We’ll recommend local showrooms whose kitchens cost similar to the chains & trade only suppliers, but are higher quality & will last much longer. This also applies when the chain store units are in the sale.
They are also better value than the chains for their optional fitting. Their average fitting price is only £1,500 which is much less than the chains & similar to what builders charge.
Plus, their prices for granite, quartz, ceramic, Corian & laminate worktops are usually similar to online. So to are their appliance prices.
Some showrooms also offer pay monthly finance.
“We’ve been very impressed with the service they gave and the value for money compared to B&Q”
Karen Wilkins, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire
Here are some examples of the kitchens these showrooms offer:
Why are these units higher quality than the chains & trade only suppliers & will last much longer?
The type of doors used:
The doors are mostly the high quality painted/lacquered type. In contrast, the chains & trade only suppliers mainly sell the low quality foil, PVC, PET or vinyl wrapped types. The problem with the low quality wrapped types are they peel. Unfortunately, once a door has started to peel, it can’t be repaired. The only option is to replace it which is costly.
The quality of chipboard used:
The units are constructed using high density chipboard. High density chipboard will support the weight of the heaviest worktops & will never bow.
In contrast, the chains & trade only suppliers tend to use cheaper, low density chipboard. The problem with low density chipboard is it bows under the weight of the worktops. The first signs of bowing is usually seen on the backs of the units. Once the backs start to bow, it isn’t usually long before they come away completely, exposing the wall & any pipework behind.
The type of edging used:
The units feature impact resistant PVC or ABS edging. The purpose of the edging is to protect the delicate front edges from chips & damage & prevent any water ingress. In contrast, the chains & trade only suppliers tend to use standard melamine edging which offers little or no protection.
How can a small showroom be better value than the chains?
It’s all down to overheads. Small showrooms have tiny overheads compared to the chains. Unlike the chains, they don’t have huge superstores to run or multi million pound TV adverts to pay for. Therefore, they can afford to offer you a much higher quality kitchen than the chains, for a similar price.
Surely the chains will be cheaper if their units are in the sale?
No – because their sales are fake. The chains try to mislead consumers into thinking they’re getting a bargain by hiking up their prices so they can then offer large discounts. They then try and pressurise them into putting down a deposit by telling them their sale ends in the next few days.
Isn’t the cheapest way to buy a kitchen via a builder?
No – because their discounts are also fake. Although builders will tell you they’ll save you a fortune because of the 80% discounts they get from trade only suppliers, this is the same trick the chains use, designed to mislead you into thinking you’re getting a bargain. Trade only suppliers hike up their prices so builders can then tell consumers they get 80% off.
In reality, the prices builders quote for a trade only supplier kitchen is usually similar to the chains. In fact, sometimes they’ll quote more than the chains, especially if you live in an affluent area.
