New Kitchen - Where To Start?

[237SJ]

I`m in two minds about whether to sell my late Mum`s house or do it up and rent it out. It is in "good nick" but could do with a new kitchen. I`m not going for anything too elaborate for a rental. I remember the days when you could go down to MFI and they would have a computer generated programme that would design the kitchen. Where does one go nowadays, B&Q?

[naomi24]

Most of the big retailers - and the small ones - will design a kitchen for you free of charge. Just ask them.

[janbee]

Wickes and Homebase do it so I assume B & Q as well.

[237SJ]

Thanks. I might try Homebase - there is one up the road. Some of the neighbours have knocked a small internal wall out and used the space to make an island, thus creating a kitchen diner. Would a kitchen fitter do that sort of thing or would I have to get a general builder?

[Togo]

Most of the retailers have got wise to that. They will do you the plan and let you view it , but will resist giving you a copy for obvious reasons. ie It empowers you to shop around. If you are not doing anything radical or changing the layout, why not measure each unit that is in there at the moment. They will be either 1000mm,800mm,600mm,500mm,400mm and occasionally 300mm. Do this for wall and base units. Measure up the worktop lengths, make a note of sink and tap requirements. Measure up how much plinth ( the kickboard piece between the base units and the floor), and how much cornice and pelmet if any you want for the wall units. You may also need to bear in mind that the ends of the base and wall units may need colour co-ordinating end panels to match the frontals. With that info you can get a supply only quote. Don't let you first port of call retain your list. Alternately if yiu are using a kitchen fitter get him to take all this on board. If he has an account with Howdens they will do the whole survey and give him any plans or drawings. Bear in mind appliances and tiling or flooring requirements.

[naomi24]

The services of a kitchen fitter from one of the big stores will cost you more. If you can get someone privately, it will be a lot cheaper. A general builder, if he can't fit the kitchen himself, will no doubt know someone who can.

[janbee]

Some say they charge a fee i.e £ 50 but, if you then go on to have one of their kitchens, it's deducted from the price. ... so they say.

[Zacs-Master]

Sale on at Howdens joinery at moment if there's one near you.

[237SJ]

Thanks for the replies. There is a Howdens a few miles away. I will check it out

[jomifl]

You can download kitchen design software from the Ikea website.

[jomifl]

http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_GB/rooms_ideas/kitchen_howto/EU/plan_your_kitchen_in_3d.html

[Clanad]

I had the same problem about deciding what to do with the house, SJ... but if I had it to do over again, I suspect I'd sell it sooner rather than later.

Problem is, as you'll come to understand, the new kitchen is the least of your problems. At least here in the U.S. for example, the cost of the insurance carried to replace the house if fire or flood ensues and especially the part of the insurance that covers you if the neighbor's kid falls off the porch and they sue you for negligence, goes up dramatically since it is now a "commercial enterprise".

Additionally, the calls at 0200 about the "gas smell" can become interminable... compared to what ever profit you could reap from renting...

[jno]

jno jnr found the same, Clanad. And when he moved out of town, it was us that the tenants used to ring when they'd locked themselves out at 1am. We didn't actually mind, but jno jnr felt bad about it. He eventually sold it. Landlording is quite hard work.

[thugulike]

Wickes

[237SJ]

True Clanad. I had a rental in Devon (where I originally come from) and I live 200 miles away. Every time my mobile rang, I worried that it would be the agent with a problem. There were problems too - the place was Grade II listed (never again) and had ventilation problems. I sold it in the end as it was more trouble than it was worth. This house is newer and in good order structurally and there is vibrant market around here for both rental and sales. If I could get a decent interest rate, I`d just sell it and bank the money. The interest rate is terrible though. I`m completely in two minds as to what to do.

[Togo]

If you are selling do the kitchen, it can affect the value by up to £8K depending on location and intrinsic value. If you are going to rent it just change the frontals maybe. The first rooms that renters wreck are the kitchen and bathroom.

[knittynora]

Why don't you have a chat to a local estate agent. They would be able to give you some indication of the value of the house if you sell or possible monthly rental income. It might help you decide one way or the other. It might not be worth spending a lot doing up the kitchen if you'd be better off selling it in a short while.

[Togo]

If you do decide to sell and revamp the kitchen be wise in your choice. Nothing too on trend not solid timber, or gloss black, or red. When I was involved in such projects cream was usually a good choice because it is everyone's second choice. I am led to believe that grey is now a colour that will not lose a sale. It depends also on the house and location of course as well. Decide to spend only half of what the estate agent tells you will be the price difference with a new kitchen.

[237SJ]

Thanks for the ideas. I have already spoken to an agent because they came round to do a probate valuation so I know the sale and rental values. The boiler in the kitchen is old and somebody built the kitchen around it. Consequently, it`s not possible to open the front of the boiler properly to service it. If I sold the place, I would just reflect what needs to be done in the price. If I rent it out, it will need a new boiler and then there will be room for a slim cupboard because the new boiler would be installed in the loft (I have already been quoted for that). There was also a problem when Mum had a new cooker which is plugged into a socket. The electrician had to disconnect the extractor fan otherwise the electrical load would have been too much for the system. I would imagine with a few other bits and pieces that need to be done, that`s the first year`s rental gone.

[Sycamore3House]

B&Q do a online planning service that you do yourself. It is called spaces. I used this and then bought the units off the shelf from Wickes.