New kitchen - where'd you get yours from

nanoman

We ordered the whole lot online from solidwoodkitchencabinets.co.uk after taking a look at their small showroom in Harlow. We knew we wanted solid wood and shaker style and we could get what we wanted at the best price from them. Worked out really well, our builder who had done the extension put them in but we did pay to have the carcasses pre-built at a bit more cost (space was a bit tight to build here).

They still all look brand new 4 years on.

guitarmangler

SPECTRUM001 said:

Might be controversial, but I always go IKEA for kitchens. However, do buy extra doors, so a) you have spares, and b) so you can select the ones that are ok.

And then (if you are not DIYing), pay for someone really good to fit it. If the units and benches are fixed really strongly on the horizon and vertical, then (I have found) they are admirable and sturdy kitchens.

Definitely the cheap option when comparing to bespoke, boutique or designer - ours is 14 years old, and only now looking tired.

+1 for IKEA. We had them fit it the worktop, appliances and all bottom cabinets. I fitted the ones on the wall (to save a tiny bit of cash). Everything is itemised so you know how much you’ll pay. Our old kitchen was taken out and new one installed in less than 4 days. No mess.

rawk100

We had a howdens kitchen fitted a few years ago and its good quality, the Lamona dishwasher is still going strong too!

Stratavarious

Howden’s here.. going on 20 years and just starting to look tired,  will replace doors soon.  Rest is still sturdy.     Can’t say if they are better or worse today though.

stratman3142

We had a new kitchen, when we had a kitchen extension a couple of ago. Based on that experience, I'd summarise it as breaking down into the following main elements:-
1) The design concept/architecture. As it was a new extension, we were starting with a blank slate. So this might not apply if you're replacing an existing kitchen and have a good idea of what you want.
2) The detailed design of the kitchen furniture
3) The fitting of the kitchen, including carpentry, electrics and plumbing
4) The worktop

I guess you can go to various sources for all, or combinations, of the above. We ended up with it all being separate elements

A retired friend of ours, who used to have his own business, designed our kitchen concept/architecture based on a list of things my wife wanted.

Our builder had an account with Howdens and we went to them first. Howdens came up with a good detailed design based on our friend's architecture/concept but it required certain compromises to fit with their menu of options. I think the main compromises were on the width of the granite worktop, plus IIRC they didn't do the shelving we wanted.

I was impressed with our meeting with Howdens, so I'm sure they are good if your requirements fit with their menu of options.


We ended up going to a small independent kitchen supplier that came up with a detailed design for the kitchen furniture based on our friend's concept/architecture, which didn't require any compromises.

We also went to a separate supplier for the granite worktop, which gave even more flexibility in the design. I remember when their technical rep. did the final measurements, after the furniture was fitted, he suggested making the granite slightly wider to give a good overhang, which was definitely a good idea as previously our dishwasher and washing machine protruded slightly beyond the worktop.

At the time I was very concerned how it might all come together because we had one supplier for the kitchen furniture, with the fitting/carpentry, electrics and plumbing being handled by our builder's team. Then the granite being provided and fitted by a separate supplier.

In the end it worked perfectly. Largely due to the fact that we'd made good choices and had picked an excellent builder who coordinated it all. But it's a small world in East Devon and it probably helped that:
The designer for the small independent used to work for our retired friend.
The owner of the small independent kitchen supplier went to school with our builder.
The granite supplier had previously worked with our retired friend, with the independent kitchen supplier and our builder.

boogieman

If you’re looking for a worktop supplier I can recommend worktop-express.co.uk. Good value for money, enormous choice and they live up to their name on delivery. 

fastonebaz

Appreciate reading all these replies thanks all

ThorpyFX

Just had a howdens kitchen fitted. Really happy with the quality, fit and finish. service was excellent too. Price wise, really good tbh.

https://i.imgur.com/3qNHOIJ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CCTtext.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1Fp5Yhc.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/V3CqYs8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Zt1d5lO.jpg

BigMonka

guitarmangler said:

SPECTRUM001 said:

Might be controversial, but I always go IKEA for kitchens. However, do buy extra doors, so a) you have spares, and b) so you can select the ones that are ok.

And then (if you are not DIYing), pay for someone really good to fit it. If the units and benches are fixed really strongly on the horizon and vertical, then (I have found) they are admirable and sturdy kitchens.

Definitely the cheap option when comparing to bespoke, boutique or designer - ours is 14 years old, and only now looking tired.

+1 for IKEA. We had them fit it the worktop, appliances and all bottom cabinets. I fitted the ones on the wall (to save a tiny bit of cash). Everything is itemised so you know how much you’ll pay. Our old kitchen was taken out and new one installed in less than 4 days. No mess.

I’m not sure if it’s still the case but Ikea used to have a slightly different approach to services, in that they only have a narrow void behind the cupboards but a larger void underneath. That’s fine if you’re having everything re-done but if you’ve got lots of existing pipe work and electrics running behind your cupboards then it might be a bit of hassle to divert them all.

fastonebaz

ThorpyFX said:

Just had a howdens kitchen fitted. Really happy with the quality, fit and finish. service was excellent too. Price wise, really good tbh.

https://i.imgur.com/3qNHOIJ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CCTtext.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1Fp5Yhc.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/V3CqYs8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Zt1d5lO.jpg

I love how @ThorpyFX 's splashback looks a bit like a circuit board too  

That does look mint all round, great job. 

CHRISB50

We have Sigma 3 kitchen units that seem pretty good. Can’t comment on install etc. as it was fitted when we moved in. All seems pretty solid. 

In our old place we had a kitchen designed and delivered by B&Q, then had a friend install it. 

They cocked up the basic measurements of the kitchen, so what they then designed was never going to fit. We then had some stuff missing when delivered, and multiples of other parts, that weren’t ordered. Our friend ended up butchering what we had and made a good job of it, but B&Q were fucking useless. We did get a load of money back in compensation, plus returned the duplicated parts and got refunds on all those. But it was a horrible experience. 

A good friend ordered from Wren and had a nightmare. First massive delays in getting what he ordered. Then they turned up a week early with no warning with the whole kitchen. He had to make the space to store it (didn’t want to refuse delivery as he had such a nightmare getting it in the first place). Received duplicates of some parts, other parts were missing. He’s finally got it sorted and the kitchen looks lovely, but they were a nightmare to deal with, and crap at sorting out problems. 

Good luck! 

viz

We went for B and Q, it’s solid oak and cost 1700; the carcasses on the right were pre-existing (just got new doors), so probably 2k for the whole thing. (Not including the oven and electrical things). 

https://i.imgur.com/Z2XKkZS.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/guu4ar5.jpg

stratman3142

IIRC the maximum width (or is it depth) was 900mm for the granite or quartz worktops from Howdens. Maybe someone else can confirm that. It's not an issue if you have everything wall mounted. But we wanted a wider  'peninsula' arrangement with a sink on one side and bar stool type seating on the other, plus units on both sides. Going to a separate specialist worktop supplier gives more options.

hubobulous

boogieman said:

ronnyb said:

Rowby1 said:

I do it for a living.

Don’t touch Wren.

Howdens are good. I have an account and have fitted a lot of their stuff.

If you can get a recommendation from someone you know locally that’s a good move.

Don’t trust trusted traders. 

+1 to avoid trusted traders. My local free sheet had an ad for one who has done lengthy prison sentences for roofing deceptions on elderly people amounting to thousands of pounds.

You never quite know what you’re getting with tradesmen. We used a local builder to do a kitchen extension. Had loads of local recommendations, his dad had owned the company for decades before, was ex-army and seemed a stand up guy. He did a good job but we obviously knew nothing about him personally. Google Nick Wood/Bridgewood Builders if you really want to see what utter cunts you risk letting into your house. It doesn’t make nice reading, be warned. 

Blimey. I grew up in Stoneleigh and my Mum still lives there. You just never know :-(

Alterlifeson

We have a Howdens kitchen that was fitted by the previous owners about 4 years ago. It has held up pretty well with the exception of the veneer peeling slightly on one of the draws, but something has obviously been dropped on it. 

My parents had a newer, more premium Howdens kitchen last year and things are definitely more substantial and sturdy.

There is definitely different quality levels in the Howdens range.

DefaultM

Wren did mine 18 months ago and its absolute fucking dog shit.

fastonebaz

Literally everyone is saying Howdens are good and Wren are rubbish.   This has been very helpful thanks . Some really nice kitchens on show here too.

Doubt we'll go for granite.  I quite fancy a wood effect but not yet decided.   

This will be a whole room rip out, floor, units, wiring and rebuild.  Tempted to knock through into the lounge as well.

It's tricky finding the line between refit and just move house  

Sesh

We have a Magnet one from 2014. So far no issues. Had the building doing the extension fit it so can't comment on how much of a pain it was to fit. It's survived without damage or defect so far. (Famous last words.) 

stratman3142

fastonebaz said:

Doubt we'll go for granite.  I quite fancy a wood effect but not yet decided.   

Granite has obvious heat and water advantages. But if you ever even just topple over a glass, that glass is 'a goner'.

stratman3142

fastonebaz said:

This will be a whole room rip out, floor, units, wiring and rebuild.  Tempted to knock through into the lounge as well.

If you're doing a new floor and plan to have a washing machine in the kitchen, it's well worth putting extra reinforcement (or even concrete) in that area. Our washing machine stays put and it's fine, but it sounds like a tractor going up a hill during part of its cycle. We even had Miele out to look at it and were told that's what to expect unless it's on a completely solid floor.