Kitchen Portfolio – Kitchen Supply and Installation
Project Completion: Nov 2009
Project Timescale: 10 days
Completed In: 9 days
Background: Our clients asked us to quote for the replacement of their existing kitchen which had served them very well for 15 years plus. The aim was to to keep the style and layout of the kitchen largely intact, whilst however, looking for a bit more usable storage space and a fresher cleaner feel to their aging kitchen.
Once the clients had asked us to proceed, we met with them again on many occasions in order to finalise the design and to run through in detail exactly what they would require and where. We confirmed exact timescales and agreed start and completion dates for the project. We kept our clients informed almost on a weekly basis regarding at what stage of production their kitchen and the organisation of the complete project was. Once complete we were very impressed with the final result, creating a traditional kitchen with a modern feel, with excellent working space and improved storage options.
Specification:
Door – Marpatt Mowbray Light Oak
Kitchen Units – 16 Colour Matched Units
Worktop – Our client chose Corian and selected Bisque colour to compliment the rest of the kitchen.
Appliances – These were supplied by our client. They chose mostly Neff
Client Feedback
Why did you decide to change your original kitchen?
Our original kitchen was of good quality all-wood and wood-veneer units which had lasted over twenty years, but had (understandably!) begun to look tired and shabby. We looked at ranges from Homebase, B&Q and Magnet, but decided that they had nothing available of sufficiently high quality to equal what we already had. We then looked at offerings from John Lewis and all the higher quality kitchen suppliers in St. Albans before getting quotations from John Lewis, Underwood bespoke kitchens, and Lime.
Why did you choose Lime Interiors?
First, Lime’s website attracted us, because amongst other very useful information it suggested replacement doors could be all that was necessary. There were several email exchanges, mostly full of their reassurance that there would be no pressure, but that a free visit and quote would be the first step so we would have good information from which to make a decision. The advice was sensible: yes we could just go for an update of necessary items – worktops, repair some cupboards, floor etc. But the reality would likely be that in a few years we would need further work, which would in turn disturb the new stuff (In fact Greg said: ‘I think you need to spend as little as possible, or go for the whole thing’). So we took the plunge for a complete refurb and haven’t regretted it for an instant.
John Lewis quoted a slightly higher price, but gave the impression that we, rather than they, would be responsible for the management of the project.
Underwood offered nothing that was noticeably superior in quality, and their quoted price was very substantially higher.
How did you find our home visits and design process?
Excellent and painstaking. In retrospect, we could all have thought a bit harder about how practical it was to fit cupboards in narrow spaces, e.g. for towel rails.
What was it like dealing with us before, during and after the installation?
We cannot rate Lime’s project management too highly. They provided a detailed schedule beforehand, and kept to it absolutely. The project was completed precisely when they said it would be (no, actually it was about 2 hours early …). They do exactly what they say on the tin. Everyone who worked on the kitchen was a fine craftsman, and helpful, courteous, and tidy.
Is there anything we could have done differently that would have improved upon your experience of dealing with us?
Remind customers of the need to deliver the new units and take out the old before the official start date, and that the new units will take up an incredible amount of floor space elsewhere in the property pending installation.
Are you pleased with the overall look of the kitchen and what has it been like living with it?
The kitchen more than exceeds our expectations, and becomes ever better as time goes by.
