[AlanHo]

We decided to have our kitchen updated and got a number of quotes from various suppliers. The existing fitted units were installed by a previous owner of the house in 1995 and are somewhat dated - being churchwood woodgrain. I suppose that style was all the rage back then - but we find the kitchen rather dark and the panels are not the easiest to keep clean with the deep rebating.

The layout of the kitchen is OK and I had new granite worktops fitted 5 years ago - so we decided to keep the basic layout and just have new doors and the visible side and end panels etc.

Quotes to have the 24 doors, 8 drawer fronts and 4 side panels, cornice and lighting pelmet replaced with new panels in high gloss cream vinyl wrap MDF fell within the range £4,200 to £5,800 - supply and fitted. This was way more than we wished to spend so I researched the DIY route.

There are several companies who advertise in magazines, newspapers and on the internet as suppliers of replacement kitchen doors from where I obtained some quotes. However, only two had local agents with a showroom where we could see the materials in the flesh - and I was underwhelmed at their prices and quality. I eventually stumbled upon a small local kitchen and bathroom company who supply doors and associated fittings, made to measure, in a range of types and qualities. They have a small showroom and we were able to see exactly what we were seeking at very competitive prices. I provided them with a bill of materials for all the panels and handles, gave them a cheque for just over £1,400 and 3 weeks later we have a bright, shiny new kitchen.

I fitted all, the doors and drawer fronts myself which was easy - except for the panel on the dish washer which I made a pigs ear of changing because I had no instruction manual and thought I had to take the door apart to get at the panel fixings. It took me 3 hours to get it back together again and working because all the innards comprising the electrical controls and top door lock spilled out and I had to solve the puzzle of where it all fitted back in. Too late I spotted some holes in the side of the door which provided access to some screws holding the panel in place.

The only part of the job I chickened out on was fitting the cornice and pelmet to the top and bottom of the cabinets. I lack a proper mitre saw so I paid the supplier to fit these for me - and having seen them do it - I'm glad I did.

If you are toying with the idea of updating a kitchen I can recommend the DIY replacement door route provided you do your homework and are handy with a screwdriver.

Here are some piccies of before and after.

Attached File(s)

•  Comparison_Left_side.jpg (78.98K)
  Number of downloads: 20
•  Comparison_Right_side.jpg (74.29K)
  Number of downloads: 20

[andsome]

We have similar looking doors to your originals, except that they are limed oak, very pale and slightly chalky looking . We are still very pleased with the effect. I agree about replacing dish washer doors. 'Er indoors was having great difficulty in opening ours due to her arthritis, so I obtained a handle in the same pattern as the existing knob. I had to remove the door to fix the handle from the rear. It weighed a ton. it took me several attempts over about three hours. NEVER AGAIN. I hope that you get good service out of your new stuff.

Limed oak Not the best of pictures but the best I could find on line.

This post has been edited by andsome: 31 August 2009 - 08:50

[artist]

Our kitchen is very much smaller than yours. We updated it in January curtesy of B&Q.

( pics the wrong way round - turquoise was before)

Attached File(s)

•  after.jpg (30.24K)
  Number of downloads: 14
•  before.jpg (42.33K)
  Number of downloads: 12

[andsome]

This is what I get from your post.

Attached File(s)

•  2009_08_31_095239.jpg (43.61K)
  Number of downloads: 16

[rong]

The fridge looks better without all the stickers on it.

artists pictures are ok with me

[catgate]

Well done that man.
I do hope you had an electric screw driver

[andsome]

rong, on Aug 31 2009, 10:06, said:

The fridge looks better without all the stickers on it.

artists pictures are ok with me

They are with me now, she must have tweaked.

[catgate]

andsome, on Aug 31 2009, 12:12, said:

rong, on Aug 31 2009, 10:06, said:

The fridge looks better without all the stickers on it.

artists pictures are ok with me

They are with me now, she must have tweaked.

artist's pictures came through here perfectly well this morning, and apparently rong had no problem, so I would put your inability to view them down to some of that strange software you insist on using.

This post has been edited by catgate: 31 August 2009 - 15:17

[andsome]

catgate, on Aug 31 2009, 16:16, said:

andsome, on Aug 31 2009, 12:12, said:

rong, on Aug 31 2009, 10:06, said:

The fridge looks better without all the stickers on it.

artists pictures are ok with me

They are with me now, she must have tweaked.

artist's pictures came through here perfectly well this morning, and apparently rong had no problem, so I would put your inability to view them down to some of that strange software you insist on using.

I have no strange software like Linus or FF installed.

[artist]

andsome, on Aug 31 2009, 16:27, said:

catgate, on Aug 31 2009, 16:16, said:

andsome, on Aug 31 2009, 12:12, said:

rong, on Aug 31 2009, 10:06, said:

The fridge looks better without all the stickers on it.

artists pictures are ok with me

They are with me now, she must have tweaked.

artist's pictures came through here perfectly well this morning, and apparently rong had no problem, so I would put your inability to view them down to some of that strange software you insist on using.

I have no strange software like Linus or FF installed.

Must have been the operator then....

[Gandalph]

What the hell's Linus.

[Alan2273]

Gandalph, on Aug 31 2009, 17:40, said:

What the hell's Linus.

Andsomes interpretation of Linux

[rong]

Perhaps that's why he couldn't make it work

[AlanHo]

rong, on Aug 31 2009, 19:04, said:

Perhaps that's why he couldn't make it work

I do wish you lot would stop picking on my mate andsome - it is becoming increasingly clear that old age is taking its merciless toll of his senses and it is sheer cruelty of you youngsters to make a target of him. Just remember - you will be old and decrepit some day.

[Hb_Kai]

lol

[Gandalph]

AlanHo, on Aug 31 2009, 22:29, said:

rong, on Aug 31 2009, 19:04, said:

Perhaps that's why he couldn't make it work

I do wish you lot would stop picking on my mate andsome - it is becoming increasingly clear that old age is taking its merciless toll of his senses and it is sheer cruelty of you youngsters to make a target of him. Just remember - you will be old and decrepit some day.

But I already am.

[artist]

Gandalph, on Aug 31 2009, 23:45, said:

AlanHo, on Aug 31 2009, 22:29, said:

rong, on Aug 31 2009, 19:04, said:

Perhaps that's why he couldn't make it work

I do wish you lot would stop picking on my mate andsome - it is becoming increasingly clear that old age is taking its merciless toll of his senses and it is sheer cruelty of you youngsters to make a target of him. Just remember - you will be old and decrepit some day.

But I already am.

Oh, I don't know - there are obviously some bits in working order............

(I'm thinking Irene and passion....)

[andsome]

Gandalph, on Aug 31 2009, 17:40, said:

What the hell's Linus.

Linux is as daft as linus.

[andsome]

AlanHo, on Aug 31 2009, 22:29, said:

rong, on Aug 31 2009, 19:04, said:

Perhaps that's why he couldn't make it work

I do wish you lot would stop picking on my mate andsome - it is becoming increasingly clear that old age is taking its merciless toll of his senses and it is sheer cruelty of you youngsters to make a target of him. Just remember - you will be old and decrepit some day.

Thank you friend, does this mean you next year??

[Hb_Kai]

Punch up! Punch up!