including kitchen units and worktops

Shopping for a kitchen isn’t a low-cost venture, however by purchasing for second-hand cupboards and worktops it may be significantly cheaper than you’d assume. In some circumstances shopping for a second hand kitchen can provide financial savings of as much as 70 per cent off RRP, and we’re speaking massive branded kitchens too.

Owners are sometimes completely satisfied to purchase second hand furnishings, however maybe not so offered on shopping for a used kitchen? The principle concern, and one which we hope to beat is the misunderstanding {that a} second hand kitchen means it’s previous its greatest. Corporations corresponding to The Used Kitchen Company and the Used Kitchen Exchange discover new properties for used kitchens, from each particular person properties and ex-display kitchens from showrooms.

Resolve on the design: Kitchen trends 2021 – the latest kitchen design trends and ideas for the year ahead

It’s simple to be lured in by the promise of shiny new cupboards and intelligent storage solutions when updating your kitchen. However the newest in mod cons and excessive designer specs comes at a premium value. A second hand kitchen gives consumers the standard, craftsmanship and ‘look’ approach past their finances. Permitting householders to have the dream kitchen they by no means thought they couldn’t afford.

Picture credit score: The Used Kitchen Firm, Ex-display designer Italian kitchen with island and worktops

Second hand kitchen cannot solely provide wow-factor type however they’ll additionally provide high-end home equipment from manufacturers together with Gaggenau, Siemens and Miele. These are nearly ‘drop-in’ kitchens, ‘able to go’ from the second they’re bought.

The best way to purchase a second hand kitchen – an skilled information

The principle trigger for concern for many is figuring out if a second hand kitchen will match. Measuring for a pre-loved kitchen is comparatively easy, and if you’re preserving the present format then it’s even simpler. You’ll need to know the house you’re working with – figuring out the place the doorways, home windows and utilities are is a good place to begin. The peak of your ceilings additionally a significant consideration, to find out the format. When you’ve ticked these bins it’s a matter of matching the items out there towards the format you need.

The sound recommendation from the consultants is to handle expectations. When shopping for a pre-installed or pre-owned kitchen you’ll count on to see indicators of use. Due to this fact an expert clear publish set up is very advisable – that is regular and undoubtedly well worth the effort when you think about the general financial savings.

If re-configuring the format, take into account you’re altering the format finish panels, kick boards and ornamental trims – so that they might want changing if they’ve screw holes or minimize outs.

Prime ideas for measuring second hand kitchens

Picture credit score: Polly Eltes

Specialists from the Used Kitchen Trade provide these useful ideas: ‘Within the case of a pre-owned kitchen, shopping for one just a little larger than you want offers you much more flexibility with reconfiguration.’

‘Utilizing graph paper and post-it notes is a good hack. Mark out your kitchen to scale on a chunk of graph paper, get your self a scale ruler and minimize out publish it notes to the sizes of your cupboards. Write on them what kind of cupboard it’s after which you possibly can mess around with the format as a lot as you want – sticking and re-sticking them in place till you’ve gotten the appropriate format for you.’

How to make sure the standard and situation of pre-used cupboards and worktops

There are some easy steps to assist be certain that the kitchen you need to purchase is in good situation. It’s an costly funding, subsequently it’s solely pure to really feel nervous about getting the highest quality to your cash.
Ask to view the kitchen prior to buy, so as to test the situation. For those who’re shopping for on-line, subsequently can’t view in actual life, ensure there are many images.

You’re trying on the high quality and situation of cupboards, doorways and counter tops. Double test that you’ve the proper measurements of every unit. Look inside the cabinets, assessing the potential on a regular basis put on and tear. While cabinets could be changed, they can’t be repaired, so there could also be a price consideration right here.

Examine for water harm – particularly across the sink space, once more this could’t be repaired. With MDF doorways you’re searching for any indicators of swelling or effervescent. That is usually brought on by unrepairable water ingress. One other frequent drawback, particularly with Vinyl doorways, is warmth harm. this leads to the vinyl peeling away, so be sure you test the doorways subsequent to any sources of warmth i.e. cookers, dishwashers and kettles.

If the kitchen you’re looking at has laminate worktops, don’t count on to reuse these. As a result of the fabric is close to on inconceivable to reinstall.

What materials is greatest: wooden or gloss cupboards?

Picture credit score: David Woolley

‘Painted or wood kitchens provide just a little extra flexibility when shopping for second hand. Portray is all the time an possibility; this can then make it doable to alter door knobs and many others or add further cabinetry if the kitchen isn’t fairly large enough’ is he recommendation from Used Kitchen Trade. As we see from our spectacular kitchen makeovers wood or laminate kitchens could be reworked with paint or vinyl wrapped, to supply a very new look.

‘Fashionable lacquered kitchens don’t have this stage of flexibility so your selection could also be restricted to the scale and elegance that’s precisely best for you.’ That’s until your chosen kitchen is present inventory on the retailer, then it may be added to.

Is it price shopping for a second hand kitchen?

The brief reply is sure. Former Altering Rooms presenter Linda Barker actually thinks so. Linda is an advocate of shopping for second hand kitchens. On twitter, she urges her followers to forgo one thing shiny and new, and take into account a second-hand kitchen as an alternative. Writing, ‘Crucial tip I can provide you on the place to go to your new kitchen is to consider whether or not you really want a model new one in any respect. Simply spend a cup of tea’s price of looking time @UsedKitchenEx & then determine how greatest to spend your cash.’

The inside designer beforehand know for her collaborations with Wren Kitchens, has discovered a brand new ardour championing the Used Kitchen Exchange (UKE) because the model’s ambassador. The beginning-up model means that you can purchase pre-loved and ex-display kitchens for lower than half of what it could price you to purchase one new.

The inside designer voiced her issues in regards to the waste of merely throwing previous kitchens within the skip after we’re carried out with them.  An added plus from the Used Kitchen Trade is that moderately than sending your previous kitchen to a landfill you possibly can promote it by means of them. By merely filling out a kind on-line you possibly can have the group organise for professionals to {photograph} and dismantle your kitchen.

You don’t must pay something for his or her providers till your Kitchen has been offered. Not solely will you find yourself lowering your general prices even additional, but in addition you possibly can sleep simple figuring out there can be one much less kitchen clogging up a landfill.

Skilled dismantle is significant

Picture credit score: Colin Poole

Eradicating a pre-installed kitchen is a technical job, requiring expertise and information. Many fitters have put in a kitchen, but few have eliminated one. ‘Any shortcuts right here might have dire penalties and in the end harm to your kitchen’ say Used Kitchen Trade. Eradicating stone worktops takes lots of knowhow and specialist instruments. and do you know stone worktops can’t be transported flat or they are going to break, they have to stay vertical when being moved.

Take into account assortment and supply

When shopping for a brand new kitchen the conventional technique of supply is all taken care of. You’ll be able to count on the kitchen to reach in levels; first cupboards, then home equipment, then worktops. However the identical guidelines don’t apply to second hand kitchens. You’ll must supply a dependable courier for all the pieces without delay. An area ‘Man with a van’ is very unlikely to have the talent or insurances to gather and ship a kitchen safely. ‘Kitchens are very heavy and shifting a complete kitchen in a single go takes talent, information, expertise and the proper insurances. Search skilled assist/recommendation for this to keep away from any harm to your kitchen, or worse nonetheless to your self.’

Whilst you can set up the kitchen your self, for those who really feel you’re as much as the job, it’s all the time advisable to have it fitted by a professional installer. You will discover a professional skilled by means of the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installers (BiKBBi).

Utilizing reclaimed wooden for cupboards and worktops: What are the advantages?

Picture credit score: David Giles

Utilizing reclaimed wooden is the quickest approach to create a fashion-forward kitchen that’s loaded with laid-back, rustic attraction. Reclaimed timber is low upkeep and ages superbly. Ultimate for kitchen surfaces, as any harm could be sanded away and re-oiled, or left intact for just a little extra historical past.

The grain is way denser, and thus harder, than fashionable fast-grown timbers, too. It is available in numerous kinds, corresponding to previous flooring planks, scaffolding boards and railway sleepers, so the scope for creating a person
and distinctive kitchen is countless.

Is reclaimed wooden costly?

Picture credit score: Lizzie Orme

It will depend on the kind of timber. Previous scaffolding planks and sleepers are typically cheaper than stable oak beams, for instance. Timber that price much less to start with, corresponding to pine or upcycled pallets, will often be extra inexpensive, too, whereas stylish salvage like classic.

Associated:

Impressed to purchase a second hand kitchen?