New fitted kitchen - any recommendations please?

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

Not so much advice for who to go with, more who not to. Avoid Wren. A family member had a lot of problems. Wren sent the wrong sized units but because they weren't checked on delivery they refused to exchange for the correct ones. Their admin/help dept were useless and the retail staff don't seem to have been given the go ahead for discretion to deal with things, it all has to go back via HQ. Very costly and time consuming.

 

[wakametango]

I used IKEA, small kitchen but everything new as I ripped it all out when I moved in. They came round for £40, all bits were £1,200 and two men from mybuilder fitted it for £1,000 so I think you can do it
I had a sink, 3 or 4 units (I’m not entirely sure what a unit is )

Tiling was separate and inc in my other labour costs that other guys I hired for my bathroom
It’s a pretty bland kitchen so nothing special But is fresh and new. Had it about 3 years now and still looks fresh

 

[grumpycat]

you could try somewhere like DIY kitchens and get someone to fit it for you?

 

[Tublet83]

I was going to say the same about Wren - avoid everyone I know has had loads of problems.

We bought ours from a local company, was cheaper and had it fitted by a joiner. Bought appliances from all over the place in sales (Curry’s the worst for delivery).

Beware of lead in times as well, I’ve had friends waiting for months from the big companies

 

[Rocknrolla]

We have just had a full kitchen from Howdens and can’t recommend them enough, from the design to quality of units/appliances everything has been spot on. They also came in miles cheaper than the other places we went for quotes, which is surprising considering how good the quality is.

 

[BettyCrockerr]

Realistically I expect it to come closer to £4k and I could spend more but I don’t think there’s any point given it’s so small.

I used Magnets calculator and for 10 units + appliances (excluding fitting) they estimate £2,300 - and that’s 3 more units than I have!

I am probs underestimating the fitting costs though, I find it so hard to estimate costs of labour!! Did the same with my bathroom revamp lol.

Places like Magnet are extremely over priced.
Get them to do you a home visit and provide you with a plan.
Then go to small independent suppliers to buy your units etc - haggle & ask if they have any old stock they need rid off, quite often they will sell you perfectly good stuff for cheaper if they are just wanting it gone.
get a local joiner in to give you quotes for the labour - more than one but look at independent local guys not big firms. Expect to pay £250 a day for labour as a minimum. Same for plumber. Ask both if they can also do tiling/floors etc if you need these things doing as it may be easier & cheaper than getting additional trades in.

 

[Fairypop]

Not so much advice for who to go with, more who not to. Avoid Wren. A family member had a lot of problems. Wren sent the wrong sized units but because they weren't checked on delivery they refused to exchange for the correct ones. Their admin/help dept were useless and the retail staff don't seem to have been given the go ahead for discretion to deal with things, it all has to go back via HQ. Very costly and time consuming.

I came here to say the same thing, I’d avoid them like the plague from what family & friends have told me my mother in law had her kitchen done by then 2-3 years ago & it’s falling apart. She had huge problems with them at the time as well. I’ve seen lots of similar reviews online too.

My mum had similar problems with B&Q, lots of wrong items or items missing but I believe their customer service was much better, it got sorted in the end & to be fair her kitchen still looks brand new (it was done probably 6-7 years ago).

Sorry, I realise this isn’t very helpful at all just thought I’d warn you in case you’d considered them!

 

[AutumnSpring]

We have just had a howdens kitchen fitted.

We got the below for £5693

- x2 tall larder units (with an over head bridge and fridge goes Inbetween)
- x3 600 floor cupbaords
- x2 sets of the huge 800 pan dranwers
- x3 300 floor cupboards
- a drawer unit for cutlery etc
- a corner spinny unit thing
- two wall cupboards with drawers and an extractor fan bridging unit (extractor supplied by howdens too)
- an under sink storage drawer compartment
- fitted dishwasher (supplied by howdens too)
- a fancy bin storage cupboard pulls out thing
- all the worktops (I remember it came in three big bits)

Just wanted to make it clear just how much you get for your money. Plus our fitters found howdens much easier as it all comes pre built. Means you have to spend less on a fitter because it takes less time for them to do, our fitter charged £250 a day per person and it was a “get as much done as we can in the time” (not sure where you are based and whether this will be relevant but don’t pay too over the odds for this!). Can’t recommend the quality and service enough of howdens enough. We got ours in the October sale, not sure if they do other sales throughout the year too so may be worth asking them! I can send over some photos if you message me just don’t want to post them on here xx

 

[ispywithmylittleeye59]

Realistically I expect it to come closer to £4k and I could spend more but I don’t think there’s any point given it’s so small.

I used Magnets calculator and for 10 units + appliances (excluding fitting) they estimate £2,300 - and that’s 3 more units than I have! I wasn’t going to change the tiles because they are fine and also keeps costs down, but if the shop/fitter recommend it then I would think about it, which I guess would add another £1,000 maybe?! Will replace sink and taps but they aren’t hugely expensive.

I am probs underestimating the fitting costs though, I find it so hard to estimate costs of labour!! Did the same with my bathroom revamp lol.

 

[Clickbait]

Totally recommend getting someone to do a design for you as it helps utilise the space and know where you can add in more storage.

I got my kitchen from Homebase (they had a good deal on - and were really good with design, comms on stuff arriving) and then got a different company to fit it along with doing the electrics (I added in more plug sockets) and the tiling (walls and floor). Worth knowing what you want to have done so you can hire someone (if possible) who can do everything you need doing to avoid hidden costs with additional tradesmen.

I’ve always been told to avoid using the fitters from the supplier company - if you look online their reviews are normally pretty bad - but for ease and knowledge of the products I can see why people would.

 

[BettyCrockerr]

My kid designs kitchens for B & Q, never had an unhappy customer so far.

B&Q have never had an unhappy customer....?!!!! Sounds legit....!!!

 

[Kim Mild]

I'm looking for a kitchen at the moment. We went to one company and I think the lady was going to design what she wanted, rather than what I did.
We might go with Howdens, although they only sell to trade , so you may need to get a tradesperson to order on your behalf, like a local joiner or builder. Husband often uses howdens for work, their company has an account. I did think a lot of their kitchens all looked the same as each other.

When we upcycled our previous kitchen, we replaced the worktops and the tiles came off when we removed it, so good job we wanted yo change them as well.

 

[Moe]

Thank you everyone this has been helpful.

So avoid Wren, add Howdens to my list to check out and deffo find a fitter rather than use theirs!



I’ll need to check out IKEA too. This is what I’m looking for - just a bland kitchen but will make it look fresher.

Just my two cents.
Have used IKEA for four kitchens though one was free standing. The kitchen fitters always hated them and it was a pain having to drive back and forth when there was something missing or wrong.
Howdens don’t do decent discounts nowadays so I don’t bother going there anymore.
The most recent kitchen was B&Q mainly because at the time I’d gone way over budget. I was most pleasantly surprised. Really good value great customer service and I got a big discount as I have a trade card. See if you know anyone with one and borrow it.
The only snag was the delivery guys. I was alone on site that day and even though B&Q state in their terms that the products will be delivered to whatever floor they are needed these guys weren’t having it and tried to leave it in the street. They didn’t in the end but tempers were frayed to say the least. The couriers don’t actually work for B&Q and I’ve had others try and leave stuff on the street quoting elf’n safety. Make them take it back if they try this.
One last thing try and get some quotes in for tiling as that can prove to be quite expensive. Good luck.

 

[JoeBloggs]

We have a Howdens kitchen as my dad is trade, we have 70% discount apparently. We did fit it ourselves, but howdens do usually have a list of local traders on file. You would need to register as trade or use someone’s trade account to get the discount.

My parents are having a new kitchen and using benchmark, who are part of travis Perkins but again trade only and they will fit it themselves.

Both excellent quality if you can find a fitter.

 

[smg658]

I’d definitely research fitters, my Dad Bought a really nice kitchen from IKEA years ago but got a friend to fit it and he made a total arse of it.

 

[ispywithmylittleeye59]

Just my two cents.
Have used IKEA for four kitchens though one was free standing. The kitchen fitters always hated them and it was a pain having to drive back and forth when there was something missing or wrong.
Howdens don’t do decent discounts nowadays so I don’t bother going there anymore.
The most recent kitchen was B&Q mainly because at the time I’d gone way over budget. I was most pleasantly surprised. Really good value great customer service and I got a big discount as I have a trade card. See if you know anyone with one and borrow it.
The only snag was the delivery guys. I was alone on site that day and even though B&Q state in their terms that the products will be delivered to whatever floor they are needed these guys weren’t having it and tried to leave it in the street. They didn’t in the end but tempers were frayed to say the least. The couriers don’t actually work for B&Q and I’ve had others try and leave stuff on the street quoting elf’n safety. Make them take it back if they try this.
One last thing try and get some quotes in for tiling as that can prove to be quite expensive. Good luck.

Yes I am a little concerned about the delivery so I would def confirm with the company beforehand. I live in a first floor flat and have had several delivery drivers refuse to take large items up the stairs!! Good to hear you had a good experience with B&Q!

 

[Lola123]

Check out the reviews of local companies, round where we live the big ones like howdens and wren have a terrible rep so my mum went through a local designer (they map it out) and they had a list of trades people, don’t know where you’re based

 

[smg658]

B&Q have never had an unhappy customer....?!!!! Sounds legit....!!!

I imagine they’ve had tons, my kid hasn’t had one yet.

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Going to say the opposite for Wren, they were very good with us and no problems. I have heard good things about DIY kitchens and the fact they are a lot cheaper but still good quality.

 

[BettyCrockerr]

So I have decided to take the plunge and re-do my kitchen this summer.

I was thinking of getting units and worktop from Wickes and finding a fitter, but will also check out Howdens, Magnet and a place local to me. Maybe IKEA too but I’m not so keen on their cabinets.

Before I start to trawl around shops, has anyone done their kitchen recently and have any recommendations for kitchens and also appliances?

It’s a really really small kitchen - 2 cupboards and 3 drawers on the bottom and 2 wall cupboards so I don’t need anything extravagant! I was hoping to do everything for £3,500..

Thanks!

Is that your budget for the whole thing? Including tradesmens labour etc??

thats a tight budget!!!! Kitchens are notoriously expensive.

are you wanting it completely ripped out and started from scratch? Or are you just wanting to update how it looks? If it’s just a refresh and you don’t want to alter the configuration of the units you might get away with just changing doors. Are you wanting to change work surfaces/sink/taps/tiles etc etc