How to Get Your Dream Kitchen on a Budget

Need to get a kitchen on a budget but don’t want to compromise your dream? There is a way!

If you are anything like me, which I suspect you might be if you enjoy reading my blog, then you will probably spend an inordinate amount of time looking at high-end kitchens and wishing that you had the budget to get one. When it comes to kitchens, you really do get what you pay for.

Well-designed kitchens that are built to last using quality materials are always the best investment. Not only are they a great addition to your home, but they also add as much as 10% to the value of your home.

However, these high-end kitchens do tend to come with an elevated price tag that not all of us can afford. But I am here today to tell you that there is a way that we can get our dream kitchen on a budget. So read on to find out how…

Used Kitchen Exchange (UKE) is an online kitchen retailer specialising in the sale of quality ex-display and pre-loved kitchens. It’s basically like an estate agent but for kitchens. Individuals and kitchen showrooms can list their pre-loved or ex-display kitchens for sale on the UKE website and they will advertise it and help to sell it.

Many of the kitchens that they sell are from leading designer brands. These include deVOL, SieMatic, Leicht, Harvey Jones, & Brookmans by Smallbone to name but a few. 

UKE was founded in 2011 by Helen Lord who wanted to encourage consumers to rethink how they buy a kitchen.

For consumers looking to buy a new kitchen, purchasing pre-owned or ex-display is a game changer. Not only will they be able to make savings of between 50% and 90% on a quality premium kitchen, but the average pre-owned kitchen sale saves between six to eight tonnes of carbon, so the environmental saving is equivalent to making a family of four carbon neutral for an entire year.

Helen Lord, Founder, Used Kitchen Exchange

Buying a pre-loved or ex-display kitchen may allow you to get your dream kitchen on a budget, but it does raise some important questions that you may want to ask before considering this option. Let’s take a look at a few of the most important ones you may have.

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Left: Pre-loved Davonport With Wine Cooler From Used Kitchen Exchange | Right: Ex Display Stoneham Knole Shaker kitchen from Used Kitchen Exchange

How can I be sure that a pre-loved kitchen will be in good condition?

This is one of the first thoughts that come to my mind when thinking about opting for a pre-loved kitchen. Obviously, you are still paying a fair amount of money for this new kitchen so you want to be sure that it is a good investment. But you can rest assured because all kitchens that are sold by UKE undergo a very strict in-person inspection by a member of their team.

If the kitchen meets their stringent criteria it will get the ‘Approved Used’ seal of approval. This takes the risk out of the equation. UKE will also let you know the age and any minor wear or damage that was noted during the inspection.

If this isn’t enough to put your mind at ease, you can ask to arrange a visit to view the kitchen yourself. This way you can see the kitchen in situ in the owners home before you commit to the purchase.

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This pre-loved kitchen has been given a new lease of life in a newly built extension.

How can I be sure it will fit in my kitchen?

Most kitchen units come in standard modular sizes. UKE provides a full breakdown of all the unit sizes that are included with each kitchen as well as the approximate overall current dimensions. You can have a layout drawn up for your new kitchen and use that as a template.

UKE recommends that you purchase a used kitchen that is 10% to 20% larger than you need. This is to give you a variety of layout options. You can always reuse any excess units elsewhere. Consider creating a utility room or extra storage in the garage for example. And if you have gaps to fill you can always install a wine rack or a wine cooler.

Pre-Loved Mark Wilkinson Kitchen From UKE

Who arranges dismantling and delivery?

UKE offers a nationwide collection and delivery service alongside a Which? Trusted Trader removal service. The in-house team are specialists in removing, collecting and delivering used kitchens. They provide the correct insurance, lifting equipment and specialist vans to transport your kitchen and worktops safely. And what’s even better is that this service is included in the listing price of the kitchen.

Used Wolf Range Oven From Used Kitchen Exchange

Who will do the installation?

Responsibility for installing your new kitchen falls to you. If you don’t feel able to install your own kitchen, UKE recommends that you use an installer who is a member of the government-sanctioned British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI). These installers have a proven track record of experience, are police checked, fully insured, gas, electrical and health & safety compliant and work to approved industry Standards & Guidelines.

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This beautiful walnut kitchen complete with Miele appliances was originally designed for a family home in Berkshire. It was dismantled, packed up and relocated to Sutton Coldfield. As a brand-new kitchen, it was priced in the region of £60,000 and was in use for around five years. Its new owner purchased it for just £9,999.

And what about if I want to sell my current kitchen?

UKE can also help you to save money when buying a brand new kitchen by helping you to sell your old one. You can then put the money that you get for it towards your new kitchen. How much money you can get for your old kitchen depends on a number of things including age, condition, original purchase price, brand and desirability. As a general guideline, you can take the original purchase price, halve it, and then deduct £1000 off this figure for every year you have used it.

Selling your pre-loved kitchen with UKE is much simpler than trying to sell it yourself. They will measure it for you and take all the photos required for the listing. Once sold, they will dismantle it for you (at a cost of around £850+ VAT for the average kitchen). They will also take care of delivery to its new owner. All this for fees starting from just 25% of the final sale price (minimum fee is £500).

So if you have been lusting after a kitchen from a leading design brand that is out of your budget, consider buying a pre-loved or ex-display kitchen instead. Not only will you save money but you will also cut your carbon footprint quite dramatically.

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Would you consider buying a used kitchen? Did you even know this was a possibility?

Don’t forget to pin this post for the next time you are looking for your dream kitchen on a budget.