new Kitchen. where would you recommend getting one?

shahedz · 21-05-2007, 6:42 PM

Builder recommends Wickes or B & Q, am on a budget so any other places i should check out, will be fitted by my builder so installation not a problem

*dazzafact* · 21-05-2007, 6:55 PM

I got one from B+q a few years back and the quality is ok for the price. But if you know what yoiur after then there are a few online retailers that could be cheaper. try here
or ikea are always quite cheap.

Hope everything is ok with your ma shahedz.

shahedz · 21-05-2007, 7:20 PM

cheers fella, Mum is doing a lot better!

Woodywizz · 21-05-2007, 7:28 PM

Ikea do some decent ones at a fair price

la gran siete · 21-05-2007, 7:33 PM

mmm yes ikea

. What about MFI?They'll also do a plan for you FOC

Mylo · 21-05-2007, 7:42 PM

The following threads had some good information.

New Year "New" Kitchen

or

Quality of kitchens - 15mm pre built by Moores or 18mm Wickes flat packed?

or

Buying/Fitting a kitchen - who do you suggest....

shahedz · 21-05-2007, 7:44 PM

gonna make a trip down to Ikea but gotta say the place is so busy does my nut in, current Kitchen is on mfi and gotta say the units havent been so bad so may consider them - the current kitchen was fitted by them which was a nightmare! they use private contractors who are uselss!

Mylo · 21-05-2007, 7:47 PM

Shahedz, pop into Ikea about 8.00pm, it's bliss mate

I built my kitchen using their kit and it's very nice. Their taps are very expensive compared to screwfix though.

shahedz · 21-05-2007, 8:24 PM

thats the units taken care of. any where for cheap work tops, granite etc?

Woodywizz · 21-05-2007, 8:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mylo

Shahedz, pop into Ikea about 8.00pm, it's bliss mate

I built my kitchen using their kit and it's very nice. Their taps are very expensive compared to screwfix though.

Bliss?!?...definitely not, but it is infinitely more tolerable.

I bet you go in every week don't you Mylo, to buy some tea-lights, a weird rug, and a big flowery print

shahedz · 21-05-2007, 8:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodywizz

Bliss?!?...definitely not, but it is infinitely more tolerable.

I bet you go in every week don't you Mylo, to buy some tea-lights, a weird rug, and a big flowery print

and the way you have to walk through the whole store to get out!!

what the hell !

Mylo · 21-05-2007, 8:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodywizz

Bliss?!?...definitely not, but it is infinitely more tolerable.

I bet you go in every week don't you Mylo, to buy some tea-lights, a weird rug, and a big flowery print

there is no truth in the rumour that I was in Wembley on cup final day

Ok I was in Ikea, again

was back home by 11.00am. Some more kitchen stuff, but no new curtains

.

Had to get a tray full of hot-dogs on the way out though

moby125 · 21-05-2007, 8:53 PM

Your builder should be able to get this, as they only deal to trade;

www.howdens.com/

Helluva lot cheaper than b&q

Miniholic · 21-05-2007, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moby125

Your builder should be able to get this, as they only deal to trade;

www.howdens.com/

Helluva lot cheaper than b&q

Not if you ask nicely.

I'm getting mine through Howdens. As Moby says, cheaper than B&Q, and all the carcasses come ready built, so at least it won't fall to pieces within a week.

Also, everything is on stock, so they can deliver in a short timeframe, unlike B&Q (but we won't go there).

russ123 · 22-05-2007, 7:19 AM

Howdens are the trade arm of MFI so you should get anything you see in MFI there just cheaper.

shahedz · 22-05-2007, 8:30 AM

how do you contact them?

*dazzafact* · 22-05-2007, 8:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shahedz

how do you contact them?

You'll need to find your local one sha. Just go to yell.com, that'l give you your nearest branch. Iwas always on the understanding that they sold to the public, but it was a few years ago that I dealt with them.

Mr_Wistles · 22-05-2007, 8:44 AM

You can't they are trade only.

So choose what you want in B&Q and then have your builder go and get it from Howdens.

*dazzafact* · 22-05-2007, 9:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell_Piper

You can't they are trade only.

So choose what you want in B&Q and then have your builder go and get it from Howdens.

But anyone can go in and state they are a tradesman. I,ve done it on several occasions. But agree that you will need to chose all your units first.

Mr_Wistles · 22-05-2007, 9:16 AM

My local one asks for proof (not sure what they want)

*dazzafact* · 22-05-2007, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell_Piper

My local one asks for proof (not sure what they want)

A builders butt are all mine require as proof

Mr_Wistles · 22-05-2007, 11:52 AM

Thats a bit stupid then, think of it from a business point of view.

"Lets set up a trade side to our business, offering the exact same items but at lower prices, but we will sell to anyone"

They might as well rename all B&Q's to Howdens.

*dazzafact* · 22-05-2007, 11:58 AM

it's just like any other builders merchants. You don't get many people thinking that they would be cheaper than b + q. It used to be a general timber merchants, but now predominately kitchens. Are they actually owned by MFI or do they just stock the same kitchens as them?

Mr_Wistles · 22-05-2007, 12:15 PM

No, they are the same company.

shahedz · 22-05-2007, 6:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miniholic

Not if you ask nicely.

I'm getting mine through Howdens. As Moby says, cheaper than B&Q, and all the carcasses come ready built, so at least it won't fall to pieces within a week.

Also, everything is on stock, so they can deliver in a short timeframe, unlike B&Q (but we won't go there).

ready built? thats brilliant, rouhgly on percentage terms how much cheaper are they than MFI or B&Q?

Miniholic · 22-05-2007, 6:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shahedz

ready built? thats brilliant, rouhgly on percentage terms how much cheaper are they than MFI or B&Q?

I was buying a B&Q select kitchen (Amberley), but they messed me about that much I cancelled and am getting the same layout from Howdens. The Howdens kitchen is a slightly better spec, with storage baskets and other trick bits added on, a much more expensive sink and better appliances (Stoves rather than belling) but still undercuts B&Q by around 20%. Can't comment on MFI as I didn't get a firm quote, but the styles I looked at were on a par with B&Q pricewise, or a little more.

If you want cheap and cheerful, the IT range from B&Q are cheaper than Howdens, but after the hassle friends have had with them - one took three months from first deleviery date to finally get a complete kitchen - I wouldn't buy anything from them unless I could take it with me from the store.

Appliances are cheaper at B&Q than Howdens, but I'm currently shopping around online and will probably be getting better quality ones for similar money.

Oh, and I priced the same kitchen up in Magnet, and in one of their cheaper designs it was almost twice the price before installation. The one I really liked was scaryily expensive, but doesn't it always work like that.

As far as the trade issue is concerned, I just provided some details and set up a cash account, I did mention that I was doing a selfbuild, but not straight away so I don't think it made any difference.

shahedz · 22-05-2007, 7:40 PM

quality thats sorted! Howdens all the way!

Got a place near me that is really cheap for appliances so gonna check them out!

Whats the delivery time on Howdens?

Miniholic · 22-05-2007, 7:45 PM

Not sure if its the same for all ranges, but I was advised that if I order on a Monday, I should have delivery for the weekend.

Have the appliance company got a website? Still looking around for the best deals at the moment myself, just need to find whitegoodsforums.com now.

shahedz · 22-05-2007, 8:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miniholic

Not sure if its the same for all ranges, but I was advised that if I order on a Monday, I should have delivery for the weekend.

Have the appliance company got a website? Still looking around for the best deals at the moment myself, just need to find whitegoodsforums.com now.

they dont have a website but Il try and get you their number i think theyre called Domestic Appliances in Friern Barnet N11.

They are dirt cheap and i have bought off them plenty of time, they had Bosch integrated applicances which are £900 + in currys etc for £400.

They deliver all over UK and also have some great bargains on a few goods which may have a tiny dent,

Really , really cheap and I can't recommend them enough!

What about work tops? Granite look lovely but so expensive any other alternatives?

Miniholic · 22-05-2007, 9:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shahedz

What about work tops? Granite look lovely but so expensive any other alternatives?

I priced Granite up at about £2k including templating and machining (plus fitting) but have gone for a black laminate worktop instead to save some money (had to do it somewhere

). There are other options such as corrian, but again this is still expensive. I only need 7m though, when I was at the suppliers, someone was ordering £10k worth, I'm not spending that on my whole kitchen.

You can buy thin granite worktops that only have about 10mm of granite (if its even real?) with a wooden backing, but I've not looked into them as not being solid you can see from the edges that they aren't the real thing.

This firm are local to me, but they have a project calculator on their website so you can get an idea of costs.

Warmsworth Stone