We have been intensively working on our kitchen planning for a little over three weeks now. Sometimes we even dream about it at night, but it’s an exciting topic.
At the moment, we have two options... a Nobilia kitchen (a good, solid mid-range choice) and Schmidt kitchens (a major European kitchen manufacturer), which we actually prefer slightly more in terms of quality.
The kitchen concept is mostly settled. Nobilia kitchens can be offered by various kitchen showrooms and are fairly easy to compare, so you quickly get a sense of the price and can find your spending limit.
However, we are at least 5,000 euros above our original budget and are a bit worried about starting construction with this in mind.
Do you have any tips or suggestions?
We have already cut back extensively on the appliances or only included what we really need. It’s simply the size that drives the total cost. We know that 10,000 euros won’t be enough, but hopefully, we can keep it under 15,000 euros.
At the moment, we have two options... a Nobilia kitchen (a good, solid mid-range choice) and Schmidt kitchens (a major European kitchen manufacturer), which we actually prefer slightly more in terms of quality.
The kitchen concept is mostly settled. Nobilia kitchens can be offered by various kitchen showrooms and are fairly easy to compare, so you quickly get a sense of the price and can find your spending limit.
However, we are at least 5,000 euros above our original budget and are a bit worried about starting construction with this in mind.
Do you have any tips or suggestions?
We have already cut back extensively on the appliances or only included what we really need. It’s simply the size that drives the total cost. We know that 10,000 euros won’t be enough, but hopefully, we can keep it under 15,000 euros.
Which brands have you chosen for the appliances?
How much is it supposed to cost in total? So far, we only know about 5,000 over budget, or did I miss something? Is that price before or after negotiations?
What I see is a very expensive roller shutter cabinet (about 80 or 90cm (31 or 35 inches) wide?), and the hood is also a cost factor. An 80cm (31 inches) cooktop instead of 60cm (24 inches) – if you use the steam oven, you will need fewer pots.
The pantry and corner cabinet make the kitchen bigger than a standard kitchen size, which roughly corresponds to a regular kitchen. Of course, with tall cabinets, that is an additional cost factor.
How much might the additional table cost? Would a regularly purchased standalone table be a cheaper (and more individual) alternative?
How much is it supposed to cost in total? So far, we only know about 5,000 over budget, or did I miss something? Is that price before or after negotiations?
What I see is a very expensive roller shutter cabinet (about 80 or 90cm (31 or 35 inches) wide?), and the hood is also a cost factor. An 80cm (31 inches) cooktop instead of 60cm (24 inches) – if you use the steam oven, you will need fewer pots.
The pantry and corner cabinet make the kitchen bigger than a standard kitchen size, which roughly corresponds to a regular kitchen. Of course, with tall cabinets, that is an additional cost factor.
How much might the additional table cost? Would a regularly purchased standalone table be a cheaper (and more individual) alternative?
Hi,
That’s true, you’re right. IKEA offers a 25-year (!!!) warranty on their furniture. Nobilia, on the other hand, remains silent on this topic. They really can’t be compared...
But this quickly turns into the usual debate about whether higher price means better quality. For example, we own two Audis, both new cars in the €50,000 (approximately $55,000) range. In terms of quality, they cannot come close to my mother’s Honda, which cost around €15,000 (approximately $16,500). So far, only one sensor has failed on her car, which was replaced free of charge after five years. Meanwhile, the same-aged Audis have already had numerous issues... Performance is roughly similar, by the way.
How do you define better quality? For some, it’s about great feel, design, and finish, for others, it’s simply durability and lasting (!!!) functionality.
But that’s really off topic…
Back to the topic:
I just wanted to suggest to the original poster to use the IKEA kitchen as a comparison. In terms of price, you will only find cheaper solutions by making significant compromises in quality. That’s why I always see IKEA as the lower reasonable price level. Even with them, you can easily spend €10,000 (approximately $11,000) or more. Whether the undoubtedly more elaborate finishes and small extras of the “brand kitchens” are worth the extra cost is something each person has to decide for themselves.
Kind regards,
Andreas
Mycraft schrieb:
So the statement is clearly, and I mean very clearly, far from reality...
That’s true, you’re right. IKEA offers a 25-year (!!!) warranty on their furniture. Nobilia, on the other hand, remains silent on this topic. They really can’t be compared...
But this quickly turns into the usual debate about whether higher price means better quality. For example, we own two Audis, both new cars in the €50,000 (approximately $55,000) range. In terms of quality, they cannot come close to my mother’s Honda, which cost around €15,000 (approximately $16,500). So far, only one sensor has failed on her car, which was replaced free of charge after five years. Meanwhile, the same-aged Audis have already had numerous issues... Performance is roughly similar, by the way.
How do you define better quality? For some, it’s about great feel, design, and finish, for others, it’s simply durability and lasting (!!!) functionality.
But that’s really off topic…
Back to the topic:
I just wanted to suggest to the original poster to use the IKEA kitchen as a comparison. In terms of price, you will only find cheaper solutions by making significant compromises in quality. That’s why I always see IKEA as the lower reasonable price level. Even with them, you can easily spend €10,000 (approximately $11,000) or more. Whether the undoubtedly more elaborate finishes and small extras of the “brand kitchens” are worth the extra cost is something each person has to decide for themselves.
Kind regards,
Andreas
You shouldn’t buy the kitchen directly from Ikea, but rather plan it with their system first. If you already reach around €12,000 (I would estimate about €2,000 for delivery and installation), then there’s not much room left for big savings—at least not without a very special discount, employee offer, etc. They also don’t have large markups on appliances, so you’re probably already close to $5,000 for those.
My sister bought a similarly sized kitchen about five years ago and, after negotiating and comparing a lot, ended up in roughly your price range. I believe she took advantage of a special deal where the price per linear meter of kitchen was €1,600 or €1,700 flat. That was only slightly cheaper than a previously negotiated offer, but she was able to get some extras included for free (roll-up cabinet, wider cooktop, larger fridge).
In the end, the pricing is similar everywhere. Everyone wants to make a profit, so usually the only options are a smaller kitchen or more affordable fronts and countertops. When it comes to appliances (unless you choose luxury models), you won’t save $5,000 or more—that’s roughly the total value of your entire set of electronics.
My sister bought a similarly sized kitchen about five years ago and, after negotiating and comparing a lot, ended up in roughly your price range. I believe she took advantage of a special deal where the price per linear meter of kitchen was €1,600 or €1,700 flat. That was only slightly cheaper than a previously negotiated offer, but she was able to get some extras included for free (roll-up cabinet, wider cooktop, larger fridge).
In the end, the pricing is similar everywhere. Everyone wants to make a profit, so usually the only options are a smaller kitchen or more affordable fronts and countertops. When it comes to appliances (unless you choose luxury models), you won’t save $5,000 or more—that’s roughly the total value of your entire set of electronics.
@andimann
Since when is a long warranty a guarantee of quality? It only means that IKEA will accept returns or fix defects during that period....
I have the information firsthand, and as you said, IKEA is definitely on the lower end regarding workmanship, durability, feel, and other criteria.
But it doesn’t really matter... the original poster will have formed their own opinion by now.
Since when is a long warranty a guarantee of quality? It only means that IKEA will accept returns or fix defects during that period....
I have the information firsthand, and as you said, IKEA is definitely on the lower end regarding workmanship, durability, feel, and other criteria.
But it doesn’t really matter... the original poster will have formed their own opinion by now.
B
Bauexperte25 May 2016 17:0586bibo schrieb:
You’re not supposed to buy at Ikea either, but to redesign the kitchen with Ikea planning tools.I currently have an IKEA kitchen, and as mentioned elsewhere here, I am still very satisfied with it; it has been through several years and moves. However, I originally purchased the built-in appliances from a specialized retailer, not from IKEA.Recently, I was quite frustrated by the limited dimensions of the new base cabinets—they even discontinued the “apothecary cabinet” I liked—and certainly by the consultation and installation costs. That led me to look at Nobilia for our new kitchen.
I was pleasantly surprised by the price/performance ratio and have decided not to buy a kitchen from IKEA again.
Best regards, Bauexperte
Hi,
A long warranty is probably the most reliable indicator of quality (in terms of durability, not appearance or feel) there is. You can only offer such a warranty if you are truly confident that claims will be very rare. Otherwise, warranty costs would ruin you! You can think what you want about IKEA, but they are certainly not stupid and can calculate very well.
Since you mention durability and feel in the same breath, you probably consider both equally important (which is perfectly legitimate). In terms of feel, the laminated IKEA surfaces really cannot be compared to a painted Nobilia cabinet front.
However, durability is a completely different kind of quality. Based on my experience with products from German "quality cars" (mocking laughter), I see short warranty periods (or even better, only statutory warranty and no warranty at all!) as a clear indication of what to expect in terms of quality.
If the manufacturer does not trust their own products, how am I supposed to?
But as 86bibo already said, it is not about switching to an IKEA kitchen, but simply using it as a reference point to get a sense of whether there is room for improvement in the current offers or not.
Best regards,
Andreas
Mycraft schrieb:
@andimann
Since when is a long warranty a guarantee of quality? It only means IKEA will take back the furniture or fix defects during that period...
I have firsthand information, and as you said, IKEA is definitely at the lower end regarding workmanship/durability/feel and other criteria.
A long warranty is probably the most reliable indicator of quality (in terms of durability, not appearance or feel) there is. You can only offer such a warranty if you are truly confident that claims will be very rare. Otherwise, warranty costs would ruin you! You can think what you want about IKEA, but they are certainly not stupid and can calculate very well.
Since you mention durability and feel in the same breath, you probably consider both equally important (which is perfectly legitimate). In terms of feel, the laminated IKEA surfaces really cannot be compared to a painted Nobilia cabinet front.
However, durability is a completely different kind of quality. Based on my experience with products from German "quality cars" (mocking laughter), I see short warranty periods (or even better, only statutory warranty and no warranty at all!) as a clear indication of what to expect in terms of quality.
If the manufacturer does not trust their own products, how am I supposed to?
But as 86bibo already said, it is not about switching to an IKEA kitchen, but simply using it as a reference point to get a sense of whether there is room for improvement in the current offers or not.
Best regards,
Andreas
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