Kitchen retailers?

Hi there:

If you redid your kitchen, can you tell me where you got yours from?  Were you happy with the quality, selection and service?

Many thanks!!!

I should charge for my little 'trade secrets' on this site!!!   

I suggest you try Wickes of all places! yes they seem like 'ordinary' and 'easy to come by' and 'el cheapo & run of the mill' type kitchens but here's the deal,

Out of all the major recognised Kitchen places Wickes units are the only ones which have 'solid' backs to their cabinets. All the others have that flimsy and wobbly particle board. So the same material as used in the carcass of the cabinets is used on the backs to create a really strong and solid cabinet.

If you are looking for sturdiness and longetivity, then have a look at these, another advantage is that they're comparitively cheaper and similarly priced as the other retailers units, but with this 'advantage'

I think their 'budget' range doesn't have this solid back construction though, so look at their higher ranges.

Of course, kitchen's are all 'made' when it comes to the 'fitting' of the units, so make sure you get yourself a reputable and decent installer!

Hope this helps!

Cheers ! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Wow, thanks!    I've been collecting brochures from everyone and their brother - Homebase, MFI, B&Q, etc, etc - but completely forgot about Wickes!  I've jusr ordered a brochure from their website. 

Thanks Again,
Farah

We used Magnet, and I can assure you nothing was flimsy, wobbly or made of particle board.

We just sold the house that this kitchen was re-done in and it was a big hit with everyone who came to see it.

One thing to consider, they all give you a price, and then take off a lot more to bring it down to a much more reasonable price.  I think we were first quoted about 24 grand.  We ended up paying a little less then half that.  We did pick the granite work tops though and that adds a lot onto the price.

We used Magnet, and I can assure you nothing was flimsy, wobbly or made of particle board.

We just sold the house that this kitchen was re-done in and it was a big hit with everyone who came to see it.

One thing to consider, they all give you a price, and then take off a lot more to bring it down to a much more reasonable price.  I think we were first quoted about 24 grand.  We ended up paying a little less then half that.  We did pick the granite work tops though and that adds a lot onto the price.

Thanks for this...Unfortunately, I'm looking to spend less than half of less than half! 

Actually, we're planning on selling our flat rather quickly, so I'm probably more concerned with price than anything else.  We were planning on taking a look in Magnet though - for inspiration! 

I used a local firm for mine, which is fantastic quality...no particle board etc and to be honest, I paid a buttload...but it was worth it. Its absolutely gorgeous (if I may say so myself) I would try some local firms also, they might be able to give you a good deal.

I have a BIG ASS kitchen,  its 20 feet long...hence the expensive kitchen. But I bloody well love it!!! I had 7 quotes (hey I was on maternity leave, I had the time) and about 5 of them came in around £1k in each direction, and then I had 2 cheap ones (like 1/3 of the price) If I had to do it over again in a house I was going to sell, I would use the guy who built our kitchen and do an Ikea kitchen!!!

OOOH, Kutchenhaus in Manchester. They do FANTASTIC kitchens, I was going to go with them, but decided to go with a local firm. They do kitchens all over the country....I think their website is something like Germankitchens.com. Its worth a trip up here, their show room is fantastic!!!


eta...my friend used Wikes and their project management service and had a total nightmare!!! The project management service was based in Italy or something like that, they didn't turn up on the first day, the tiler that they contracted through Wickes dropped out etc etc. But on the other hand, obviously lots of people have had good experiences, so you have to take everything with a grain of salt.