Pricing a new kitchen - DIY vs "Professionals"

[Andy Hall]

Of course. There are trade suppliers that the kitchen fitting companies can use where they can obtain carcasses and basic doors at lower prices than you can get them for in retailers and still make a margin.

The major cost is in the labour unless you go for quite upmarket products, so if the material cost is low enough, then it can come to similar figures.

Plumbing and especially electrics in a kitchen are detailed and time consuming so if you account for these as well, the delta becomes less between DIY and installed.

.andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

[G&M]

electrician,

Yes and no. If you can't do the plumbing, electrics and tiling (walls are harder than floors) then you will possibly spend more. Also it depends how hard you can push the salesman and how desperate they are for work. It is quite possible to get quotes of £3k and £12k for virtually the same kitchen.

[Andy Hall]

Yes and no.

Typically the fitters are self employed and are paid separately.

The important point is to have a written agreement with the supplier where they take responsibility for the materials and the work.

.andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

[Snowman]

SWMBO announced tonight that according to "someone at work" who's just had their kitchen re-fitted, that it can cost about the same to have a kitchen fitting company come in, design, supply and fit the new units, and "do" the floor, electrics, lighting, ceiling, plumbing, etc., as it could cost for a combination of (say) Ikea units and DIY fitting, with plumber, electrician, floorer for specific jobs.

Is that possible? (I'm sure quality should come somewhere in this as well).

Peter.

[Rick Dipper]

I would imagine that it is. I would also guess that any screw up is easier to deal with, as its one single company to sue.

Rick

[Lurch]

On Mon, 09 Aug 2004 19:26:27 GMT, "Snowman" strung together this:

Yep, that was my first thought. You could have someone come in and f*ck up your kitchen, or for the same price you could sort it out yourself, properly.

[Peter Parry]

You obviously have not dealt with many of the national kitchen fitting companies. They are the spawn of failed double glazing salesmen and timeshare harlots.

Apart from their sales tactics, which make Rasputin look like a fluffy bunny, they employ local low standard labour on fixed prices for each job so the aim is to get in, bodge it as quickly as possible, and get out. The only competence they show is with their choice of solicitors to fight the inevitable court appearance afterwards.

Avoid the nationals like the plague. If you want to find a fitter get a good local one and talk to a few of their customers beforehand. No matter how many half price offers the big companies have they will cost you more in the end and you will have to live with their shoddy work for years.

[Frank Erskine]

In article , Peter Parry writes

There's nothing wrong with "bodging". "Botching" is to be avoided at all costs.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Certainly is if you use Ikea units.

Labour cots are between 50 and 75% of total costs of any job like that.

If she is right, you have to ask how cheap the units being supplied really are.

As an aside, sister inlaw (interior designer) got involved in a kitchen and bathroom job. The London based firm had quited in excess of £23k for what transpired to be almost nothing at all - no doubt 'extras' would have been around another £15k.

The job was done using 'rural' labour for about £12k. INCLUDING parts.

[Mark]

Quite true from a purely price angle. Kitchens Direct spring to mind, did you not see the TV programme about them.

*Quality !!* AHhhh that's the Extra and makes all the differance.

[Peter Parry]

You will find that many of the bathroom/kitchen/bedroom fitting "specialists" are often parts of the same holding company whose only real specialisation is execrable high pressure sales technique.

[Owain]

"Rick Dipper" wrote | >A certain packaged works contractor who advertises in the Daily | >Telegraph and Saga magazine will be on the receiving end of a | >Retired Deputy Headmistress armed with a well-thumbed copy of | >"Consumer Law For Angry Pensioners". | A good reason to DIY the whole job

A /very/ good reason for me to stay well clear and not get involved!

Owain

[Owain]

"Peter Parry" wrote | >I think my mother feels the same way about bathroom fitting | companies. You will find that many of the bathroom/kitchen/ | bedroom fitting "specialists" are often parts of the same | holding company whose only real specialisation is execrable | high pressure sales technique.

I warned her about Dolphin/Moben/Sharps. It's not them.

Owain

[Michael Mcneil]

Quite right. The cost is about the same on paper as it should be. In fact the complete works should be cheaper taking into account all the bulk deals involved. What happens is that they make the money up with the finances.

A thousand pounds would accrue interest costs of another thousand by the time you hsve pid it off.

How much do you think an house really costs on a thirty year mortgage?