommendation from someone who's used them before, preferably visit a few jobs they've done in the last few years.

[Fittster]

The quotes I got from independent firms local to me weren't that much cheaper than I got from the big firms. I was expecting the independents to be a lot cheaper considering they didn't offer other goodies like cheap tiles, guarantees, etc.

[singlecoil]

I visited my local Howdens recently, and had a good look at their display. I found it to be very poor indeed. They make a big deal about their cabinets being supplied built up rather than flat packed, but what they don't say is that the joints don't line up. Also, the wall unit hangers look similar to Blum units but they are not screwed to the cabinets and there are big gaps between them and the sides.

However, they are built to a price and if the price suits then I daresay they are as good (or as bad) as the other stuff at a similar price. They have two price ranges, one for walk-in punters and the other for trade. There is a huge difference so if you can't find a way of getting the trade price then go elsewhere. They don't fit kitchens, so you need to find someone else to do that or DIY.

[nevgroom]

I did this a few years back - Moben and a local company quoted over £20k all in.

Captain Miser got the Powerpoint out and designed his own (kitchen is roughly 3m x 3m). Went to Wicks and bought all the units during one of the many half-price sales and bought all the appliances (5-ring hob, double oven, dishwasher, fridge and freezer and a rather sexy "designer" radiator) from the internet. Got an independant in (bloke I knew in the pub) who charged £150 per day. We stripped out the old, and fitted the new in a week including laying nifty tiled floor.

Cost was less than £5k all in and I really love it......

[Nicholas Blair]

Howden's.

[Simpo Two]

nevgroom said:

I did this a few years back - Moben and a local company quoted over £20k all in.

Captain Miser got the Powerpoint out and designed his own (kitchen is roughly 3m x 3m). Went to Wicks and bought all the units during one of the many half-price sales and bought all the appliances (5-ring hob, double oven, dishwasher, fridge and freezer and a rather sexy "designer" radiator) from the internet. Got an independant in (bloke I knew in the pub) who charged £150 per day. We stripped out the old, and fitted the new in a week including laying nifty tiled floor.

Cost was less than £5k all in and I really love it......

This is the way IMHO. Mine was £6K and I fitted it myself, but I did go for Siemens appliances.

[davidd]

Have a chat with singlecoil..

http://www.elliottandnolan.co.uk/

[singlecoil]

davidd said:

Have a chat with singlecoil..

http://www.elliottandnolan.co.uk/

That's very kind, but the budget could be a bit too tight, especially bearing in mind he will be moving in a couple of years.

[dave_s13]

Try Ikea. Their online planner is pretty good to get you a plan sorted.

I fitted mine myself and it cost circa 9k inc all applicances and fvck of pricey granite worktops.

[BoRED S2upid]

Independant fitter.

I bought one of B&Q's better kitchens before Christmas they wanted almost as much as the kitchen cost for their team of fitters including Electricians to fit it.

I organised all the trades myself and saved nearly £2000.

[mattdaniels]

I've heard that a lot of peeps (fitters) don't like Ikea kitchens because the units are full depth so there is no gap between the back of the unit and the wall to route pipework ?

[singlecoil]

mattdaniels said:

I've heard that a lot of peeps (fitters) don't like Ikea kitchens because the units are full depth so there is no gap between the back of the unit and the wall to route pipework ?

The other problem is that if the wall isn't straight, and bulges outwards, then the whole row of cabinets needs to be spaced outward too, which can lead to problems with worktop depth and consumpption of space in a small kitchen.

[dave_s13]

singlecoil said:

mattdaniels said:

I've heard that a lot of peeps (fitters) don't like Ikea kitchens because the units are full depth so there is no gap between the back of the unit and the wall to route pipework ?

The other problem is that if the wall isn't straight, and bulges outwards, then the whole row of cabinets needs to be spaced outward too, which can lead to problems with worktop depth and consumpption of space in a small kitchen.

I can see where it might cause a problem but any competent fitter should manage to get round it.

Mine was in a new extension so walls were square(ish) and flat(ish) with the services run under the floor. Had to space one part of the run off the wall a bit to eliminate the need for any filler peices in the adjacent run. Worktops not a problem if you use granite as it gets cut any size you want, within reason.

Swings and roundabouts though.

[anonymous-user]

I was very pleased with Wickes kitchen, can't comment on fitters though as did it myself (apart from the quartz worktops which their company fitted very well).
Wickes tip - kitchen sales alternate every month, the half price unit month saved us 2K more than 'free' appliances month - also get a trade card before paying for it, which gives 5% cashback I think, enough to buy tiles etc!!