 | Home > Off Topic > Your advice please. First time home owner buying a kitchen. |
 
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| LR90XS2011 Member Since: 05 Apr 2011 Location: bickenhill Posts: 3634   
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recently brought one from Howden's not cheap but less than B and Q and Wicks quoted, however I'm told you can get it cheaper if you know someone with a trade account. good quality but you also need a good fitter which can be even harder to find. Also spot on quality for mass produced DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS,
I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy |
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16th Aug 2016 6:29am |
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| Guy Member Since: 11 Feb 2013 Location: St Eval, Cornwall Posts: 250
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Thanks LR90!
DINGO - '99 Discovery 2 V8 with 300Tdi transplant, chawton white. Repatriated from Australia and expedition prepped. **FOR SALE** SHARKY - '06 Discovery 3 HSE Auto, bonatti grey. SOLD. GEORGE - '99 Discovery 1 300Tdi Auto, willow green. Daily driver, travel companion, part of the family! SOLD. PINGU - '96 Defender 110 300Tdi station wagon. SOLD. Dream LR - 130 pop top station wagon camper. |
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16th Aug 2016 6:35am |
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| bpman Member Since: 21 May 2008 Location: Oslo Posts: 8069 
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Really depends on the style, your budget and most importantly how hands-on you want to get.
In 2006 I fitted an idea kitchen, lots of parts, about 20 units all together, sinks, bit of plumbing and in those days a bit of leccy... Still looking good now albeit the new home owners are having the benefits. The ikea units are well made, not "smallbone" quality but very good and you can add, swap bits as your design changes It's not rocket science, just take your time with the design and assembly.. Save a fortune  |
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16th Aug 2016 6:39am |
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| Guy Member Since: 11 Feb 2013 Location: St Eval, Cornwall Posts: 250
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Cheers BPMan. Sadly my DIY abilities make Frank Spencer look like McGyver, but I take your point! I plan to landscape the garden and fit out the garage but won't tackle the kitchen!
Plus we currently live 2 1/2 hours away near Aylesbury and we want to remodel before moving out of our rental property. All advice appreciated and very welcome though
DINGO - '99 Discovery 2 V8 with 300Tdi transplant, chawton white. Repatriated from Australia and expedition prepped. **FOR SALE** SHARKY - '06 Discovery 3 HSE Auto, bonatti grey. SOLD. GEORGE - '99 Discovery 1 300Tdi Auto, willow green. Daily driver, travel companion, part of the family! SOLD. PINGU - '96 Defender 110 300Tdi station wagon. SOLD. Dream LR - 130 pop top station wagon camper. |
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16th Aug 2016 6:48am |
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| Andrew james Member Since: 02 Jan 2013 Location: Awliscombe Posts: 88 
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+1 for Howdens . Good advice regarding trade account, and you may only be able to buy using a trade account.They usually have sales in the autumn where you'll save a load. Ask the sales team when the sales start.
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16th Aug 2016 7:45am |
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| Rashers Member Since: 21 Jun 2015 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3462 
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+2 for Howdens, but you really need to find a good kitchen fitter with an account. A lot of these trade companies are the same. Unless you have an account and get the 'normal' discount, they become prohibitively expensive. Our bathroom came from Jewsons. Nice kit and amazingly expensive until our Plumber bought it and used his discount.
Don't underestimate the power of Ikea. My Sister and Brother-in-law quickly fitted one as a stop gap in a new house they had moved in to. Really nice quality and ten years latter, still looks pretty good. And the stop gap kitchen remains. Don't get too bothered about quality. Unless you get a high end kitchen, the carcasses are all covered particle board in most cases held together with the same type of fixings. The doors and the worktop are the making or breaking of a kitchen. Possibly better to spend a few more quid on a nice worktop? If you have absolutely no DIY skill, perhaps better to seek a fitter and ask what they like to fit. Would probably be a good guide. |
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16th Aug 2016 8:07am |
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| Leviathan Member Since: 24 Oct 2015 Location: Staffs Posts: 248
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I can recommend ikea. We've had ours in for 12 years and its worn well.
Where you need to spend money on is the worktops. Badly fitted or cheap worktops show up big time. Get them properly mitred at the joints etc. Also spend some time thinking about layout - eg if your having a dishwasher, place it near the sink drainer and the cupboard where the clean crockery will be stored. Good kitchen fitters are skilled people. |
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16th Aug 2016 8:23am |
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| Fellrunner Member Since: 28 Sep 2014 Location: Wandering Posts: 255  
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Whatever you do, don't take your better half to a Siematic showroom
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16th Aug 2016 8:28am |
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| Rashers Member Since: 21 Jun 2015 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3462
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Come on Fellrunner, spill the beans. How much damage was done??
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16th Aug 2016 8:34am |
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| couplands Member Since: 31 Aug 2011 Location: Peak District & Cornwall Posts: 1826 
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In my experience, while you may buy a kitchen to last for years fashions change and that kitchen looks dated very soon.
Our first kitchen was made of solid oak doors and heavy duty carcasses, but my wife wanted something more modern...so it got changed. Another ten years later the same thing happened... 
My point is, don't go overboard for high quality, it doesn't need to last forever just a few years... 
Cheers Simon |
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16th Aug 2016 8:34am |
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| Rosco Member Since: 03 Dec 2010 Location: Burntwood Posts: 1832 
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I work for the buying team of a house builders and kitchens are the one area none of us ever want to get involved in as they are complicated to get right.
First thing I mirror Leviathan's comments about think about your layout. Don't try and cram units in just to get the most cupboard space as you risk the chance of ending up with cupboards you cant open. Sounds daft I know but seen it happen loads. Most of the carcasses, door fronts and worktops come from the same half dozen manufacturers, so don't get suckered in if someone's telling you its exclusive to them. Someone else will have one very much the same. Get a design done professionally, benchmarx, howdens and magnet offer a design service at the property. They might charge you a small fee but it will give you an idea. Get the quote for the style you like and play them off against each other. Howdens are effectively franchises so will happily under-cut each other all day long to get the sale. 2007 - Stornoway Grey 90 XS SW - Gone 2002 - Black Discovery II - Gone 2014 - Montalcino Red 110 XS SW |
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16th Aug 2016 8:45am |
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| Oakseywick Member Since: 20 Dec 2014 Location: Cirencester Posts: 1000 
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Another vote for howdens but your builder will need to get it for you as they are trade only but good planning service and advice offered by them. Just make sure. You building is a competent kitchen fitter to make sure it is a good job.
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16th Aug 2016 8:59am |
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| Huttopia Member Since: 23 Feb 2016 Location: West Midlands Posts: 1972
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Howdens too. The fitter makes the difference.
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16th Aug 2016 9:07am |
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| defender9 Member Since: 12 Mar 2016 Location: Fylde Coast Posts: 1628 
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I had a Howdens kitchen fitted into my Dads house several years ago, at the time I think they had 3 ranges lower mid and higher price. I went for the mid priced kitchen but had a joiner mate fit it. The price is not the main factor; a cheap kitchen fitted by a good fitter can be better then a dear kitchen fitted by a cowboy. We are in the throws of sorting out a new kitchen and have let SWMBO have carte blanche,
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16th Aug 2016 9:20am |
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