10 Things To Avoid ...
1 ... It's not worth rushing things - This will be one of the biggest purchases you will ever make (involving making a multitude of decisions) so please believe us when we say ... that "special offer" will still be on the table when you are ready to buy. (There isn't a kitchen company in business that will turn your order away because the "offer ended last week")
2 ... Resist the temptation to over-plan the kitchen - you really don't need twice as many cabinets as you have now - chuck out some of your junk, and rearrange the new cabinet interiors to maximise storage potential
3 ... It's never a good idea to pay for it all up front - a reputable company will split the payments into four ... Deposit with order, Staged payment upon manufacture, Final Balance when delivered, and Fitting Payment when the job is finished
4 ... Don't be taken in by trade associations - you know the type of thing ("The Guild of This" "The Federation of That" etc) - companies and tradesmen pay to join these associations to give themselves a level of credibility ... they probably didn't have before joining
5 ... Listen to advice from friends, but not your kids - your kids hate what you like (it's part of being a kid - they can't help it)
6 ... Steer clear of the cheap instant transformation companies (Door Changers & Granite Worktop overlays) - they aren't cheap, but the finished result looks it
7 ... Keep away from undermounted sinks in solid wood worktops, and while you're at it ask your grandmother all about solid wood worktops - however, please ask gently - as you don't want to open old wounds with elderly ladies
8 ... Shun the salesmen who try's to convince you that Granite Worktops are indestructible, or ask him for a written guarantee that they are - it may mean he will shun you instead, so get yours in first ... it will make you feel better
9 ... If you are used to your oven being "built up" in a tall cabinet, you will never get used to it being "built under" the worktop
10 ... Pass up the opportunity of letting your builder fit the kitchen (your local GP might know how to take your appendix out - but wouldn't you rather a Surgeon did it?) - the reason he is cheaper is because he is unlikely to be as good at it
Hope they all make sense!