Suggestions on Kitchen Reno. Kinsman Kitchens

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  Halo375 on 28/02/2021 - 12:15

  Check out IL Building Services. Price and services are competitive. All cabinet makers are pretty much the same, some just rip you off more than the rest. They all build the same way using the same suppliers for cabinet coverings.

  • 

    Bargainhunter83 on 28/02/2021 - 12:29

    Thank you. Will check them out.

  • 

    Sum-Ting Wong on 28/02/2021 - 15:16

    +2

    They all build the same way using the same suppliers for cabinet coverings.

    I would disagree with this. Get 10 cabinetmakers in a room and ask them how to build a cabinet and you’ll get 10 different answers. It largely depends on where they did their apprenticeship and what their own in-house standards are.

    I supply flat-packed and assembled cabinets to the trade. Most of these guys either work from home or have a small shed and keep their overheads low by not investing in their own machinery, but there are also some that have their own machine shop but outsource the more complex components.

    There is a huge variation of competency in the industry (as I’m sure there are in all industries). The best tradies are those who were actually trained well in their apprenticeship, in shops that had old school cabinet makers, and were involved in everything from setting out, machining, building and installing kitchens. The install is especially important - you can have perfect cabinets delivered to site, but if the installer can’t deal with issues and surprises on site, then you won’t end up with a good fit and finish in the end.

    The worst ones are those that lack real experience, it’s pretty obvious and I often wonder how they stay in business - perhaps because no one else would hire them? Once I had a trade customer bring back panels to be trimmed down a few mill on our saw because he didn’t know how to use an electric planner on site!

    Regarding Kinsman, I’ve seen one of their sample packs for their wardrobe range. The quality of their samples was atrocious and I would have been embarrassed to show them to one of my own clients.

    The one thing to avoid are those large manufacturers (I believe Kitchen Connection and Kinsman are like this) that work to standard sizes, i.e cabinet widths are 300, 450, 600mm etc. If your plan requires an odd size they will have to use the closest size available and use a large filler to use up the rest of the space. A real cabinetmaker will custom make all your cabinets to the size your plan requires. It’s pretty easy to spot when they provide you with their plan along with the quote.

    I also prefer ladder kick bases that the installer will scribe to the floor before fitting any of the cabinets, as opposed to plastic feet that need to be adjusted individually. Reason being, once ladder kicks are fitted level, the rest of the install is usually a breeze.

    • 

      Bargainhunter83 on 28/02/2021 - 17:02

      Thank you for your insight. I will make enquiries with cabinet makers. Do you know of any experienced cabinet makers in VIC?

      • 

        voo123 on 28/02/2021 - 17:39

        Have a look along Berkshire rd, Sunshine North. There are at least 3 Vietnamese custom cabinet makers along that road. I personally used D and H kitchens, and I am happy with the service and result for my investment home. There's not much difference in prices with those companies along that road ($100-$500), however it was much cheaper than Kaboodle/Ikea cabinets (at least $1500) and Caucasian cabinet makers ($2000-$3000).

        • 

          Bargainhunter83 on 28/02/2021 - 17:46

          @voo123: Thank you. I did have the dude from D&H come over. He didnt seem to have too many ideas. But i might take a design to him and see if he can do it. D&H has been recommended by a couple people so far.

          • 

            voo123 on 28/02/2021 - 17:51

            +1

            @Bargainhunter83: Best to have a design in mind and take it Eric as he's more of a cabinet maker not a 'designer' (assuming he came out to quote). He'll draw it up on computer software and if you're happy then he'll quote accordingly.

            • 

              Bargainhunter83 on 28/02/2021 - 18:32

              @voo123: Yes was Eric! I will take the Kinsman design to him and see what happens from there. My kitchen is fairly small and he seems to so a lot of big kitchens.

              • 

                a1234my on 25/02/2022 - 12:23

                @Bargainhunter83: How it goes with the design and quotes?

                • 

                  Bargainhunter83 on 26/02/2022 - 23:20

                  +1

                  @a1234my: Hi. My kitchen renovation finished last year some how in between lockdowns. I took the designs from kinsman and couple other cabinet makers to Eric and he built it for me for less than half of what kinsman quoted and added a pantry and laundry cabinetry too. Example quotes from kinsman and aussie cabinet makers came to 20k to 25k for kitchen cabinets only (ridiculous) while Erics cost 7.5k.

                  • 

                    godofpizza on 26/02/2022 - 23:33

                    @Bargainhunter83: with the difference in quoted price, was it the same materials?

                    • 

                      Bargainhunter83 on 26/02/2022 - 23:39

                      @godofpizza: Yes quotes were for Polytec. I am not sure what kinsman used but they are all some sort of particle board. To be honest i wasnt confident of the quality of work at the prices eric gave me. But i was pleasantly surprised at the quality of his work and attention to detail. He did a few things for finishing touches that i didnt even know i wanted.

                      • 

                        voo123 on 28/02/2022 - 23:17

                        +1

                        @Bargainhunter83: Glad you had a good experience. The asian cabinet makers have less overheads and no advertising so they rely on word of mouth. The installers get paid cash in hand so they pass on the savings to the consumer.

    • 

      godofpizza on 01/03/2021 - 11:48

      we weren't happy with our recent kitchen, we had a 900mm oven with at least 3-5 overhang from the cabinets. As the oven itself was 632mm deep

      As you mentioned i think they were only using standard size cabinets? would you have any recommendation for SE Melbourne in future?

      • 

        Sum-Ting Wong on 01/03/2021 - 13:21

        +1

        No sorry, I’m not in VIC so don’t have any contacts there. I’d suggest searching for local cabinetmakers and check their Facebook/Instagram posts and comments/reviews to get an idea of their level of competence before contacting them.

• 

  Muzeeb on 28/02/2021 - 13:54

  Kinsman must have spent a fortune sponsoring the last "The Block" series and need to claw that money back somehow. Looks like it's via you.

  • 

    Bargainhunter83 on 28/02/2021 - 17:01

    Not yet they wont haha

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  askme69 on 28/02/2021 - 15:28

  +1

  My parents had a custom kitchen built by a cabinet/joiner maker back in the early 80's. It cost as much as the block of land the house was built on in those days. Real wood carcasses etc.

  40 years on, it is still as solid as a rock and perfect.

  As others have said, people update kitchens as often as they do a lounge, so cheap is easier to swallow. Although they are not cheap and they are low quality, like most things nowadays, charge a premuim for shitty quality.

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  BestofLuck on 24/06/2022 - 12:10

  @Bargainhunter83
  Glad you had a good experience. We're having an appointment with Kinsmen Kitchen for our kitchen design. They're offering 25% off cabinetary and $1,000 off the stones. Not sure what the total price come up to be though. Our kitchen is also medium sized (4m*2.5m L shape). We have the rough design plan, and are planning to use the consult with Kinsmen to refine our design. We're on the same boat. Aussie cabinet maker quoted us on 20-25k (depending on the door finish) just for cabinets, not including stone, appliances etc, which is crazily expensive. We had another quote to do facelift of old kitchen and install some new cabinets and bench to our laundry which come to $15k (not including appliances & trades).

  Questions for you @Bargainhunter83

  1. What cabinet door finish did you end up using? Flat or shaker style (or other with pattern)?
  2. Did quote Eric from DH Kitchen also include removal of old and installation of new kitchen? Kinsmen seems to be a supply only company and if going with them we will have to organise an installer anyways.
  3. How was the communication with Eric from DH? Was he responsive? Reviews on Kinsmen is horrible with their comms.
  • 

    Bargainhunter83 on 24/06/2022 - 12:49

    Hi! I basically took the design from Kinsman to Eric and he made it for me. It will be helpful if you have a design for him and he will come to your home and take measurements etc and see if it works. He is a cabinet maker only so everything else such as removal, stones etc you will need to organise. Communication wise he is quite busy and availability may be an issue. I have since got him to do other cabinets in my lounge room too but you do need to chase him. I didnt mind as his quote is was significantly better than kinsmen and the likes. I do note you should take into consideration the post covid price rises. And for the cabinet door i chose the flat one. Its all push/pull to to open as i didnt want handles anywhere (too many to choose from).

    • 

      BestofLuck on 24/06/2022 - 17:52

      Hello! Thanks for getting back to me. Yes unfortunately prices are rising post Covid. Not the perfect time for reno but what can you do - prices may go up even further in a year or two's time! I did reach out to Eric this afternoon and he seems to know what he's talking about and has got a working relationship with other trades which can come in handy. Though he can only come out in 3 weeks as he's playing catch-up. I don't mind doing the PM myself to be honest.

      In your case, was it a complete removal and re-install, or partial renovation? And also do you know with Eric was there much price difference between flat and the shaker styled (our current preference)? How's Eric's cabinets quality been so far? The Aussie cabinet maker has given us $20k just for the flat door, and $24k for the shaker style, which is 20% more..!

      • 

        Bargainhunter83 on 25/06/2022 - 13:12

        Hi. I m not sure about the shaker style as i never wanted that one. Mine was a complete removal and install. So far the quality is good. I even had a leak from the sink inside one and they are holding up just fine.

        • 

          BestofLuck on 26/06/2022 - 15:04

          @Bargainhunter83: Thank you! And where did you source the benchtop and splashback etc to complete the kitchen? (sorry for all the questions!)

          • 

            Bargainhunter83 on 26/06/2022 - 16:51

            @BestofLuck: I went through a company in derrimut. I dont recommend at all. They were quite expensive and did a below a average job. VpKay marble and granite in derrimut. Splashback i wanted a vasari tile so options were limited for supply. Ask eric for his contacts.

            • 

              BestofLuck on 30/06/2022 - 12:18

              @Bargainhunter83: Thanks!

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  Zeee on 12/03/2024 - 00:09

  Any ideas about ikea?

  • 

    Euphemistic on 12/03/2024 - 08:40

    Just one letter difference between idea and ikea.