"David Dickinson" wrote in message
news:4mruc.126$xe1.11@newsfe3-
Anyone have any recent experience with installing Wickes kitchen units,
and any comments on their quality? I'm looking getting their plain gloss
white units, and they seem to be reasonable value for money.

The take-away ones are crap.

But the ordered in ones are very good, but you need to note a few things.

The inners are white. This isn't a problem for lower cabinets but can be
quite noticeable for uppers. But they do uppers in the correct laminate for
open display and glass fronted units and it is possible to order these for
standard door fronted units, provided your assistant knows how to use the
computer ordering system properly.

The lower cabiner outer end is usually replaced with a decor end matching
the range chosen. This is the wrong thing to do - instead order the
worksurface support end and drill holes in the appropriate places (through
the white end bit you still get). This way the end piece reaches to the
floor rather than using a side plinth which in Wickes' case is almost flush
with the side panel and doesn't look so good.

The feet are crap. It is impossible to adjust them one handed unless you
screw them to the bottom of the cabinet - which they onely say is necessary
for the oven unit. Do it for all of them.

If building a wide wine rack, consider drilling through the middle vertical
pieces and using a single one rather than two sandwiched side by side - you
need to shorted the threaded bits by 1/4 inch to stop them clashing.

The threaded bits need a bit of 'adjustment' with a hammer to get the top
and bottom bits to be flush with the sides if this is important to you.
Drilling out the dowel holes helps as well, especially on things with no
doors.

Doors are very good.

Buy the higher quality drawer runners - excellent action.

Some of the trim bits are a bugger though. You may need a bit extra to
practice mitre-ing pelmet corners for example with as the raised trim bits
can break off.

Don't order their electrical accessories - lighting bits are MUCH cheaper at
tlc or Screwfix.

Don't order their hobs/hoods/fridges/etc - much cheaper at Biasco.

Don't order their sinks - these are generic either handed ones whereas you
can get the correct handed version from your reputable plumbing merchant for
slightly cheaper.

Same for taps.

Overall - would I order from them again - Most probably.