FabSwingers.com > Forums > The Lounge > New kitchen

New kitchen

By *litterbabe OP Woman over a year ago

hiding from cock pics.

Can anyone advise on new kitchens, I've had a quote from Wickes

(expensive),and will have one shortly from Howdens.

I'm looking at the DIY kitchen company as they look great.

I'm also looking through my appliances.co.uk at the innocenti range, which seemed extremely good value for money, but are possibly their own brand so very limited on reviews.

Has anyone just been through this process and got any great advice for me?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *amelman7823Man over a year ago

Ashbourne

its a tricky one, do you know any good carpenters, i guess depending on how much work you wish to do yourself, i recently got a new kitchen made, its painted, as i thought i might like to change the colour at some stage, you will get what you pay for here, have you thought about a recycled one, you could pick up a great one at huge discounts, if you knew a good fitter, Wickes, I dont know, Ikea and B&Q would likely be similar, i guess it depends on size really

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *litterbabe OP Woman over a year ago

hiding from cock pics.

I know someone who can fit it, he's good and very reasonable.

Diy-kitchens actually come pre-assembled as well. I might have to get someone in to connect the appliances and cut the worktops as I think that specialist even though they're just going to be laminate

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *amelman7823Man over a year ago

Ashbourne

you might want to price the appliances ffrom them too, I got mine supplied and fitted and it saved a few bob on the vat if i recall, most kitchens now come that way, the carcus is standard and its the doors that you choose, nothing wrong with laminate worktop , some great quality , at the end of the day most are chipboard with the veneer on them, that will be the deciding feature of the kitchen, you probably looking at 4-5k on one anyway, then painting....get a washable paint, for around the cooking area,

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *litterbabe OP Woman over a year ago

hiding from cock pics.

The appliances from Wickes were absolutely ridiculous prices. For example, a tumble dryer for £750

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *amelman7823Man over a year ago

Ashbourne

ah stop, thats nuts, but then it depends, tumble dryers, with the energy efficieny now etc, condensers, is it your own place or a rental your doing up, if you think you will use the dryer alot, then it might be worth the investment, you can easily hook them up yourself too, just keep them empty, there is a nack to the washing machine though, but still not difficult once you follow instructions , the company will typically supply and fit, id probably stick to brands that are known to work, the less technology the better, think i bought zanussi, meile etc are over priced in my view

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I have found you get what you pay for usually although the carcases vary little.

The last time I found a good kitchen fitter by recommendation and then talked to him about what I wanted and which kitchen units and tops he thought were better than others and went with that. Ok it cost a little more but ended up with a better job than the stuff from the big DIY outfits and suppliers.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *amelman7823Man over a year ago

Ashbourne

yep and i agree with your thinking there, a little extra thought into the layout maybe, swap presses around, i decided with not presses at eye level, and put in a pantry cupboard, gave great light to a small space, loads of ideas on pinterest.. have all saucepans and plates in drawers for easy access, nothing like it, you have heard of the kitchen triangle im sure

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *wisted999Man over a year ago

North Bucks

I have heard very good things about Howdens and to stay away from Wren kitchens. (Kitchen fitter said this)

I had an Ikea design done the other day and was surprised how good and knowledgable the designer was. I’m getting a Howden comparison done as well.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I have heard very good things about Howdens and to stay away from Wren kitchens. (Kitchen fitter said this)

I had an Ikea design done the other day and was surprised how good and knowledgable the designer was. I’m getting a Howden comparison done as well. "

totally agree with the above, Howdens are good, Wren are the Dolphin of the kitchen world, remember dolphin bathrooms? Same kinda set up

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *layful CplCouple over a year ago

Sorry to disagree but Howdons are shocking, the chipboard is like Weetabix, there doors are to thin and don't hold a perfect flat shape and their worktops are paper thin, forget most of the big companies as they only focus on profit not quality, try to find a local independent company who manufacturers their own cabinets and ask for previous customer references, have a kitchen fitter do all the fitting, that way he can guarantee his workmanship, consider costs of plumbing, electric and plastering if needed, an experienced kitchen fitter should be able to do most of the other trades, do plenty of planning in advance and visit as many showrooms as you can, be realistic about what you can fit into the space you have, you could buy your appliances online but check first that your fitter is happy to fit them, also make sure that you have the correct wiring in place for each appliance, there's a lot of planning at first and then there's the inconvenience of having it fitted but enjoy the experience and your bottle of wine once it's all finished, I've been fitting kitchens for over 25 years now, mainly fit high end German and Italian kitchens, any questions feel free to PM me, good luck.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Had a Howdens kitchen fitted earlier this year. They do not fit kitchens, although they may recommend a fitter. Ask to see examples of the fitters work. Don't buy the low end option. It's worth the extra.

Wren, good but overpriced, Wickes ok but your fitter wil be the deciding factor. Sainsbury Homebase and B&Q, pretty crap.

Whichever you go for, it's the fitter that will determine whether it's a decent job.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Forgot about IKEA. They look pretty good actually, Particularly their appliances with long warranties but be aware their units are not standard carcass sizes, so if you want to change doors etc, only IKEA ones will fit.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

When I get a kitchen done, I always go to the showroom near me. They are good and I always opt for NEFF appliances. It is not worth cutting corners as you want it to last

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *hoenixAdAstraWoman over a year ago

Hiding in the shadows

Thumbs for Howdens from me.

Wren are also good, but Howdens worked out cheaper.

Fingers crossed after today's visit from the new surveyor work can finally recommence.

Original surveyor marked a wall I wanted removed as non load bearing.

It wasn't

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Builder kitchens and bathrooms

Howden all the way

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *m3232Man over a year ago

maidenhead

It’s a mine field I have a big kitchen and wicks wanted 28k to do it. Shopped around and fitted it myself for under 10k.

John Lewis wanted over 2k for splash backs and we got glass to match the work top for just over £200 and no one can tell the difference.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *ugby 123Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

O o O oo

We just bought our kitchen from there...great price, great kitchen and great service

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *ugby 123Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

O o O oo

"We just bought our kitchen from there...great price, great kitchen and great service"

PS did you go to their showroom? They have gorgeous biscuits to munch on when walking round. If you are going with them pay for the two man delivery as they are heavy if you had to move them yourself.

We got the appliances from AO and don't get a composite sink, they are awful

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Builder kitchens and bathrooms

Howden all the way "

I second this ^

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *litterbabe OP Woman over a year ago

hiding from cock pics.

"We just bought our kitchen from there...great price, great kitchen and great service"

From Howdens?

Sorry I couldn't work out if you are saying Howdens or IKEA.

Thank you everybody there's some great tips in here. I do know about the triangle, and my fitter her is very good, he is a perfectionist.

Some people seem to think Howdens are fabulous and others think they terrible.

I'm still thinking the DIY Kitchen Company units look fabulous though, and they have a very good write up on trustpilot, plus come assembled.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *ugby 123Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

O o O oo

No...we got it from DIY kitchens. A little hitch with a couple of bits they sent but they sorted it pretty quickly...but best to check everything before the fitter comes just in case.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *ugby 123Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

O o O oo

Have you been to the showroom ?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Can anyone advise on new kitchens, I've had a quote from Wickes

(expensive),and will have one shortly from Howdens.

I'm looking at the DIY kitchen company as they look great.

I'm also looking through my appliances.co.uk at the innocenti range, which seemed extremely good value for money, but are possibly their own brand so very limited on reviews.

Has anyone just been through this process and got any great advice for me?"

Got my new kitchen from wicks, would not recommend them to anyone would say stay away. Wrong parts delivered had to be sent back insufficient tiles for flooring, sockets in wrong places. Wicks do not fit it either they sub contract that out to a local builder who in my case damaged my central heating boiler and I had to get a plumber in to repair it (sent bill to wicks who deigned responsibility) was supposed to be done in 5 weeks 3 months later I told builder to piss off and I finished it myself and sent wicks a very nasty letter.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *ANDA2Couple over a year ago

Henley Arden

Sent you a direct email as list was really to long for here. Hope that was ok

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *mm and HerCouple over a year ago

Hertfordshire

Last kitchen was Howdens, and it's fine. Builder said don't go to Wickes etc, that Magnet and Howdens were on a par, and that Wren were quality wise, on a par but more expensive. Ikea can be tricky to fit - they typically don't come with a void at the back, making it tricky where you want services (e.g. plug sockets, pipes, etc) behind.

Her had a flash Italian one in her flat...which used non-standard sized pieces (even some of their non-standard pieces were non-standard!!). They've now gone out of business and we're so stuffed for spares.

One thing to note on Howdens - technically they only sell to trade so your builder/fitter would have to "buy". For me it was fine - builder bought enough from them generally to get a decent discount, and Howdens were ok for me to go pay on a card (e.g. a 0% purchase card), but yours might not be.

We're looking for a new kitchen currently - anyone any suggestions for independent firms North London/Herts kind of way..? The ones so far have been eye wateringly expensive and/or poor quality.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *wosWoman over a year ago

east london

My B&Q kitchen is 7 years old and still brilliant. . They were really helpful with planning it too. .

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Mines a wicked. It's ok but not worth the cost. A few friends have recently had ikea and had them fit it and say it's amazing

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *tella HeelsTV/TS over a year ago

west here ford shire

DIY-kitchens.com

Try them

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

It all depends on what you want, I'm doing mine in stages from Wickes. You can find new and second hand ones on Gumtree and eBay but they are usually a set kitchen being sold as a complete lot. Avoid Wren Kitchens from what I've been told.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Can anyone advise on new kitchens, I've had a quote from Wickes

(expensive),and will have one shortly from Howdens.

I'm looking at the DIY kitchen company as they look great.

I'm also looking through my appliances.co.uk at the innocenti range, which seemed extremely good value for money, but are possibly their own brand so very limited on reviews.

Has anyone just been through this process and got any great advice for me?"

Had a quote from Wren recently. Mr basically told the guy that unless Gordon Ramsey was coming to cook every night at that price he could "ram it"

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"The appliances from Wickes were absolutely ridiculous prices. For example, a tumble dryer for £750"

Appliances try AO.com

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"The appliances from Wickes were absolutely ridiculous prices. For example, a tumble dryer for £750

Appliances try AO.com"

They're good, I bought an American style fridge/freezer from them, the two guys unwrapped it, levelled it and took the rubbish away : )

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *hugwelMan over a year ago

Jersey

Curved units that people love are four times the price of a standard unit eating your budget.

Message sent kitchen design I work in.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *litterbabe OP Woman over a year ago

hiding from cock pics.

"DIY-kitchens.com

Try them"

These are really looking like my favourite at the moment, everything I can see about then seems to be perfect

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *inky-MinxWoman over a year ago

Grantham

Ikea have their own sizes and don't fit with anything else.

B&Q have always had reasonably priced, good quality cabinets. Then you buy fancier doors if you like

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *litterbabe OP Woman over a year ago

hiding from cock pics.

"Have you been to the showroom ?"

I've been to Howdens, but not to DIY as it is a little bit far.

I've looked at it on mine and the factory videos seem very good.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *ugby 123Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

O o O oo

"Have you been to the showroom ?

I've been to Howdens, but not to DIY as it is a little bit far.

I've looked at it on mine and the factory videos seem very good. "

That is a shame as it is well laid out ,but you can send for samples before you decide.

We heard awful stories of Howdens and Wren so got put off a bit, then someone we know mentioned this place.

What you see on the website is what you get that is for sure, the quality is great and a bonus of not having to build the cabinets so it saves you some money with the fitter.

The only niggly bit is the delivery, you need the two man delivery if you havn't got anyone to help you as they won't unload for you with a one man delivery.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *litterbabe OP Woman over a year ago

hiding from cock pics.

Thank you so much, these are all good things to know.

I haven't found one person yet he's got anything bad at all to say about diy-kitchens.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Can anyone advise on new kitchens, I've had a quote from Wickes

(expensive),and will have one shortly from Howdens.

I'm looking at the DIY kitchen company as they look great.

I'm also looking through my appliances.co.uk at the innocenti range, which seemed extremely good value for money, but are possibly their own brand so very limited on reviews.

Has anyone just been through this process and got any great advice for me?"

Howdens make decent units. Fitted my own and the company I work fit buy base units from them sometimes

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *ugby 123Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

O o O oo

I found a few online before we ordered but it was more about the delivery options, but they are well explained on the site so I don't see how they can complain.

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *litterbabe OP Woman over a year ago

hiding from cock pics.

Even the appliances seem competitively priced. And today a friend told me I should only get a certain brand of worktop, and it turns out that that's the brand that DIY kitchens use.

That's pretty much my decision made I think!

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *litterbabe OP Woman over a year ago

hiding from cock pics.

The only thing is the wait time. I will make it work, and just be ready when it's delivered!

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *tella HeelsTV/TS over a year ago

west here ford shire

Please let me know how you get on?

Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote or View forums list

By *iverscuMan over a year ago

Berkshire