Choosing an Installer
There are plenty of specialist magazines out there. Have a look through a few of these before visiting any kitchen retailers.
This will allow you to decide what kind of kitchen you want and the prices you might expect to pay without having any pushy
salespeople present.
- When you have decided on the kind of kitchen you are after, visit several showrooms. This will ensure you choose the
kitchen retailer that is best for you, and therefore hopefully avoid any future kitchen problems.
- When visiting kitchen showrooms, make sure you are aware of your own needs. For instance, will the kitchen be used for
regular cooking? Will your kitchen act as a social zone? Does your kitchen need to double as a laundry space?
Go through your checklist with a specialist at the showroom, and this can help prevent future problem kitchens as they
will know what it is you need to achieve from the outset.
- Know your finances. Before you visit any showrooms, know whether you are going to pay outright or by finance, and how
much you can afford. Financial disputes can be avoided by setting a limit.
Buying Kitchen Furniture
- Ensure all the suppliers you consider have a kitchen showroom you can visit where you can view the quality of their
products. Real samples of colours and finishes should be made available to you, to avoid kitchen disputes later on.
- Have a look at how the showroom kitchens have responded to wear and tear. This is a good indication of quality.
If a kitchen doesn’t look good in the showroom, it could make for a problem kitchen at home when used in a
working environment.
- Ensure your chosen kitchen retailer pays a technical site visit to your home before you make a purchase. This can
address any potential issues and help avoid a problem kitchen later on.
- This may seem obvious, but obtain a full quote before purchase. Go through the quote with your kitchen retailer, and
ensure all costs are included to avoid financial disputes over your kitchen later on.
- A little forward planning can prevent several common kitchen disputes. Make sure you know when you are scheduled to
pay for what, when your kitchen will be delivered and when fitting is due to start and end.
- Ensure you know whether or not your kitchen installation includes tiling, plastering, redecorating, and electrical
installation. Usually it won’t include all of them, but these are things that can be negotiated before you sign on the dotted
line, and again this will help avoid kitchen disputes when things get underway.
- Kitchen problems can be alleviated by ensuring your have some form of after-sales care included in your purchase.
Again, check this before you commit to anything.
- Finally, check that your chosen supplier is part of a reputable trade association such as The Furniture Ombudsman. They
will have to abide by a Code of Practice, which will give you peace of mind, and if you do encounter any problems with
your kitchen, the supplier is likely to act fairly and responsibly.
After Installation
- Once everything has been fitted, thoroughly check your new kitchen before signing a satisfaction note. This is the best
time to pick up on any kitchen problems or snags.
- Small problems with your new kitchen aren’t uncommon. When your cupboards have been filled with heavy items such as
crockery and tinned goods, you may find that the doors will need realigning. Your fitter should do this for you
without hesitation.
- If problems with your kitchen do ensue, do something about it quickly. Make a specific list of issues and speak to your
installer about each one. If your kitchen is covered under a guarantee, your supplier should help you.
- If problems persist, contact iKAB. We are here to help. The strength of having an Independent Survey and report
should make negotiating with your supplier that much easier.