Flatpack Kitchen Recommendations

[KateP]

Hi Everyone,

I have just moved into a new (old!) house and wanted to buy and fit a flatpack kitchen. I have no experience of doing this but I am fairly handy otherwise.

Has anyone any previous experience of buying/installing a flatpack kitchen. Which company would you recommend?

I live in the Perth area so a local company would be preferable.

Many Thanks

[ozwinner]

Have you got a brother in Cobram Vic? :confused:

Welcome also.

Al :confused:

[KateP]

Hi Al,

Thanks for the welcome. No, I've not got a brother in Cobram Vic.

[Marc]

I'll confess to have built (what a nerve call this building) a new kitchen buying it flat packed by Ikea.

It was so easy that my 13 year old daughter helped me. However it was not as cheap as I hoped it to be. (May be because I chose the more expensive one?)

I would recomend Ikea because of the nice design, because everything fits spot on and because they have good customer service in the shop. As for their help on the phone forget even to ring. You get a call centre in India and they don't have the foggiest shadow of a left handed clue, of what you are talking about say if you happen to have a problem to fit something. Get the phone to the shop and you are OK.

[ozwinner]

No, I've not got a brother in Cobram Vic.

Owwhh.
Only these a fella here on this BB called DanP.
I thought ya might be related.

Al

[KateP]

Hi Marc,

I can't believe I have found a DIY forum where you don't have to wait days for a reply!

I was considering IKEA but was a little reluctant as apparently the sizing is non-standard. I don’t know enough about the subject to know whether this is in fact a problem or not.

I have heard some really good reports about IKEA kitchens though so maybe it’s worth investigating further.

Thanks for the advice

[Snorkelling]

IKEA make adequate DIY kitchens but if you have to make a join in the bench top, spend a little extra and have one made professionally as the join that IKEA have in their bench tops are crap. A guy who used to own a unit in the building where I live installed an IKEA kitchen, I saw it recently and it looked VERY cheap. Shop around for a properly made bench top made by a cabinetmaker.

[mrsxtro]

I too have put in an Ikea kitchen. It was a relatively easy, if monotonous, process to build all the cupboards. It came together very nicely and looks great. I'm not sure how well the cupboard front finish will hold up though under the onslaught of my 5 children! It has been in only 8 months so I will withhold judgement for now. The Ikea site has a planning tool which is really easy to use and will give you a 3D view of your future kitchen. Our kitchen ended up costing approx. $6000 for cupboards, benches, sink, taps etc. $3000 for appliances and approx. $1000 for plumber and electrician. I'll ataach a couple of photos for you.
Have fun dreaming! A new kitchen is just so exciting!
-mrsxtro

[Snorkelling]

Maybe try doing a cutting list and take it to a cabinetmaker who specialises in cutting board like Mr. Play and Wood or someone like this. You can specify any instructions and then make it as you would an IKEA kitchen. This way you wouldn't be limited to the packs that IKEA has. If you need help with a cutting list, post another reply.

[leeton]

I just did a quick search on google...came up with this
http://www.diykitchens.com.au/
know nothing about them...but may give you some ideas...or a starting point.
Good luck
Leeton

[KateP]

Many thanks for all your suggestions.

[Thommo]

Hi KateP,

Have you got a quote from a cabinet maker, I think you will find that they are not that dear. Shop around and get them to price cut.

we did and got a kitchen quoted by one company 12,000 and we ended up paying only 6,000. ( my wife is very good at haggling prices )

All the best Thommo

[Sturdee]

IKEA make adequate DIY kitchens but if you have to make a join in the bench top, spend a little extra and have one made professionally as the join that IKEA have in their bench tops are crap.

About 10 years ago I built all my own kitchen cabinets ( and saved enough to pay for all my tools I have ever bought ) but for the bench tops I bought them from IKEA.

Yes, there is a join in them at a corner, and with the supplied cover strip, it is neat and no problem. So from personal experience I disagree with your opinion that they are crap.

BTW at the time that I did the kitchen I checked with a couple of cabinet makers for a preformed top and the IKEA top and using the IKEA saved me about $ 1500 at the time.

Peter.

[PaulS]

THis place does them, they will produce all the bits and you can put it in.
Had a mate use them, turned out good. Don't know about price but give them a bell
Paul

http://www.kitcraft.com.au/

[Flyboy]

Check out lamikits.

http://www.lifetime.net.au/lamikits.htm

I found they have a greater range and are a fair bit cheaper than Ikea.
Cheers