Kitchen renovation - don't know where to start

Vertigo

Vertigo

Vertigo

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28 Dec 2003
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Hi all,

So I'm looking at a fairly comprehensive kitchen renovation.

Obviously this would involve a new fitted kitchen and (most) appliances but also a fair bit of remedial/renovation work to the room itself, including rewiring and sockets/lights, plaster skimming/repair, flooring, heating, decorating and so forth.
I've never undertaken a complete kitchen renovation on this scale before and just have no idea where to even start with it.

In terms of overall design, I have a fairly good idea of what I'm after in terms of layout (galley style room so limited options anyway).
I think I'm correct in assuming the kitchen suppliers will only go so far as removing the old units and installing the new ones, possibly with a bit of decorating/tiling afterward.

Given the scope of what I'm looking at, I'd assume I need to get a builder of some description who can handle and project manage the whole thing?

If so then where's the best place to start with this? I'm always wary of just picking someone online and have been burned by this in the past. Doing so for something of this scale fills me with dread (I suffer from anxiety at the best of times).

If anyone has any advice or pointers I'd appreciate it. Of course if anyone can recommend any specific companies/people in the West Mids that could also be very useful :)
 
start with layout ideas

play with the Ikea kitchen planner tool

this should give you an idea of budget also, you can amend your plans up or down then approach local specialists, recommendations from friends, others and or the national chains.

Our kitchen back in 2010 was 11k fitted in one day by a local specialist firm and fitters. I would imagine costs are a bit higher but will obvs depend on size, carcass, door and other design features.

I would recommend looking at all electric and induction hobs these days, unless you must have gas.
 
I can give an idea of what someone like Wren will do. This will seem pretty negative but if you know what to look out for it's actually not a bad service.

They'll come around to measure up, you can then get someone to your house or book an appointment in a showroom where you will design it. It's a really nice way to see the space and colours/styles. If you want to go ahead with them there can be back and forth several times with tweaks to layout/colours etc before you book in a date.
We priced up Wren and our joiner priced up Howden's, both came in approx the same. I priced up Ikea roughly and it was maybe 5% cheaper but we didn't use the design service so no idea how good that is, also I am aware that lots of joiners dislike the Ikea kitchen units due to space issues at the back.


A few things to note:

- Go onto Ikea and roughly design the space/layout first, so you know what you want, it doesn't have to be exact.

- DO NOT USE their joiners to fit it, they charge a fortune and do not include electrics or plumbing (Wren, get all the info if going elsewhere), as an example they quoted us something like £7,000 for install (no elec/plumbing) and we got a joiner in who did absolutely everything for £5,000 including getting in the plasterer. Find someone recommended locally and ask them now for a rough idea of cost, fitting a kitchen is fairly standard stuff so go in armed with that price already in mind.

- They'll give you the "these prices can be locked in if you pay a deposit today" speech. There is usually something like a week where they're locked anyway so don't feel pressure.

- Think about fittings and worktops etc, they'll always add the mid/high end stuff. For example the squared off edge worktops are something like 30% more expensive than rounded edges, when we went with the latter they said "yeah that's probably better for your usage anyway" You can buy your own handles too which can save quite a bit.

- Be aware of any gotchas with layout, we had a gas meter and set-in bit of wall next to a chimney breast and I had to both times tell them that no, their layout wouldn't work as there were things in the way and had to physically show them. If anything goes wrong i.e. mis-sized cabinets then you've already signed a form saying you've checked the measurements and they might be funny with replacing them.

- Quirky cabinets etc like fancy bin cupboards or fold down/out cabinets are pretty nice and are better sometimes, but they're damn expensive.


So to summarise, plan a layout, get a rough quote from a trusdted joiner for the work (maybe not the decorating though!), try a couple of Wren/Howden's style places, remember you don't HAVE to go with them but they'll give the hard sell.
 
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Thanks for the initial responses guys.

Regards talking to local kitchen suppliers, I did actually pop into Wren and thety said point blank that all they'd do is removal of old and fitting of new and wouldn't get into anything further like electrics, sockets, lighting, plumbing, flooring etc.
 
Wren are expensive as well.

Go to Howdens and get them out to design it. Just say what you’d like, they’ll come and measure up. Then use their design and go around everyone and price it up.

Ignore this part if you aren’t getting quartz or dekton (which you should imo) Get your worktop from here you don’t need to pay the additional fee for your supplier to be the middleman, they come out and template it using laser, cut it to the exact size then come and fit it.

I’d get a quooker tap if I was you, they’re a complete game changer.

A few things I regret, you can take full advantage of now.

Get 2 dishwashers - it sounds nuts but you use one for storage ones it’s washed so doesn’t take up any additional storage.

The plinth storage can be done right off the bat as well, no retro fitting either.

Get the cabinets right up to the ceiling as well so they aren’t dust and grease traps you also get additional storage this.
 
20 years ago I did a lot of it myself. Had a bit of design help from a local guy and ordered the cabinets from him which all were pre-assembled. All I had to do was fix to wall and bolt together. I also tiled the floor myself. Got specialist in to fit granite worktop but did the rest myself. It wasn't that hard and I suspect I save a lot of money even back then. DIY Kitchens have a good online design tool and their cabinets get good reviews. A drill, spirit level and fixings are all you really need if it's well measured and designed.
 
thekitchencentre.co.uk

Welcome - The Kitchen Centre

Welcome to The Kitchen Centre The Kitchen Centre specialise in supplying quality fitted Kitchens, bedrooms and appliances manufactured by some of the top name brands. We are an independent company, very proud of our reputation, with over twenty year’s experience. When you visit any of our...
thekitchencentre.co.uk thekitchencentre.co.uk

The Kitchen Centre Harborne. Ray has always sorted us out!
 
tom_nieto said:
thekitchencentre.co.uk

Welcome - The Kitchen Centre

Welcome to The Kitchen Centre The Kitchen Centre specialise in supplying quality fitted Kitchens, bedrooms and appliances manufactured by some of the top name brands. We are an independent company, very proud of our reputation, with over twenty year’s experience. When you visit any of our...
thekitchencentre.co.uk thekitchencentre.co.uk

The Kitchen Centre Harborne. Ray has always sorted us out!
Click to expand...

Cheers, may pop over and have a word with them.
 
I would suggest going to a few suppliers and get the to measure and come with plans. When we did our kitchen we used ideas from 3 separate designs for the final plan.

Whoever you use make sure you fully understand what they will or won't be doing, including day to day project management. And if you have a internal garage with water available it could be useful to get a cheap kitchen sink installed before the old one is demolished. Due to issues our kitchen took 6 weeks to fit, would have hated to wash dished in bathroom for that period.
 
Tbh the layout/plan is the least of my concerns. I've pretty much got that down in my head so know almost exactly how I want it all laid out. Just need to decide on which actual units and appliances.

The main issue is all the additional work - flooring, electrics, plumbing, heating, sockets, lights, plastering, decoration etc etc etc.
 
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