The kitchen is probably the most used room in the house for dining, entertaining, socialising and relaxing in especially for those with large families.
A haven and sanctuary for food lovers everywhere, your kitchen should reflect your lifestyle, personal tastes and inspire you. So when looking to buy a new kitchen, aside from the design of the kitchen itself, what company should you go with for creating your perfect kitchen?
Here are a few tips on how to make sure you choose the right designer kitchen company.
Choose from a reputable company who can provide you with expert advice and of course a great kitchen! The last thing you want is a bogus non-existent designer who will rip you off. Do your research and see what great feedback the design company has, check to see if they have won any prestigious awards too. Ask around to see if anybody has used them before and visit the showroom to see if their kitchens are to your liking.
When choosing the right designer kitchen company for you contact a few of them to see what information they can provide you with. Once you have some brochures or information compare them to see which ones look better in terms of the amount of detail they provide and services they offer.
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Check that the company is a member of trade bodies such as the Kitchen & Bathroom Specialist Association (KSA). They have accredited over 300 independent retailers. Another organisation to look out for is the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA). They were established over 60 years ago and are now widely recognised as an independent expert service for furniture testing. If a designer kitchen company has an FIRA certificate or award, it is highly respectable.
When you think you have found the designer kitchen company for you, contact them to clarify what type of plan they can provide for you. If it doesn’t sound right or you think that it’s not for you consult another kitchen designer.
Budget
Be realistic of your budget and look at what you can actually afford to pay, make sure your kitchen supplier is aware of this to help you find a great deal. Think about the essentials you need and then the extras you would like to have. Get a costing quote for the job and make sure it is fully itemised so that you know exactly what you’re paying for. This allows you to change your mind and discuss any queries before anything is signed.
Head to the showroom
Take the time to look round various show rooms so you get a feel for the kitchen and you may even gather inspiration from other designs. Check the quality of the kitchen, look for any corners or units that are wearing well or if hinges are beginning to sag as this will indicate it’s durability. Question if the parts fit together well and that no gaps appear. Ask for samples of worktops or materials as it will be a main feature of the kitchen and you want to get it right.
What you want from a designer kitchen after the kitchen has been fitted is an after sales policy whereby the supplier comes to check and see everything is working and installed correctly. You might also want a lengthy guarantee. Guarantees vary from company to company but ideally you want one that lasts a substantial amount of time.