| How
long is a piece of string? Very
short according to some people’s version of their previous kitchen.
Some
people are so infuriated about the length of time that their previous
kitchen lasted for; they’re willing to pay a stupid amount for
their new kitchen. This,
according to their mindset will make sure that they won’t
suffer from the same tragedy this time.
The problem
with this mindset is that it ignores value. A customer
can pay £20,000 for a kitchen and still get value for money. A
customer can pay £2,000 for a kitchen and get ‘ripped-off’.
The number
one reason why a customer  doesn’t
receive good value for money is their willingness to make a reactive
decision about most things in their kitchen. The number one reason
why a customer doesn’t receive the quality they are looking for
in a kitchen is that they don’t take the time to search for good
value for money.
Quality
might mean the difference between a kitchen lasting for either
2 or 20 years.
Quality is
available at all pricing levels within the kitchen market. You
just have to look for it. Quality within a fitted kitchen can
easily be identified into two separate areas:
1)
All the materials that are put into a kitchen
2)
The way that the materials are put together
Materials
that go into the kitchen include the kitchen cupboard doors, the
carcasses, the handles, hinges and any product that may aid the
snug fit of the kitchen such as glues, silicon sealants
and screws. These are small yet significant changes that a kitchen
company may make in order to save a little bit of money. If they
save just £50 on each kitchen they fit, in their eyes it would
certainly make it worth their while. For the customer it’s difficult
to establish whether the right product and the right quantity
is being used. Just as tricky to establish is the quality of furniture
and appliance fitting.
Ask your kitchen
designer about the proposed quality of fitting though. Make sure
that worktops will be scribed together. Make sure that
all new electrical supplies aren’t simply spurs taken from
an existing socket.
This is where
it becomes significant as to whether the kitchen fitters used by
the company are either employed or self-employed. Unfortunately
kitchen fitters are often self-employed as well – contrary to what
you might have been told by the kitchen designer. The major disadvantage
to the customer here is the fact that the kitchen fitter will be
paid by the amount of kitchens that he fits and not the length of
time that he works on your kitchen. Although not rocket science,
one of the most significant quality enhancing decisions that
a customer can make is to treat the kitchen fitter very well.
Give the kitchen fitter a tip before he starts the work. Make him
a bacon sandwich in the morning. Keep him supplied with a never-ending
cup of coffee. Tell him that you’re looking for the best fitted
kitchen in the world. It’ll be the best investment you’ll have every
made. With
regards to choosing the quality of the product itself, you will
be told many stories by the kitchen designer. Some kitchen companies
offer an 18mm carcass, some are 15mm. A lot of companies make
a great deal out of this. The reality is that it’s more down to
the quality of material within that 18mm or 15mm. What’s the point
in having a thicker carcass if half of it is made of air? Pick
at the samples of material offered for you to look at by the kitchen
designer. Run your finger along the end of the material – how
good are the joins – how thick is the laminate – how well is it
sealed.
If the quality
of the material is approved by any third party then that’s good
– take their contact details – but don’t rely on them. When reviewing
the proposed quality in your kitchen you really need to rely on
yourself.
Be sensible
in the choice of your kitchen. If you do have small children and
pets, then there really should be no misconception that a solid
fruit tree wood kitchen door will look the same in 10 years
time. A decent laminate might. Take your time. Cover all bases.
Then your new kitchen will last for as long as you want it to.
Perhaps 20 years instead of 2.
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