Another kitchen thread

Similar to scale models in the steam world, where a 1/2 linear scale traction engine (for example) is called 6" scale, with the "to the foot" omitted. :)
 
Nod said:
Similar to scale models in the steam world, where a 1/2 linear scale traction engine (for example) is called 6" scale, with the "to the foot" omitted. :)
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I quite fancy fitting a 9mm thick steel sink :)
 
Good luck lifting that into place. ;)
 
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The issue with my sink is that I use a basin to save the sink getting scuffed but even the outline of the basin is marked permanently onto the sink. It's ridiculous. Stainless my arse. That's the only thing I'd change if I had to do it again. I probably will actually change it just not now. Well that and the fitter I chose !!
 
Cobra said:
Found mine and ordered a couple of pair to see how it goes.
Thanks again Toni (y)
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Quick up date, arrived this week, and fitted :thumbs:

It took me forever to fit the first pair as I couldn't remember "how to" and was trying to separate the two halves.
When it finally dawned on me, that isn't "How to" the others went in very easily and quickly :thumbs:
 
Cobra said:
Quick up date, arrived this week, and fitted (y)

It took me forever to fit the first pair as I couldn't remember "how to" and was trying to separate the two halves.
When it finally dawned on me, that isn't "How to" the others went in very easily and quickly (y)
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Glad they worked for you - I ordered the wrong size first time round. :facepalm: (n)

Our progress is gradual. Kitchen designers seem to ask you to do the design for them, telling you why certain things aren't possible, rather than coming up with radical or creative designs. We've seen Ikea and Homebase so far, and are waiting on something from Howdens, but most likely option is Howdens based on the large service space behind the cabs. Not sure about worktops yet, but my (present) fave design will require some careful cutting & shaping, and it certainly won't be in wood (which would be easier). It's going to be a case of measure many times & hope that someone cuts once just right if we go down that route.
 
If you're going for laminated tops and cutting the backs, make sure you re seal them prior to final fitting - best way is PVA and apply a good few coats to the cut. You can varnish to seal them, but takes longer to dry.
 
2-pack marine epoxy varnish. That'll seal it properly and stop it swelling. As Andy says, give it a good few coats and let it cure properly.
 
If I can find a decent deal, I'll try for granite, hence the comment about measuring many times (because they won't be cut onsite with a jigsaw). Otherwise there's 'solid' tops available, though that's as expensive as stone without the wear characteristics.

For laminate tops, I've never sealed cuts and the present versions have been in a long time without distortion or swelling, but the sink is well sealed.
 
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ancient_mariner said:
For laminate tops, I've never sealed cuts and the present versions have been in a long time without distortion or swelling,
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ancient_mariner said:
but the sink is well sealed.
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Same for both points, here too.
Surface hob, sink and the like have a bead of silicon around the edges before putting them in and fixing them down.

For the tops themselves I quite fancy tiled tops, next time.
I guess you can tile over the existing work tops, ( after fixing a hardwood batten to the front to square it off), or use marine ply and tile on that.
 
ancient_mariner said:
I'll try for granite, hence the comment about measuring many times (because they won't be cut onsite with a jigsaw)
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If your walls are quite uneven & you are wanting a good fit, get some 6" strips of 3/4" ply/chipboard cut, then scribe & cut them to fit. They can then be used as a pattern to mark the tops for cutting. Make sure you mark them clearly Left - Right though. (y)
 
ancient_mariner said:
If I can find a decent deal, I'll try for granite, hence the comment about measuring many times (because they won't be cut onsite with a jigsaw). Otherwise there's 'solid' tops available, though that's as expensive as stone without the wear characteristics.

For laminate tops, I've never sealed cuts and the present versions have been in a long time without distortion or swelling, but the sink is well sealed.
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The granite co. gave me 3 options, I create templates and fit, I create templates and they fit or they create templates and they fit.

With either of the first 2 options I'd have been responsible for them being wrong, I wasn't gambling, and the fitters were brilliant (other than plastering, the only thing I didn't do myself).
 
ancient_mariner said:
So we plan to replace the kitchen I fitted 26 years ago (and the floor it's stood on, but that's another story). We've looked at kitchens in Wickes, Homebase, B&Q, Ikea and plan to look at Howdens - has anyone had problems with kitchens from one of those, and is there anyone else in the North Oxfordshire area whose kitchens we should consider?

Current faves are wickes (to my surprise) although Homebase have some stuff that looks nice. I've been a bit shocked at the price of some worktops: >£1200 for 3M of corian and >£2000 for solid walnut (not that we plan to use either of those). Pricing is funny, because once the worktops, appliances and fitting have been covered, the actual cost of the units becomes relatively insignificant.
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Have a look at 'Earthstone' worktops

http://www.wilsonart.co.uk/earthstoneworksurfaces

I used them in my last kitchen build about 4 years ago. Curves and joins easily.

About £600 per 3m length retail. I rate it bettrr than Corian. Seems a lot easier to work and clean than granite.

B&Q sell it I believe but am sure they will charge full retail.

Steve
 
Thanks Phil and Steve, very much appreciated info.
 
OK, pretty much settled on Howdens for the units, mostly because they have a deep rebate at the back (to cope with our sloping walls) and do intermediate widths like 450mm, and they weren't pressuring/snobby like Homebase.

A couple of you mentioned that their own brand Lamona appliances weren't very good - was it reliability or function that were the issues? I've been costing out appliances and been surprised at how many only come with 12 months warranty (John Lewis give 2 years minimum on non-branded, 3 years on their own brand). Often the same items were being resold with a different badge and knobs on the front with a price to match the brand name but not with any other obvious benefit. Based primarily on price Argos and Ikea are excellent value, with Currys and then John Lewis following up behind.

I've also been a bit horrified by the cost of island cooker hoods - >£1000 for a fan in a fancy box seems unreasonable to me. I may go the ebay route, although Ikea have something that may be suitable for £350. Height is a problem because our ceiling is only 2.1M high and many ordinary chimney-type units descend 750mm minimum, placing the hood around 1.3-1.4M above the ground and in the way when cooking (and too close to the hob).
 
I've never had a problem with Howden's own appliances. I keep hearing about them not being very good, but I've fitted hundreds of them and never had to go back to replace one.
 
Read the reviews for Lamona appliances, you won't find many good ones! I think it's the reliability that's the main issue.
 
boogie man said:
Read the reviews for Lamona appliances, you won't find many good ones! I think it's the reliability that's the main issue.
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I can only go by my personal experience, but I'll check the reviews out. Thanks.
 
To my surprise we liked the Wickes kitchen unit best. No idea a about fitting as our builder did all the work but considering we've got lots of services in there it can't have been bad. But yes for us it was the least cost.

Granite I found a nice stone masons run by some Russians off the north circular. We walked through the yard and wrote our name on the slabs. They measured it up and installed it. They moaned at me wanting the island (9 foot) in a single piece as they required five guys to install it. I think it was 15 meters in total with up stands and cutouts for two underground sinks taps etc for about £2700. A bargain I thought at the time.

Appliances all Siemens as they do nice bottom heat only. And our builder created a frame for the domino hobs and wrapped it in stainless steel. I didn't want to pay for 2.1m more granite to then cut holes in it.

For an island hood you could look at Elica. Ours isn't an island but on the outside wall as I want the engine to be remote so it can be more powerful and quieter. And I didn't want to redo the ceiling ;)
 
Apparently Lamona are mostly rebadged Beko, which is fine for the budget end of things. We'll get a separate quote for applicances, but I expect Beko-badged stuff will be more cost effective and AEG/Bosch not much more.
 
I think most appliances will be coming from Ikea. Apart from being quite cost effective, they also have a 5 year warranty as standard: most of the other suppliers offer just one year, or sometimes two (John Lewis does 2 years as standard).
 
They all have at least 2 years. I've found the British gas appliances care programme worth while as well to get the engineer out same day and parts included.
 
dejongj said:
They all have at least 2 years. I've found the British gas appliances care programme worth while as well to get the engineer out same day and parts included.
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They all have a statutory 2 years, but with currys (for example) they offer 1 years manufacturer's warranty + an argument to get your 2nd year for many of their lines.

Thanks for the heads-up about BG, though we've had generally long service from our appliances, and I'm mildly averse to paying for a 'care program' that's probably not going to be used much. Our fridge is 25 years old, freezer at least 20 years, hob 26 years, oven 15 years. The only things we've had to replace regularly have been dishwasher (4 times in 26 years, present Bosch is about 6-7 years old) and washing machines (not part of this kitchen refurb, current Miele is about 12 years old).

I'm starting to get OD'd on kitchen stuff - looking forward to just getting it done and then forgetting about it now. Fitter booked, electrician quoting, Howdens coming back with a quote shortly on latest design, hopefully in time to get everything ordered by the end of the week ready for start the first week of October.
 
We ran out of money on our kitchen, so fitted the cheapest worktops we could get with the plan to put nicer worktops on in a few years. The cabinets are just B&Q ones but they seem solid enough tbh.

I think our biggest issue will be when we come to get new worktops, our island is 1200mm wide so I think if we want something seemless, it'll cost an arm and a leg.

We just designed it ourselves though, and picked up a second hand oven, as I couldn't justify spending £2000 to get the oven I wanted new.
 
Wow, £2000 for an oven? Not that one can't spend that kind of money, but our last one was an ex-demo double oven for £165 that would have normally listed around £300ish. :)
 
ancient_mariner said:
Wow, £2000 for an oven? Not that one can't spend that kind of money, but our last one was an ex-demo double oven for £165 that would have normally listed around £300ish. :)
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I wanted a Rangemaster 110, double oven, with a wok burner.

Ended up getting an ebay bargain, £260 including the matching extractor hood and it was only a couple of years old in perfect condition.
 
KitsuneAndy said:
We ran out of money on our kitchen, so fitted the cheapest worktops we could get with the plan to put nicer worktops on in a few years. The cabinets are just B&Q ones but they seem solid enough tbh.

I think our biggest issue will be when we come to get new worktops, our island is 1200mm wide so I think if we want something seemless, it'll cost an arm and a leg.

We just designed it ourselves though, and picked up a second hand oven, as I couldn't justify spending £2000 to get the oven I wanted new.
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1200 wide by how long?
 
dejongj said:
1200 wide by how long?
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It's more a "Peninsular" than an island, I think that's what they call them anyway!

About 3m long, including the breakfast bar that's at the narrow end of it. The other end is cut away to allow it to fit around the pillar that's holding up the RSJ where we removed the back wall of the house
 
KitsuneAndy said:
It's more a "Peninsular" than an island, I think that's what they call them anyway!

About 3m long, including the breakfast bar that's at the narrow end of it. The other end is cut away to allow it to fit around the pillar that's holding up the RSJ where we removed the back wall of the house
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Yes if it is a peninsular than you'll end up with some seems. But good stone masons can do it in a minimal way. We managed to end up with just one in the whole kitchen and it's hardly visible.
 
KitsuneAndy said:
I wanted a Rangemaster 110, double oven, with a wok burner.
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Fair snuff. We have a Rayburn in the kitchen too, though it's seldom used for cooking other than day-long stews because it's an oil-fired conversion and the oven doesn't get hot enough.
 
Just had this quote to rip out and prep kitchen around 10 10 ft.does not include new units or appliances.
Totally tiled floor to ceiling at the moment,so will all require replastering.Electrics and plumbing would be minimal with appliances and washer and sink same place as they are now.Floor click lock wood.
Seems a bit steep to me ?.

Supply skip
Rip out and prep
Plumbing
Electrics
Plastering
Fit kitchen
Tile above worktop
Fit flooring
Renew 3 architraves and kitchen skirting

Total £4150
 
donetello said:
Just had this quote to rip out and prep kitchen around 10 10 ft.does not include new units or appliances.
Totally tiled floor to ceiling at the moment,so will all require replastering.Electrics and plumbing would be minimal with appliances and washer and sink same place as they are now.Floor click lock wood.
Seems a bit steep to me ?.

Supply skip
Rip out and prep
Plumbing
Electrics
Plastering
Fit kitchen
Tile above worktop
Fit flooring
Renew 3 architraves and kitchen skirting

Total £4150
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Depends where you are, but I would have thought about £3000 - but I do everything myself.
 
donetello said:
Just had this quote to rip out and prep kitchen around 10 10 ft.does not include new units or appliances.
Totally tiled floor to ceiling at the moment,so will all require replastering.Electrics and plumbing would be minimal with appliances and washer and sink same place as they are now.Floor click lock wood.
Seems a bit steep to me ?.

Supply skip
Rip out and prep
Plumbing
Electrics
Plastering
Fit kitchen
Tile above worktop
Fit flooring
Renew 3 architraves and kitchen skirting

Total £4150
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How many days did they quote? I normally go back to the cost per day if it is something I'm not familiar doing myself.
 
kendo1 said:
Depends where you are, but I would have thought about £3000 - but I do everything myself.
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Sheffield area.
dejongj said:
How many days did they quote? I normally go back to the cost per day if it is something I'm not familiar doing myself.
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No time scale given,I'd be guessing day to strip out,day to do plastering and any electrical work and maybe 3 days to fit units appliances and do floor and the small but if tiling. So I'd best guess 6-7 days maximum if problems rear up.
 
donetello said:
Sheffield area.

No time scale given,I'd be guessing day to strip out,day to do plastering and any electrical work and maybe 3 days to fit units appliances and do floor and the small but if tiling. So I'd best guess 6-7 days maximum if problems rear up.
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Then It's not an expensive fitting area. I'd reckon on about 9 to 10 days, less with more people on the job.

Companies tend to be more expensive as they have more overheads. I just need to make a decent living :)
 
donetello said:
Sheffield area.

No time scale given,I'd be guessing day to strip out,day to do plastering and any electrical work and maybe 3 days to fit units appliances and do floor and the small but if tiling. So I'd best guess 6-7 days maximum if problems rear up.
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Be careful if no timescales are given. I got into trouble with that one once when the company was dragging it out and out and we got fed up and it escalated to the courts. The fact that our contract didn't stipulate a time frame made them win. Outside the contractor said 13-1. Insinuating he did this many a time.
 
Thanks both,will be getting a couple more quotes first,B and Q did the whole lot for £5k around 7 years ago.
 
I'm a bit late to this party but have fitted 2 Wickes and 1 B&Q in the last 15 years. The Wickes of yore was a really good kitchen, steel legs, good quality carcasses and fittings, the more recent Wickes wasn't much better than the B&Q. I would say that Wickes still have the edge but not by much, either way I think that either would last long enough, i.e. it will be out-of-fashion/you-will-want-a-change before it is completely knackered.
 
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