Kitchen Companies -recommendations & offers?

mtchairs · Mar 16, 2011 7:51 am

Hi,

I am looking for a recommendation for a kitchen company to install a new kitchen in Sydney's north. Does anyone have any experiences good and bad that they would like to share?

And what do you think is the best value for money type of offer from the kitchen companies? Free installation, included appliances, % off cabinets, caesarstone for the price of laminate etc? Anyone know of any good offers going at the moment?

Thanks for your help :-)

ygue6072 · Mar 30, 2011 10:54 am

I just want to let people know our experience with kitchen renovations. My hubby is very DIY and handy around the house so we decided to go with a flat pack kitchen. After doing our research we thought that SmartPack kitchens would be really good. We went into the showroom and took a look around, the people were friendly and helpful and we felt really positive.
We got all of our stuff and we picked it up. When we went to assemble it that’s when the problems started. Half of the items were the wrong size (extra 5inches). The problem is we have a small kitchen and we told them the sizes we needed, we told them the problem we had and that this was our first time renovating. They did NOT tell us that half of the items would be oversized. With the benchtops two of the pieces were the size we ordered and one was about 7inches too long. With the sideboards and backboards about half of the items were oversized. When we called to find out what had happened they didn’t want to know us. We had to fight for almost 2months for them to come out and cut down the benchtop as it would have been too hard for hubby to do, the rest of the things we ended up cutting down ourselves because getting them to do it was not getting anywhere.
We ordered glass splashbacks and picked the colour from their selection. It arrived 2 months LATE and it was the wrong colour. Since then it has been another MONTH and they keep promising they will be here but they are not.
The quality of their kitchens is comparable to other companies but with the amount of chasing that I have had to do has been RIDICULOUS and has doubled the stress of doing a renovation.
At this point the splashbacks are 3months late and we are still waiting for them…

21_linda · Mar 30, 2011 11:27 am

I've just recently installed a new kitchen and I would definitely recommend contacting some local cabinetmakers for quotes.

I originally was looking at DIY flat-pack kitchen and got some quotes from Kitset and others (I'm in Melbourne).

It worked out that the cabinetmaker could offer a cheaper price to supply and install the kitchen than what the bigger flat-pack companies could offer for supply-only (and I would then have had to install it myself).

In terms of discounts or % off, I had a quote from Freedom Kitchens that was apparently at a 40% discount to their normal prices (as a post-Christmas special). Their quote was still $3,000 more expensive than what I ended up paying the cabinetmaker and, again, it was for supply-only. I would have had to pay extra for their installer or install it myself.

I also think that you end up with a better quality kitchen from a cabinetmaker. They aren't mass producing items like the bigger companies and my kitchen was customised to fit the space I have. If you go with a bigger company, you have to fit the kitchen company's standard sizes into your space (or pay a large fee to get things customised!).

grinder · Mar 30, 2011 11:49 am

I htink you should all refer to this thread viewtopic.php?f=16&t=44042

Pippi · Mar 30, 2011 1:41 pm

Don't be put off joiners because they don't have flash showrooms or websites or special offers. There are good people out there who rely on word of mouth recommendations rather than advertising.

I've been so impressed with a joiner recommended to me by a mum in the school yard. He took the time to talk through so many aspects of my reno (not just the kitchen - heaps of good advice on other things); he's recommended great local tradesmen; he's given great advice on the kitchen and his quote was much less expensive (using superior materials) than the kitchen company with the fancy showroom.

Tell everyone you know in your local area that you're after a recommendation, it's amazing how many people want to pass on the name of good tradies.

(The kitchen company was a different experience altogether. I felt like I was being pushed into agreeing the design, signing a contract and having the work completed before I'd even had time to decide what I wanted!)

Olga1 · Mar 31, 2011 7:31 pm

Have the same problem. We sign contract in September but demolish was start on 15th of March this year. After so many problems with design I found another designer and pay extra money. The renovation was start. Can’t complain with a worker- most of them is incredibly professional. But…
Kitchen was installing yesterday. I ask hundreds time to replace main tap to the reachable place to turn off water if needs. No way. Argument was- water will need to be turned off for an hour time for a building where is 14 units. I said- not a problem. I’ll notify my neighbours. Now main tap position on the corner where on one side dishwasher and another side pullout draws.
Second and main disappointed. Kitchen is small. But they make cabinets 100mm deeper so for small area it’s a lot. Plus fridge door will be on another 50mm more.
Main power box not on the right place- it will be fixed but when I ask to do this job before install kitchen they said- later on. Now electrician will make a big hall INSIDE cabinet and all horrible dust will be again but plus now on my new kitchen.
I don’t know what I will do because today they show me contract where all dimension size of the kitchen. I didn’t realise in the beginning extra 100mm deep cabinets.
May be tomorrow they will call me with their decision. Because hole line of cabinets need to be removed and cut.

Olga1 · Apr 01, 2011 11:29 am

They call me and will cut back of the cabinets for 100mm. Good!

SquirtyChookGirl · Apr 01, 2011 3:22 pm

My advice about using a kitchen company - don't. We foolishly thought if we went to a reputable kitchen co. and paid more, that it would be smooth sailing. Paying that extra $$ was for our peace of mind. It hasn't been smooth sailing including problems with the granite bench tops to incorrectly made panels. It took some 2 months to get it to the point where it is "acceptable" but in my eyes it still is not.

You pay extra for the showroom and all the staff who, along the way, come back to fix mistakes.

I have since discovered a cabinet maker who operates out of a factory unit (but trades as a kitchen specialist) and makes the exact same design kitchen as we have - it would have cost about $7-8K less.

If only I had stumbled across this forum before we started planning our extension/renovation, we could have saved some $.

When going to a cabinet maker, just be certain of exactly what you want. This is what I did with the one I had make up our vanities, laundry cabinets and bookcase cabinetry and shelving.

I am happy to recommend them for people in Sydney:

http://www.woodstonekitchens.com.au/

funkychick · Apr 23, 2011 10:02 pm

Hi Pippi, do you mind me asking which cabinet maker you used and what part of Melbourne, TIA

Pippi · Apr 24, 2011 11:13 am

Hi ****,
I sent you a PM with the details.
Pippi

gogo65 · Apr 24, 2011 10:16 pm

SquirtyChookGirl

My advice about using a kitchen company - don't. We foolishly thought if we went to a reputable kitchen co. and paid more, that it would be smooth sailing. Paying that extra $$ was for our peace of mind. It hasn't been smooth sailing including problems with the granite bench tops to incorrectly made panels. It took some 2 months to get it to the point where it is "acceptable" but in my eyes it still is not.

You pay extra for the showroom and all the staff who, along the way, come back to fix mistakes.

I have since discovered a cabinet maker who operates out of a factory unit (but trades as a kitchen specialist) and makes the exact same design kitchen as we have - it would have cost about $7-8K less.

If only I had stumbled across this forum before we started planning our extension/renovation, we could have saved some $.

When going to a cabinet maker, just be certain of exactly what you want. This is what I did with the one I had make up our vanities, laundry cabinets and bookcase cabinetry and shelving.

I am happy to recommend them for people in Sydney:

http://www.woodstonekitchens.com.au/

Hi SquirtyChookGirl,
Thanks for that recommendation.
I am looking at getting some desks/entertainment unit/display shelves made for our new home.
I will put this is my folder for reference.
Cheers
gogo

pilsward · Jan 09, 2013 1:18 pm

Pippi

Don't be put off joiners because they don't have flash showrooms or websites or special offers. There are good people out there who rely on word of mouth recommendations rather than advertising.

I've been so impressed with a joiner recommended to me by a mum in the school yard. He took the time to talk through so many aspects of my reno (not just the kitchen - heaps of good advice on other things); he's recommended great local tradesmen; he's given great advice on the kitchen and his quote was much less expensive (using superior materials) than the kitchen company with the fancy showroom.

Tell everyone you know in your local area that you're after a recommendation, it's amazing how many people want to pass on the name of good tradies.

(The kitchen company was a different experience altogether. I felt like I was being pushed into agreeing the design, signing a contract and having the work completed before I'd even had time to decide what I wanted!)

Hi Pippi,

Do you still have the details of your cabinet maker?

Thanks

sohandy · Jan 15, 2013 2:07 pm

IMHO if you are serious about quality and are going to be living in your home for the foreseeable future then go for a joiner. You get a better finish & ability to customise to your needs. We used a Brookvale based joiner based on a family recommend and did not regret it. He worked to time budget and the finish is first class. We looked at Ikea & Freedom as well & you are a lot more restricted in terms of customisation & quality. Kitchen companies have to pay for all those glossy brochures & showrooms.

He has his own workshop which we visited half way through production to view progress. Slightly higher cost for sure, but u get what you pay for - something to consider as your kitchen is used everyday so wear & tear is a real factor.

happy to PM his details...

CuttingEdgeKitchens · Jan 15, 2013 2:52 pm

sohandy

IMHO if you are serious about quality and are going to be living in your home for the foreseeable future then go for a joiner. You get a better finish & ability to customise to your needs. We used a Brookvale based joiner based on a family recommend and did not regret it. He worked to time budget and the finish is first class. We looked at Ikea & Freedom as well & you are a lot more restricted in terms of customisation & quality. Kitchen companies have to pay for all those glossy brochures & showrooms.

He has his own workshop which we visited half way through production to view progress. Slightly higher cost for sure, but u get what you pay for - something to consider as your kitchen is used everyday so wear & tear is a real factor.

happy to PM his details...

So true!

jazzy_ · Jan 25, 2013 7:32 am

Great topic...we are getting kitchen quotes at the moment and I'm not really sure what the difference is between going with a kitchen company such as Impala, or going with a joiner? Our issue is that we need someone to draw the detailed design of the kitchen. We already know exactly what we want, it's a very simple layout for an open plan and we already have some rough sketches and measurements. If someone can shed light on this that would be great!

We're in Sydney so I'm noting down the links. Sohandy - would be great if you could PM me your recommendation as well!

Thanks!

jazzy_ · Jan 25, 2013 7:56 am

Also, CEK - I may give you a buzz later today to organise a quote....

CuttingEdgeKitchens · Jan 27, 2013 5:09 pm

jazzy_

Also, CEK - I may give you a buzz later today to organise a quote....

Sorry if you tried to get me.

My family and I extended the long weekend and went camping on the Hawksberry river.

Try me on Tuesday or email me at cuttingedgecabinets@telstra.com