Why discount kitchens are the worst value
If you’re looking for a kitchen in one of the big high street chains, you’ll probably find they’re having a 50% off sale. Why wouldn’t you go and look at these discount kitchens?
Unfortunately, all isn’t necessarily as it seems. The discount kitchens may not be such a bargain as you think.
The problem with discount kitchens
The sign proclaims “Was £10,000 — now only £5,000”. This sounds great, but unfortunately it’s the oldest sales trick in the book. The £10,000 is an artificially inflated price, so the real price of £5,000 can be advertised as “50% off”. These fake discounts are designed to mislead consumers into thinking they’re getting a bargain. This sales trick is known as price anchoring.
In contrast, instead of insulting your intelligence with fake sales, most Independent kitchen showrooms will offer you their best price first.
The other advantage of using an independent kitchen showroom is that their the units are usually higher quality than the chains and will last longer. So, for example, their units will be constructed from high-quality, high density chipboard that will support the weight of the heaviest worktops & never bow. In contrast, the chains construct their units from low-quality, low density chipboard which will bow under the weight of the worktops.
Also, these units usually come with high-quality painted and lacquered type doors. In contrast, the chains usually supply low-quality wrapped type doors. The problem with wrapped type doors is they peel. Unfortunately, once a wrapped door has started peeling, the only option is to replace it, which is usually expensive.
Below are two pictures of peeling wrapped doors.
Worktops for discount kitchens
Luxury granite or quartz worktops will cost extra, wherever you buy your kitchen from. The chains tend to charge a lot for these, and you may be tempted to save money by buying them online. What would cost £4,000 from the chains, may be available online for as little as £2,500.
The drawback here is that there can be problems with granite or quartz and, even if you’ve picked a reliable online company, introducing a different supplier makes it more complicated to sort out these problems. Plus, a local showroom may not charge much more than the online companies (£2,750, perhaps) but will sort out any problems that arise without any fuss.
Fitting discount kitchens
The big chains tend to charge a fortune fitting the kitchens they supply. Their average dry fit price is around £4,000. A common solution is to buy the kitchen and then get a builder to fit it. Builders typically charge around £2,000 for a dry fit.
Most independent kitchen showrooms usually charge similar to what builders quote for fitting.
Unfortunately, as good as most independents kitchen showrooms are, not all of them are good value. Many charge a lot more for the units than what the chains charge. However, there are some independents that are similar in price to the chains. Plus, their kitchens are just as good quality as the more expensive independent kitchen showrooms.
How do you find these great value suppliers?
Simple, just contact us and we will tell you who they are.
Our service is free.
Our free service recommends the best value kitchen suppliers in your area.
Their kitchens cost similar to the chains and trade only suppliers, but are higher quality and will last longer.
Showrooms offer free, no-obligation quotes and are within 30 minutes drive.
Read what our customers say about our service below:
“The kitchen your guys came up with is far more competitive than anything I have had quoted so far and the quality is in a different league”
Samantha Michaels, Watford, Herts
“The price was similar to builders merchants & DIY chains, but the kitchen was much better quality”
Andrew Scott, Wivenhoe, Essex
“Lloyd was able to point me to local independent kitchen retailers offering greater quality and value compared to the high street chains”
Mohammed Hashi, Northolt, Middx
“If you’re looking for a good value kitchen supplier, these are the people to speak to first!”
Natalie D R, Stanmore, Middx