How many adverts have you seen on the TV recently for new kitchens?
Having spent over 50 years in the kitchen business, we think we know why there’s always a sudden upsurge in such adverts over and following the festive period.
It’s a time when we all spend more time than usual at home. And, with families gathering around the TV, the big kitchen brands know they have a captive audience.
This results in ‘special offers’ and ‘huge discounts’ which are exactly the opposite when you dig into the small print. So, before you get enticed by those tempting TV ads (they’ll continue throughout January – trust us), make sure you keep the following in mind.
Nothing beats walking into a showroom
Most of the TV adverts for kitchens tempt you to make purchases there and then after a quick scoot around their website.
This is a bad idea.
There’s nothing quite like walking into a kitchen showroom to touch and feel the products you’re thinking about buying. What looks nice on a glossy TV advert might be the opposite in real life.
In a showroom, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your requirements with an expert and get hands-on with the options available.
You’ll spot poor quality before it’s installed
TV adverts benefit from beautiful lighting, fast edits, and minimal closeups. Therefore, can you really be sure the expensive kitchen you’re buying is of the best quality?
When you’re in a showroom, you can carry out checks to see if the kitchen products are of high enough quality.
For instance, by looking closely at the carcasses, hinges and door runners, you’ll be able to assess their rigidity. After all, it’s the backs and internals of the cabinets that will show signs of wear and tear if poorly made – not the doors.
Purchasing on the same day is always a mistake
It’s easy to get taken in by adverts. This happens to all of us at some stage during our lives. However, there’s a big difference between the ‘revolutionary’ new vacuum cleaner you bought on a whim and the flashy kitchen you spent thousands of pounds on because you saw it on an advert and thought you could get a good discount.
This is why you should never purchase your kitchen on the same day you discover it. No matter how attractive the kitchen itself and any offers attached to it may be, you’ll need time to go away and think about it.
TV ads don’t give you the breathing space to sleep on a decision as big as this, but a traditional showroom visit will (providing you head to the right one!).
Longevity counts
You may not recognise some of the companies advertising kitchens at the moment, and that could be a problem.
Before spending a significant amount of money on a new kitchen, make sure you do some research on the company. Find out how long they’ve been in business and what the general consensus is regarding their product quality and workmanship.
A kitchen supplier that has been in the game a long time should have great reviews and feedback from existing customers, because those businesses survive almost entirely on recommendations.
The layout can’t be guessed
It’s important to think long and hard about your new kitchen layout. A TV ad might depict a perfectly configured kitchen, but that’s often only possible in Advert Land.
Every kitchen space is unique, therefore it’s important that the designer you choose visits your home to measure up properly. This will enable you to discuss the ideal layout based on the floor space available and your requirements.
Buying a kitchen on a whim will usually result in poorly-placed appliances and more – or fewer – cupboards than you actually need.
Final tip
The true cost of a kitchen installation is unlikely to be displayed on a TV advert. They’ll wax lyrical about their special offer, but what about all of the extras they end up applying to your bill?
This is why it’s important to obtain a full written quotation before making any kind of decision. It should include absolutely everything; the units, appliances, worktops, floor coverings, lighting, heating, labour, and more.
A great kitchen specialist (like us) will always provide a transparent quote that covers all aspects of a new kitchen installation, including the time required to project manage the job.
We’re an independent, family-run business who get to know our customers and have hundreds of testimonials to share that demonstrate how happy our customers are.
Don’t be fooled by those adverts and so-called discounts; take your time and talk to the experts before buying your new kitchen.