Discussion
oblio said:
steve2 said:
Snap, ours has started today and living with lots of cardboard boxes in the lounge at th3 moment
Nice one 
Ours is the 'Bourton' from memory.
What appliances did you go for?
Ive heard bad things about Ikea even to the point where when asking fitters who they use a couple said any but Ikea.
We went to Wickes, Howdens and a large local independent.
Wickes have more offers and sales and was expensive. Independent was a good price but trade only so only quoted for the whole kitchen.
Most impressed with Howdens, It is though branch specific. We had their designer come out measure up and using the plans we had quote for what we needed. Came out the cheapest and we decided on nicer taps and sink. Also comes with Free Dishwasher. Sourced the gas hob oven and extractor on E bay (we had 2 months to do this) and thus paid £620 for about £1100 worth of appliances.
For ease also getting flooring from howdens. Fitting in a few weeks so lets see how it goes.
We went to Wickes, Howdens and a large local independent.
Wickes have more offers and sales and was expensive. Independent was a good price but trade only so only quoted for the whole kitchen.
Most impressed with Howdens, It is though branch specific. We had their designer come out measure up and using the plans we had quote for what we needed. Came out the cheapest and we decided on nicer taps and sink. Also comes with Free Dishwasher. Sourced the gas hob oven and extractor on E bay (we had 2 months to do this) and thus paid £620 for about £1100 worth of appliances.
For ease also getting flooring from howdens. Fitting in a few weeks so lets see how it goes.
So what would the difference be between one fitted kitchen as discussed on here, and a top end fitted kitchen? Thicker units, more exact fit? Or are they all much of a muchness and it is the brand you are paying for. And what would the view be on the best fitted kitchens? I saw Siematic on another thread.
Downward said:
Ive heard bad things about Ikea even to the point where when asking fitters who they use a couple said any but Ikea.
We went to Wickes, Howdens and a large local independent.
Wickes have more offers and sales and was expensive. Independent was a good price but trade only so only quoted for the whole kitchen.
Most impressed with Howdens, It is though branch specific. We had their designer come out measure up and using the plans we had quote for what we needed. Came out the cheapest and we decided on nicer taps and sink. Also comes with Free Dishwasher. Sourced the gas hob oven and extractor on E bay (we had 2 months to do this) and thus paid £620 for about £1100 worth of appliances.
For ease also getting flooring from howdens. Fitting in a few weeks so lets see how it goes.
To be fair on IKEA the bad things you have heard are usually the lack of service gap plus it all arriving flatpack. Their units are huge inside though, an extra 100mm in height and depth than a standard unit of the same width. The actual quality is fairly good ive found. They are also very good with the customisation and accessories, and their 3d planner is a doddle to use.We went to Wickes, Howdens and a large local independent.
Wickes have more offers and sales and was expensive. Independent was a good price but trade only so only quoted for the whole kitchen.
Most impressed with Howdens, It is though branch specific. We had their designer come out measure up and using the plans we had quote for what we needed. Came out the cheapest and we decided on nicer taps and sink. Also comes with Free Dishwasher. Sourced the gas hob oven and extractor on E bay (we had 2 months to do this) and thus paid £620 for about £1100 worth of appliances.
For ease also getting flooring from howdens. Fitting in a few weeks so lets see how it goes.
B17NNS said:
V8RX7 said:
I've fitted many makes of kitchen but after ordering my first DIY kitchen, I've supplied and fitted nothing else.
Same here.I attempted to paint my utility room cupboards and they’ve come out pretty different to what I was after so thinking of just starting again.
I’m looking for some deep navy doors and units. Howdens have some I like but only want to supply to trade so I haven’t been able to order (yet!)
dazwalsh said:
Downward said:
Ive heard bad things about Ikea even to the point where when asking fitters who they use a couple said any but Ikea.
We went to Wickes, Howdens and a large local independent.
Wickes have more offers and sales and was expensive. Independent was a good price but trade only so only quoted for the whole kitchen.
Most impressed with Howdens, It is though branch specific. We had their designer come out measure up and using the plans we had quote for what we needed. Came out the cheapest and we decided on nicer taps and sink. Also comes with Free Dishwasher. Sourced the gas hob oven and extractor on E bay (we had 2 months to do this) and thus paid £620 for about £1100 worth of appliances.
For ease also getting flooring from howdens. Fitting in a few weeks so lets see how it goes.
To be fair on IKEA the bad things you have heard are usually the lack of service gap plus it all arriving flatpack. Their units are huge inside though, an extra 100mm in height and depth than a standard unit of the same width. The actual quality is fairly good ive found. They are also very good with the customisation and accessories, and their 3d planner is a doddle to use.We went to Wickes, Howdens and a large local independent.
Wickes have more offers and sales and was expensive. Independent was a good price but trade only so only quoted for the whole kitchen.
Most impressed with Howdens, It is though branch specific. We had their designer come out measure up and using the plans we had quote for what we needed. Came out the cheapest and we decided on nicer taps and sink. Also comes with Free Dishwasher. Sourced the gas hob oven and extractor on E bay (we had 2 months to do this) and thus paid £620 for about £1100 worth of appliances.
For ease also getting flooring from howdens. Fitting in a few weeks so lets see how it goes.
Difficult to just compare different manufacturers or suppliers.
A kitchen is a very personal choice and the ranges available differ greatly.
The B&Q Cooke and Lewis prestige range is as good as you will get but the basic B&Q is just that, Basic.
I use Howdens as I have a trade account - the discounts can be pretty huge (90+%) but that just means their retail price is huge to begin with.
The basic range is perfectly serviceable and is 18mm cabinets which is or should be the norm nowadays.
However, the most important element of a kitchen is the fitter. A good fitter will make a good set of units and worktop look fantastic but a poor fitter will make even the best unit look poor and creaky.
Best is to find a local carpenter/kitchen fitter that is recommended and plan the kitchen with him.
Just my view.
A kitchen is a very personal choice and the ranges available differ greatly.
The B&Q Cooke and Lewis prestige range is as good as you will get but the basic B&Q is just that, Basic.
I use Howdens as I have a trade account - the discounts can be pretty huge (90+%) but that just means their retail price is huge to begin with.
The basic range is perfectly serviceable and is 18mm cabinets which is or should be the norm nowadays.
However, the most important element of a kitchen is the fitter. A good fitter will make a good set of units and worktop look fantastic but a poor fitter will make even the best unit look poor and creaky.
Best is to find a local carpenter/kitchen fitter that is recommended and plan the kitchen with him.
Just my view.
Ricky146a said:
Difficult to just compare different manufacturers or suppliers.
A kitchen is a very personal choice and the ranges available differ greatly.
The B&Q Cooke and Lewis prestige range is as good as you will get but the basic B&Q is just that, Basic.
I use Howdens as I have a trade account - the discounts can be pretty huge (90+%) but that just means their retail price is huge to begin with.
The basic range is perfectly serviceable and is 18mm cabinets which is or should be the norm nowadays.
Yes and no.A kitchen is a very personal choice and the ranges available differ greatly.
The B&Q Cooke and Lewis prestige range is as good as you will get but the basic B&Q is just that, Basic.
I use Howdens as I have a trade account - the discounts can be pretty huge (90+%) but that just means their retail price is huge to begin with.
The basic range is perfectly serviceable and is 18mm cabinets which is or should be the norm nowadays.
The thing that fail first on kitchens is the lipping - DIY uses a thicker lipping.
Next it's how the doors are made / lipped - again for a comparable priced door DIY are superior.
Finally choice - DIY offer a huge range of carcass colours - most offer white, cream or oak.
I wanted a grey kitchen - DIY were the only supplier I found that offered a grey carcass - the others you see the white carcass lipping at the door gaps
For LESS than the Howdens plain grey, I got a metallic grey.
When the samples arrived my wife asked "Can we afford this ?" they really were so much better quality
I had to check they'd sent the right doors as frankly I was amazed too
They also come with the doors / drawers fitted which saves a few hours, the legs are Haffle and stronger than most I've seen
I am nothing to do with DIY, just a very satisfied repeat customer.
They have made mistakes, but they are quickly corrected within 2 weeks, with no fuss.
Maxf said:
LoL, good one. One question to those with lights like that, don't they show up every little bit of whatever on the floor. As we have a very hairy Golden Retriever, one can sweep up, vacuum then mop the floor, and half an hour later you can find hairs. engineer21 said:
hi folks, iam really interested in this topic.
currently getting designs / quotes from Howdens, Buildbase, local firm.
so with DIY kitchens whats the catch? as i just cant help but feel there is one??
any negatives from them? do they deliver fully built units?
No catch.happy with mine.delivered assembled. Ask for 10% offcurrently getting designs / quotes from Howdens, Buildbase, local firm.
so with DIY kitchens whats the catch? as i just cant help but feel there is one??
any negatives from them? do they deliver fully built units?
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