IKEA Kitchens- get them to install or find my own carpenter?

WhyTheFace

Hi,

I live in a small 2 bed flat. I have a 2m squared kitchen to re-fit. Went to IKEA and they went through a design with me. It looks great and they printed off a 3D image and plans with all relevant dimensions and a breakdown and cost of every single part. Excellent service to be fair.

My only issue is that while the material works out at €1,400 (exc. appliances) they want to charge me €1,200 to fit it. They said it would be done in a day. That seems excessive, or is it?

Would I be better off handing the plans to a carpenter who might be able to do it all for less or am I safer sticking with IKEA? Would a carpenter be able to build and fit similar units for much less? I could then call out to IKEA to get certain items.

In total there are only 6 units to fit and a worktop.

Curious to know what's the best route to take.

Thanks

antoinolachtnai

I don't think Ikea employs any fitters. They use contractors as far as I know. I'd say the contractors have some minimum fee and that's why it is so expensive.

I would think you could get it fitted for a lot less. It's only three or four units by the sounds of it.

It is quite a high price for Ikea for materials for such a small kitchen. I guess you are getting the higher-spec stuff. (By the way, it is worth asking them if they can suggest anything to reduce the price. I did this and they really did their best to simplify things and keep it in budget.)

WhyTheFace

antoinolachtnai wrote: »

I don't think Ikea employs any fitters. They use contractors as far as I know. I'd say the contractors have some minimum fee and that's why it is so expensive.

I would think you could get it fitted for a lot less. It's only three or four units by the sounds of it.

It is quite a high price for Ikea for materials for such a small kitchen. I guess you are getting the higher-spec stuff. (By the way, it is worth asking them if they can suggest anything to reduce the price. I did this and they really did their best to simplify things and keep it in budget.)

I thinks it's middle of the road stuff.

Their installation charges are based on number of units fitted, number of worktops and electrical work. It's not an hourly rate or anything. It just seems mad to pay 1,200e for a day's labour.

If they can do a much better job than an independent fitter then fair enough but if it's possible for someone else to do it much cheaper I'd rather put some work their way.

antoinolachtnai

I wouldn't think they'd do a much better job. The ikea kitchen system is really well designed and is about as idiot proof as an unassembled kitchen can be.

WhyTheFace

antoinolachtnai wrote: »

I wouldn't think they'd do a much better job. The ikea kitchen system is really well designed and is about as idiot proof as an unassembled kitchen can be.

Cool. Thanks for that.

Dave1014

We installed our kitchen ourselves. Kitchen is 23 ft long including sink and fridge unit, counter top, handles and everything else it took us 9.5 hours.....it looks fantastic!!! Save yourself the money

WhyTheFace

Dave1014 wrote: »

We installed our kitchen ourselves. Kitchen is 23 ft long including sink and fridge unit, counter top, handles and everything else it took us 9.5 hours.....it looks fantastic!!! Save yourself the money

Well done Dave! Wish I'd the DIY cop on to do same. Wouldn't trust myself.