Why should I buy from an Independent Kitchen studio

Why should I buy from an Independent Kitchen-Bedroom design studio over a National DIY chain or a National company with Kitchen – Bedroom showrooms?

As the Co-owner of Millcraft responsible for design and customer service it is fair to say I will be biased when it comes to answering the above question however I am going to answer it any way as it is a question I am asked on a regular basis what can we offer that they can not, and are we as good value for money.

It is without doubt evident that since the recession buying habits have changed and customers who would normally never consider an MFI type kitchen are doing the rounds with the likes of B&Q and Wicks.  The reason for this is because it is going to cost them less, isn’t it?

Here are a number of reasons I strongly believe that an independent is better value for money than buying from a national multiple.

Independent service

1.  After meeting the customer in the showroom for the first time and going through a number of ideas to ascertain an agreed style for the room an appointment is booked for me to visit the home and measure the space getting a feel for the room dynamics and the clients lifestyle.  This is my business and I do not earn a penny from this service.  A design survey can take upto 2 hours just formulating ideas which I take back to the showroom.

When I design a kitchen it takes me approximately a day to consider the possibilities for the space and create a number of proposals and a costing.  At this stage I price in a number of price groups to enable my customers to make an informed choice as to which range most suits their taste and budget.  Again the customer is not charged for this service however we do not give away our designs.

When I meet the customer in my showroom I am open to suggestions, as I have not produced one conclusive design. This is their space and whether they are spending £7,000 or £37,000 I believe it is important that you have considered all options. From this meeting changes are made and the final designs are produced with costing.

A national company can not afford the time to spend on this level of service and detail and therefore would produce the designs in front of you while you wait and does not apply as much imagination to the design or have the flexibility and knowledge to know how to get the most out of their fitting team and the ranges available to them.  Therefore you could spend £10,000 on a kitchen from a national and it would be very basic or you could spend the same in a studio and get a more bespoke look with additional features

2. When ordering your kitchen from a studio it is common to pay a deposit of between 35% and 50%  depending the nature of the kitchen hand built etc with two further staged payments one just before installation and 10% on completion.  This allows you to organise your finances and gives you peace of mind that you have not paid all upfront.

A national chain however requires full payment to order often offering finance facilities once the payment has been made if the documents have been signed on the retailers premises you loose the right to cancel.

3. Before your Kitchen- Bedroom  is ordered it is normal practise for a technical site survey to be carried out this will be done by the fitter who is going to install your kitchen or an owner of the business.  The measurements of the room are checked and the detail of the design discussed again at this point it is still possible to make changes.

The fitter if not a direct employee of the business will be a trusted member of a small team of contractors that the showroom works with on a regular basis and has done for many years.  An installation will take 2-3 weeks depending upon size

A national company may or may not send a surveyor in to check the measurements and design detail. The company will work with a pool of fitters spread all over the country who may not be local to you, an installation will take approximately 1 week and if there are remedial items to be altered or changed it could be a different team that goes in to sort these things out.

3. Remedial’s during the installation, as a kitchen however well designed or high the quality it is possible that items are sent wrong or damaged by suppliers this is due to the number of individual items that make up your kitchen often over 60 component parts an independent showroom will have identified any anomalies during the first stage of the installation and any items that are required are ordered and delivered within 48 hours this ensures that customers does not feel any inconvenience and therefore it is not an issue.

A national retailer will be tied into supply contracts which regularly state 21 days delivery times regardless of the nature of the order i.e replacements or additions.  This means that many of the kitchens that are started are still not finished weeks later.  The nationals cover this off as snagging.

The final outcome could to the untrained eye look similar however time is the great test and often a kitchen rushed in design and fitting can look dated and start to sag in just a few years.

An independent showroom will design and install a kitchen that is built to last the test of time in terms of design and quality therefore £ for £ you will get more value for money from a independent design studio.

"What is the most suitable work surface for my kitchen?"

Hello. I am Corrine Mill, co-owner and Director of Millcraft Interiors. This is my first blog of many and I hope to pass on some of my experience that I have gained over the past 21 years working within the Kitchen and Bathroom sector.

Something I am asked on a regular basis is “what is the most suitable work surface for my kitchen?”
Often when looking to buy a kitchen or remodel an existing space this is one of the main considerations. In my experience what you should ask yourself is 'What is most important to me? Durability or aesthetics?' and 'How much of my budget will I be prepared to spend on this element of the project?'. Work surfaces - or counter tops, if you like - come in many different finishes. I have listed some of the pit falls of different options.

Corian
Pros: This is a fabricated surface which is seamless and therefore ticks the aesthetic box; it enables you to have a sink fully moulded into the design creating an expanse of surface making the area feel larger. Corian works well in a contemporary home and when bespoke elements are designed into the project Corian has the flexibility to take on the form required. The colours available are uniform and varied.
Cons: This surface can scratch and dependant upon the colour you choose will depend on how visible these scratches are. However, it is repairable and you can polish the scratches out. It has a very man-made feel about it and if you prefer natural elements to your home this may not be compatible.
Price: High Range

Granite
Pros: Granite is good for making pastry and baking on as it generally feels cold. When the appropriate polish is used to keep it sealed the surface will always look great. Granite works well in a Traditional, Classical or Contemporary kitchen design. Granite is available in honed, leather and polished finishes. Leather is very hard wearing and easy to clean.
Cons: Granite can chip and is not repairable. Joins are visible and the amount of joins depends upon the confidence of the fabricator. This is where the experience of a Kitchen Design Studio is essential. Colours can be eclectic. As this is a natural material there is a chance that a random spot or blotch will be in the centre of the surface. The range of colours or types of granite is limited by nature and availability. Price also ranges by availability.
Price: High-Mid Range

Solid wood
Pros: Some solid woods are easier to look after than others. Those with a higher natural oil content are less maintenance i.e Iroko; Beech has the least natural oil; Maple has anti-bacterial properties. Solid wood surfaces give a kitchen a softer feel and work well in Classical or Traditional Kitchens. When working with a Contemporary design often the darker woods work well.
Cons: It will mark if not oiled on a regular basis. Often people only oil it when first fitted; this is a mistake and will lead to irrepairable damage to the wet areas in the kitchen. If a hot pan is placed on the surface it will leave a ring mark - however it can be sanded down and re-oiled to take it back to its original finish. Some people over oil the surface, which then leads to oil sitting on the top of the surface which can be sticky - if this happens, remove the excess oil and lightly sand.
Price: Mid Range

Laminate surface
Pros: Laminate worktops are durable and heat resistant. They are available in a wide range of colours and can look good in any kitchen design. A good quality laminate will last years and always choose one with a capillary groove - this prevents the surface from de-laminating. At Millcraft we work with Duropal, German High Pressure Laminates. Laminates are a cost effective way to create a great look. Worktop joins are bareley visible.
Cons: Laminate can scratch and if your installer is not experienced then the joins will be more visible. High Gloss Laminate will smear and not be as durable as the other finishes. It is possible to burn the surface if a hot pan is placed upon it as it is only heat resistant to a certain point, not heatproof. Laminate is not repairable.
Price: Low Range

Whilst there are other surfaces on the market I have given my view on a few to give a feel of the benefits of one type of surface over another. Allocation of budget will most likely be a deciding factor in which work surface to choose.
As a guide if you are looking to spend between:

- £8,000 and £15,000 on your kitchen then either laminate or wood will work in with your budget depending on furniture choices and appliances.
- if your budget is £15,000 to £22,000, Granite works well within this budget area or Laminate and Wood if you are wanting to spend more on appliances or higher spec furniture.
- and if you have a budget over £22,000 Corian is an option depending on the size of your kitchen and other choices.

These price ranges are just a guide and may vary based upon design.

Always consider the following before choosing your surfaces:

How do I work in my kitchen? (i.e do you bake or have dinner parties etc or is it a family kitchen). Functionality is a very important factor in this decision process.

What look do I want to achieve?

How much time do I have to clean and wipe down the surfaces? Is maintenance an issue?

How much do I want to spend?

Ultimately it is a personal decision to which work surface you choose. Always look at samples and compare them to the kitchen doors etc; taking them home is useful as you can see the colours in the natural light of your home. Remember to give yourself plenty of time when making these choices and never be rushed as this is a very important factor to how your kitchen will look. If in doubt, trust your designer to give you their advice on which choice will overall be the best option for your room, as a good designer can visualise the finished room without the aid of computer generated image.

In my next blog I will discuss the differences between Classical, Traditional and Contemporary Kitchen design.