Buying a new kitchen is a big decision, after all – it could add up to 10% to the value of your house. Equally, we’re all busy, between work, the kids, and a limited amount of free time; so the temptation for the path of least resistance is always preferable. However, going to a national chain rather than an independent kitchen company may be convenient in the short term but in the long run, you may end up with more headaches than you bargained for.
A study by Which? Magazine found that independent kitchen designers or studio kitchen companies topped the charts when it came to who consumers trusted more. Independent firms are beating household names like John Lewis, Wickes, and IKEA and for good reason.
So, what makes independent kitchen fitters like Saturn Interiors a more attractive option for your next kitchen remodelling project? Read onto find out!
Hands-on Involvement
Kitchens aren’t a low-commitment purchase, the whole process is a partnership, with the ideal result being that you get a kitchen of your dreams using a company that can take your vision from a concept to reality. It all comes down to your vision and your concept and how to bring it to life. In theory, going to a household name might seem like an obvious option, but in practice, this doesn’t always ring true. Independent kitchen retailers can ensure that your project isn’t just a number. We ensure that you get the A+ players they can personally vouch for, as opposed to whoever is available to do the job in the quickest possible time.
Individuality
Going to an independent kitchen supplier will give you the chance to get a kitchen suitable for your needs as opposed to one that is ‘off-the-shelf’. Independent designer kitchen companies often allow a lot of leeway when it comes to the overall design. They take into account your personal wishes as opposed to ‘pigeon-holing’ you into an ‘off-the-rack’ solution that disregards your routines and habits completely.
Over the years we’ve strived to try and factor in what our customers’ value into our designs to make sure get the design and finished product that represents them and their personality.
Added Peace of Mind
Independent kitchen companies come in many flavours in terms of what they offer. If you can find one that offers full project management then you can rest easy knowing that you won’t need to worry about taking your own measurements or having to fit your own units as you might have to with some national chains.
This means that you can spend your time and energy where it matters, ensuring that you can attain all the elements needed to create your dream kitchen. You can have worktops that factor in your daily routine and appliances you use without compromising on the finishing touches and the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen.
The Personal Touch
While independent companies have a roster of customers, these have been developed by the same people from the start through to completion. The mindset for the designer studios is to win the customer’s heart by their ability to be able to be flexible and cater to each project’s uniqueness. Where a national chain will often have a sales rep who will be far removed from the fitter who comes out. A major positive of the independent kitchen company is that they will often use fitters that they can personally vouch for and have long-standing histories with them.
Innovative Designs at a Lower Cost
National stores will often only feature ranges that are proven to be popular so that they have a high turnover of stock. The downside of this is that you might find your choice is limited with these chains. For those of you who want something that is on the cutting edge of design, you can be sure to find some examples with local kitchen suppliers. Why not take a look at some of Saturn’s latest Northampton projects. They have a closer relationship with their suppliers than the bigger companies and will be looking for designs that stand-out not just to them but to our customer base as well.
Additionally, they’ll be better able to compete on prices when compared to the national chains. While the big players in the market enjoy buying power they also have huge overheads to pay for:
- More Staff Payroll
- Huge Advertising Budgets
- Distribution
On the other hand, independent stores can absolutely do without these additional costs given their local target market. Because of this, an independent store can often offer an ideal solution at affordable prices that a national brand cannot.
They’ll be able to compete with prices compared to the national chains because while the bigger players in the market enjoy buying power by the volume in which they trade, they also have larger spaces to pay, more staff on payroll, and larger overheads in marketing, advertising, and distribution than the independent store. Because of this, an independent store can often offer you the ideal solution at a value a national brand cannot.
Call Saturn Interiors for an Independent Kitchen Solution
So, if you’re in the market for a new kitchen, be sure to include independent companies in your shortlist. You might be surprised at the range and budgets they can cater to.
If you have an idea about your new kitchen but can’t visualise the result, book a FREE no-obligation design appointment with us. It’s easy to book an appointment with our online booking form.
Our team will measure up and produce 3D visuals of your new room in no time at all, so get in touch with us now!