jdiggy Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 (edited) Dear Community, I was wondering if you could advise if this is a fair price from Sharps regarding a TV/Entertainment unit I wanted building out for an Alcove area in the living room. I have attached an image of what the area looks like now and I have also attached an image of what Sharps are proposing. Sharps have said the units in the rustic oak and graphite colour with 4 lights will cost £3200.00. They said it was something called 'Type 1 MDF', which I think is some fancy marketing terms and I believe the MDF might be wrapped. Is this worth it? How much should I be paying for a job like this? Are there any other companies I can consider to come in and quote other than Sharps? Thank you for your time and help! Alcove Area: Sharps Proposal: Edited November 1, 2021 by jdiggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 No idea if it is good value, @Onoff likes making things like this, he will knock you one up for 2050, and that is not ten to nine. What I can say about Sharps is that when they had a showroom in High Wycombe, we used to get out hair cut there. The woman that ran the place was a hairdresser/barber and did a great job out the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 Worth checking around price wise even if it's just to reassure yourself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdiggy Posted November 1, 2021 Author Share Posted November 1, 2021 I figured a reasonable and fair price for something like this would be around £2000 in all honesty. Type 1 MDF is that some marketing mumbo jumbo? I've heard Baltic Birch Ply is nice with a spray finish but that might be going too far and beyond my budget, which was closer to 2K Perhaps a moisture resistant MDF is fine here with a sprayed colour? £3200 feels dirty and well out of my budget. Are there any other retailers like Sharps that you guys can recommend? Would be grateful for any names. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 F*** me, some folk are made of ?! DIY or die here. Get yourself down IKEA! https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/cat/cube-wall-shelves-55015/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 1 minute ago, Onoff said: Get yourself down IKEA You have just made me hungry for meatballs in gravy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 Baltic birch is the dogs whatsits of ply, but I would never paint it, decent hardwood ply for painting. MDF is my go-to for custom cabinets if they are to be painted. I would say that’s a 1500-£2k item as a stand alone but bespoke size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdiggy Posted November 1, 2021 Author Share Posted November 1, 2021 8 minutes ago, markc said: Baltic birch is the dogs whatsits of ply, but I would never paint it, decent hardwood ply for painting. MDF is my go-to for custom cabinets if they are to be painted. I would say that’s a 1500-£2k item as a stand alone but bespoke size. Thanks MarkC! Appreciate the transparency. So the options are: - Find a joiner - Find another company that is like Sharps but cheaper (any recommendations?) - Go with Sharps Would you say the order of those options are best? Looks like the the creme de la creme option is joiner, MDF painted at £2000? Are there different types of MDF? and would this price include the 4 light fixings? I am in the Manchester area so looking for any recommendations of who else i can try? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makeitstop Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 Jeepers, that sounds pricey to me. I'd go joiner route any day. specify what you are looking to achieve and ask for quotes. Only use people who you know have been recommended, on facebook groups or suchlike and ask to see images of their work. Only pay a deposit up front, and only pay balance if you're happy. For £3.2K I'd be wanting more than anything made from mdf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdiggy Posted November 1, 2021 Author Share Posted November 1, 2021 Ok im wiping Sharps out. Its an overwhelming response that they are clearly ripping me off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeGrahamT21 Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 Unfortunately i'd say thats the going price for these type companies, but what you want can be done a LOT cheaper by a good joiner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 1 hour ago, jdiggy said: Thanks MarkC! Appreciate the transparency. So the options are: - Find a joiner - Find another company that is like Sharps but cheaper (any recommendations?) - Go with Sharps Would you say the order of those options are best? Looks like the the creme de la creme option is joiner, MDF painted at £2000? Are there different types of MDF? and would this price include the 4 light fixings? I am in the Manchester area so looking for any recommendations of who else i can try? Hi, look for someone who does bespoke kitchens or bedrooms, your build will be pretty straightforward for them. Joiner covers a multitude of trades/skills from first fix framing to laminate flooring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdiggy Posted November 1, 2021 Author Share Posted November 1, 2021 (edited) So lads, I have to say thank you for the number of responses. Thanks for being so kind to take your time and help a newbie out. I got a question about Aesthetics. I took the original image from Sharps and have been tinkering in photoshop. Which do you think looks better: Square pigeon holes with 2 blank push caps on the left with 4-5 push caps cabinets along the bottom: Rectangular pigeon holes with no blanks on the left with 3-4 push cap cabinets along the bottom: The colour scheme I am going for is a deep sapphire blue instead of the black and a stone or dove grey instead of the rustic oak but it could also be a warmer wood Edited November 1, 2021 by jdiggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redoctober Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 @jdiggy For me, I prefer the top image - Just to underline the point that Sharps are probably factoring in their marketing budget in your quote, our son was recently quoted £1700 by a local joiner to supply and fit something very similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pocster Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 (expletive deleted) me Ouch ! Even I’d gawp at that ! Try fittingly https://www.fittingly.co.uk @Onoff you are such a peasant ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdiggy Posted November 1, 2021 Author Share Posted November 1, 2021 1 minute ago, Redoctober said: @jdiggy For me, I prefer the top image - Just to underline the point that Sharps are probably factoring in their marketing budget in your quote, our son was recently quoted £1700 by a local joiner to supply and fit something very similar. Thanks Redoctober. I have just edited the images and re-uploaded them by removing any ornaments that may influence the aesthetics. You still like the top one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 An option for this sort of thing for the pigeon holes is water jet cutting the MDF etc (the slightly swollen edge shrinks back on drying) or even laser from a DXF. So they slot together with no fixings. Can be very neat. This might interest some on here: https://en.makercase.com/#/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 No.2 daughter decided she wanted a bit of a Goth themed bedroom makeover, all black and grey walls! ? SWMBO went to IKEA and bought a couple of these "boxes". This despite my protestations that I could make them. Apparently I'd "take too long"... I'd thought I'd have a crack anyway at making some same size, similar ones...just to show her! Plan is 8 of these 3D printed corner "guides" to hold it all square whilst it glues. Will probably use Gorilla expanding glue, no screws. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 try www.online-bedrooms.co.uk they can produce a CAD design of your requirements for no charge. Just under half the sharps prices i found and its made to measure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pocster Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 13 hours ago, Onoff said: No.2 daughter decided she wanted a bit of a Goth themed bedroom makeover, all black and grey walls! ? SWMBO went to IKEA and bought a couple of these "boxes". This despite my protestations that I could make them. Apparently I'd "take too long"... I'd thought I'd have a crack anyway at making some same size, similar ones...just to show her! Plan is 8 of these 3D printed corner "guides" to hold it all square whilst it glues. Will probably use Gorilla expanding glue, no screws. Leave it @Onoff ! It’s not like you haven’t got a few other jobs to sort ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redoctober Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 20 hours ago, jdiggy said: Thanks Redoctober. You still like the top one? I do - and it's not just because it reduces the amount of space, in which Mrs W can fill with toot!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 51 minutes ago, pocster said: Leave it @Onoff ! It’s not like you haven’t got a few other jobs to sort ! Too late, I've already rubbed the lamp! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 22 minutes ago, Onoff said: Too late, I've already rubbed the lamp! Far too much info 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pocster Posted November 2, 2021 Share Posted November 2, 2021 11 minutes ago, markc said: Far too much info Bet the genie didn’t come out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now