Kim Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Hi I have committed to Wren in the supply of both kitchens for my build/ renovation, bad/good move? The price of the BIG kitchen with everything: cabinets, island/breakfast bar, quartz work top fitted and all appliances (price matched to AO.com) was £9700 The smaller kitchen (New build/ my house) is the same but £8600 We even left in some tolerances at all angles should the size of the kitchen change slightly (architect mess up or plastering thickness etc) I had quotes from Wickes at 12500 & 11800 respectively and B&Q was cabinets and worksurfaces only but wanted £1250 per worktop installation and not consider whole thing at same time as one job. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Seems OK. Looking back we have spent £4,500 for 1 bed flats up to £11,000 for 4 bed houses. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newhome Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I know a couple of people who had bad experiences with Wren but not sure whether they were just unlucky. DIY Kitchens often seems to come up as good value, although they don’t do installations I believe. Howdens also seem quite popular. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultramods Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I went to Wren and various other companies who were all quoting around 20k. I decided to order our kitchen from DIY kitchens who will supply worktop and cabinets (including doors) and I will source all appliances myself. This has saved us around 5-6k 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 B&Q already come up £8K for bigger kitchen plus i would have to get all appliances myself it will be about same as Wren. With Wren i got all CDA appliances with 5 years warranty. It does seem like Luck with Wren though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Kim said: [...] I have committed to Wren in the supply of both kitchens for my build/ renovation, bad/good move? [...] You like the kitchen: you would not have bought it otherwise. The key thing is the fitter(s). Attention to detail? Careful? Experienced? Competent? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Wren arnt Great But in saying that we spent £18000 on a German kitchen and quarts worktops Supply only While the kitchen looks great several items arrived damaged four weeks for replacements to arrive from Germany Somthing worth considering I’ve fitted quite a few Howden kitchens Very rate to have anything missing and most things are stock items Though there sales technique for a one off requires a bit of patience 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 1 minute ago, recoveringacademic said: You like the kitchen: you would not have bought it otherwise. The key thing is the fitter(s). Attention to detail? Careful? Experienced? Competent? I agree Ian There are some really good fitters out there But it is pot luck who you get I fitted ours myself as I thought it was a lot of money to spend to have it messed up Our last kitchen I fitted about seven years ago It cost 5k from BQ My wife assembled all the units and it looks as good today as when it was fitted Fitting and more important the finishing are everything 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamiehamy Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 We got the kitchen, bar and utility room from Wren. Didn't have any issues at all. Love the kitchen. I'm sure there are better quality kitchens out there but you might only know if you are the type of person to tap the backs of cupboards or inspect the sides of cover panels 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam2 Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 5 minutes ago, nod said: I’ve fitted quite a few Howden kitchens Very rate to have anything missing and most things are stock items Though there sales technique for a one off requires a bit of patience Also had a Howdens - really hate the way they price and then discount by 80% but ultimately worked out really well. I agree with what was said earlier - the fitter is so important, our builder did ours and he used a new chippie that was hopeless we had to get so much re-fitted. As long as you like the look of the cabinets/interiors etc etc then do what you can to check that the fitters are experienced with Wren and that they read fitting instructions for each appliance. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newhome Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Maybe you could get the names of the fitters before they arrive and do a search to see if you can find any reviews? My husband fitted my kitchen (apart from the granite worktop) and whilst he wasn’t massively experienced (had just fitted one kitchen prior to this one) he did spend lots of time getting things right. A commercial fitter will need to work much faster so they’ll need to be pretty decent for it to look right. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 25 minutes ago, newhome said: Maybe you could get the names of the fitters before they arrive and do a search to see if you can find any reviews? My husband fitted my kitchen (apart from the granite worktop) and whilst he wasn’t massively experienced (had just fitted one kitchen prior to this one) he did spend lots of time getting things right. A commercial fitter will need to work much faster so they’ll need to be pretty decent for it to look right. Problem with that is that they all say we have our own fitters But the reality is that they use whoever is available and pay a fraction of what you are being charged 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newhome Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 5 minutes ago, nod said: Problem with that is that they all say we have our own fitters But the reality is that they use whoever is available and pay a fraction of what you are being charged Yep! And often those who are available are available for a reason. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 To true if your employing a joiner for your build Who has good attention to detail Get the kitchen supply only and ask him to fit Though Wickes and wren are not keen on supply only we called in Wickes over Christmas to match two replacement units to one of our rentals We were told that they couldn’t give prices for indidual units Though there was a sign stating 50% of fitting I asked if the fitters where on half money for January 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryder72 Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Wren is probably the most questionable quality product you will buy. Very poor value. The quality is no better than Howdens and you will buy Howdens (sensibly priced) better than Wren. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I have bought DIY kitchens in the past and they were fine. Units averaged out at £2,700 plus VAT per kitchen, £2,200 worktops, appliances sinks and taps from various £4,280 fitting £700. Howdens are a PITA to deal with and do a double glazing style discount and endless telesales calls. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 32 minutes ago, nod said: Though there was a sign stating 50% of fitting I asked if the fitters where on half money for January Had friends who had a quote for a kitchen in the Wickes Summer sale - kitchen was £3300 and fitting £1450. Had another quote during the January sale for same kitchen layout just with different doors, and the kitchen was £3600 and fitting was £2700, with "50% off" making it £1350.... Salesman didn't know where to look when they pulled the original quote out... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Declan52 Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 When you say committed what do you mean??? In your head you have found the right kitchen or you have paid a deposit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 19 minutes ago, Mr Punter said: Howdens are a PITA to deal with and do a double glazing style discount and endless telesales calls. Saw a Howdens designed kitchen a few months back - didn't fit, despite them coming and measuring twice for the design. And you sign off that you accept their dimensions and they aren't responsible if it doesn't fit ! The spec was for soft close drawers on all units, and they supplied the wrong soft closers 3 timed before finally admitting the provided drawer types couldn't have them retrofitted and they had supplied the wrong carcasses.... Has put me off for life ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 wow, thanks for all the responses all, its really interesting reading everyones experiences. I have committed via deposits on each kitchen to secure all the January discounts even if i make changes in May it will apply and i will be entitled to any better discounts if/when they come out. I have paid the Building Company to fit both kitchens and will be with there reputation and warranties obviously. Wren weren't bothered by this at all when i said that. The work surfaces are fitted by there Quartz company though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 9 minutes ago, Kim said: I have paid the Building Company to fit both kitchens and will be with there reputation and warranties obviously. There be dragons.... check the small print in Wrens contract as I'm pretty sure the cabinet warranty is a limited cover if they don't install them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 im paying for infinity so its 20 years warranty but will definitely check Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryder72 Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 You know you can ask for your deposit back if you choose to do this. I had a client recently who had paid a deposit for a £14k kitchen from Wren as a supply only job. The kitchen fitter she contacted for installation recommended she speak to us and we did the kitchen for a fair bit under. She had no problem getting her deposit back. If anyone in kitchens ever tells you there is a discount - RUN. Its all made up and its smoke and mirrors. If there is a discount with a deadline, it will be available after the deadline. If it isnt, come and get the money from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamiehamy Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Wren also did buy now, pay later which we did. It was very very handy in letting us manage finances. Didn't cost us a penny more but let us push out repayment until after we finished the house. As long as you don't just iusb it out and forget, it helps keep cash for other things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gone West Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 We have a Wren kitchen, supply only, which we fitted ourselves. Everything was delivered on time and for the price was good quality. Their kitchen 'designers' weren't much good in our case but everything worked out fine in the end. I had heard lots of horror stories but maybe we were just lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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