Hello all

[The Wife]

Another girly I am afraid - im not scared of a bit of swearing - it takes a lot to offend me!

My hubby set up on his own (he been a joiner for 22 years) doing general joinery work plus kitchen and bedroom fitting.

He is so busy (and good!) that he now has one full time contractor and several other contractors working for him. I have given up my job to run the office side of everything - I am looking into purchasing some software so that I can do the kitchen and bedroom designing (any tips on what to buy would be gratefully rceeived!)

I often read forums for any tips and advice for OH - I tend to have more time than him - I found this through Screwfix.

When I have a bit more time I will post on the problem customers section! I have a few for there.

[kitcheneer]

Welcome to the forum. It would be a good idea for you to fill out your profile, at least the location part.

John

[Stretch]

Hi "The Wife" and welcome to the forum.

There are quite a few good CAD software packages out there for purchase. From what I've seen Planit tend to be the best although it is mightily expensive at around £4000 the last time I looked.

I've heard of though never seen any examples of 20 20 software reproductions and I think it's probably a bit cheaper.

Here's a link:

http://www.2020technologies.com/us-eng/2...index.aspx

However if you are new to CAD software I cannot recommend Kitchendraw enough. They do a free download from their website which will give you 30 free hours of use, after which you can purchase additional hours to keep the program going.

Here's an example of what Kitchendraw can produce although there's no facility for designing bedrooms.



You can find them at www.kitchendraw.com

Regards,

Stretch

[The Wife]

Thanks Stretch - I will try that one out!

I have updated my profile Kitcheneer..

[Edecko]

Hello "The Wife"
I have the 20/20 software. I admit to not being great on a PC but I still thought it was very difficult to use.

The Planit is superb, should be for the 4k they want for it.
Just a point, one firm I work for has being going strong over 20 years and they draw there plans out in pencil. D

[The Wife]

Thanks - I am much quicker on a PC than with a pencil! I would be there for hours if I tried drawing it..

I have had a go on kitchendraw and as a start, designed myself a new kitchen, which has made me want a new kitchen :D

It seems really easy to use - although not quite got my head around putting in doorways and windows - I am sure I will get it.

TBH if we have to spend £4K on something, we will. We lose a lot of business by designers cocking up!

[The Wife]

Hi all,

Would really appreciate any feedback from kitchen designers. I spent all evening last night designing using kitchendraw - it is definately the sort of thing that we need, but it does not appear to have much in the way of choice re sinks, dishwashers, ovens, washing machines etc. The principal is great, but I think I need more detail - does this mean that I am going to have to pay out in the region of £4K? I also really need bedroom design as well - I definately dont need bathroom design, so I wondered whether there was anything specific for bedroom and kitchen, rather than paying out for kitchen and bathroom?

Thanks in anticipation.

Great site stretch !!

[Stretch]

Was that a compliment about this forum? If so, thank you very much!!

As I design kitchens as well as fit them I'll offer you my thoughts:

I think most designers will tell you that if you are really serious about kitchen and bedroom design then Planit is the only one for you.

Take a look at their website:

http://www2.planit.com/uk/fusion/

and click on the gallery link at the bottom right corner of the page. The capabilities of this software are truly awesome and they work with all the major manufacturers to get true representations of specific kitchen ranges and appliances.

The 4k you are paying is not for the software only. It's also for the license in the form a USB (or similar) "Dongle" without which the software won't run. You can install the same software on your office PC and your laptop but you need to plug the dongle into whichever you are using. I believe you can also get built in pricing databases so the program will automatically create a quote. There is also training and support.

It honestly depends how much you think you can justify spending 4k. I have survived for the last 3 years with my bog standard Kitchendraw program. It does everything I need it to apart from creating quotes (well it does do that but I'd need to program all the prices in and I can't be arsed to do that so I just type up an order for my supplier who does it for me). My customers are solely private householders who are more than happy to see a set of glossy prints with a generic sink or oven or washing machine. You can muck about with the attributes of every individual article to get a truer representation of what you are trying to display. Also, once you have purchased additional hours from Kitchendraw you can then download specific manufacturers catalogues.

All the sheds use Planit, as do a lot of the builders merchants (Howdens for instance) who supply kitchens.

Food for thought.

[The Wife]

Thanks Stretch - I might give Kitchendraw a go first..

How much do you spend? do you have to pay upfront or do you pay after use?