Buying Advice | FAQ
When buying a kitchen we appreciate there are many questions you may have. We have put together some information on each of the stages to help you understand how to start your project.
Research
Grab your coffee and magazines, and start looking at the styles that appeal to you. Viewing our website and keeping up to date with our social media, can be really useful to get inspired. When it comes to the design stage, sharing your Pinterest board with us gives us a real insight to your style. Think about colours, the light you have within your space and what look you want to achieve.
Planning Stage
At this stage it is not essential for you to have the exact measurements, we will do this for you when we carry out our initial site survey. Think about the appliances you’d like to incorporate within your design. Do you love American fridge freezers? Dislike range cookers? The kitchen cabinetry has to work around these, therefore it is helpful you have an idea of your wish list when thinking about the kitchen layout.
Functionality
From a practical perspective how do you want your kitchen to function? What bothers you now with your current kitchen layout and what works really well? What other features would you like to incorporate? Think about storage. Larders are a fantastic solution however, they are tall cabinets which means the loss of work surface area. Make a list of your ideas.
Budgeting
Nobody likes talking about money, however budget is an important factor when planning for a new kitchen. We will break this down into 3 main categories; cabinetry, installation and work surfaces. As a client, you will also need to budget for your building works and appliances on top of this. Within these areas, consider how you want to allocate your money. If your budget is £25,000 for the complete project, plan how you will divide your money between the different categories. We will always try to work within your budget to give you the best value for money.
Speak To The Professionals
For the best experience please contact our design team by telephone on 01787 275377, by email to designteam@blackstonekitchens.co.uk or alternatively, you can book an appointment here. We will be happy to discuss your requirements and meet you to guide you through the process on how to get started.
How much do your kitchens cost?
This is a very hard question to answer as there are so many variables to consider, however as a guide, most cabinetry orders cost between £15,000 to £30,000, ranging from a small galley style kitchen to a large family kitchen including island, feature mantle and butlers pantry cabinet.
For a more detailed estimate we would be happy to look at your project or alternatively send us your plans to designteam@blackstonekitchens.co.uk and we will provide a free quotation.
Do you sell appliances?
We do offer a service where we manage the purchasing of your appliances for which we charge a service fee, alternatively you may purchase your own and we can guide you through the selection process.
Can we pick our paint colour?
We work with the Little Greene Paint Co for our finishes. We have hand picked a selection of colours that we have worked with a lot that sit beautiful in all types of homes. We are happy to discuss this with you during the process. Additional charges may apply for multiple colours.
How long will the Installation take?
Most installations take around 10 – 15 days from start to finish, this includes installation of the furniture, work surface templating and fitting and final hand painting. This can vary from project to project depending on complexity and size.
What are your kitchens made from?
We pride ourselves on working with the finest materials available for strength, durability and longevity. Our premium cabinetry is made using birch plywood and solid oak drawer boxes with dovetailed joints.
Do you charge for your design service?
We offer a basic design consultation free of charge however, if you would like multiple design ideas or a home visit we also offer a paid service that will be deducted from the final price of the furniture once an order is placed. You can read more about the different design packages here.
What does your installation fee cover?
Our installation cost includes site surveys, a dry fit installation and our on site flash coat painting service. If you are looking for a supply only kitchen but would like us to carry out a site survey to confirm measurements, we can provide a quotation to you for this.
Do you offer a supply only service?
Yes we do, however we would recommend that an experienced professional is employed to install framed cabinetry as there are certain complexities surrounding the installation and final painting which is not the same as other door types.
What are your guarantees?
We guarantee our fitted kitchens and furniture for 25 years on our premium birch plywood cabinetry.
How far do you travel?
We currently have showrooms in Colchester Essex, Brentwood Essex and our new St Albans showroom will be coming soon. However we supply and fit kitchens throughout the whole of the UK and can arrange shipping to other countries if required.
Are your kitchens hand painted or sprayed?
All our furniture is hand painted in the workshop prior to delivery, then caulked and flash coated on site once the installation has been carried out. For supply only projects we will supply a pot of paint with the furniture as final caulking of joints and flash coat painting is always required on fitted cabinetry once the furniture has been installed to achieve the finished look.
Are the handles included in the price?
No, there are a vast array of different handle styles and finishes available in the market to suit all styles and budgets, with prices ranging from a few pounds to £100 plus per handle. We can assist you with your handle purchases and offer a cost effective cup and knob handle option or, if you would like something special we are able to source alternative options through our trade accounts and can provide quotations for these.
Do you use your own employees or contractors?
We have a reliable and experienced team working for Blackstone on a full time basis, ranging from our Blackstone Apprentices to our 25 year veterans. We also have a team of sub contractors we use regularly where required.
Do I have to have my floor laid before the kitchen is installed?
We do require the floor to be laid prior to the cabinetry installation, if you have concerns regarding this, please speak to your Project Manager.
Can we supply our own work surfaces?
Yes you can, although we work in collaboration with various suppliers throughout the UK who offer competitive prices, and we know the quality of their product and installation, but we are happy to work with any company you choose for your surfaces.
Are you truly bespoke or am I limited to set sizes?
The handmade kitchen ranges are standard cabinet sizes but with the option to include bespoke elements, it allows the freedom to add a cabinet of a non standard size creating a truly bespoke kitchen made to fit the space perfectly.
Alternatively if you would like something truly one of a kind, using which ever material you desire this can be quoted for you. We have a dedicated team for this with many years experience in the industry. Fully bespoke projects start from £30,000.
