Need help for kitchen renovation

Hi there! First time poster, regular browser, haha. Anyway, looking to renovate our kitchen... from it's 1977 state, ugh. Had a few quotes but way over our budget so we have turned to the Bunnings Flatpax Kitchens. I'm looking for someone in Perth who can recommend a tradesperson, etc. who can assemble and install such kitchens for a reasonable price. It's a small kitchen (2.5x3m) so it's not an extensive job. It would be desirable if they could also install sink, connect stove and splashback tiling. ;)

I still need an electric coil stove, double sink and tiles. If anyone knows where I can get these things at affordable prices, please let me know, lol, and yes, I've been to Rick Hart Seconds with no such luck. Can anyone also tell me whether vinyl wrap cabinet doors are good? Some people are saying to stay away from it... ?:confused:

Any response would be appreciated.:D

I've had problems with vinyl wrap delaminating, from heat (near stove) as well as for no apparent reason, and as replacement is the only viable fix, I wouldn't touch it again.

Polyurethane if you want a high gloss finish, or the textured coatings offered on some of the flatpack doors can be quite servicable.

Avoid any kitchen appliance (or flatpack kit for that matter) that is a 'yum-cha' brand (sourced in China and with a brand you've never heard of - spend the money to get a decent Panaphonic, Magnetbox or Sorny instead)

Without getting back onto my major topic at the moment (you have read THAT thread haven't you?)

I am not having a go at you in terms of your expressed need, we all need to get by with what we can afford, but I would advise you to consider a few things:

Pricewise Vinyl is between Colourboard and Two Pack.

If you can't afford a decent laminated/colour board kitchen then you definitely can't afford a DECENT vinyl kitchen - and if you can't afford anything except a cancer kitchen how can you afford to pay someone to install it? I know a lot of installers who refuse to touch the Crappax kitchens, as they turn out to be more trouble than they are worth - along with the whole carcinogen issue.

A good quality flat packed kitchen should be easy to self assemble.
You can save yourself $20 - $50 a cabinet if you at least do this - all it needs is a cordless and a bit of patience (and maybe a hammer).
An installer will still want anywhere between $50 and $120 a linear metre to just fit the kitchen. Tiling extra. Connection of stove needs to (legally) be done by an electrician - same goes with the sink.

The Master is right - there are issues with Vinyl; to the point that some manufacturers will not warranty vinyl under certain conditions, such as next to ovens, in hot climates et cetera.
This begs the question of what is a kitchen but a Hot Climate? I'm not saying all vinyl is bad but it does make you wonder sometimes...

I would suggest you look at your design and budget and try to see if you can allow for the reno in stages.
Floor units first, allowing for wall units/ range hood later if possible.
You might not even need to get the doors initially if you can live with open cupboards and there aren't any critical end panels.
Try to see if you can deal with the suppliers of benchtops and hardware directly - there can be savings to be had.

The kitchen is one of the most used and important areas of the house.
If you intend to live with this fit out for a while (at least 5 - 10 years) and can't afford something decent now, I can't see the sense of putting in something cheap and nasty when it will potentially require repairs and upgrade well before a decent quality equivalent fails on (or kills) you.

Feel free to contact me for further advice on this matter - I don't expect to make any money out of you or your job, but I would like to see it done properly.

Respect, all.

I don't expect to make any money out of you or your job, but I would like to see it done properly.


hey earl ,
i can tell you from experience through this forum that you will definetely make no money ,but the punters will ring and ring you with questions for their problems ,but thats good in a way as they are asking for advice from people that know and not going to bunnings and have a freckly faced kid lead them in the direction to destruction

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Originally Posted by arms

I don't expect to make any money out of you or your job, but I would like to see it done properly.


hey earl ,
i can tell you from experience through this forum that you will definetely make no money ,but the punters will ring and ring you with questions for their problems ,but thats good in a way as they are asking for advice from people that know and not going to bunnings and have a freckly faced kid lead them in the direction to destruction

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Hahaha! Actually, it was from two friends who both work at Bunnings. Apparently they've sold alot of them. I'm still suspect about the actual product and am still looking around at other places. I'm only just wanting to find someone who can assemble/install it, whether it's a Bunnings' kitchen or not. The vinyl part though was not directed only at the Bunnings' doors, but anyone who supplies them. Haven't heard great things about them as Master Splinter has mentioned which is probably why I'd buy them separately.

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Originally Posted by KrYpTiC

Hahaha! Actually, it was from two friends who both work at Bunnings. Apparently they've sold alot of them. I'm still suspect about the actual product and am still looking around at other places. I'm only just wanting to find someone who can assemble/install it, whether it's a Bunnings' kitchen or not. The vinyl part though was not directed only at the Bunnings' doors, but anyone who supplies them. Haven't heard great things about them as Master Splinter has mentioned which is probably why I'd buy them separately.

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here is the recommended installation for ovens next to vaccum formed doors ,stainless steel deflector strips should be used in all situations when heat generating appliances are directly adjacent to doors ,a minimum of 4mm shall be between this appliance and any door/panel ,a heat deflector strip (preferably stainless steel ) should disect the space between doors/panels and the heat device so as th create a barrier .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by arms

here is the recommended installation for ovens next to vaccum formed doors ,stainless steel deflector strips should be used in all situations when heat generating appliances are directly adjacent to doors ,a minimum of 4mm shall be between this appliance and any door/panel ,a heat deflector strip (preferably stainless steel ) should disect the space between doors/panels and the heat device so as th create a barrier .

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Yeah, I've read about that already. Still a bit iffy about it as a friend had vinyl wrap doors done about 5 years ago and they've peeled off... and it's not even near the oven or sink. They're going to rip off all the doors and get different ones. But I shall keep that in mind if I do decide to get them.:)

KrYpTiC,
besides the imported from China stuff, it's impossible to buy vinyl wrap doors in Cairns. Even Laminex, who sell them most other places and have them in their brochures will not sell them here. Apparently the vinyl will let go in conditions of high humidity, even without excessive heat. Was in at one of my suppliers recentlty and the had a vinyl door in the office, I was suprised and commented on it. Was told that it was a warranty replacement - for the third time :eek: . There's been some cases where the vinyl has just fallen off the doors overnight on half the kitchen :eek: :eek: . I reckon you're better off with colour board with 2mm edges for doors, it's cheaper than the vinyl and is a superior product.

Mick

I can't believe how many times I have had to console a client who had innocently used an electric kettle or toaster underneath a wall cabinet and inadvertently shrunk the vinyl off the door(s).

You can just imagine their disappointment when I tell them it is not covered under warranty.

BTW KrYpTiC, if you are using a gas cooktop, you will find that you will eventually delaminate the vinyl 'Crappax' doors either side of the rangehood cabinet. Normally you would get a 900 wide rangehood to eliminate that problem as radiant heat given off by a gas cooktop (especially at the sides) is much greater than an electric one.

I see that the Chinese are all over that problem eh? Crappax doesnt even make a 900 wide rangehood cabinet.

Thanks renomart. Actually we're installing an upright electric coil stove.

I've actually been talking to Earl about the Flatpax idea and it looks like I won't be purchasing them. Looking around at other places at the moment - there's a place here in Perth called Ross' Salvage and they do custom kitchens or already assembled kitchen cabinets, etc. so we might go ahead with them if all is good. Bought tiles from there before, a very good store for people who are looking for such things in Perth.;)

Probably going to buy the granite benchtop elsewhere... just hope I can get a similar price.

Good on ya mate. Keep the dollars in Australia! :cool:

and keep the jobs for australian kids ,remember that they will be picking the nursing home you will need

Hehe. I was intending to. I was lead to believe that the Bunnings' Flatpax kitchen was made in South Australia.

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Originally Posted by KrYpTiC

Hehe. I was intending to. I was lead to believe that the Bunnings' Flatpax kitchen was made in South Australia.

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Maybe cut there but the full size panels come from China. Don't get kooked on Ozzie made, check first. There are some nasties out there.

Like we always say - confirm the country of manufacture AND the country where the materials come from.
If you really want to be sure, ask for a product data and safety sheet.
All of our cabinets are locally (Brisbane) made using Australian boards.

I doubt (no 'fence ernknot) they even cut the panels in SA - it's not as if anything in these systems is made to spec.
This misinformation is more likely the product of some management evasion tactic.
Possibly the containers were unloaded in S.A. or maybe the boxes they come in were folded together there.

I sent my father (down in Canberra) into a Bunnings where he was reassured that all their Crappax kitchens "Come from Brisbane" - yeah, Port of Brisbane...

If it matters to you, make the effort to inform yourself.

Much respect, all.