New member, cabinet maker from Somerset

[Davidpidge]

Hi all,
 Nice to see people taking pride in their work and sharing on here. I'm a cabinet maker so I make and install my own work designed to Clints requirements.  I'll try and work out how to upload a couple of photos of some recent work soon. 
We're in the process of designing some kitchen units that we can sell online to trade and private Clints so I don't have to install anymore! They will be simple painted shaker units, in frame doors. Birch ply carcass, painted poplar face frames/doors. Assembled and finished by us ready for installation. The ultimate goal is to have all the units online for the customer to choose options for and order. We will make said units and either deliver or prepare for collection. 
Our first problem is that we don't know anyone who can install our units and we're not sure where in the country the units will be going.
We're in the early stages so are currently working out prices and an initial range of units/panels etc. The idea is to supply the kind of stuff I already make but to standard sizes for ease of design and installation. Is there a market for it? I know price will be the main factor and our lead time will be around 8 weeks as everything will be made to order. 
I've already had a reply from stretch-(KFF moderator) allowing me to post on the forum about our intentions so don't lynch me just yet!
Cheers!
David   

   
   

[Davidpidge]

Ok that didn't quite work! I'll have to sort out the photos later on!

[PREM]

Welcome David

There is a link at the top with a list of fitters on here from all over the country.  

Good luck

[Fitter Steve]

Looks like you make nice kitchens so I dont think getting the people interested is going to be a problem if you can get people finding you on the web.   

   I imagine the difficult part will be getting the website right.

 How will you be selling the kitchens to start?  I assume trade would be coming to you with plans.  How bout Joe Public?  

  How long does the average kitchen take to make?   Do you have the machinery to make the cabinets and doors or are you making them yourself?
  Hope you dont mind these questions.  Please dont answer them if they are too intrusive.  I actually have many more but its late and my mind is wondering so Ill leave them haha.

 

  I wish you the very best in your venture.  The more decent suppliers out there who are competitive the better.

[Jayne Hiddleston]

Hi David,

I would say there was a market for this. By keeping your cabinets to module sizes your costs and time scales will be reduced and you will have a more effective way of dealing with multiple orders. We create everything handmade and therefore every cabinet we do can be a different size, made to mm precision to fit the space exactly - however we are now trying to be as module as we can as we know this has huge savings in time and costs and everyone is very budget conscious nowadays, plus kitchen design trends are currently so minamialist and streamlined, it often works to stick to module sizes. Your cabinetry looks great. Good luck!

[Davidpidge]

Thanks for feedback everyone. 
I had a look at the fitters directory but there is no one in the south west. not a problem until we get orders!
In regard to the website and how we will sell, we're starting with one range. painted shaker style doors, in frame with clear lacquered ply carcasses. Each unit will be listed with dimensions and options available with prices for a single unit (collected). there will be 6 paint colours as standard and various pullout storage/waste solutions pre installed.
We will have a page giving brief instructions for measuring a room and choosing cabinets this is for the enthusiastic diy'er! people can send us plans and we will do a design based on our available units (bespoke units available at extra cost) or we will do a full site survey and design in the local area. hopefully we can  offer people the same level of design and quality that we offer now but with a far more off-the-shelf convenience. hopefully I can design everything to be as installer friendly as possible and that's where this forum will be invaluable as I've already had problems working out how to install built in dishwashers and fridges!
The website should be ready in the new year so feedback on that will be most welcome. I have a couple of existing Clints who are going to test the site for me and hopefully get one of them to do their kitchen through us!
Cheers!

[Davidpidge]

How do the guys who supply and fit kitchens deal with delivery of units? do they get delivered to site by the manufacturer? do you collect from the manufacturer? does it depend on the size of the project? do you or Clints ever use 3rd party couriocouriers?

[PREM]

I would say most of us get them delivered to site, either from a one stop shop like Crown or cabs from local and doors from nationals.  

Put your site up on here we will give you feedback,  all constructive, never harsh.


Edit: don't forget to reply to jokes.

[snezza]

Welcome to the Forum David   

I have my kitchens & appliances delivered to my Showroom/Workshop. It would be a very rare case to have one delivered direct to a job from the manufacturer/supplier.

Hopefully, the complete kitchen, appliances, sink & taps can all be delivered to the job in one hit. If this is the case, then I use a local guy with his Mercedes Jumbo van to do the delivery. He costs me £70 for up to a 25mile radius of the Showroom.

Some times, due to lack of on-site storage, its easier to take stuff to the job when its actually needed. If that's the case, then I take it myself in my own van on the day its required.

I usually arrange for my British kitchens to be delivered to me at least a week or two prior to when I actually plan on starting the fit. This is due to the fact that the British company are SO VAGUE about when I can expect the delivery and it is often delayed, so this allows me a bit of leeway. Also, they often have some items missing (loose doors, not enough cabinet legs, etc)

Its a different matter with my German suppliers,...... they are SO RELIABLE and other than the Ferry sinking on its way over from mainland Europe, their deliveries are always on time and complete....its very,very rare for something to be missing or damaged.