Talk to me about......Kitchens

[Raj]

Need more pics , else it didnt happen!!!

[weller54]

9 hours ago, Izzy said:

Speak for yourself. You said exactly the same about installing your log burner.

 

Some of us just aren't that way inclined and would quite happily pay a professional to do a proper job.

 

Good for you that you can DIY but if it was that simple, the world wouldn't need qualified tradespeople.

By the way... The logburner installation was a great success!!..

Only last night we had it ablaze and it was lovely and toasty... here's me and the wife enjoying the benefits.

[Izzy]

55 minutes ago, weller54 said:

All I was saying is that because all the cabinets are fully built it's just a matter of putting them in place, fixing to the wall, leveling up etc.... what's so 'skilled' about that?...

Different if you need bespoke units made to measure etc, but most kitchens don't.

"Putting them in place" (I'd fvck that up)

"Fixing to the wall" (I'd definitely fvck that up")

"Levelling up" (No idea what that means, haven't got the tools = I'd fvck that up too)

"Etc" (= other stuff needs doing that I haven't got a clue about = another fvck up)

 

[Spudulike]

55 minutes ago, weller54 said:

All I was saying is that because all the cabinets are fully built it's just a matter of putting them in place, fixing to the wall, leveling up etc.... what's so 'skilled' about that?...

Different if you need bespoke units made to measure etc, but most kitchens don't.

The carpenter that recently installed our Howden's kitchen had to do much more than fix them to the wall and level up. He (and his apprentice) were out there for ages sawing and cutting holes etc. Some of the cabinets had to be cut down due to the features of the kitchen and installing integrated appliances. He was using laser levels and all sorts of specialist tools that I haven't got. I suppose that I could've hired them but don't have the skills or know how to use them. Not a chance that I would attempt it myself eventhough I have a CSE Grade 3 in woodwork. 

[Guest Lako42]

****ing hell lads

 

Plenty to absorb and some nice offers, cheers. 

 

I am the type of person to do things myself, not as well as the pros but I've always said I'd rather buy the tool and have it on collection than pay someone more to do something I can do. 

 

Having said that a kitchen might be another story. 

 

I suppose if we keep the same very basic layout it would be fairly simple actually. 

 

If I went with IKEA or some other supply place you can always buy another cabinet after you **** one up I suppose. 

 

I don't want to splurge tbh

 

Loads to think about. 

[Mike Oxlong]

Football forums ain’t what they used to be 😂

[weller54]

43 minutes ago, Mike Oxlong said:

Football forums ain’t what they used to be 😂

If you can't stand the heat...get out of the ..............

[FoyleFox]

2 hours ago, weller54 said:

I've done a 'proper' job!.. why do you automatically think I haven't?

Believe me, there are a lot of so called qualified tradesmen that charge a fortune for inferior work!

 

I'm sure that no one was suggesting you hadn't done a proper job, more so that they would not.

 

Some people wouldn't be confident or capable of putting a shelf up, if that's the case, cracking on with a kitchen isn't for them.

 

We've done a couple of small, straight swap kitchens ourselves in the past, but our last two were definitely jobs for professionals.

[rachhere]

5 hours ago, Izzy said:

"Putting them in place" (I'd fvck that up)

"Fixing to the wall" (I'd definitely fvck that up")

"Levelling up" (No idea what that means, haven't got the tools = I'd fvck that up too)

"Etc" (= other stuff needs doing that I haven't got a clue about = another fvck up)

 

My husband once literally spent a day putting up a shelf, but at the same time won't let me help because I am 'too impatient'. We would be preparing to move into a retirement home by the time he got round to installing a new kitchen! 

[Jattdogg]

Made my own cupboard doors to cover the electrical power box in the basement. Also have installed ikea base cabinets and counter top in the basement. Previous owner had did the framing and put drywall up. I paid a guy to come in an plaster the walls over. I then painted it all, installed laminate flooring, base trim, made custom pole covers, finished interior window sill frames, installed new stair treads (all in the basement). I also installed hardwood flooring in one room of my main floor.  I work in IT but youtube is brilliant. Also have a knack for things as my dad was a tradesman so learned things by watching him and helping finish our basement when i was a teenager.  I would never do my main floor kitchen though even though I probably could. Attention to detail in a main area of your floor is key for resale. I also would get real installers in not a handyman. But, everyone has a price point and finish job they are happy with so do you and be happy!  In a basement you can afford it to not be 100% we live in our basements in Canada.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Paninistickers]

8 hours ago, Spudulike said:

The carpenter that recently installed our Howden's kitchen had to do much more than fix them to the wall and level up. He (and his apprentice) were out there for ages sawing and cutting holes etc. Some of the cabinets had to be cut down due to the features of the kitchen and installing integrated appliances. He was using laser levels and all sorts of specialist tools that I haven't got. I suppose that I could've hired them but don't have the skills or know how to use them. Not a chance that I would attempt it myself eventhough I have a CSE Grade 3 in woodwork. 

I get the logic of putting cupboards on a wall, but the work surface?! No way is that an amatuer job. That looks hard and difficult and very heavy work. The two experienced lads who did mine spent a good 1.5/2 days on the work surface alone....AND they knew what they were doing!

[tom27111]

9 minutes ago, Paninistickers said:

I get the logic of putting cupboards on a wall, but the work surface?! No way is that an amatuer job. That looks hard and difficult and very heavy work. The two experienced lads who did mine spent a good 1.5/2 days on the work surface alone....AND they knew what they were doing!

 

I put in 3 worktops, one of them a corner joint. And cut out holes for the hob and sink.

 

I'm not saying a pro wouldn't do a better job, but to the naked eye, you wouldn't know the difference. 

 

I just made sure the ends I had to cut were at the wall ends.

 

The cuts are pretty smooth, but I put in an upstand to hide any slight imperfections anyway.

 

Measure twice, cut once.

 

I had someone do the plumbing, electrics and obviously the gas.

 

Mine wasn't a difficult design though, pretty standard.

[FoxInTheBirstallBox]

8 hours ago, Lako42 said:

****ing hell lads

 

Plenty to absorb and some nice offers, cheers. 

 

I am the type of person to do things myself, not as well as the pros but I've always said I'd rather buy the tool and have it on collection than pay someone more to do something I can do. 

 

Having said that a kitchen might be another story. 

 

I suppose if we keep the same very basic layout it would be fairly simple actually. 

 

If I went with IKEA or some other supply place you can always buy another cabinet after you **** one up I suppose. 

 

I don't want to splurge tbh

 

Loads to think about. 

So we looked at IKEA for a whole kitchen refit, about 20 cabinets, all new appliances, worktops the whole lot. Mid range shaker style and not on a huge budget either.

 

With fitting using IKEA it was quoted around £9000 (we wanted to use a bigger firm for the finance options as we didn't have ready cash) but trying to use their customer service and payment companies was a nightmare

 

So while we were pissing about getting it sorted, we took the same design plan to wren to see what quotes they came back with and within the week we cancelled any plans with IKEA and moved onto wren.

 

Same amount of units but we have all named alliances (neff, AEG, ZANUSSI) and went for the top spec units so we could get the 5 year finance option 0% for 11k no fitting

 

Hands down the best option to do as wrens fitting prices WITHOUT supplimentry work was £5000 but luckily I have a friend who is a kitchen fitter (who I would recommend massively if you want his number and pictures of his work in our kitchen I can pass it on) 

 

Looking back we were so glad we didn't go to IKEA because for the little bit extra we paid for wren has made our house 10000x better 

[weller54]

56 minutes ago, Paninistickers said:

I get the logic of putting cupboards on a wall, but the work surface?! No way is that an amatuer job. That looks hard and difficult and very heavy work. The two experienced lads who did mine spent a good 1.5/2 days on the work surface alone....AND they knew what they were doing!

I'm using a Quartz specialist company who have done the templating and measurements.... fitting on the 13th... cost £3000.

But total cost for everything, including new appliances..£7500.  I'm happy with that.

[Parafox]

3 hours ago, Jattdogg said:

I also would get real installers in not a handyman

Last time we replaced our kitchen we bought it from Magnet but opted for self-installation. We found a handyman online and went on holiday whilst he single-handedly installed the kitchen. 

 

When we got back a few days later, it was all done and looked lovely. 

 

Still does. His speciality was kitchen fitting only because he was made redundant by his previous employer and his trade was carpentry so he took on handyman work to make an income.

 

They're not all bodgers.

[Kinowe Soorie]

DIY kitchens are very competitively priced, and usually have a 10% off deal on in January. The only issue is, is that you have to design the kitchen yourself. Definitely worth the drive up to the showroom though.

Avoid Wren, B&Q and IKEA are tricky to install in older properties/or walls aren’t plumb. Howdens are quite good, but prices are getting silly!

[FoxInTheBirstallBox]

2 hours ago, Kinowe Soorie said:

DIY kitchens are very competitively priced, and usually have a 10% off deal on in January. The only issue is, is that you have to design the kitchen yourself. Definitely worth the drive up to the showroom though.

Avoid Wren, B&Q and IKEA are tricky to install in older properties/or walls aren’t plumb. Howdens are quite good, but prices are getting silly!

Generally with older houses (ours is 1950s and we had wren) as long as the fitter is good, and you have someone measure up properly instead of taking your own measurements in, then it works great. But I'd say it's 80% down to having a good fitter 

[Wolfox]

I went through this recently 

 

Try kitchen specialists for ideas on the designs (Wren etc.)

 

Draw your own if your confident enough…

 

I used DIY kitchens as the quality is superb and the kitchen units pre-built….  Furthermore the options for into types and widths will give you everything you need… We got a reasonable number of units for <£3k https://www.diy-kitchens.com

 

lining up units and making them level is not rocket science, it’s not amazingly tricky if you’re relatively handy,  but I had a chippy for the worktops and routing out round the sink etc.

 

Shop about for your appliances and decide exactly what you want…. You can get graded stuff at knock down prices where you can even see the minor 2” scratch anyway!

 

Quartz and stone worktops I personably find very cold…. I went for oak which gives a huge warmth to the kitchen and it’s not tricky to keep nice and maintain

[Paninistickers]

Change of tack; Bathroom fitters. 

 

Anyone on here can rip out old bathroom, Inc tiles (floor and wall) and install new wall and floor tiles, loo, sink bath and shower? 

 

I need to help at my ex's gaff (kids currently living in squalor there, so it's either me pay or let them live as animals there)....and I'll get the same fitter to do my downstairs loo if said person fancies an additional job. 

 

Note; I ain't doing it myself, no matter how doable or cheaper it may be. 

[weller54]

1 hour ago, Paninistickers said:

Change of tack; Bathroom fitters. 

 

Anyone on here can rip out old bathroom, Inc tiles (floor and wall) and install new wall and floor tiles, loo, sink bath and shower? 

 

I need to help at my ex's gaff (kids currently living in squalor there, so it's either me pay or let them live as animals there)....and I'll get the same fitter to do my downstairs loo if said person fancies an additional job. 

 

Note; I ain't doing it myself, no matter how doable or cheaper it may be. 

Easy job!.. it's not rocket science 😂😂!!

 

[FoyleFox]

3 hours ago, Paninistickers said:

Change of tack; Bathroom fitters. 

 

Anyone on here can rip out old bathroom, Inc tiles (floor and wall) and install new wall and floor tiles, loo, sink bath and shower? 

 

I need to help at my ex's gaff (kids currently living in squalor there, so it's either me pay or let them live as animals there)....and I'll get the same fitter to do my downstairs loo if said person fancies an additional job. 

 

Note; I ain't doing it myself, no matter how doable or cheaper it may be. 

Where are you based? I can send you the details of the chap who did mine if you're local. 

[Paninistickers]

7 hours ago, FoyleFox said:

Where are you based? I can send you the details of the chap who did mine if you're local. 

Anstey mate. If he works that area that'd be great

[FoyleFox]

On 06/12/2022 at 07:06, Paninistickers said:

Anstey mate. If he works that area that'd be great

I'll drop him a message.

[Rob1742]

I am hearing the new thing is bonkette or something? 
 

Like a casual dining  space?? 
 

We get a bloke in to sort our stuff out and that’s what he is coming back with on his plans. 
 

 

 

[weller54]

8 hours ago, Rob1742 said:

I am hearing the new thing is bonkette or something? 
 

Like a casual dining  space?? 
 

We get a bloke in to sort our stuff out and that’s what he is coming back with on his plans. 
 

 

 

Used to known as a 'quickie'.