Built In Kitchens In Chiang Mai - Discounts

[mallmagician]

Hi all,

Im getting some quotes on Kitchens In Chiang Mai from the following kitchen people:-

Index

Homikitch

Homepro

Home Sukkapan

(Would have asked for one from SB Furniture - But they wanted 5,000 baht non returnable deposit to even bother doing a design/quote - so laughed and walked away)

All have been asked to quote essentially for a 6 metre long I shaped kitchen in High Gloss just for a starting point. All have been asked to include Electric Oven/Hob/Hood and Sink in with the prices. I have asked for the budget models of such appliances (In order to try and get some semblance of like for like quotes).

I read an old post with people talking about deep discounts being achieved at some of the above retailers, but its an old old thread, and I wondered if anyone could throw some light on what YOU managed to achieve discount wise once you had received your initial quote. Im expecting all 4 design quotes to come in quite high priced, and I'd love to know the best way to tackle getting the best deal out of them.

It may be fun and informative, if you have had a kitchen built to give rough dimensions, price paid (Original quote and what you ended up getting it down to), supplier and if you like, some pics of the end result.

Also any comments on the experience had with the above companies when having a kitchen installed by one of them?

The main purpose of this thread is to try to get a good idea of the sort of counter offers I should be making against the high quotes I receive. However, so that this thread may also suit the purpose of people searching for Kitchen Manufacturers, Designers, Suppliers, Fitters (Keywords - hehe) in Chiang Mai, I will offer my experience in approaching the above companies for quotes (Not including SB for the reasons stated above).

Index - The guy didn't ask many questions, and just took my rough sketch and said 2 days for quote, and 1 week for design. I do love kitchens in store there though.

Homikitch - Lots of questions asked, very friendly, and seemed like they knew what they were talking about/doing. Noticed Granite price very high. But the Kitchens pretty reasonable (About on Par with Index pricewise I think) - 5 days for quote/design (Over weekend)

Homepro - Pretty much the same experience as at Index. Not too many questions asked, but again, very nice kitchens. The ticket prices were crazy - so Im expecting someone will tell me I can haggle a massive discount off my quote when I get it. (3 days for quote/Design)

Home Sukkapan - 500 baht refundable deposit (Via in store purchase) to design for me and quote. THe High Gloss about the same price as Index and Homikitch. Asked a few good questions, and again they seemed very interested in helping, and suggestions etc. They have some very reasonably priced lower grade kitchens in there too I noticed (But I am trying to compare the Higher End High Gloss with High Gloss). - 3 days for quote/design.

Anyway, back to the point - What discounts should I push for? And anyone care to share pics, price, measurements and details about their kitchen supplied by any of the above?

Thanks

Phil

[DaamNaam]

No replies, surprising.

Anyway Phil how did you go? And who ended up with the job?

We are at the same point you were at when you posted.

[kaptainrob]

Having built many homes in Australia I've been looking at all options in CM for when I build or renovate here, soon.

Homikitch are specialists and appear expensive, albeit with a very high quality of finishes - I've seen one finished installation and was suitably impressed.

Index - I'd like to hear more about actual installs: quality of workmanship.

HomePro (Hang Dong) - I like their display and pricing. ~ 25 days from order to delivery. I would order standard modules and install myself, it's simple for any handyman with basic tools. Plenty of local granite suppliers to cut and fit a benchtop.

Note: IKEA (BKK) also sell kitchens in DIY flatpacks although more expensive than HomePro.

[JeffreyMcCollum]

I do about 10 kitchens a year. Some for myself, some for customers. I have worked with all these companies except "Homikitch"

I doubt you will get much discount. from any of them. Sometimes on appliances.

Your high gloss or Piano finish kitchen as you request will be imported and import tax on it. No factory or company make them in Thailand. Period, I don't care what they say. Some things are close, but not true. And when looking in the light there will be ripples in the finish. The fit peices together to make your kitchen, But it is not custome by any means.

Also all these suppliers will give you partical board cabinets. They just don't stand up in the humidity we have here, after a few years they crumble in your hand. Also termite love them. In my current house I have a set from Home pro.in a matt white. Very good look and service, but I know they won't stand up. My wife wanted them and I knew we would be in this house no more than 2 years. At 7 month 1 door is starting to droop now.

I find custom shops are by far the best and best value for hte money., there is a few in Chiang Mai, and many in Ban Tawai. I get good teak cabinets for equal or less cost then the big stores and get just what I want. The height, width, and set up.

But you did say you want a high gloss piano finish, so you have eliminated 98% of what is avalable and increased your cost 100% or more

Got the granite, go directly to the shop and save the middle man cost

[simoncnx]

Any experience of IKEA? will their stuff crumble also?

[T_Dog]

We went through the whole pre-fab kitchen scenario with a few of those you listed and in the end, a local carpenter building custom for us with solid teak ended up being much cheaper. The fit is perfect and we know the material will last.

[onthedarkside]

We went through the whole pre-fab kitchen scenario with a few of those you listed and in the end, a local carpenter building custom for us with solid teak ended up being much cheaper. The fit is perfect and we know the material will last.

Yes, roger that. That's what we did. Locate a good local carpenter and you won't go wrong. Must admit that it's never easy finding a reputable guy.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Agreed. Also the whole premise of getting a quote and then try and get a discount is not something that works well. Though it does depend on what you want; if it's all cabinets and drawers under the counter then that will be expensive. The cheaper way is to build under the counter in bricks and cement, with door-fronts instead of full cupboards below. Then put a counter top of whatever material you fancy (be it tiles, or granite), and then some hanging cupboards on the wall.

The best way to go about it is to go by material cost, then negotiate for labor separately.

When I did a kitchen recently I got a fancy designer in, who actually didn't want to take the job as my budget was too small. However I could tell he knew what he was talking about and he actually had some really good ideas which we ended up implementing. So in that sense it's worth to get someone to have a look who has a bit of a creative / designer mind. But then to actually build bricks you get your typical guys from Burma or wherever.

Anyway the Burmese guys did a reasonable job, or perhaps a good job given the money, but in the final finishing they were so-so.. Fortunatley we also had a dedicated furniture carpenter in to refurbish some teak furniture, and that guy basically put in the finishing touches on the kitchen cupboards and cupboard-fronts for free.

Our kitchen design was done by a guy from "Kitcho", who worked at Global House at the time but who has since left the company. Too bad because he was really very good. He did the design using the Sketchup software, and he was amazingly proficient with it. Too bad he left, but the design was really well worth it. Kitcho also have people at Home Sukhaphan. And Kitcho cupboards are real wood.

Then for the granite counter top again the price differences are remarkable. We went with a shop on the Middle Ring in between the Hang Dong road and the river.

I could give a lot more information but that would be repeating a lot that I put on another forum. And it's against the rules to link to it, so... too bad.

Edited July 13, 2012 by WinnieTheKhwai

[JeffreyMcCollum]

Any experience of IKEA? will their stuff crumble also?

Again Partical board. Made outside of Thailand so has the high import tax on it

[JeffreyMcCollum]

you go to the local market and haggle over price.

When you go to Home Pro and buy a light bulb or hammer do you say, no I only want to pay 50 baht and expect them to lower the price ?

Now yes maybe with the little local carpenter you can

[iainiain101]

We built a new kitchen a year and a half ago and got quotes from all of the above suppliers as well as for the fitted teak style from local shops.

In the end we decided to go with concrete units, coated in polyurethane paint and completed with 'Smart' facades. We went with the 'Smart' facades as they offer a 1m wide two door front as opposed to the 80cm offered by 'Kitzko' (not sure of the spelling). We bought these at Home Sukkapan, which at the time was the only one offering both manufacturers. Bought granite tops from one of the shops on mahidol road just after Chiang Mai land. Room for price discount on the granite, and the cooker etc. from Home Kitch. They offered a good discount and fitting.

Very happy with the pice and result, and no termite issues.

[DaamNaam]

So far Homikitch 10/10. Exceptional service, and design staff second to none. Leave the others for dead.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Not cheap though.

[DaamNaam]

Not cheap though.

If you want cheap you get cheap.

We're looking for quality.

[DiamondKing]

What price is expensive and what price is cheap you all mention both but dont mention any guide prices

dk

[DaamNaam]

What price is expensive and what price is cheap you all mention both but dont mention any guide prices

dk

For an average sized kitchen, say 2 metres long, the cheap version could start as low as 60,000 baht, for the hard wood or imported gloss cabinets with marble or granite tops (i.e. top end) you are talking 200,000 to 400,000. About what you would pay in Australia or the UK. Imported parts are more expensive for sure but the labour costs being lower keep the prices about the same.

I have 2 friends here that have used Homikitch and they are over the moon with the result, no problems whatsoever. That's what I'm looking for. Hard to find that here, so when you see it, it's refreshing.

[SoloFlyer]

Would the OP like to report back as to how he's progressing????

[Jobo]

I used Homikitch in both my kitchen and laundry at different times about 8 years ago and not had any problems. No reason to presume that their quality has changed.

You have to be aware though that the laminates are laminated onto cheapish chipboard that is not "WR" specification. That is water resistant for wet areas. If you ever have a minor water leak the cabinets that get wet are history.

Secondly, the backs of the cabinets are fitted with very cheap and flimsy laminated 3 ply. That 3 ply is not laminated on the side that faces the wall either.

That's why they are relatively cheap. If you want "non standard" construction be prepared to pay!

Thirdly, if the bench tops need to go around an external corner they will just butt the two pieces together - one side to the other. They don't have the equipment (routers?) to make a nice round edge.

[mallmagician]

Hi There,

I eventually opted for Homikitch. They delivered the designed kitchen slightly later than quoted, but did a grand job. Including all built in furniture, glass splash back, double lipped granite worktop with gold flecks etc, it was about 230,000 if I recall correctly. Im positive that I overpaid for the granite, but with sorting everything else out for the new house, we just went with convenience on this.

I did push hard for discounts, and did manage it, but it didn't amount to much. Worth asking though.

You do not have to use their granite, so that would be one way to save money.

The Installation team were very professional, quick, courteous etc etc. They did a great job.

I designed the kitchen roughly, and they created just what I wanted. This is the premium Piano Gloss finish BTW.

Hope this helps,

Thanks

[onthedarkside]

Lovely kitchen. Surprised you only installed a single sink. You have the space for a double.

[mallmagician]

Thanks. Yes, a double sink would have been good, but we cope with the one.