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timmmay

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#323317 18-Nov-2025 07:28
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Can anyone recommend a company in Wellington who has replaced their kitchen who you were happy with - design, responsiveness, overall value? We're thinking we want a company rather than say hiring a builder and buying componentry so we get project management and a warranty, unless it's significantly cheaper to manage things ourselves but even then, probably rather have it managed. We're looking for a firm who can do a design as it's currently poorly laid out, ideally showing us a 3D model or at least a floor plan, good quality but not gold plated.

 

Can anyone share what it cost to redo your kitchen? We want to rip it out entirely, including relining the walls and replacing most appliances other than dishwasher. It's 3.1m x 3.8m but we may extend it out slightly into the large kitchen / dining / living area. It's a 1960s weatherboard house.


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Handle9
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  #3435458 18-Nov-2025 08:15
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I can’t specifically answer your question but I would suggest anyone planning a kitchen in the next little while to hold off until ikea is established. 

I’d expect them to be really quite disruptive to the flat pack and semi custom kitchen companies. There’s a large industry internationally making doors and drawer fronts for ikea cabinets. I’ve had an ikea kitchen for nearly 4 years and it’s both excellent and great value for money. 




timmmay

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  #3435466 18-Nov-2025 09:12
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Interesting, I'd heard they were coming, thanks. I expect they'll be in Auckland, but with internet ordering? How do Ikea kitchens do given every house is a different size and need a different layout? I guess they'd also reduce the prices of other companies.

 

Looks like December 2025 opening so it wouldn't be long to wait. We're just trying to get initial prices right now, we probably wouldn't go ahead until after xmas.


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  #3435477 18-Nov-2025 09:23
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timmmay:

 

Looks like December 2025 opening so it wouldn't be long to wait. 

 

 

3 weeks to go, at last count. 





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  #3435507 18-Nov-2025 10:55
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Have a look through ikea.com.au - expect it would be much the same.

 

 


timmmay

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  #3435515 18-Nov-2025 11:41
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Will do. I'm still interested in the original questions, a recommendation for a local company that specialises in kitchens and how much people have spent on this. PMs are welcome if people don't want to share costs publicly.


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  #3435530 18-Nov-2025 13:35
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I cannot recommend a company but I can advise do not use Mastercraft kitchens. Very disappointed in the durability. It cost $28,000 and we do not believe we got value for money. I would also advise against Bunnings or Mitre 10 products.





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timmmay

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  #3435548 18-Nov-2025 14:07
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MikeB4:

 

I cannot recommend a company but I can advise do not use Mastercraft kitchens. Very disappointed in the durability. It cost $28,000 and we do not believe we got value for money. I would also advise against Bunnings or Mitre 10 products.

 

 

That's useful, thanks @MikeB4. M10 was one place we were going to talk to, but I would be wary about quality. Why would you advise against them?


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  #3435554 18-Nov-2025 14:18
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We've used kitchenmania a while back. I was reasonably impressed with their business model and service.

 

 


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  #3435561 18-Nov-2025 14:40
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timmmay:

 

Will do. I'm still interested in the original questions, a recommendation for a local company that specialises in kitchens and how much people have spent on this. PMs are welcome if people don't want to share costs publicly.

 

We self managed our kitchen upgrade about 2-3 years ago . It was during the GIB famine - we only needed 3 sheets . With no changes to the footprint and DIYing where possible we spent about $60k incl appliances.

 

We had earlier engaged Refresh Renovations who offer a full service but it was eye wateringly expensive - in the order of $200k for a kitchen and bathroom reno (+ other minor bits and bobs). 

 

Cabinetry ended up costing 32k - birch plywood cabinets from Plylab (Petone). Interestingly cabinetry quotes for melteca were no cheaper. 

 

Most kitchen companies will use software to model what you want.

 

 

 

The problem with using the cabinet company for design is, I feel, they tend to take the view that the customer is always right. Sounds like you need a full evaluation and re-design of the space. It's always good to get outside ideas for that.

 

 





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  #3435565 18-Nov-2025 14:49
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timmmay:

 

MikeB4:

 

I cannot recommend a company but I can advise do not use Mastercraft kitchens. Very disappointed in the durability. It cost $28,000 and we do not believe we got value for money. I would also advise against Bunnings or Mitre 10 products.

 

 

That's useful, thanks @MikeB4. M10 was one place we were going to talk to, but I would be wary about quality. Why would you advise against them?

 

 

 

 

i actually have had a mitre 10 one installed but it was their designer version that uses quality hafele grass drawer runners etc. it Is perfectly ok and good durability , but things tend to be standard sizes and modules.  Although don’t know what the current range is like. Really it comes down to budget.  


timmmay

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  #3435568 18-Nov-2025 14:56
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elpenguino:

 

We self managed our kitchen upgrade about 2-3 years ago . It was during the GIB famine - we only needed 3 sheets . With no changes to the footprint and DIYing where possible we spent about $60k incl appliances.

 

We had earlier engaged Refresh Renovations who offer a full service but it was eye wateringly expensive - in the order of $200k for a kitchen and bathroom reno (+ other minor bits and bobs). 

 

Cabinetry ended up costing 32k - birch plywood cabinets from Plylab (Petone). Interestingly cabinetry quotes for melteca were no cheaper. 

 

Most kitchen companies will use software to model what you want.

 

The problem with using the cabinet company for design is, I feel, they tend to take the view that the customer is always right. Sounds like you need a full evaluation and re-design of the space. It's always good to get outside ideas for that

 

 

That's very useful, thanks! In our bathroom reno 10 years ago we used a bathroom company but their scheduling was pretty poor - we'd have a few days in a row where no-one came to do anything.


 
 
 

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  #3435573 18-Nov-2025 15:09
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This is a difficult one to do, but see if you can have a look at some completed kitchens, if you're going with a Kitchen specialist. 

Superficially, ours looks OK, but on a practical level, it's pretty awful and the 30 year old kitchen it replaced was more sturdy, more durable and overall, fit the space better. 

Things to look for are slumping or knocking hinges, flimsy back-boards on recesses and cupboards (such as a microwave cavity) and weird holes around plumbing that aren't quite the right size or don't seem to have a purpose. 

 

Personally, I have felt that the workmanship of our kitchen has been particularly substandard and it's made me very critical of any modern kitchen installation. 





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timmmay

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  #3435581 18-Nov-2025 15:34
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Handsomedan:

 

This is a difficult one to do, but see if you can have a look at some completed kitchens, if you're going with a Kitchen specialist. 

Superficially, ours looks OK, but on a practical level, it's pretty awful and the 30 year old kitchen it replaced was more sturdy, more durable and overall, fit the space better. 

Things to look for are slumping or knocking hinges, flimsy back-boards on recesses and cupboards (such as a microwave cavity) and weird holes around plumbing that aren't quite the right size or don't seem to have a purpose. 

 

Personally, I have felt that the workmanship of our kitchen has been particularly substandard and it's made me very critical of any modern kitchen installation. 

 

 

Interesting, thanks. Do you know who did your kitchen?


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  #3435583 18-Nov-2025 15:42
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timmmay:

 

Handsomedan:

 

This is a difficult one to do, but see if you can have a look at some completed kitchens, if you're going with a Kitchen specialist. 

Superficially, ours looks OK, but on a practical level, it's pretty awful and the 30 year old kitchen it replaced was more sturdy, more durable and overall, fit the space better. 

Things to look for are slumping or knocking hinges, flimsy back-boards on recesses and cupboards (such as a microwave cavity) and weird holes around plumbing that aren't quite the right size or don't seem to have a purpose. 

 

Personally, I have felt that the workmanship of our kitchen has been particularly substandard and it's made me very critical of any modern kitchen installation. 

 

 

Interesting, thanks. Do you know who did your kitchen?

 


Phoenix Kitchens, I believe. Contracted by the Reinstatement Specialists Limited on behalf of the insurance company. 

I wouldn't recommend them, but looks like they are only Auckland based anyway. 






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MikeB4
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  #3435594 18-Nov-2025 16:08
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timmmay:

 

 

 

That's useful, thanks @MikeB4. M10 was one place we were going to talk to, but I would be wary about quality. Why would you advise against them?

 

 

I have family and friends that have installed both. Mitre 10 have several grades. Check carefully the hardware etc hinges, runners and the mechanism used for swing out cupboard carousels. The Customwood and some cases can be less compact and not durable. Those who have installed Bunnings units have experienced cupboards falling off, drawer fronts coming off, discoloration of the cabinets especially white.  My sister in laws kitchen arrived with the countertop measurements very wrong and had to be redone.





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