The marketing and promotion of kitchens has rapidly increased, and customers are often sold the dream from designer kitchen franchises of 60% off and 7 years interest free credit. Sounds great, doesn’t it?
The reality is these prices are completely unrealistic, and you’ll often be left with a bad quality kitchen and a huge bill of mandatory extras that you hadn’t considered or budgeted for.
Despite what major kitchen franchises advertise, the idea that “one size fits all” simply doesn’t apply when it comes to kitchen design. Every home, lifestyle, and family are unique, which is why a well-thought-out and personalised kitchen design solution is essential for both functionality and aesthetics.
If you’re considering a kitchen renovation, our guide will give you the honest insights and valuable advice you need to make an informed decision. We’ll help you avoid common pitfalls and get the kitchen of your dreams without falling for marketing gimmicks.
STEP ONE – How much should I spend?
When starting a kitchen renovation, the first step is always setting a realistic budget. A well-planned budget ensures that you get the most out of your kitchen design, both in terms of functionality and value for money. A good rule of thumb is to allocate 5%-10% of your property’s value towards your new kitchen. While this might seem like a significant investment, a new kitchen can yield a 10%-15% increase in your property value when done correctly.
Even if you’re not planning to move anytime soon, a well-designed kitchen will last for years and should meet your long-term expectations. A kitchen renovation isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a space that suits your needs and adds value to your home.
Understanding where your budget goes is crucial for managing costs effectively. Here are the main areas to account for when budgeting for a kitchen renovation:
- Cabinets, doors, and handles: The backbone of any kitchen. Choose durable materials that reflect your style.
- Worktops: Good quality laminates, quartz, Corian or ceramics can vary greatly in cost.
- Lighting: Proper lighting is essential for both functionality and ambiance.
- Appliances: Don’t forget to factor in the cost of ovens, fridges, dishwashers, etc.
- Building Works: If you’re planning an extension or altering the layout, additional costs for demolition, new walls, or structural changes may apply.
- Electrical and Plumbing Work: Essential for kitchen functionality, and often more expensive than expected.
- Flooring and Tiling: Be mindful of costs for tiles, underfloor heating, or new flooring options.
- Utility Room or Boot Room: A complementary utility space that works seamlessly with your kitchen design.
Before beginning the design process, ULMO are here to discuss your budget to ensure all of this is considered. We aim to be completely transparent and can help guide you through the minefield of a new kitchen. Working with a realistic budget will save you time and worry. If you don’t plan correctly, you will only find yourself potentially falling victim to additional costs further down the line.
At ULMO, our bespoke German kitchens – including appliances and installation – start from approximately £20k including VAT & Installation heading well over £150k for Ultimate Luxury Kitchens, offering a great balance of quality and affordability.
Understanding what you’ll get for your money
Wherever your budget sits on the cost scale, you’ll want to know where the money your spending on your new kitchen is going.
A typical £20,000 kitchen will include:
A typical £60,000 kitchen will include:
Our project portfolio is full of real-life kitchens, each with a rough budget, that we have designed and installed for clients throughout the Northwest.
We have direct accounts with all our major suppliers, keeping our overheads low with a small yet efficient team. Even if you are lucky enough to be purchasing at the higher end of the market, value for money is paramount.
Should I consider finance options?
The allure of 0% finance is straightforward: it suggests you can get your new kitchen now without having to save or paying any extra in interest charges.
If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.
Businesses offering 0% finance need to cover their costs somehow. As finance has to be paid for, the cost of this is often incorporated into the cost of the kitchen itself. In other words, you are paying for the privilege of 0% finance through a higher overall price for your kitchen.
So, what can you do to avoid falling into this trap?
At ULMO we believe that a well-designed and quality kitchen is an investment. We don’t offer finance options on our kitchens; we do have some suggestions around more economically beneficial ways to finance your new space:
- The most straightforward approach is to save up for your kitchen renovation. By doing so, you can ensure that every penny you spend goes directly into the quality and features of your kitchen rather than covering hidden finance costs.
- If saving isn’t feasible, you may consider remortgaging or taking out a loan to finance your investment. We would always suggest speaking to a financial advisor to borrow money at the most competitive rates.
By avoiding the inflated costs associated with 0% finance deals, we can allocate more of your budget to high-quality features and appliances that will enhance your kitchen’s functionality and aesthetics.
STEP TWO – What do I need from my new kitchen?
Buying a new kitchen is a major life event!
Other than buying a house and a car, your kitchen will probably be the biggest purchase you’ll ever make. It can feel like a nerve-wracking process; especially if this is the first new kitchen you have ever bought. Therefore, you’ll want a kitchen space that is designed and crafted to fit your lifestyle and specific needs.
Getting the right information and guidance from the start means you’ll get the kitchen you want and need – creating a space that you can enjoy for years to come.
Things to consider before starting your design journey:
- What frustrates you about your current kitchen space? E.g. gripes such as awkward corner units or storage space
- Think about how much you are cooking and preparing food. Is it easy to move around your current space and cook? How often will you cook from scratch?
- How much food you keep refrigerated, how much you keep frozen?
- Are you considering changing the room dimensions or extending? What costs and contingency will be needed for this?
- Are there appliances or gadgets that would enhance your lifestyle and cooking needs? Steam ovens/ Wine Cabinets / Coffee Machines etc.
- Who will use the space? Do you want the area to be used as a multifunctional area/ family area?
- Are you entertaining / dining / having breakfast in the kitchen area?
Finding kitchen inspiration
It can be a good idea to do a little preparation before speaking to the ULMO Design Team. The greater knowledge we have about your lifestyle, the easier it is for us to create a space that you’ll love, exceeding your expectations. We bring our designs to life as accurately as possible, utilising the latest 3D Computer Aided Design Software. This really does help you understand how your new kitchen will work.
Online magazines and platforms such as Houzz, Instagram and Pinterest can help you find some kitchen inspiration, providing a wonderful source of imagery which you may want to refer to in your design appointment. However, to ensure that the design you have in mind lives up to expectations and is realistic for your needs and your budget, we recommend experiencing some kitchens in person. The best way to do this is to arrange to visit our showroom and/or schedule a design appointment so our team can help you with your ideas and visions.
STEP THREE – Choosing the right kitchen designe
When it comes to kitchen renovations, partnering with an experienced kitchen designer is vital to successful results and a good investment of time. Not only do they offer expert guidance, but they also help you make the most of your investment in both time and money. A well-thought-out kitchen design will set the foundation for a smooth renovation, ensuring that your kitchen is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Visiting our showroom and speaking with one of our designers is a great opportunity to get to know our company and to decide whether we are the right fit for you.
ULMO’s design consultations and presentations are without obligation and are free of charge as standard.
The Benefits of Working with a professional designer:
- Expertise: A professional kitchen designer understands the intricacies of space planning, material selection, and functional layout. Their expertise helps ensure your kitchen is both practical and stylish, tailored to your specific needs.
- Guidance: With so many choices available from cabinetry and worktops to appliances and lighting, it can be overwhelming. A kitchen designer will guide you through the vast array of options, helping you choose the best products for your space and lifestyle.
- Budget Savvy: One of the main advantages of working with a designer is their ability to maximize your kitchen renovation budget. A professional will recommend cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality, ensuring that your new kitchen meets both your functional needs and your budget.
- Stress-Free Process: Kitchen renovations can be complex and time-consuming, but a designer will handle the logistics, from sourcing materials to managing the project timeline. This takes the stress off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your life.
When should I speak to a kitchen designer?
The simple answer is as soon as possible. One common mistake by homeowners is to hold off liaison with kitchen designers until after the planning stage of their building or renovation projects – sometimes even later!
This approach can lead to delays or limitations, we would always recommend speaking to one of our design team in the early planning stages to ensure effective use of space, with budgets considered and accounted for.
This will also allow our professional designers to work closely with you to understand your vision, create a bespoke, personalised design enhancing you home and your quality of life.
Your kitchen is an important hub which the home is often centred around, as such, it’s design deserves careful attention. When embarking on a kitchen renovation or build project, it’s essential to involve a kitchen designer early on. The foundation of any ULMO kitchen is an ethos of providing a quality and bespoke, personalised design service.
If you’d like to speak to one of our team to discuss your project, please get in touch today or book a free design consultation.
Installing your Kitchen Guide – Coming soon. Please note, at ULMO, we employ our own installation team, providing you with the highest quality service from start to finish and an aftercare service which is second to none.
