If you only had £9,000 for kitchen who would you buy?

8 years ago

budget for units, work tops, tap & sink, extractor, double oven, larder fridge - kitchen space 3.8 x 3.8 approx - already have dishwasher and induction hob

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ingabrereton

8 years ago

I would buy a second hand audi and eat at weatherspoons - just kidding

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Comments (23)

Juliet Docherty
8 years ago
I would get buy basic cheap carcasses and then pay a really good joiner to make veneered doors. I am planning a similar project and I am hoping that using a free standing cooker and fridge will cut down on costs.
drpepe101
8 years ago
Ikea every time.
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Just to weigh in on the Howdens comments, the key is to make sure you know someone in the trade who can put you forward to them, that way you just get dealt with as a trade using their account. They do have sales on but generally speaking the price doesn't fluctuate much through the year, except when they have their big sale on which is usually October time. I do use Howdens and no, they're not perfect but most of the grumbles I hear are more to with customer service which don't fall in line with the glossy showroom kitchen providers. The quality of the kitchens is very good (25 year warranty iirc) so if you have access to them then do get a quote from them. I think what I would say is that if you go to Howdens, expect a slightly tradesman type relationship (the showrooms are far from impressive) but a key thing is that they hold stock on most items. If you get a damaged door for example, it can be replaced next day, try getting that out of Homebase....... With regard to appliances, we have SMEG in our kitchen and I'd never buy it again. Hobbs been fine, but three new ovens on warranty and whilst it now works fine, the previous two didn't. Previously we had Bosch for everything and it all worked faultlessly, so I can't recommend them enough.
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Although it's great to be able to support local companies, sometimes budgets don't stretch to that! (At least in our experience.) For our last three projects, we've used Howden's as they have come out at the best price. My husband is in the trade, so we can deal with them directly. October they normally have a big sale and they can offer price match for like-for-like kitchens. We have had no issues with the quality and with the deals they can be great value for money. If your neighbour can purchase directly with them, that will make life easier and you can benefit from the discounts especially during their big October sale. They also offer a design service and will work directly with you. I don't believe they charge for this design service. I personally have only had positive experiences with them, but we have always designed our kitchens using online planners and sent them over to them to price up. In the event the wrong item was sent, replacements always came quickly. Some of the stores have started their October sale early! We are just about to purchase our 4th kitchen from them. :)
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charlie_bill
Original Author
8 years ago
I wasn't very impressed with the ikea drawers - really wobbly
PRO
Solid Furniture Design
8 years ago
You are right, *commercial/mass made* furniture is never as good as the hand made one.
PRO
AlenaCDesign
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Kitchen on budget and a nice look is a fine compromise. Try to look at PVC kitchen. IN any case better contact kitchen company or at least Cash and Carry.
kmizzlee
8 years ago
Hi Charlie,
Howdens and Magnet are normal big market leaders at this cost range, and they are often willing to do a deal if you are willing to barter! However, if you are prepared to do a bit of design work yourself (and it can be fairly time consuming) then DIYKitchens.com have a very good quality range, and keep costs down by making the purchaser do all the design and scheduling work. If you do proceed on this basis, then make sure you get the highest 'platinum' grade delivery, or it might turn up unannounced! I've recently used them, and it saved us a lot of money (see below)
PRO
Shake the Sky
8 years ago
I would consider these guys - they are Plain English's affordable range. Super chic and stylish, I think a great buy: http://britishstandardcupboards.co.uk/

I think their kitchen cabinets are about £6k leaving you funds for appliances.

otherwise, I think going the IKEA route (I think the nicest range is: http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/30293011/) and dress it up with smart polished nickel handles, a cesearstone worktop (big spend but will make all the difference!) and super smart (affordable!) pendants... you can't go wrong! I like

http://www.caesarstone.co.uk/The-Catalogue/Pages/Misty%20Carrara.aspx

and chic pendants e.g. http://www.lights4living.com/deck-449-traditional-solid-copper-and-brass-ceiling-pendant/p20130?gclid=CNfktcGhn8wCFQ0SGwodCQcP1A

depends on your style though! good luck!
ingabrereton
8 years ago
In all seriousness I would make an ideasbook using houzz images of the type of kitchen you want to buy. Then get wren, magnet, ikea and b&q to price it up. When they have done that, I would try a few local independent suppliers who may be able to do you a much better deal, and by that time, realistically 6 months to a year of looking and costing up, you could have saved up another £10K if you focus on the job of saving hard. You have forgotten to include the cost of flooring and redecorating and the need to go away on holiday while the work is done.
PRO
Modus Kitchens
8 years ago
Hi Charlie,

It all depends on what you really want. Is this your "forever" home or a home you're going to do up and flip? Do you cook a lot? How many people live there? Have a think about this and then decide if it's worth waiting to save up for a kitchen which is going to last you a really long time or a kitchen for the time being.

German made kitchens are known for their high standards and sleek design, do some research on the styles you like and on a few different kitchen companies. Get some quotes done to give you a realistic idea of how much this project will all cost. there are always cost people over look. Don't forget about the installation costs and if any plumbing, electrical or decoration will be needed.

Keep us up to date on your progress.

The team at Modus Kitchens
tamp75
8 years ago
I'd agree with kmizzlee. Just bought from diy-kitchens. Similar space, all units & Quartz work tops from them with appliances from elsewhere - DW, double oven, induction hob, full height integrated fridge & same size freezer, extractor, sink & tap for less than 9k. We obv didn't go top of the range but worth a look. Worktop was templated mon & will be fitted this coming mon.
Tess Wijy
8 years ago
shake the sky, lovely advice and I love both kitchens you have linked! The light fitting is also fab! I am also renovating my kitchen soon.
charlie_bill
Original Author
8 years ago
thanks all for the links and advise. It been a few weeks since i posted and we are going ahead with DIY kitchens once we have the plan nailed! Norton Bespoke range probably though i am now on a mission trying to decide on colours! As the room is dark and internal west facing then it is very cold in the mornings. The green grey i was set on looks to cold and i've been steered to colours like these. Will be going for a brass tap and probably Silestone worktops in yukon, snowy ibiza, lagoon, or bianco river.

What do you think?
PRO
House of Elliott
7 years ago
If you work that back from your budget I would break it down like this.

If you want Silestone worktops (quartz) or a less expensive granite then budget about 2k for this.

You can pick up the appliances, sink and taps for about £1500. These may not be 'top end' but at the same time don't necessarily have to be low range.

That would then leave you with £5500 for cabinets and fitting. This should be plenty form the space you have.
Sr Roxy
7 years ago
In
PRO
User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I don't think £9k is a small amount, but then having done many a kitchen as a property developer, we're used to shopping around. I'd buy Wickes ( January sale ), the cabinets are very well made and have a very good guarantee on them. The doors too. They have a good range with the exception possibly of the worktops.

Personally I find, having tried probably all trade kitchens, magnet, howdens, ( get a trade kitchen fitter to cost it if you find one you like - they get huge discounts -seriously, up to 70-80% ), B&Q also have trade cards and there's always Homebase etc - The kitchens are lovely and I think there's just a load of snobbery around 'where you bought the kitchen from'. Get savvy and buy Trade!

The worktops i'd to an independent. ( only if you can't find one in one of the above ) - otherwise you have the layout for two lots of labour.

You don't need flashy Taps ( Taps are minefield ), Use the internet if you're budgeting!

I wouldn't buy an American Fridge Freezer, if my daughter's is anything to go by then it's an oversized, unused food store! All it seems to do for her is encourage to buy more as it looks empty and then doesn't get used!

Integrate.................better for the visuals especially in a small kitchen. If you want free standing, then buy a normal sized Fridge Freezer

The last one we did, even Wickes could not beat the price of the appliances compared to Curry's. So shop online for those too and look for discount codes.
PRO
V.I.P Walls Interior Specialist
7 years ago
Hi

We have fitted hundreds of kitchens from magnets,Howdens to wickes bandQ and Homebase. Also others

In our personal opinion Howdens are fantastic for quality and the best to negotiate with.

I would happily help you free of charge to negotiate a better deal at Howdens . I purchased 14 units with hi end doors for under 4K , sourced 3 x 3m Worktops and a 2m breakfast bar for £550 from a worktop place up north.
obobble
7 years ago
Worth looking at Benchmarx. In the same group as Wickes, but trade only. Unit carcasses come ready assembled, saving fitting time, but the backs are not glued in so easy to adjust where necessary. They are usually competitive with Howdens on price. If you are looking at the diy sheds get competing quotes in the sale and press them hard to beat each other. Most important, get a good fitter. Some fitters dislike Ikea, something about lack of service space behind the units.
PRO
Modus Kitchens
7 years ago
I think many people would be surprised how inexpensive some entry level German kitchen furniture manufacturers are. They can often compete with Howdens and other "trade" outlets on price but with the added benefit of German precision and quality.
Richard M
7 years ago
Not much experience in this but Wicks cabinets came in cheapish and the quality seemed pretty good to me. Matched the wrens units that the previous house owner had fitted our main kitchen out with and they came in at less then half the the price of those wren cowboys wanted
LTS
7 years ago
I think the kitchen has been installed now :)
Marc Merton
7 years ago
I'd recommend diy kitchens. the quality is fantastic but you do have to own the design and planning. ut they have a huge range which means almost bespoke.
PRO
OnePlan
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
We have designed lots of kitchens for clients shopping online or from discount stores that don't offer a planning service (places like DIYKitchens in particular ) as we only sell design- not product !
I still think, with every kitchen, it really is worth shopping around. As the style you like might be on offer or at a good price at a smaller independent - don't assume it might be out of reach for your budget ... just compare like for like with lots of places by using one plan to ask them all to price the same items!

If you only had £9,000 for kitchen who would you buy?

ingabrereton

Comments (23)

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drpepe101

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If you only had £9,000 for kitchen who would you buy?

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