Step By Step Kitchen Design And Fitting Guide
People do not buy a new kitchen very often so that means there are several areas where you can make mistakes. Kitchens are a big part of your home so do not rush out and begin by things haphazardly. You will have to live with these decisions for quite some time, therefore make them after careful consideration.
When it comes to buying materials such as cabinets or appliances, you will want to stick with a local company that is well known. This should both save you time and money. Direct sales companies offer supposed discounts but you must realize that the majority of the money you spend with them is not going on quality merchandise but on sales staff and advertisements. This means the only benefit you will find are well-trained sales staff who are well versed in hard sales tactics. At the end of the day, you will wind up with a poorly designed kitchen sold to you late at night. The salesman will pressure you with tales of one time only deals and expiring specials but the truth is the deals will still be there tomorrow and in fact they will probably be even better. Never forget the sales manager has goals and targets to reach and they will do anything to reach them.
Choosing your contractor is the next step in your new kitchen. Designing and installing a kitchen can be tricky business so you will want someone experienced in the field. Do not use a handy man unless you are positive that they know exactly what they are doing. Otherwise, you can end up with a poorly constructed kitchen.
Check references and actually go see the work they have done. Beware however that many contractors will only give you access to the customers that were perfectly happy. They could have done 50 kitchens and give you only the two names of people who were satisfied. Check at least three previous jobs to get a feel for the quality of a contractors work.
If you are having trouble getting a floor plan down there are many retailers who will take your kitchen dimensions and give you a three-dimensional rendering. This will give you a visual aid to choosing cabinets, appliances and flooring.
Always ask for a discount, there is always room for movement price wise,they will never give you their best price first and if they have they will say no to a discount. Fair enough!
Granite is the most sought after material for counters and worktops, it is also one of the most expensive. Companies have started bringing in granite from the Far East however, quality is often lacking. When compared to laminate this cheaper granite can still be the better material just be sure you know what you are buying.You will find that carcases vary and the small independent contractor will have access to the best, an 18mm rigid. They will also offer you around 25 finishes that will match your doors. Imagine a light oak carcase complimented by a light oak door. Big companies will not offer this; they will instead have a white or beige carcase with painted ends to match the door. This leaves the leading edge not matching the doors, which does not look as good.
Plumbing and electric will have to be done by a qualified tradesman; most areas have laws against untrained people working with either of these. When it comes time to sell your property you will have to have the proper certifications and it can be expensive. Your technician should have this sorted for you beforehand.
The internet is a great place to get good deals on sinks and faucets; however, you need to be careful. Many places will offer Franke kitchen sinks, but ship something else. Taps are the same way, they will look like quality brands but in truth, they come from the Far East and will fall apart in a short time. If something is priced to good to be true, be wary.
To insure that you do not forget anything you should make a list of all the amenities you want in your new kitchen. Consider every appliance and decide what size, type and color you are interested in. Are you looking for tall refrigerators or a built in? The same applies to stoves, ovens and dishwashers. You may want your dishwasher in plain sight or hidden for instance. All these things you must take into consideration before you get started.
After the new kitchen is installed, your floor tiles are normally fitted to save money. Be sure you allow for the thickness of the new tile and bonding cement so that you will not be required to trim the plinths. Your tiles can then be laid just under the edge of the plinth.
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