What's new in kitchens for 2012?

With so much emphasis being placed on energy efficiency and choosing the right household appliances, the actual design of a fitted kitchen has been somewhat over-shadowed in recent months.

So if you're contemplating just how 'un-friendly' your old kitchen design was this Christmas past, or you're ready for a breath-taking new kitchen that's as functional as it is stunning, then what sort of features should you expect to see?

The fitted kitchen market has caught on very quickly to the need for quality and our expectations, as homeowners, that a new kitchen is not a 'light' project and if we're going to the trouble and investment of a new kitchen, then it's got to look good for years and be made of quality components.

So, expect 2012 to feature big on quality of components - whether that's drawer sliders, pot carousel's or hinges.

Take a look around the web and you'll see lots of very angular designs, with room settings incorporating bold contrasting colours.

Gloss finished units will be available in even more door colours and one range we saw even had a polished mirror plinth, which gives the illusion that the kitchen is actually floating off the floor.

For those of you that prefer a more traditional look, Pine and Oak still continue to be as popular as ever, although be prepared for a few delightful surprises.

Worktops will continue to evolve further choices of cost effective laminates through to granite and stainless steel. If you've got young children, you may decide to opt for the smoother, rounded edges of laminate worktops anyway.

A good kitchen designer will listen to your wishes but always try and offer alternatives that you may have overlooked or perhaps weren't even aware of. Remember, they deal in kitchens every day whereas you won't.

The value of having your fitted kitchen planned and installed cannot be under-estimated. Exact room measurements will help ensure a seamless fit and what can be major obstacles for the DIY'er like inconvenient roof beams or odd corners / under stairs ceilings can be planned for and easily overcome at the fitting stage.

The absolute worst mistake you can make is to invest in a kitchen, that you then attempt to fit yourself. Estate Agent surveys show repeatedly the negative effect a 'poor' kitchen can have on a property - sometimes negating the amount spent. It's also worth bearing in mind that whilst you might find high-gloss tangerine the ideal colour, a prospective new owner may not.

Incidentally, tangerine is according to some, going to be the 'must have' colour of 2012 so perhaps tangerine wouldn't be such a bad colour choice anyway?

Anyway,  if you are thinking you may sell your property anytime soon, then colour and door finish is one of the most important decisions you'll face.

Whatever size or shape of your kitchen or whatever your budget, Kitchen Quoter can come to your rescue by offering you a free instant online quote based on some simple room dimensions and your preferred style of kitchen - traditional, country or modern. Try it today.

Fitted kitchen - choose the right appliances.

When you're planning a new kitchen, it seems either great attention or no attention at all is paid to the actual appliances you intend to fit.

Whilst functionality is fine, spending a little time considering your kitchen appliance choices can be rewarding and not just from an aesthetic appeal point of view.

With the watch-words being energy efficiency and water saving, your first duty should be to go for those appliances which promise the best energy or resource efficiency.

It might not sound like a lot but over the course of a year, the savings that could be made on, say a dishwasher, could add up. Now multiply those savings made from ovens and hobs, washing machines and even lighting - you get the picture.

The manufacturers have cottoned on to the publics desire for energy efficiency and compulsory energy ratings on all appliances let you compare quickly and easily the benefits of different models and makes.

One other consideration, depending on the size of your kitchen and how you intend to use it might be the noise produced by dish washers or extractor hoods etc. If you don't 'live' in the kitchen, then you can just shut the door on a louder appliance but if your kitchen is used as a gathering point - perhaps you or your children work at the kitchen table etc, then going for the quietest appliances you can afford might also prove to be a long-term blessing.

Finally, you'll see lots of offers from kitchen companies specifically centered around appliances. Do your homework check what appliances and spec they're including and if they aren't right for you, then see if you can negotiate a deal on the appliances you really want.

A new kitchen is a big deal and one improvement you'll want to enjoy for years to come so it makes sense not to 'saddle yourself' with appliances that were second or even third choice. Sometimes though, you may have to compromise on your design ideals, either through what's physically possible with the space you have, or your budget.

To find all the best fitted kitchen deals and offers in your immediate area, don't forget Kitchen Quoter can not only give you an instant online quote but also offer you the opportunity to have your online quote confirmed in writing by the very companies you seek.

photo credit: marco papale

Could Kitchens be 2011's big trend?

Various retail and lifestyle surveyors have been reporting that one of the biggest effects of the present economic climate is that families are spending more time at home.

That means more eating-in rather than dining out, watching a dvd rather than a trip to the cinema and having friends round rather than meeting out at a pub or bar.

What is interesting is that this shift in peoples habits back to entertaining at home is expected to set a major trend for 2011 in home improvements - new kitchens.

Because once families start spending more time at home, particularly eating together in the evenings, is when homeowners are noticing the inadequacies of their present kitchen design.

It could be you need a more informal dining area, that can cater for friends and family alike. The other side of the coin is a dining area that can accommodate the larger family or friend gathering just as easily as a candlelit dinner for two. Perhaps you find you just need more storage space or worktop area?

And if you were in any doubt as to the likelihood of such a prediction coming true, then you've only got to switch on the TV and you'll find some mouth-watering food programme on. Yes, Britain is obsessed with food - whether that's a country kitchen or celeb's burning boiled potatoes to the latest how to cookery masterclasses, we've gone gastro-potty.

Which leads homeowners right back to their own kitchens when they come to try and re-create those TV dishes themselves.

Whether it's a completely new kitchen with all the latest appliances or a more modest re-fit and update using new door and drawer fronts, installed correctly, a new kitchen, whilst a major purchase, will see you for many years to come and if you do move, then it should only add to your home's value.

To get your free, no obligation fitted kitchen quote - click here and use KitchenQuoter.

photo credit: simone sapienza

Island Living - the essential kitchen accessory

Whether it's sharing the food prep or gathering round for a chat, the kitchen island has fast become the must have accessory - if you've got the room - when having a new kitchen fitted.

And it's not hard to see why this style statement is as practical as it is good looking.

Many have claimed it's replaced the 'kitchen table' as a central hub in the kitchen, whilst the architectural style of open plan living spaces has helped create a need for good looking but functional area which can act as a separator between the kitchen and the rest of the living space.

An island gives you lots of additional storage, room for under counter appliances and can even incorporate hobs so the chef gets to mingle with the rest of the family rather than facing a tiled wall, back to everybody else.

But a quick wipe with the surface disinfectant and your food prep area becomes a bar for tea and biscuits with visitors, a place for the kids to do homework while you slave over a hot stove or the hub of all the best parties.

Kitchen islands take a little bit of pre-planning though. You'll want to discuss what mix of storage and appliances you want to include and how much room that will take up. If you're struggling to visualise it, think of a washing machine equalling a standard floor cupboard for space.

And lets not forget our old kitchen planning friend - the working 'triangle'. By including one or more of the three essential appliances - hob/oven, sink and fridge into the islands design, you'll be able to create a very functional kitchen, as well as cutting down on the amount of walking you do between stations.

Of course, it's important to discuss your own particular needs with your kitchen company at the planning stage - what do your family enjoy doing that midget affect the design? If you're into books, then perhaps the island could include extra shelving. Wine buff? Then how about additional wine storage? Even if it's somewhere you put the kitchen radio or television, think about visible power outlets you'll need.

Kitchen islands have really opened kitchens out by providing more usable space within a given area - more cupboard space, more drawers and more worktop area.

If island's are your fantasy, then why not get an instant online quote for your fitted kitchen which will give you a good idea of price. Then, if you wish, we can put you in touch with local fitted kitchen companies whose designers can discuss your space and requirements drawing on their vast years of local knowledge and experience in planning (and building) the perfect kitchen for you.

Beat the VAT increase on your home improvements

The recent first budget by a coalition Government included the announcement that VAT was to rise from its present 17.5% to 20% with effect from January 2011 - That's just 5 months away.

Whilst we all hope there'll be reduced vat offers available in the New Year, there's no guarantee and any there are won't last for long.

The new VAT figure means that on a upvc replacement window and door installation of £2,500, you'll be paying £500 instead of £437.50 just in VAT. A £5000 new kitchen will mean a VAT bill of a £1000. On a £10,000 conservatory, the new VAT figure means you'll be paying £2000 in VAT alone.

This is nothing compared to the increased cost you can expect to be charged for loft or garage conversions and home extensions.

So if you've been thinking of improving your home, then our best advice is to bring your plans forward and get those home improvements underway now. Leaving it to the New Year could have costly implications. Even waiting till later in the year could mean installation teams are booked up - everybody else having the same idea - and you may end up being forced to wait until the New Year anyway.

But don't forget in your haste to save money, to get some comparative quotes from several companies first. Read up what past customers really thought of them and the quality of the finished job before making a decision on who'll you'll use. 

Make sure you get your online quote from the Quoter family of websites, then take time to read what other homeowners had to say about the companies operating in your area, before you make any decisions.

Fitted Kitchen revival thanks to food obsessed TV channels.

It seems you can't turn on a television these days without seeing a food related or cooking orientated show. From celebrity cook-offs to food health and dieting shows, it seems we have an insatiable appetite for all things culinary.

And this desire to go and create what we've just watched is, it seems, encouraging more and more homeowners to splash out on a new kitchen.

The present economic climate is also having an effect as more people stay in and cook something themselves rather than venture out to eat. And if they're staying in to cook, then they want to be enjoying the surroundings.

So this need for domestic economy doesn't mean we don't want to cook on the latest stoves or be surrounded by hand fitted cabinets and worktops.

We've noticed a lot of recent offers made by kitchen companies have been centred around either free appliances or worktops (including granite worktops) so it's worth getting a range of quotes before deciding which company (or offer) is most useful to you, your home and your family.

To find out what offers are available in your area, visit Kitchen Quoter - get your online quote and then let us show you what's on offer in your neighbourhood.

PHOTO FEATURE: Sociable Kitchens

In many homes, the kitchen is becoming one of the most important rooms, so it’s no surprise that today’s kitchens focus on sleek designs and stylish materials, whilst emphasising a spacious and ‘open’ feel.

Pictures for this month’s photo feature are from Kitchen Co-Ordination Ltd, a design and installation company who work around the London area.)

For an instant online fitted kitchen quote, visit KitchenQuoter.co.uk.

Throughout human history, sharing food has been central to our social lives. From the earliest cave dwellers to the modern restaurant goers, we’ve always used food as the perfect excuse to get together with friends and family and share good times.

In modern times we’ve started taking this one step further, though, and begun sharing not just the food, but the cooking too. Ever more common is the kitchen-diner, the open plan house, or even just the kitchen hatch. We don’t just cook food and serve it, we share the cooking as well.

One way to achieve this balance is using an island as a seating area, so you won’t miss out on any of the conversation while you’re preparing dinner for family or friends – and parents can also use it to spend more time with their children over breakfast or homework.

Not everything about a chic kitchen has to be black, white, silver and shiny! Don’t be afraid to incorporate a modern kitchen into your style of home – they can be perfectly mixed with natural wood floors and wicker furniture.

Bespoke kitchens not only make use of every little nook-and-cranny, but also keep the overall design as sleek as possible. Walls and ceilings flow into one another when kept the same colour and appliances, such as microwaves, add to the smooth finish if integrated into cupboard space

To find out more and get a free, instant online quote for your fitted kitchen project, visit KitchenQuoter.co.uk today

Flat Pack Kitchens - It's OK to call in the professionals

It's OK to call in the professionals.

We’ve written before about how easy it is to get the kitchen of your dreams, what to look for when choosing a kitchen company and how to take advantage of computer-based planning to get a good idea of what you’re new kitchen could look like.

We’ve covered topics like ensuring any plumbing work is carried out by a Corgi registered engineer if any gas appliances need re-plumbing or gas pipes need moving.

We’ve shown you some pretty pictures of kitchens to die for – the latest trends in colours and designs as well as kitchen designs for disabled and wheelchair users.

We’ve proved that it doesn’t have to cost the earth to get a new kitchens, planned and installed by professional kitchen companies and our online kitchen quoting website is always busy helping homeowners get an instant online price for their ideal fitted kitchen.

And yet, we still receive calls from homeowners who have a room full of half completed kitchen unit carcasses, unable to complete the job for a variety of reasons – ill health, not having the right tools, unable to get that finished look due to uneven walls and floors, or suffering horrendous home-plumbing nightmares. Yes, unfortunately for those homeowners, we’ve heard them all.

And it’s nobody’s fault. A fit your own flat-pack kitchen, on the face of it, sounds like good value. It’s only when you start totting up the extras – taps and tiles, handles and granite worktops that the costs start rising – not to mention the large quantity of your valuable time to that the time factor and how doing it yourself could mean being without a kitchen for a few weeks, that it doesn’t sound so attractive anymore.

Getting a professional company round is so relaxing compared to DIY. You go online, type in your measurements, select your style and get a rough expectation of cost there and then – job done!

We’ll call you back from our own offices in Derby, discuss your choices and find out a bit more about what’s involved (perhaps you were thinking of an extension to put the new kitchen into? Or there’s a wall you want knocking down?) and then offer to get three local companies to call round, cost up the job, discuss your design requests etc and leave you with a written quote.

They’ll have the right tools for the job, the experience to cope with the most uneven of walls and floors or removing walls as part of the planned refurbishment and qualified plumbers as part of the team. They’ll also be remarkably quick compared to doing it yourself too.

Their cupboard carcasses are usually factory made, solid units so they’ll last longer and take more punishment than flatpack. Finally, they’ll have specialist tools and tricks to tend to those all important finishing touches.

Visit KitchenQuoter today and get your instant online quote for your dream fitted kitchen.

photo credit: hannahandsimon

A Kitchen is For Life - Not Just For Christmas

Every time a celebrity chef clicks their fingers, a poor defenceless kitchen is cruelly left deserted and alone by its owner. Some go for months without cooking a proper meal. As a society, we should make it our responsibility to end this cruelty, and Christmas is the perfect time to raise awareness.

Get Cooking For Christmas

It may seem like talking about Christmas starts earlier every year, but November really is the best time to consider whether you want to have to roast your Christmas turkey in a kitchen that’s just not up to the task.

For many people, Christmas is all about the food – roasted (free-range, corn fed) turkey, mince pies, mulled wine, rum-soaked Christmas pudding en flambe. If cooking all of that is a prospect that fills you with dread, perhaps the problem is that your kitchen isn’t up to scratch. There’s nothing more off-putting than cooking in a cramped, badly organised and underachieving kitchen.

With KitchenQuoter.co.uk you can have an instant quote for a brand new fitted kitchen, for free.

Get cooking for life

This year’s trend has been about slowing down. Nobody wants fast food any more, we want properly cooked meals: a trend that’s been hugely encouraged by high profile celebrity chefs helping people back in to their kitchens. A pre-packaged microwaveable Christmas Dinner for Four just won’t cut the mustard this year. Not even an M&S pre-packaged microwaveable Christmas Dinner for Four.

More than ever, a kitchen is for living, not just for Christmas. Once you’ve felt the joy of cooking in a well-made kitchen, you’ll want to make a roast dinner every Sunday, a meal every evening, and cakes and pastries all through the week. Get a quote on a new fitted kitchen today and make this year a Christmas to remember – your sprouts will never have tasted so good!

Don’t let anything get in your way

When designing your perfect kitchen, try to think about what will compliment the shape of the room, where extra space can be found with corner cupboards and retractable storage. You probably want to be able to have more than one person in the kitchen at any one moment, so it's worth figuring out how to get as much floor space as you can, too. Top it all off with some top class utilities, and you'll be set up for years to come.

We have also helped many disabled people find quotes for kitchens designed specifically with accessibility in mind: thoughtfully designed features such as rise-and-fall surfaces and utilities can make a world of difference to wheelchair-bound homeowners. So, if you have a disability, don’t let it come between you and the pleasures of cooking your own food.

If your kitchen fills you with fear, when it should be filling you with food; if it gives you fresh problems when what you want is fresh produce; vote for change today with KitchenQuoter.co.uk, and get a free instant quote on a brand new kitchen.

Revamp your kitchen

Feature - Revamp your Kitchen

Today’s kitchens focus on sleek designs and stylish materials. ‘Slaving over a hot stove’ is a thing of the past with contemporary kitchens and in many homes they are now seen as the perfect place to entertain guests – especially with nifty features like wine coolers, flip down TVs and seating areas.

For an instant online fitted kitchen quote, visit: kitchenquoter.co.uk



Bursts of colour add a bold, contemporary statement without being overpowering or garish. Try bright splashbacks or work surface alongside neutral cupboards and flooring, to add a splash of your own personality.

Modern kitchens now focus on comfort and lifestyle as well as good old fashioned cooking. Using an island as a seating area means you won’t miss out on any of the conversation while you’re preparing dinner for family or friends and parents can also use it to spend more time with their children over breakfast or homework.

Not everything about a chic kitchen has to be black, white, silver and shiny! Don’t be afraid to incorporate a modern kitchen into your style of home – they can be perfectly mixed with natural wood floors and wicker furniture.

Bespoke kitchens not only make use of every little nook-and-cranny, but also keep the overall design as sleek as possible. Walls and ceilings flow into one another when kept the same colour and appliances, such as microwaves, add to the smooth finish if integrated into cupboard space.

Just because the credit crunch continues to dominate the headlines don’t let it stop you investing money into your home. A freshly revamped kitchen can make all the difference to the appeal of a property.

For an instant online fitted kitchen quote, visit: kitchenquoter.co.uk

Fitted kitchens for disabled users - feature

There are some beautifully crafted kitchens available these days but few are designed with wheelchair users in mind. Getting around an everyday kitchen can be difficult enough let alone utilising the work surfaces, cupboards and electrical equipment.

There are a number of clever adaptations and alterations that can make life easier for wheelchair users – but all the unsuspecting eye will see is a stunning new kitchen. This month’s featured company is Regency Kitchens, manufacturers of disabled kitchens based in Sale, Trafford.

For an instant online fitted kitchen quote, visit: kitchenquoter.co.uk

It is always safer to choose a hand-built, professionally installed kitchen instead of a flimsy flat pack option. You’re much more likely to use your body weight on the surfaces – whether reaching across for an ingredient or up to a high cupboard. These can be installed in just 2-3 days and provide peace of mind that you have strength and durability in the units.

Simple alterations such as pull-out shelves can make life a hundred times easier and more comfortable. The last thing you need is to be sticking your head in the back of a low cupboard looking for a saucepan.

Similarly, electrical products can also be easily adapted, which means that your dishwasher, microwave and cooker are all at an easily accessible level and are designed to work around your wheelchair, not the other way around.



Any kitchen can be built on just one level with the oven, hobs, sink, drawers, cupboards and work surface all streamlined around your kitchen. So you can cook the roast in the main oven, keep an eye on the veggies in the saucepans and get the plates out without even moving your chair once!

Remember - you can get an instant online kitchen quote, by visiting: kitchenquoter.co.uk

Personalise your kitchen

Thinking of replacing your old kitchen or just giving your kitchen a new look? There are some great ideas for personalising everything from chopping boards to placemats, tea trays to mugs available these days, that use your own photographs.

If you're thinking of a complete re-fit, then take advantage of the latest styles and energy efficient appliances when considering your new kitchen - try to get more than one quote for the work and consider when planning on doing it yourself the complications that can set in when moving plumbing, electrics and gas etc. Having your new kitchen professionally planned and fitted will add pounds to the value of your home, but a badly fitted self-assembly installation could have a negative impact.

Click here to read more about personalising your kitchen, using your own photos.

Click here to get an instant online quote for a new fitted kitchen. It only takes a few minutes but you could save pounds, and of course without the need for a salesman to call.

Kitchen units, kitchen cupboards, kitchen worktops, kitchen appliances

Kitchen units, kitchen cupboards, kitchen worktops, kitchen appliances

If you're looking for new or replacement kitchen units, cupboards, worktops or appliances as part of a kitchen makeover, then Kitchen Quoter can help.

Not only can you get an instant online quote for the fitted kitchen of your dreams, but we can use our active computer technology to match your requirements with our own database of quality vetted kitchen companies, based on quality, price and service that are local to you.

You'll also find your fitted kitchen could cost less than you think as our companies save on traditional methods of advertising and pass those savings directly onto you.

And because our companies know that (after we've spoken to you and had your express permission to) up to two other companies may be quoting, you avoid inflated quotations.

Click here to visit Kitchenquoter – it only takes a couple of minutes to enter your own measurements and get an instant online quote. Our service is completely FREE but it could save you pounds.

Photo Feature - Sleek and stylish kitchen designs

Photo Feature - Sleek and stylish kitchen designs

Today’s kitchens focus on sleek designs and stylish materials. ‘Slaving over a hot stove’ is a thing of the past with contemporary kitchens and in many homes they are now seen as the perfect place to entertain guests – especially with nifty features like wine coolers, flip down TVs and seating areas.

This month’s featured company is Kitchen Co-Ordination Ltd, a design and installation company who work around the London area. For an instant online fitted kitchen quote, visit kitchenquoter.co.uk

Bursts of colour add a bold, contemporary statement without being overpowering or garish. Try bright splashbacks or work surface alongside neutral cupboards and flooring, to add a splash of your own personality.

Modern kitchens now focus on comfort and lifestyle as well as good old fashioned cooking. Using an island as a seating area means you won’t miss out on any of the conversation while you’re preparing dinner for family or friends and parents can also use it to spend more time with their children over breakfast or homework.

Not everything about a chic kitchen has to be black, white, silver and shiny! Don’t be afraid to incorporate a modern kitchen into your style of home – they can be perfectly mixed with natural wood floors and wicker furniture.

Bespoke kitchens not only make use of every little nook-and-cranny, but also keep the overall design as sleek as possible. Walls and ceilings flow into one another when kept the same colour and appliances, such as microwaves, add to the smooth finish if integrated into cupboard space.

Kitchen Quoter - fitted kitchen quotes - gets its own makeover

Kitchen Quoter - the site for instant online fitted kitchen quotes gets its own makeover.

Occasionally websites need updating. That could be anything from a complete re-design to a more subtle change like wording or additional pages etc.

Kitchen Quoter received a makeover yesterday with the addition of some new fitted kitchen pictures to help give visitors some ideas for their own kitchens.

The pictures were supplied by one of our approved companies – KS2 Design.

Our thanks to them for allowing us to use their pictures, which feature on both the home page and the design page.

If you'd like to get a quote for a fitted kitchen, its very easy and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Simply visit KitchenQuoter, enter your address details (prices are weighted depending in which area you live) and then enter your own room measurements and select options like floor and wall units, the inclusion of appliances and flooring etc and the timeframe you're looking to get the work done in and our clever online technology will give you an instant price guide for budget, standard and luxury fitted kitchens.

Click here to get your instant online fitted kitchen quote now. It only takes a few minutes but you could save pounds as our registered companies save money on traditional advertising and so pass those savings onto you.

Kitchen Quoter – part of the family of 'Quoter websites from Price Engines Ltd.

Double glazing - why summer is the perfect time to get a double glazing quote

Double glazing – Summer is the perfect time to get a double glazing quote

A double glazing quote? In the Summer? (when the sun is normally shining and drafty windows are preferred).

Well actually yes! Summer is the perfect time to get a double glazing or if you prefer replacement window quote, for your home.

There are a number of reasons for enquiring now about double glazing. Firstly, because double glazing companies are traditionally quieter during the summer, they usually have some really good deals on double glazed windows, doors and conservatories.

Secondly, having double glazing installed in the summer means (hopefully) that the weather will be drier, so whilst the double glazing installation team are removing your old windows and doors, although they work extremely quickly, there's less chance of bad weather blowing into your house or affecting your double glazing installation date.

Not to mention how cold it can be when there's just a blank hole in the brickwork where a window or door used to be.

If your thinking of having a conservatory added to your home, then again the same reasons apply, but also consider (if the weather is warm and sunny) that because conservatory installation usually involves a lot of groundwork – preparing footings for walls and flooring etc, then this job will be less messy in the warm weather and should be able to proceed quicker.

Of course, just because you're thinking about getting double glazing installed – a rotten window replaced or leaky front door, the conservatory you've always dreamed of so you can at least pretend to be outside enjoying your garden or a upvc porch to keep all those wet shoes and wellies in – doesn't mean you have to start shopping around and endure evenings besieged by sharp salesmen.

Window Quoter was designed to give you an instant online quote for all your double glazing requirements. You login, choose your style of opener and enter your own measurements and get an instant online double glazing quote without the need for a salesman to call.

It works for all windows – from non-openers to bay windows, all types of doors and even conservatories. (treat a porch quote as a conservatory quote and just enter the correct measurements).

If you prefer, you can talk to one of our customer advisers and we can arrange for up to a maximum of three local double glazing companies to you, to visit and leave a no-obligation written quotation that's valid for 6 months.

Click on windowquoter and see just how easy it is to get an instant online quote for double glazing now. We're market leaders in providing instant online quotes for homeowners and were the first company to offer instant online quotes for double glazing. Since then we've expanded our network to include everything from fitted kitchens and fitted bedrooms to paving & driveways, fascia & roofline to patio and window awnings.

Click here to visit home improvement quotes and get instant online quotes for any of the services listed above plus loads more services.

You can also read more about our Deposit Protection scheme which is also completely FREE to homeowners who use one of our recommended companies.

I want a fitted kitchen just like David Beckham

I want a quote for a fitted kitchen like David Beckham

The other night, yours truly had sneaked out for a quick pint down the local (no not David Beckham's). Conversation went through the usual weather and cricket topics before arriving at David Beckham's move to America where he'll be playing for LA Galaxy.

After the glittering Hollywood reception he and Posh received, and the efforts LA Galaxy are going to so that David can return to play for England, etc we wished him well and raised a glass to his and Victoria's good health..

Conversation then turned to a neighbour's fitted kitchen nightmare. He'd started out by doing the job himself but after struggling with missing bits, two to many bits and un-cooperative plumbing, he'd been forced to call in a professional kitchen company.

“Talk about Kitchen Nightmares he said, Gordon Ramsey would have a few choice words to describe the scene in my kitchen”.

The trouble is, when we read the glossy magazines – stars in their homes etc and the Beckham's have done a few of those, then it's only natural that everyday folk like you and my flat packed kitchen challenged friend want a fitted kitchen just like it.

Glossy marble worktops, kitchen appliance laden islands and more display cabinets, mood lighting and stainless steel than you can shake a kitchen spatula at. Kitchen flooring – gone are the days of linoleum, now its the latest Italian marble or tiles with underfloor heating and designer radiators.

Thankfully, you don't have to be David Beckham to get an instant online quote for the fitted kitchen of your dreams (although he's certainly welcome to use our service). We offer instant online quotes for fitted kitchens.

You type in your own room dimensions and the total length of wall cupboards and floor units, add extras like appliances etc and get an instant online price.

So now you can see just how much it will cost to get a kitchen just like the Beckhams, although we can't promise any major American soccer deals with LA Galaxy, we can promise an instant online quote.

Click here to visit Kitchenquoter now.

Now I wonder where I can get fascia and guttering like David Beckham's????? (visit fasciaquoter by clicking here)

instant online quotes a winner

Did you know that when you visit any of the 'Quoter family of websites for your instant online quote for double glazing, fitted kitchens, block paving, fascia etc, as part of our free online service, we also now offer a free customer information area.

After getting your instant online quote, our experienced staff will call you back and after confirming the details you entered, offer you the chance to get up to 3 local independent written quotations from approved companies specialising in your requirements.

If you accept our free offer of firm quotations (they're valid for 6 months and completely without obligation), then you'll receive an email from us giving you access to your very own login areas where you can view contact details of the (up to 3) local companies we've recommended and leave feedback on your experiences with that company - from their initial contact, the appointment right up to if they carry out work for you.

If you do decide to accept one of the quotations, then you can re-visit your login area and download your own Deposit Protection Certificate (as well as continuing to leave feedback.

This feedback is emailed back to the companies concerned as well as our own quality control department so if a company fails to live up to your expectations, then we want to hear about it. We'd also like to hear when they do live up to your expectations too.

Here's some recent feedback from customers who used the online quote system:

"Very pleasant man came to visit Saturday even though i kept him waiting 20 minutes. Very honest about prices and didnt feel like I was being ripped off."
K B - Peterborough - 5 stars awarded.

"Prompt appointment made, they do evening and weekend visits. Polite knowledgeable salesman."
M D - London - 4 stars awarded

"I was very satisfied with Advanced Roofline Systems, I found their personel courteous, polite and very helpful, infact i was very impressed with the whole setup, from you sorting out a company for me, to the finished job, thank you very much. With kind regards L H"
L H - Clwyd - 5 stars awarded

"Prepared to supply product as we wanted it, and not try to inflict a modern design on a period house. offered a good price for a quick decision, so we decided to go for it."
M Q - Altrincham - 4 stars awarded

"Excellent service - speedy response. No hard sell, plenty of useful information. We were very impressed and will be visiting their showroom"
V D - Warwickshire - 5 stars awarded

"Responded to my email within a few hours and visited us and prepared a quotation within 3 days. Excellant service"
J H - Shropshire - 5 stars awarded

Is this a Dishwasher?

Yes, it's a dishwasher and we love this one..

It's a Fisher and Paykel Double Integrated DishDrawer© What we liked about this is it's actually two dishwashers in one. You can have your delicate crystal in one drawer and your pots and pans in the other.

Pots and pans can be on a long cycle and your favourite mug can be done in the other drawer and back in service quickly without having to wait for the rest to finish. We think it's great.

To get a quote for a kitchen and inform the kitchen company you'd like to investigate one of these, here's the link to Kitchen Quoter

5 tips to consider before getting a new kitchen

Getting a new kitchen is a great way to improve your home, and add considerable value to your property. Whether you are building a completely new kitchen or simply renovating the existing one, here are five tips you must consider before you begin:

1 – Plan early and thoroughly
Whatever the work you have in mind, getting a new kitchen is a huge task so it’s essential to plan thoroughly before you start. The first question you need to ask yourself is ‘what am I going to use this room for?’ – for some people the kitchen is simply a food preparation area, but for others it is the social centre of the house. Are you going to have a seating area? Do you want new flooring or wall tiles? Will you need new electricity points? Ask yourself these questions well in advance to avoid problems once the work has begun.

2 – Appliances – remember the ‘triangle’
Anyone who’s designed a kitchen will tell you about the famous ‘triangle’ theory, between the sink, fridge and oven/hobs. These three points are the main areas of any kitchen, so it’s important they are not cramped into one place together so you can move freely between them – by putting them in a triangle in your kitchen, you’ll probably find all the other elements of the room fit in around them. This is also the time you will need to think about units: most kitchens fall into one of four design categories: single-line, double-line, L-shape or U-shape – the space you have to work with usually dictates which one you’ll go for.

3 – Who will do what?
It’s always best at this stage to delegate jobs – if you are simply updating the current kitchen with a lick of paint, you may be able to complete the work yourself. Alternatively, if you’ve bought all the components yourself, you may only need to hire someone to fit it for you. However, it is always advised that if you are unsure of any of the aspects of the job then call in the professionals. It’s also a good idea to identify any specialist services you will require, such as removal firms, electricians, or water & gas specialists.

4 – Don’t forget the regulations
If the new development involves an extension of your house, make sure you contact your local council as planning permission may be required. There are all sorts of regulations around cooking areas, and the distances between certain items. One area in particular where you must be careful is the hob. There are very strict regulations regarding the location of wall units around hobs, and the proximity of electrical points – if you don’t get this right your kitchen could end up being condemned by the authorities, and before you know it you’ll have to fork out for even more work to replace them.

5 – Get the professionals in for the utility points
If you’re having major work done to your kitchen, it’s likely you’re going to have to move the gas, water or electricity points. Even if you intend to do most of the kitchen project yourself, get the professionals in for this part – although it might add a bit to the cost of your new kitchen, it’s simply not worth the hassle of breaking regulations, or worse still causing an accident by doing it yourself! If you’re moving or installing a gas boiler or hobs, ensure that you get a CORGI (Council of Registered Gas Installers) registered installation firm – there are around 50,000 of them in the UK.

When looking for firms to carry out work for you, the universal rule for all home improvement companies applies: make sure that you employ a reputable firm with a proven track record! www.kitchenquoter.co.uk can help you choose your supplier.