Best / Cheapest Place To Buy New Kitchen?
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Wren - we spent ages looking round when we had our new kitchen last year, they were by far the best quality for a decent price.
Negotiate ~70% off list price, buy worktops elsewhere (theres are very pricey and can be found much cheaper)
We have Ibsen (white gloss / no handles) - with solid oak tops and black slate floor
Negotiate ~70% off list price, buy worktops elsewhere (theres are very pricey and can be found much cheaper)
We have Ibsen (white gloss / no handles) - with solid oak tops and black slate floor
Wow, thanks for all the replies everyone, wasnt expecting such a great response!
Thought I'd give a little update to where we have got to for interest, and I'll post a pic when it all gets completed anyhow.
Magnet: Decent design but turns out the guy had ignored my measurements I gave him so it's not actually going to work. Cost was £10k after any discounts and such.
Tesco Kitchens (who knew?): Came to the house, worked out lots of stuff with us and very helpful. For the kitchen and dry fit it was £5.5k roughly and then £1k for new consumer unit to the house, re-wiring kitchen, fitting sockets and generally mucking about.
Everest: Came to the house again and was helpful. Great quality units you really couldnt knock that at all. Quoted £19k to start, we got him down to £8.8k but again it is still way over the budget.
Ikea: I've done the online design tool and it comes to around £2.5k for the main bulk of the items. Do the kitchens come pre-assembled or flat pack from Ikea?
We are going to see what Wickes, Homebase and Wren come up with over the next day and then look towards making a decision.
@Macca - Did you do the Howdens thing through work? You were a QS I think? I can get trade price on Premiere Kitchens but they are pretty awful so wonder if I could walk into Howdens and get a decent discount based on working as a QS?
@goldilocks - How hard was it to push them to 70% off list?
Cheers!
Thought I'd give a little update to where we have got to for interest, and I'll post a pic when it all gets completed anyhow.
Magnet: Decent design but turns out the guy had ignored my measurements I gave him so it's not actually going to work. Cost was £10k after any discounts and such.
Tesco Kitchens (who knew?): Came to the house, worked out lots of stuff with us and very helpful. For the kitchen and dry fit it was £5.5k roughly and then £1k for new consumer unit to the house, re-wiring kitchen, fitting sockets and generally mucking about.
Everest: Came to the house again and was helpful. Great quality units you really couldnt knock that at all. Quoted £19k to start, we got him down to £8.8k but again it is still way over the budget.
Ikea: I've done the online design tool and it comes to around £2.5k for the main bulk of the items. Do the kitchens come pre-assembled or flat pack from Ikea?
We are going to see what Wickes, Homebase and Wren come up with over the next day and then look towards making a decision.
@Macca - Did you do the Howdens thing through work? You were a QS I think? I can get trade price on Premiere Kitchens but they are pretty awful so wonder if I could walk into Howdens and get a decent discount based on working as a QS?
@goldilocks - How hard was it to push them to 70% off list?
Cheers!
I hate that type of thing from Everest, don't try and con me and then only lower the price when I complain, give a decent price in the first place. It gives me no confidence that the new offer is actually any good. I wouldn't mind if it was only 10% they knocked off.
And IKEA units are flat packed.
I was in a similar position to you end of last year. Bought a house that needed a new kitchen so I was shopping around.
B&Q - Horrible kitchens, at least in my local stores. Everything feels really cheap, the designs aren't all that great and the prices weren't very impressive either. Might be fine if you want to stick a cheap kitchen in a property to sell/rent but I couldn't live with it long term.
Homebase - Marginally better than B&Q, some better designs and sligtly better feel to it, but generally of similar quality.
Wickes - My favourite of the DIY chains, their top range kitchens can match Magnet and Howdens on price but they do a few decent ranges in their budget kitchens. I expect the units are the same and just the doors are different. Would probably have spoken to a designer if they ever had any in the offices in the stores.
Magnet - The guy came out to the house to measure up. Was keen to make sure we would be offered the current/recent discount off RRP. Didn't really follow instructions very well with my requirements so it meant when I met him at the offices he had to redesign the kitchen.
Ended up being fairly reasonable but I didn't like the design and finish as much as others and their worktops were expensive. They could offer free cooker appliances though.
IKEA - I really liked their Kitchen design software. Meant I could play around with things myself and see how things looked and worked together. Liked some of their units too, although the finishing isn't great but it allows for a lot of customisation, I also liked that their prices are transparent so you can easily see exactly what costs what without having to factor in discounts and things.
However I was warned that the units and standard and a big point was they don't have a gap at the back of the unit for any pipework/cabling so it either has to be inside or underneath.
This can cause extra work for the fitters if they need to re-route things. Also I wasn't too keen that it is down to you to make sure the design will be appropriate. You have to put down a deposit before a surveyor will come to your porperty to measure up, at which point you're down around £100. They do.did offer some nice insentives though, like spend £1000 on a kitchen, get £100 voucher.
Their ovens are tiiiiny though! Their sinks are also rather poor - with tiny draining boards. I do have their pull-out extractor fan though. So I'd consider getting different appliances if you go for IKEA.
Howdens - This is who we ended up going with in the end. They were friendly gave good help, after speaking to them on the phone and arranging an appointment to visit they dropped off a brochure so I could look at the styles and units before meeting. The designer came up with two designs that were good, although I had some more tweaks to my final design to make better use of the space.
Unfortunately their design didn't work out quite right and I ended up with a drawer that couldn't be opened due to the oven handle. Also I had requested two bins to be put in the sink unit however once the popework was done there was no way these would fit. They were also rather poor with their deliveries, not calling in advance when they said they would and not delivering everything at the same time.
They remedied the drawer problem by having to remove the drawer and fit new doors, but I still have two bins that I can't use.
Other than that I was very happy with the finished kitchen, we had our own local fitter who had worked with them before and it has been good to use.
I bought wall and floor tiles separate and they were fitted by someone else after the kitchen was complete. With all the units coming assembled you need a lot of room to store it before you start fitting. It ended up filling my living room.
Also be aware that the worktops only come at certain set lengths. I have quite a lot left over after it was cut.
'
I was fortunate that they were pushing for end of year targets and got quite a few things in their 'deal'; free worktops, free oven, 50-80% discount on most things. I'm sure that there are deals to be had all year round though and they seem pretty open to 'tweaking' the price if you just ask.
Good luck getting it all sorted. I actually quite miss the designing and planning of it but now I'm enjoying cooking and using it.
B&Q - Horrible kitchens, at least in my local stores. Everything feels really cheap, the designs aren't all that great and the prices weren't very impressive either. Might be fine if you want to stick a cheap kitchen in a property to sell/rent but I couldn't live with it long term.
Homebase - Marginally better than B&Q, some better designs and sligtly better feel to it, but generally of similar quality.
Wickes - My favourite of the DIY chains, their top range kitchens can match Magnet and Howdens on price but they do a few decent ranges in their budget kitchens. I expect the units are the same and just the doors are different. Would probably have spoken to a designer if they ever had any in the offices in the stores.
Magnet - The guy came out to the house to measure up. Was keen to make sure we would be offered the current/recent discount off RRP. Didn't really follow instructions very well with my requirements so it meant when I met him at the offices he had to redesign the kitchen.
Ended up being fairly reasonable but I didn't like the design and finish as much as others and their worktops were expensive. They could offer free cooker appliances though.
IKEA - I really liked their Kitchen design software. Meant I could play around with things myself and see how things looked and worked together. Liked some of their units too, although the finishing isn't great but it allows for a lot of customisation, I also liked that their prices are transparent so you can easily see exactly what costs what without having to factor in discounts and things.
However I was warned that the units and standard and a big point was they don't have a gap at the back of the unit for any pipework/cabling so it either has to be inside or underneath.
This can cause extra work for the fitters if they need to re-route things. Also I wasn't too keen that it is down to you to make sure the design will be appropriate. You have to put down a deposit before a surveyor will come to your porperty to measure up, at which point you're down around £100. They do.did offer some nice insentives though, like spend £1000 on a kitchen, get £100 voucher.
Their ovens are tiiiiny though! Their sinks are also rather poor - with tiny draining boards. I do have their pull-out extractor fan though. So I'd consider getting different appliances if you go for IKEA.
Howdens - This is who we ended up going with in the end. They were friendly gave good help, after speaking to them on the phone and arranging an appointment to visit they dropped off a brochure so I could look at the styles and units before meeting. The designer came up with two designs that were good, although I had some more tweaks to my final design to make better use of the space.
Unfortunately their design didn't work out quite right and I ended up with a drawer that couldn't be opened due to the oven handle. Also I had requested two bins to be put in the sink unit however once the popework was done there was no way these would fit. They were also rather poor with their deliveries, not calling in advance when they said they would and not delivering everything at the same time.
They remedied the drawer problem by having to remove the drawer and fit new doors, but I still have two bins that I can't use.
Other than that I was very happy with the finished kitchen, we had our own local fitter who had worked with them before and it has been good to use.
I bought wall and floor tiles separate and they were fitted by someone else after the kitchen was complete. With all the units coming assembled you need a lot of room to store it before you start fitting. It ended up filling my living room.
Also be aware that the worktops only come at certain set lengths. I have quite a lot left over after it was cut.
'
I was fortunate that they were pushing for end of year targets and got quite a few things in their 'deal'; free worktops, free oven, 50-80% discount on most things. I'm sure that there are deals to be had all year round though and they seem pretty open to 'tweaking' the price if you just ask.
Good luck getting it all sorted. I actually quite miss the designing and planning of it but now I'm enjoying cooking and using it.
Soldato
I bought a 12 month old kitchen off Ebay last year for £150, about 20 units, it had only been for used about 2 weeks, as owner had split up.
And +1 for Howdens.
And +1 for Howdens.
Soldato
What was the quality like? I'm thinking of getting one as a desk top.
Also you mentioned you got it cheaper through trade, or was that just the cabinets?
Soldato
Mark A: If you want a lump of solid wood for a desk, look at Ikea NUMERÄR
Worktop, in beech birch,oak, & available in several lengths.
Worktop, in beech birch,oak, & available in several lengths.
Soldato
From a local supplier, ours was £3850 + £1k to install including oven, hood, and integrated fridge freezer. Floor tiling was additional £500.
Shop about!
Shop about!
You could apply for a trade account, I guess you'd need to be VAT registered or blag some headed paper
Been in now six months all good they are 640 mm deep 40 mm thick and 3m long for £135 20mm staves (strips) glued, I belt sanded once installed, wet and dry, tack cloth then one coat of 50 / 50 danish oil then light sand and tack cloth and 3 coats of full danish oil lightly rubbing back inbetween each one
Looks like glass over lovely oak wood grain well worth the effort
Man of Honour
When we had ours done we invited about 10 companies to come and give quotes.
8 of them came straight into the living room with their best suits on, got big books out and never even went into the kitchen.
All of them rang their Managers to see if they could knock some off.
4 of them I had to kick out of the house.
One said we had to go to them with sizes & pictures which we did.
The one we chose was a bloke who came in all his work gear and apologised for his young son being with him.
He went straight into the kitchen, asked exactly what we wanted, suggested better ways of doing things (for instance Magnet said we could put a normal fridge/freezer behind a big door) and then he said the price he was giving would be his only price and he would not drop by £1 because he was the Manager.
When he told us the price he was cheaper by 50% and his kitchen is excellent.
Within the next month, 6 of the other companies rang back to give us better offers because they had a special on in the area.
8 of them came straight into the living room with their best suits on, got big books out and never even went into the kitchen.
All of them rang their Managers to see if they could knock some off.
4 of them I had to kick out of the house.
One said we had to go to them with sizes & pictures which we did.
The one we chose was a bloke who came in all his work gear and apologised for his young son being with him.
He went straight into the kitchen, asked exactly what we wanted, suggested better ways of doing things (for instance Magnet said we could put a normal fridge/freezer behind a big door) and then he said the price he was giving would be his only price and he would not drop by £1 because he was the Manager.
When he told us the price he was cheaper by 50% and his kitchen is excellent.
Within the next month, 6 of the other companies rang back to give us better offers because they had a special on in the area.
I would be sorely tempted to tell all of them when they first come in that whatever the first offer is they give me is the only one I'll listen to. So make an effort with it and I'll be in touch. I don't want the managers special, I don't want a special 80% discount because I happened to ask, I want you to give me a decent deal out of the gate, otherwise how can I trust you.
I do seem to remember reading on here or somewhere else that someone invited 3 reps round from 3 different companies all at the same time. So they were pitching against each other. That sounds like fun
Associate
OP - just less than 70% off list is what Wren are advertising at the moment (half price, plus extra 20% off when you buy 3 or more cabinets) - this offer seems to come and go, if theyre not offering it when you go in, just wait!
thats the deal we got ~60% off plus a bit of haggling with regards to extras.
thats the deal we got ~60% off plus a bit of haggling with regards to extras.
Associate
- Joined
- 8 Apr 2012
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cheap good quality kitchens just had my quote from living style £5800 with 15 units oven,hob,chimney extractor,sink tap,soft close doors and draws,18mm solid units fitted,i am trying to help people but my last message was deleted so i will not say were they are,but if you want to contact me just reply to this
Associate
Looks like i've joined the wrong forum - i was searchingfor something else entirely. Never mind, while I'm here....
I am a kitchen designer and retailer so might be able to help you with the answer.
There are plenty of very cheap kitchens on the market, Wickes flatpack budget stuff is fine for a rental and Crown Lifestyle is similarly priced.
But really you need to start with the design of the kitchen and get that to work before you look at the style, if the kitchen doesn't work for you, regardless of price you will never be happy with it.
You also need to look closely at the product to make a comparison, price is not the only factor. Flat pack is cheaper but can take ages to assemble and is often where the mistakes start. If the carcasses are delivered assembled there can't be any missing parts. Some companies will deliver the carcasses with doors and drawers hung - that's about as easy as it gets.
When you look at the carcasses, check the panel fit, is there an excessive line, can you see through the joints. Check the front edges line up. Check the standard of the edges, do they look as though they might come loose? Are all edges lipped. What are the backs made of. Most companies have swapped to 18mm material to all carcasses but sometimes you might want the back of the cabinet to be thinner, for example on a wall carcasse where you need the extra depth for your plates (good idea the check your designer plates will fit in the cabinet).
The sheds can only usually offer carcasses in one or two colours, Independents can make the carcasses to closely match the colour of your doors. This can save money by avoiding the need for add on end panels and definitely looks better.
Look outside of the sheds to local or internet suppliers but still avoid the high street to get a good price.
The cheaper the product the more limited you are in choice. Standard wall cabinets are 575mm and 720mm high. Some ranges will also have 900mm units for not much more money. The number of cabinet widths available also reduces with lower prices. Indepedents can usually offer any cabinet width as the carcassses and doors are made to measure. Sounds expensive but not if you find the right supplier.
I don't know Ikea products too well but I understand they don't use standard sizes meaning you might have to buy everything from them.
Be careful of cheap laminates, they are often liable to chip when you are cutting them.
f you shop online, make sure the company really exists and isn't just an internet front. If there should be a problem you need to know you can get it fixed.
To my mind anyone who offers a price and then heavily discounts later is not to be trusted.
I am a kitchen designer and retailer so might be able to help you with the answer.
There are plenty of very cheap kitchens on the market, Wickes flatpack budget stuff is fine for a rental and Crown Lifestyle is similarly priced.
But really you need to start with the design of the kitchen and get that to work before you look at the style, if the kitchen doesn't work for you, regardless of price you will never be happy with it.
You also need to look closely at the product to make a comparison, price is not the only factor. Flat pack is cheaper but can take ages to assemble and is often where the mistakes start. If the carcasses are delivered assembled there can't be any missing parts. Some companies will deliver the carcasses with doors and drawers hung - that's about as easy as it gets.
When you look at the carcasses, check the panel fit, is there an excessive line, can you see through the joints. Check the front edges line up. Check the standard of the edges, do they look as though they might come loose? Are all edges lipped. What are the backs made of. Most companies have swapped to 18mm material to all carcasses but sometimes you might want the back of the cabinet to be thinner, for example on a wall carcasse where you need the extra depth for your plates (good idea the check your designer plates will fit in the cabinet).
The sheds can only usually offer carcasses in one or two colours, Independents can make the carcasses to closely match the colour of your doors. This can save money by avoiding the need for add on end panels and definitely looks better.
Look outside of the sheds to local or internet suppliers but still avoid the high street to get a good price.
The cheaper the product the more limited you are in choice. Standard wall cabinets are 575mm and 720mm high. Some ranges will also have 900mm units for not much more money. The number of cabinet widths available also reduces with lower prices. Indepedents can usually offer any cabinet width as the carcassses and doors are made to measure. Sounds expensive but not if you find the right supplier.
I don't know Ikea products too well but I understand they don't use standard sizes meaning you might have to buy everything from them.
Be careful of cheap laminates, they are often liable to chip when you are cutting them.
f you shop online, make sure the company really exists and isn't just an internet front. If there should be a problem you need to know you can get it fixed.
To my mind anyone who offers a price and then heavily discounts later is not to be trusted.
Soldato
I do that.
Come round, measure up and then give me your best and final. I'll make my decision in a week. If you cant give me a price now then feel free to post it out.
I did that with my double glazing. Chap who got the gig was the one who followed instructions. He gave a price, told me they wouldn't be the most expensive or the cheapest and then he left and said he hoped to speak to me in week.
He was right.
Soldato
