Hi from Northamptonshire

[captainoats]

Hi all,

Doing quite a bit of research on kitchen designs, companies to design and fit, planning and identifying those brands with a great reputation. Currently looking at Crown Kitchens, Benchmarx, Wren, Premier Kitchens, Wickes, Howdens and Zest. Toying with plans for maximum use of space whilst being practical with the open plan design and clean feel of the kitchen (currently on design 6!). It has been an interesting read of some posts so far......
So hopefully I can pick up some more tips here and work out the best quality units to purchase and from where. So far some interesting quotes received with classic sales/marketing techniques and waving a magic wand results in large discounts! Fitting costs have occasionally become inflated and then reduced dramatically! Will be reading quite a few threads with interest so I just wanted to thank you in advance for your professional experience and knowledge.

Captainoats

[Daniel]

Welcome Captainoats ..... if you are on design 6 then it sounds like you need to find a decent designer first and foremost.

I know thats not easy as most of the places you have mentioned don't have decent designers working for them, perhaps you should try a local independent, you might be surprised how flexible on price they would be to get your business and how much better their design would be.

Either way best of luck, hope the forum continues to impress and educate

[Jayne Hiddleston]

I agree with Daniel, often much more friendly, personalised service and often have much more passion and drive to create the best quality design possible that will work within the Clints budget. Strong believer in that you get what you pay for in the industry, good luck and let us know how you get on!

[owen]

I echo the above.  Wickes, Benchmarx, Wren, Howdens etc are all VERY unlikely to give you the level of service you will get at a smaller independent showroom.  There are plenty of independents who will be able to offer a product at a reasonable price - for example, a Crown Kitchen will not be hugely more than a Howdens kitchen, but the quality and choice will be superior.  But the actual brand of kitchen is far less important than the people designing and fitting it, and in general the people at a small independent will be better, simply because they have to be to survive against the big names.

The brand we use is Masterclass Kitchens - i'm not sure if they have a dealer in Northamptonshire, but have a look at their website and you will be able to find out - www.masterclasskitchens.co.uk

[chippy1970]

I echo the above.  Wickes, Benchmarx, Wren, Howdens etc are all VERY unlikely to give you the level of service you will get at a smaller independent showroom.  There are plenty of independents who will be able to offer a product at a reasonable price - for example, a Crown Kitchen will not be hugely more than a Howdens kitchen, but the quality and choice will be superior.  But the actual brand of kitchen is far less important than the people designing and fitting it, and in general the people at a small independent will be better, simply because they have to be to survive against the big names.

The brand we use is Masterclass Kitchens - i'm not sure if they have a dealer in Northamptonshire, but have a look at their website and you will be able to find out - www.masterclasskitchens.co.uk

Ill second Owens post, Ive fitted about 5 or 6 masterclass kitchens also known as Sigma3 in the last few months. They are very good quality and most of the designs have been good by the local showroom.

[Stretch]

Hi Captain, and welcome to KFF.

I would, obviously, recommend sourcing a local independent fitter who comes with recommendations.

Businesses such as this don't mess around with silly sales techniques such as starting with high prices then offering discounts. The price you are quoted will be the price you pay.

Labour costs are subjective dependant on how much you expect them to do but many independent fitters will also offer all the auxiliary services such as tiling, plumbing and electrics. Far better to use a company that do everything in house than sourcing loads of different trades.

Also they will have good quality suppliers and won't rely on Howdens, Ikea, Benchmarx or any of the sheds.

Try looking at our Fitters Directory which you can link from at the top of the page. You might find someone in your area.

Depending on which side of Northamptonshire you are we may/may not be able to help.

We supply and fit Crown but are fully booked for 2017. We would be happy to take any enquiries for 2018 however.

[captainoats]

Thank you all for your Clints and feedback. All very much appreciated. 
I had an independent showroom visit this evening and was very impressed with him. I was up front with our budget and what I would expect in the design and style. 
Crown Kitchen representative is coming out soon and I am looking forward to that. 
Wren have followed up with a "Black Friday" offer but the more I read about them the more I am put off so I'm going to cancel that follow up discussion. I don't like their sales techniques of trying to get you to sign on the dotted line there and then. I feel a kitchen needs to be carefully thought through as once it is in it's in - not like buying a car and then selling it after a year! At least the independent agreed that you shouldn't rush a design or purchase of a kitchen as it needs to suit budget and requirements so felt more comfortable with him. 
I'm not entertaining Howdens now as more I think of them the more I don't want to purchase from them - got a gut feeling!! lol, nothing against the company.
Premier Kitchens are a non starter as their sales tactics are again too pushy, not as bad as Wren, and prices fluctuate too much that I don't trust the brand now.
So that really leaves the local independent, Crown, Wickes (which I don't feel I want to go for either) or Benchmarx.
I haven't heard anything negative about Benchmarx and I do have a decent fitter contact so will see how it goes. I am looking at practicality and an ease of use kitchen and not fussed with it have "bling" over functionality which is what I have found with some expensive kitchens. I appreciate that the independents may not be as cheap as Benchmarx (and quality may also differ) but it depends what they can provide within budget. Wish I had free money trees but need to be sensible. 
Will see how it goes and feed back in here and I do hope the independents come up with a fresh idea within the budget I have discussed - I do want to support local independent businesses.

[captainoats]

http://www.masterclasskitchens.co.uk

Yes found one 3.7 miles from my home 

[PREM]

An independent has a vested interest from start to finish and beyond, with any kitchen they sell. The sheds don't, they only want a quick sale and move on to the next one, its their business model.  After sales with them all is a joke.

The sell on the day, and this sale ends on Friday is a bigger joke.  

The salesmen are on a % of the sale so its in their interest to sell you a 5k kit for 20 k,  they were on around 10% years ago but i think it has come down now.