Kitchen Renovation in Northampton

Appliances are the easiest item to self-supply because they are standardized and heavily discounted in sales — just lock in exact models before cabinets are ordered, since cabinet openings are built to them. Let the contractor handle anything built-in that affects warranty or gas/electrical certification, and agree in writing who is responsible if a self-supplied appliance arrives late or damaged.

Hold 10-15% beyond the quote. The classic surprises are behind the old kitchen: degraded wiring that fails modern load requirements, corroded pipework, out-of-level floors that complicate cabinet installation, and walls that need replastering once tiles come off. Older properties justify the top of the range.

If the cabinet carcasses are sound and you like the layout, replacing doors, drawer fronts, hardware, and the benchtop delivers most of the visual change for roughly a third to half the cost of a full renovation. It is not worth it when carcasses are water-damaged, the layout fails you daily, or services need rework anyway — then you'd pay twice.

Ordering cabinets before finalizing appliance models; demolishing before cabinet delivery is confirmed; skimping on drawers (they beat cupboards for base storage); too few power outlets; no dedicated circuits for ovens and induction hobs; and treating ventilation as an afterthought — a recirculating hood where ducting was feasible is a permanent regret.

Checkatrade-range data puts budget kitchens at £5,000-£12,000 supplied and fitted, mid-range around £12,000-£22,000, and high-end bespoke kitchens £25,000-£60,000+. Fitting labour alone typically runs £2,000-£5,000 depending on scope and region.

Buying units from trade suppliers (Howdens-style via your fitter, or DIY-retail ranges) and hiring an independent fitter is commonly 15-30% cheaper than a showroom's supply-and-fit price for a comparable spec. The trade-off is you coordinate delivery, trades, and remedials — reasonable for standard layouts, riskier for complex ones.