Beans
stranger
Reged: 24/05/2009
Posts: 16
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I'm on the hunt for a white, sleek modern kitchen with dark work surfaces on a tight budget. I'm going to IKEA, Wickes, B & Q, etc this weekend but in terms of value for money what would other forum users recomend? I'd also like a quality worktop that's easy to maintain so would be prepared to pay a bit more for this - any suggestions please? Thanks.
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dickyryan
enthusiast
Reged: 25/07/2008
Posts: 265
Loc: Camberley in Surrey
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Go to all of those - then go to Magnet and they'll beat most quotes! Worth doing a bit of legwork and then seeing what they'll do for you. Both Magnet and Howdens are very hungry for yr pennies - with Howdens you'll need to know a builder to buy from them.
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www.alteredimagesdecorating.co.uk
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griffo68
Supreme being
Reged: 13/09/2006
Posts: 8606
Loc: ...in a galaxy far far away
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Try Homebase, we bought our kitchen from them about six years ago and it has been great.
We recently used them again to change all of our doors and side panels etc.Really good finish on the doors and we are very pleased with it.
They always have offers on and 10 and 20% off weekends.
You can see our kitchen here (scroll through for the many pics).....
http://www.livingetc.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/63241/an/0/page/1#63241
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http://yumalum.etsy.com
http://www.obsessilicious.blogspot.com/
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Mags
member
Reged: 16/07/2007
Posts: 123
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Interesting - but I don't share dickyryans experience of Magnet - I found Magnet even with their regular 'sales' are still pretty expensive for what you get...their carcasses in particular were not great for the price - I suggest you have a good look inside them at a showroom and see what I mean. They have huge overhead of keeping all those flashy showrooms going and that has to get passed on. IKEA carcasses seemed best value of all of the big names, but I recommend getting local builders who do a lot of kitchens to pitch to you - they will have their own relationships with niche/trade only providers which I found to be much better value.
I've settled on using this company http://www.trendjoinery.co.uk/home.php
they have a limited range and Internet and Trade only whcih is how they keep their costs down..but price and quality are very impressive when compared to Magnet/Howdens.
I'm sure there are equivalents elsewhere too...it's well worth shopping about..
Good luck!
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dickyryan
enthusiast
Reged: 25/07/2008
Posts: 265
Loc: Camberley in Surrey
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My recommendation of Magnet (chasing me to use them) and Howdens (Howdens are the one I use mainly) is based on their ability to have local depots thus allowing easy changeover of any duff stock ie. kitchen fitting can be a bit of a thinking on yr feet installation as some designs when being installed dont quite work and changes are made as you go - better than waiting three days for new bit to arrive - time is money to me however in your case when time isnt really gonna be the main issue then an internet based concern looks ideal if good value. However not so good when yr worktop turns up scratched and you have to wait a week for replacements.
I also have a good relationship with my local depot who are more than willing to go the extra mile when i need an extra special discount. Hence my recommendation for these guys. However I would also add that some depots are much better than others - I drive past my local Howdens as I get a better service from one a bit further away.
Trend is new to me but one I'll look at for future reference! So thanks for that.
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www.alteredimagesdecorating.co.uk
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Beans
stranger
Reged: 24/05/2009
Posts: 16
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Thanks for all the advice. We did a whole weekend of DIY stores and it didn't really help - most of them didn't even have the kitchens we like on display, the ones they did have looked 'well worn' and all the sales advisors/kitchen designers were busy. These places need to up their game because it's a bit off putting when the kitchens in the showroom look tatty! Hoping to go to Howdens next weekend. Any other suggestions gratefully received. PS Does anyone have any strong opinions on hardboard cupboard backs as opposed to solid backed ones?
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dickyryan
enthusiast
Reged: 25/07/2008
Posts: 265
Loc: Camberley in Surrey
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If you're on a tight budget - the back of the cupboard is the least of your worries! Anyhow the only worry you should have about the back is how easy it is to cut for your pipework and cabling!
Remember Howdens is for the trade and may not neceesarily have the showroom facilities you might expect!
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www.alteredimagesdecorating.co.uk
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LauraRichmond
stranger
Reged: 28/04/2009
Posts: 3
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We had a terrible experience with Magnet both with regards to the kitchen itself and customer service. We have since found a company who are able to supply and fit high quality kitchens for a very reasonable price http://www.lwk-home.com/homepage.html. Our contact is Lesley- Jane who is extremely helpful and can visit your property to measure up and produce design plans.
They are London based but cover the home counties also.
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MissMapp
old hand
Reged: 30/05/2007
Posts: 950
Loc: Glorious Tilling
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I love my Ikea kitchen which was installed about 4 years ago and still looks brilliant. It was very cheap as well but if I remember correctly the builder said that the cupboards are deeper than others and make it tricky to adapt when there are pipes etc., behind.
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LizzyVL
journeyman
Reged: 15/10/2008
Posts: 61
Loc: London
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Have a look at the following case study:http://www.lizzydesign.org/budget-kitchen-makeover/
I hope this helps.
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Lizzy
Visit me on my blog
Member of http://www.id-sphere.com, the interior designer's community and information weblog
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Stephen
member
Reged: 25/07/2008
Posts: 150
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Try Howdens as mentioned above, and also http://www.diy-kitchens.com/ who have an excellent range, and carcases which are not flat-packed.
S
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Stephen
Residence Interior Design London
How to choose a London Interior Designer
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