[RockIt]

We've decided to have a new kitchen fitted in the new year, but finding a reliable company is like tap dancing through a minefield. After extensive research on the net and talking to friends we're none the wiser. Everyone seems to have a horror story to tell!

So...anyone on here had recentish experience of any company; national (the big firms such as Moben, Schrieber etc.), or regional (Yorkshire)? Any and all feedback gratefully taken on board.

Cheers

Gav

[Steve A]

Im just having a kitchen done at the moment.

Had moben in betta kitchens etc and for my spec of kitchen we were talikng 25k......so fuck that for a game of soldiers!!

I did some research located a kitchen fitter through a friend of a friend(top bloke) bought my own appliances, carcuses, worktops etc. I Used the national for some ideas of design then came up with my own. Essentially i project managed the whole thing...

any way ive managed to do the whole job for less than 12k including floooring and replastering/decoration ( and it is looking amazing)

Just goes to show how much the big nationals are ripping us off.

My advice dont use them.

I ve offered to set this guy up in business as hes that good!

Im sure he would come and do your if you looked after him and hed save you a fortune.

Good luck

Steve

[beemerbird]

That's your name then - Gav.

Subject close to my heart this one. Not an expert but have had three new kitchens fitted in houses over the years. You could try Symphony (Leeds I believe), this company used to supply my father's building co. & I have used their products which I would describe as mid range and perfectly acceptable. There is a very good co. in Hull, who are not the cheapest but the product is very good quality and the co. are very professional and offer plumbing, electrics, tiling & plastering as part of the deal if required. I am not sure whether they'd travel to Bradford way but no harm in asking? Mulberry Fitted Kitchens Limited 01482 448717, ask for John Chambers. Mine was fitted by Mulberry in 2002 and I have had no problems whatsoever.

Sorry if you already know all this but it is important. Any decent co. will design the whole kitchen, offer computer aided design (CAD), listen to your ideas and not force their aesthetic ideas on you (ie. insisit on high line units) and will show interest in the overall project. The planning is very crucial for a lasting end result. Never be afraid to alter something if you don't like it.

Other tips are definately try & go for 40mm roll edge worktops & 18mm carcasses. This combination will stand the test of time and give a superior finish. Additionally, any future enhancements can simply mean a change of door units/handles. If you plan to stay in the house & are replacing white goods, I would recommend the German varieties TBH, Bosch, Neff & AEG. Last but not least, you can NEVER skimp on decent lighting. Individual 12v halogen spots, each with their own transformer are the best IMO together with individually switched 12" strips fluorescent lighting strips fitted under the wall unit.

Hope this helps Gav, and I could think of many more kitchen ideas to spend your hard earned.

[Evil Diesel]

Stop spending my taxes on kitchens!!!

[RockIt]

Originally Posted by Steve A

Im just having a kitchen done at the moment.

Had moben in betta kitchens etc and for my spec of kitchen we were talikng 25k......so fuck that for a game of soldiers!!

I did some research located a kitchen fitter through a friend of a friend(top bloke) bought my own appliances, carcuses, worktops etc. I Used the national for some ideas of design then came up with my own. Essentially i project managed the whole thing...

any way ive managed to do the whole job for less than 12k including floooring and replastering/decoration ( and it is looking amazing)

Just goes to show how much the big nationals are ripping us off.

My advice dont use them.

I ve offered to set this guy up in business as hes that good!

Im sure he would come and do your if you looked after him and hed save you a fortune.

Good luck

Steve

Thanks for the info Steve. Sounds like a brave move to project manage, but then I'm speaking as someone who has no practical inclinations whatsoever!

Originally Posted by beemerbird

That's your name then - Gav.

Subject close to my heart this one. Not an expert but have had three new kitchens fitted in houses over the years. You could try Symphony (Leeds I believe), this company used to supply my father's building co. & I have used their products which I would describe as mid range and perfectly acceptable. There is a very good co. in Hull, who are not the cheapest but the product is very good quality and the co. are very professional and offer plumbing, electrics, tiling & plastering as part of the deal if required. I am not sure whether they'd travel to Bradford way but no harm in asking? Mulberry Fitted Kitchens Limited 01482 448717, ask for John Chambers. Mine was fitted by Mulberry in 2002 and I have had no problems whatsoever.

Sorry if you already know all this but it is important. Any decent co. will design the whole kitchen, offer computer aided design (CAD), listen to your ideas and not force their aesthetic ideas on you (ie. insisit on high line units) and will show interest in the overall project. The planning is very crucial for a lasting end result. Never be afraid to alter something if you don't like it.

Other tips are definately try & go for 40mm roll edge worktops & 18mm carcasses. This combination will stand the test of time and give a superior finish. Additionally, any future enhancements can simply mean a change of door units/handles. If you plan to stay in the house & are replacing white goods, I would recommend the German varieties TBH, Bosch, Neff & AEG. Last but not least, you can NEVER skimp on decent lighting. Individual 12v halogen spots, each with their own transformer are the best IMO together with individually switched 12" strips fluorescent lighting strips fitted under the wall unit.

Hope this helps Gav, and I could think of many more kitchen ideas to spend your hard earned.

Hi there! Gav it is, but I think I prefer RockIt cos it sounds way cooler than Gav! Much more fitting for a rock musician like what I am! Lots of info. Cheers! Our current kitchen is Symphony and was put in when the house was new 8 years ago. Mulberry sound interesting. We are tempted by a local company and may have found a possible in Halifax. However, I'm trying to get some local recommendations about them. Some sound advice thanks and I'll take it on board re lighting and dimensions.

Originally Posted by Evil Diesel

Stop spending my taxes on kitchens!!!

Sorry boss.

[Gibbo]

Kitchens

One of my best mates works in the industry. 10 yrs with Magnet and now with Benchmark (Trade company of Travis Perkins).

The margins on cabinets are huge (even with the 50%, etc off advertising scams), but appliances not as much.

Cost depends on lots of factors

Size of Kitchen
Quality of cabinets and appliances
How fancy your design is - e.g. pull out larders 1m, 1.2m draws
Granite surfaces

The key to getting a great kitchen lies in the fitter if it's done really well it will look good even with cheaper cabinets.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by RockIt

Thanks for the info Steve. Sounds like a brave move to project manage, but then I'm speaking as someone who has no practical inclinations whatsoever!

Project management is very easy. If I can do it for a living it must be.

Personally, I would buy the stuff separately and find a decent joiner to fit it.

There are some decent kitchen companies out there, but they really overcharge. Far better to buy the stuff from the specialist and pay a man who joins bits of wood together for a living to plug it in.

I fitted mine myself and I can confirm that it isn't that hard.

[Hotcoupe]

Rockit,not sure what your budget is, and I'm not asking,but I don't want to run the risk of insulting you,by suggesting the following-

You mentioned Schrieber,well there is a chain called 'Howdens',this was originally set up by MFI many years ago,it has recently been the subject of a management buyout,so the following may no longer be the case.

Howdens sell Schrieber carcasses + 'old' or discontinued doors from the Hygena and MFI ranges,the Schrieber carcass is recognised as being one of the better one's on the market,are always 'built' as opposed to flat pack, and are very robust.
Howdens will come around and do a design for you,and if none of the door,drawer fronts are what you are looking for,buy just the carcasses from Howden's,and buy door/drawer fronts elsewhere.Be warned though,it's the door's and drawer fronts where the money's at.

Ignore the 'Trade Only' banner on the home page,if you're interested,it's easy to set up an account


http://www.howdens.com/

[NFS]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

Rockit,not sure what your budget is, and I'm not asking,but I don't want to run the risk of insulting you,by suggesting the following-

You mentioned Schrieber,well there is a chain called 'Howdens',this was originally set up by MFI many years ago,it has recently been the subject of a management buyout,so the following may no longer be the case.

Howdens sell Schrieber carcasses + 'old' or discontinued doors from the Hygena and MFI ranges,the Schrieber carcass is recognised as being one of the better one's on the market,are always 'built' as opposed to flat pack, and are very robust.
Howdens will come around and do a design for you,and if none of the door,drawer fronts are what you are looking for,buy just the carcasses from Howden's,and buy door/drawer fronts elsewhere.Be warned though,it's the door's and drawer fronts where the money's at.

Ignore the 'Trade Only' banner on the home page,if you're interested,it's easy to set up an account


http://www.howdens.com/

Howden used to be the exclusive supplier for MFI.

However, now that MFI are owned by a venture capitalist group my understanding is that they have (or will) ditched Howden and will import from overseas.

[scooba0010]

I was told by a howdens manager that they was really high end pre assembled supplier .And i wasnt a paying customer ,I met him while working for a previous employeer .He also said it was trade only but said they would help anybody as thats what they are about .

I have seen in person a howdens fitted kitchen its very good but its only as good as the planning and fitter ,so if you can find a reputable carpenter/fitter you could save yourself a bundle good luck with whatever you decide

[Bumps]

Originally Posted by Gibbo

Cost depends on lots of factors

Size of Kitchen
Quality of cabinets and appliances
How fancy your design is - e.g. pull out larders 1m, 1.2m draws
Granite surfaces

Not to mention what they think you can afford once they've visited your house, clocked its price bracket, your car, watch etc. Many companies do this, especially the nationals and double glazing people etc - make no mistake. Ever tried to get such a thing as a price list for a lot of this stuff? That's why they don't do them and come around and quote at your gaff.

Believe it or not, IKEA are apparently some of the best carcasses/cabinets off the shelf and make for a hard wearing kitchen - no experience personally but have this on good recommendation. And it's pretty stylish stuff at least. Buying yr own stuff and getting someone to fit is an option - a bit a la SteveA, NFS. WIll certainly save you money!

[Dave_3]

We've fitted them to the last 5 kitchens we have done. Good price/quality ratio.

D.

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

Rockit,not sure what your budget is, and I'm not asking,but I don't want to run the risk of insulting you,by suggesting the following-

You mentioned Schrieber,well there is a chain called 'Howdens',this was originally set up by MFI many years ago,it has recently been the subject of a management buyout,so the following may no longer be the case.

Howdens sell Schrieber carcasses + 'old' or discontinued doors from the Hygena and MFI ranges,the Schrieber carcass is recognised as being one of the better one's on the market,are always 'built' as opposed to flat pack, and are very robust.
Howdens will come around and do a design for you,and if none of the door,drawer fronts are what you are looking for,buy just the carcasses from Howden's,and buy door/drawer fronts elsewhere.Be warned though,it's the door's and drawer fronts where the money's at.

Ignore the 'Trade Only' banner on the home page,if you're interested,it's easy to set up an account


http://www.howdens.com/

[RockIt]

Thanks for all the opinions and advice guys. Much appreciated. I'll do some more research, check out some of the suggestions and talk things through with the Mrs over Christmas.

Gav

[Gibbo]

Originally Posted by RockIt

Thanks for all the opinions and advice guys. Much appreciated. I'll do some more research, check out some of the suggestions and talk things through with the Mrs over Christmas.

Gav

........or you could sod the kitchen and buy an M3.

But your Miswah might:sad0147::sad0147:

[RockIt]

Originally Posted by Gibbo

........or you could sod the kitchen and buy an M3.

But your Miswah might:sad0147::sad0147:

[Hotcoupe]

RockIt Thanks for all the opinions and advice guys. Much appreciated. I'll do some more research, check out some of the suggestions and talk things through with the Mrs over Christmas.

Never a good idea Gav, be more assertive,it WILL be cheaper,you just know it makes sense

[Steve A]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

Never a good idea Gav, be more assertive,it WILL be cheaper,you just know it makes sense

[RockIt]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

Never a good idea Gav, be more assertive,it WILL be cheaper,you just know it makes sense

I was being assertive...then she leant over and read what I was laughing at!

[Z4 Beemer]

Originally Posted by RockIt

I was being assertive...then she leant over and read what I was laughing at!

[RockIt]

Thought I'd share an update regarding this. After several trips around showrooms, lots of brochure and web gazing, we finally settled on a local company with a solid reputation.

Great design from a guy who actually listened to us, friendly service, pleasing quality and a great price...so kitchen ordered, (taking advantage of the January sales with 33% off all the cabinets).

All new Bosch appliances and lots of fancy lighting, including floor level plinth lighting 'cos I thought it would look cool.

Due to be start on 6th Feb.

Thanks to all who offered advice. Much appreciated.

[Z4 Beemer]

All my appliances are Bosch and have never let me down. Plinth lighting does looks amazing!

[andy69]

Originally Posted by RockIt

Thought I'd share an update regarding this. After several trips around showrooms, lots of brochure and web gazing, we finally settled on a local company with a solid reputation.

Great design from a guy who actually listened to us, friendly service, pleasing quality and a great price...so kitchen ordered, (taking advantage of the January sales with 33% off all the cabinets).

All new Bosch appliances and lots of fancy lighting, including floor level plinth lighting 'cos I thought it would look cool.

Due to be start on 6th Feb.

Thanks to all who offered advice. Much appreciated.

Don't forget......