Chrisfin Wrote:It's a b&q cooke and lewis kitchen, which I'm sure will get some derogatory Clints from the purists, but it was a good deal. It should be arriving tomorrow. Ivory painted Oak inset doors. The tops aren't ordered, but will be 40mm thick solid oak. Haven't decided on the supplier yet, although my brother in law bought some from woodworktops.com for £120 per 3m length and they look pretty good to the untrained eye so I had thought about going with them. Are they one of the ones to avoid?

Claydon Lad Wrote:

Chrisfin Wrote:It's a b&q cooke and lewis kitchen, which I'm sure will get some derogatory Clints from the purists, but it was a good deal. It should be arriving tomorrow. Ivory painted Oak inset doors. The tops aren't ordered, but will be 40mm thick solid oak. Haven't decided on the supplier yet, although my brother in law bought some from woodworktops.com for £120 per 3m length and they look pretty good to the untrained eye so I had thought about going with them. Are they one of the ones to avoid?

I've used these before - brilliant, wouldn't hesitate to use them again. I had the prime beech ones, the quality was fantastic. It'll save you quite a lot of money.

Blue_Joe Wrote:I don't entirely agree with Stretch TBH!

I fitted a Cooke and Lewis kitchen a few weeks ago and it was very good. No screw on soft close (they are on the IT or take away kitchens!) but built into the hinge. They weren't as good as blum hinges but you can't have everything! I do think there is better out there for similar money but there is nothing at all wrong with them! There is on the other hand everything wrong with IT and takeaway kitchens from B&Q.

Issues are usually with replacement lead time on missing or damaged stuff, but can be overcome. Just ensure you have everything undamaged and correct before you start.

I used to believe that all their designers were crap as have had a few examples of bad design or bad measuring from them. But the one I fitted the other week was absolutely millimetre perfect on how everything fitted into the allocated space and every mm in the kitchen was well utililised and designed. So just goes to show that it is true of everywhere that you get good and bad in all companies!

So in essence don't get put off by negative Clints about cooke and lewis. They are pretty good in all fairness. Also I've fitted a kitchen that is the same as your getting from B&Q and it's a nice kitchen. It's not DIY'ish in design at all. It can be a little fiddly so just take your time. It's not a style to be rushed, but if you do that and plan well I'm sure you'll do a good job!

Finally - I have used worktop express online (www.worktopexpress.co.uk) for both oak which is £145.00 plus delivery for a 3m x 620mm x 40mm worktop and every one has been spot on! Also bought a few lengths of the Wenge from there (my favourite worktop!) and that also was bang on! So you could take that as a recommendation if you like!

Blue_Joe Wrote:Well as I said I have had a few worktops off them now and all of them have been spot on quality wise

Chrisfin Wrote:Ok thanks. I am a DIYer and I am doing it in my own house so we'll see how I get on. I'll check each item including cornice, pelmet and end panels etc before I start the fit as advised.

The design is my own, not that of a spotty B&Q teenager, so if it turns out to be impractical, impossible to fit or just plain ugly I only have myself to blame. Here's hoping I got it right.

For future reference, where would you recommend someone like me go to purchase a kitchen that a discerning fitter would be happy to fit, even if I might choose to fit it myself?