Learn from an expert how to purchase your new kitchen without being harassed by over zealous salesmen or bamboozled by countless options.
Have you also had a nightmare trying to buy new cabinets for your kitchen?
You spend hours in the kitchen showroom going through all the options, all the while being badgered by the ‘won’t take “No” for an answer’ salesman.
If you can relate to this, then I know exactly where you’re coming from. Let’s compare notes:
- You go to a glossy kitchen showroom (but the prices are way too scary – remember they’ve got big overheads to cover)
- You invite a kitchen salesman to your house to measure up. 4 hours later after giving you his quote, he’s promising you a 25% discount, but only if you sign today (but he’ll have to check with his manager first - he’ll actually be phoning no one)
- You go to one of the big DIY chains at your local retail park (you know the ones). You’re browsing the aisles checking out their range of doors and worktops, when their ‘kitchen designer’ spots you.
You then proceed to spend the next 3 hours sat at their desk as they go through a very long and tedious list of options.
Why not tackle the project yourself...
Depending on your circumstances it’s often better to grab the bull by the horns and tackle the project yourself. I’m not talking about fitting it (although there’s nothing wrong with that if you’re a good DIY’er). What I mean is the design, specification and ordering of the kitchen yourself.
If you’ve never designed a kitchen before look online for a kitchen design guide aimed at beginners - you can find a good one here: www.simplekitchendesign.co.uk which explains the different layout options – like galley kitchens, U-shaped kitchens, L-shaped kitchens etc and the safety considerations you need to think about. It’s also a great way to brush up on your kitchen terminology, so you know just what to ask for.
Once you’ve created your plan – either on your PC or graph paper – you’re ready to buy the kitchen cabinets, worktop and appliances that you need.
Shop for your new kitchen online
These days, it’s often easier to shop for your new kitchen online – the choice is much greater and you can browse without being harassed by salespeople. Try some of these useful search terms, depending on the look you want to achieve and your budget:
Fitted kitchens, kitchen sale, complete kitchen, cheap kitchen, budget kitchen, discount kitchen, kitchen units, kitchen cabinets, kitchen worktops, kitchen appliances.
Any of these search terms should bring up a large selection of online kitchen stores to fulfil your needs. I’ll discuss what to look for from your kitchen supplier in my next article.