DIY Kitchens - kitchen designer?

[dorset_clive]

We’re having an extension added to our kitchen and consequently a completely new kitchen installed. Having seen all the recommendations for DIYK wife and I (and dog!) had a day out at their Oxfordshire showroom. Very impressed.

However, what do people do about designing the layout? This going to be a large space L-shaped about 7 x 8m with each leg about 4.5m wide. I’ve seen some great pics here; did people use the DIYK design service? Do it themselves? Get a freelance designer in?

Any suggestions or recommendations (especially if in the Wiltshire area) gratefully received!

[Mark V GTD]

What did DIYK say about this? Presuming you asked them who designs the kitchen in order that you can purchase it?

[Ranger 6]

We used their on-line design tool to get what we wanted in roughly the right order, then passed it over to their team who refined it and made sure that everything was included - trim etc.

Talk to them - they're ok with supporting through the process

[Bluevanman]

I don't know if it changes anything but they are now owned by Howdens who have their own free designers

[Accelebrate]

I used the online planner, this was before their £30 design service. It has some quirks but once you get used to it I found it quite good. I helped a friend design theirs recently, they seem to have removed the 'submit for checks' part of the planner now that they offer the paid design service, but will still do a plan check if you email them or submit an order.

I would have used the design service, but there didn't seem to be an easy way to convert the plan that we'd got a few hours of effort into to the paid option, and we couldn't be bothered to provide all the room layout details again.

[Craikeybaby]

Bluevanman said:

I don't know if it changes anything but they are now owned by Howdens who have their own free designers

I heard rumours that they are being run separately (for now) but that there might be price matching.

FWIW off to meet with Howden's designer today. We will probably also go to Wren, and try a design ourselves on the DIY Kitchens design app. If we go with them I would get them to check out our final design before going with it. Our fitted says that the DIY kitchens product is good, but that he prefers to work with Howdens, as they are a lot easier for him to deal with.

[Accelebrate]

Craikeybaby said:

Our fitted says that the DIY kitchens product is good, but that he prefers to work with Howdens, as they are a lot easier for him to deal with.

I would interpret that as "DIYK is a better product, but I prefer the convenience of going to a local branch to exchange or pick up anything I've forgotten" - I'd feel the same if I was fitting kitchens for a living.

Get ready for the hard sell at Wren.

[Bluevanman]

Accelebrate said:

I would interpret that as "DIYK is a better product, but I prefer the convenience of going to a local branch to exchange or pick up anything I've forgotten" - I'd feel the same if I was fitting kitchens for a living.

Get ready for the hard sell at Wren.

Plus the trade discount at Howdens

[Accelebrate]

Bluevanman said:

Plus the trade discount at Howdens

Yes, and presumably most fitters are then able to add a markup for supplying it to a customer that they miss out on if the customer goes direct. The lack of transparency in Howdens pricing made them an unappealing option for us.