Any suggestions? Ideally (but not essentially) we'd like to instal ourselves - have ruled out Howdens (the business model is too complex so you dont know if you are getting a deal or not), Wickes (my friend has one and she would never buy again -quality is terrible), and definitely not Wren.
So, theres Leekes round our way (look great but they instal), but also magnet, ikea, b&q.......lots of internet only companies...... suggestions?
like you we are in the market for a new kitchen, having ruled all others out we are left with magnet! i cant find a bad thing about them, unlike so many others around
I was going to advise against KBBC, however, it looks like they had stopped trading.
Not sure if they sell directly to the public, however, Symphony group supplies kitchens to the building trade, worth a look.
Build quality was reasonable for the one installed in the new-build house my then husband bought for us back in mid 90s.
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Of course for everyone who says XXX is rubbish, there will be someone else who will praise them. Like your friend, we have a Wickes kitchen and are very happy with it. Installed by OH and friend early 2020 and contrary to your friend have had no issues whatsoever with them; nothing has gone wrong with any of it, and we got very good deals with the appliances ordered with the kitchen, cheaper than anywhere else at the time.
Agree about Howdens, we tried to get a quote from them as well at the time, but it was all getting so convoluted that we gave up, and went to Wickes instead.
Quote: Originally posted by Ina on 04/11/2022
Agree about Howdens, we tried to get a quote from them as well at the time, but it was all getting so convoluted that we gave up, and went to Wickes instead.
I think Howdens deal mainly with the trade and housing associations. Our house is owned by a housing association and they installed a new Howdens kitchen in 2013. It still looks good.
I don't quite understand why you suggest Wickes are rubbish. They installed our kitchen in 2020 and we have had no problems with it. I suppose it might depend on what installer they use but ours was very good.
Our Wickes kitchen is getting to the point of needing to be replaced, however it has been so good I am reluctant to get new cabinets, so it may just be a doors, plinths and worktops swap.
It was installed by a master joiner friend, sadly now no longer working and he knew all the tricks to adapt units and get an excellent fit and finish. He also incorporated all the electric sockets for washing machine etc into the cabinets.
Had my first repair job yesterday to reattach a door hinge, not bad after 18 years use!
6 years ago we were looking for a new kitchen & went to The magnet half price sale, well they come out to our house measured up and designed our kitchen in exactly the same format to what we already had, they said that my wife a picked the most expensive kitchen the showroom, when the finished workingthe price out it turned out to be 28 grand fitted,
I couldn’t stop laughing, when the sales guy asked me what if what I was laughing at I explained to him if he thought for one minute that the kitchen he was selling me was worth 60k then he off his rocker
We then left and went to a few small independent kitchen companies and had the whole lot redesigned fitted with a top quality Kitchen with quartz worktops Neff appliances & Frankie taps for less than 20k including the karndean floor.
Have a look around the smaller guys you’ll get more for your money
We tried several kitchen specialists about 20 years ago for our new kitchen. One walked out as it was too difficult because of the shape of the extension and others were simply laughable for price.
Went to B&Q who designed a layout and cost was reasonable but fitting charge horrific.
We went home and re-designed the B&Q offering to improve the layout and put it on order. Looked around for local fitters and were lucky to get a chap who was about to retire and worked at sensible rates. Showing him the odd shape of the extension he simply said it would make it more interesting.
He did a great job and the units are still in good condition.
The only thing we did not get from B&Q was the worktop, they were poor quality. Instead, we went to a specialist supplier.
Just as an extra note, the dishwasher we had bought from B&Q would not work. Manufacturer instructions were to contact a particular service company. They said they would send an engineer in about 4 weeks time so I phoned the B&Q store. Couple of days later, the manufacturers service engineer arrived with a new machine.
We have just had a new kitchen, my wife sorted as I left it to her!
She wasn't impressed with Wren quality. We had 3 companies to do the design and quotes. The one she chose was Ironbridge Interiors. Great design and first class quality. Neff appliances, quartz worktops and retiled floor.
The fitters redid most of the wiring and plumbing, some of existing stuff was a bit old and gash! It was totally replastered before the units went in.
Cost a bit but we won't have another and it's really nice. The previuos one was redone 20 years ago and had lasted well. The only appliance we changed was the washing machine.
The company were having issues getting appliances due to microchip shortages and covid effects, but we did manage to get what she wanted.
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We made the mistake of having Wren!!!!! Called When in the trade. 3 weeks to fit hey said. 37 weeks later. after 2 letters to the CEO and getting the ombudsman involved it was finally finished. Would not touch with your bargepole never mind mine!
Our small kitchen is currently being fitted by a local project manager to our design using his preferred local contractors - full gutting & refit including plastering, electrics, appliances, window, floor & tiles. The guy doing the fitting doesn't have a good word for Wren. The cabinets & door going in certainly seem sturdy. Locally made in NE England but I think they are available nationwide.
This approach probably a bit longer as we have gone a day or 2 between different contractors - 7 in total but it's way, way quicker than me doing it. Likely to be 3 weeks end to end.
Cabs & doors from Brown & Hood in Sunderland - the manufacturing/trade part of Callerton Kitchens
Couple of reasons not to pick Wickes - my friends kitchen was good for about 4 or 5 years and now it looks like it was made out of old scrap, which creates a challenge in picking one even if the newer ones are better made. Also, years ago, we went to a Wickes showroom and the salesman spoke to me but ignored my wife to the point that it was like she didnt exist. He's probably long gone now but it does make you realise how many of your decisions - even big decisions - are made by elimination / selection on a hunch and "feeling".
Quote: Originally posted by Mitchamitri on 08/11/2022
Couple of reasons not to pick Wickes - my friends kitchen was good for about 4 or 5 years and now it looks like it was made out of old scrap, which creates a challenge in picking one even if the newer ones are better made. Also, years ago, we went to a Wickes showroom and the salesman spoke to me but ignored my wife to the point that it was like she didnt exist. He's probably long gone now but it does make you realise how many of your decisions - even big decisions - are made by elimination / selection on a hunch and "feeling".
True that's why i would never buy from Wren, we only called in to get some idea's but left as i was sick of being chased around the store by the sales team, I actually leave any shop that does that.
A couple of friends are chippies and one primarily is a kitchen fitter.
His opinion is in terms of quality is Wickes-Homebase-Howdens-B&Q.
From best to worst.
I fitted a B&Q kitchen and the quality is s**te at best, half the items damaged....awful, just awful!
To get a sensible quote from Howdens is decide what you need then as for the price. I'd pay a Joiner to butt joint the worksurfaces rather than using jointing strips which make any kitchen look substandard, plus they'll scribe it in....or should.
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Topic: New Kitchen
via mobile 04/11/2022 at 4:14pm
