15 Years of Kitchen Renovations in Nottingham - What We've LearnedCall Now on - 0115-824-4201
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How It All Started
Back in 2009, we were getting fed up with the poor kitchen work we kept seeing around Nottingham. Wonky units, gaps you could fit your finger through, and doors that wouldn't close properly. We thought we could do better.
Fifteen years later, we've completed over 800 kitchen projects across Nottingham and the surrounding areas. From tiny galley kitchens in Carlton terraces to massive open-plan spaces in West Bridgford, we've learnt something new from every single job.
The thing is, every Nottingham property tells its own story. A 1890s house in The Park has completely different challenges to a 1960s semi in Arnold. We've made our fair share of mistakes along the way - and learnt from every one of them.
What Different Properties Have Taught Us
Victorian Terraces in The Park
These beautiful old houses near Nottingham Castle have been our biggest teachers. The first time we worked on Addison Street back in 2011, we nearly gave up halfway through. The walls weren't straight, the floors had a slope you could roll a marble down, and every measurement seemed different from the last.
But that's exactly what makes these properties special. The original features - those gorgeous fireplaces, the high ceilings, the period windows - they're worth working around. We've learnt to embrace the quirks rather than fight them.
The Johnsons on Castle Boulevard taught us this lesson properly. They wanted a modern kitchen but didn't want to lose the character. We ended up designing around the original chimney breast and using it as a feature. Now it's the talking point of their kitchen, not something we tried to hide.
1930s Semis in West Bridgford
These houses are brilliant to work with once you understand their rhythm. Built between the wars, they've got that lovely bay window at the front and usually a decent-sized kitchen at the back. The challenge is that most families have outgrown the original kitchen size.
We've done dozens of these properties now. The trick is extending into the dining room or adding a small rear extension. Building Control in Rushcliffe Borough are pretty good to work with - they understand these houses and what works.
The Williams family in West Bridgford wanted to keep their separate dining room but needed more kitchen space. We created a serving hatch with a breakfast bar, so they got extra work surface and storage without losing the formal dining space they loved.
Modern Apartments Near Victoria Centre
Working in these city centre flats has taught us about noise, access, and making small spaces work harder. Getting materials up to the 8th floor isn't fun, but the real challenge is creating proper storage in open-plan living.
The trick we've learnt is treating the kitchen as furniture, not just units. Everything needs to look good from the living room side too. We've got really good at hiding all the messy cooking stuff behind clever storage solutions.
Period Cottages in Ruddington
These old village properties - some dating back centuries - need a completely different approach. Low ceilings, thick walls, and doorways that weren't designed for modern appliances. We've learnt to measure everything twice and sometimes redesign on the spot.
The cottage on Kirk Lane taught us about patience. What should have been a 3-week job turned into 6 weeks when we discovered the back wall was held up by good intentions and 200 years of ivy. But the end result was worth it - a kitchen that felt completely right for the house.
New Builds in Arnold
You'd think these would be easy, but new builds have their own challenges. The walls are straight and the measurements are accurate, but everything's done to minimum standards. We often end up upgrading electrics and adding proper ventilation systems.
The family on Oxclose Lane wanted German-quality appliances in their new Taylor Wimpey house. The original wiring couldn't cope, so we had to upgrade the whole kitchen circuit. Worth doing though - their induction hob heats up faster than a kettle now.
Mistakes We Used to Make (And Don't Anymore)
Rushing the Planning Stage
In our early days, we were eager to get started. Measure once, cut twice, as they say. Not anymore. We've learnt that every hour spent planning saves a day during installation.
The kitchen in Carlton that went wrong in 2012 taught us this lesson properly. We didn't spot that the floor had a 40mm slope across 3 metres. Had to rebuild half the base units to get everything level. The customer was understanding, but we felt terrible.
Now we do a proper building survey before we even quote. Check the walls, the floors, the ceiling. Look for damp, for dodgy electrics, for anything that might cause problems later.
Not Checking for Asbestos
Any house built before 1980 might have asbestos somewhere. We learnt this the hard way on a 1960s house in Mapperley. Found asbestos tiles under the vinyl flooring just as we were about to start ripping out.
Cost the customer an extra £800 for proper removal, but what's the alternative? Now we always ask about previous surveys and recommend testing if there's any doubt. Better safe than sorry.
Ignoring Damp Problems
You can't just fit a kitchen over damp problems and hope they go away. We learnt this from a Victorian terrace in Sherwood where the customer kept complaining about musty smells.
Turned out there was a slow leak from the upstairs bathroom that had been going on for years. The previous kitchen fitters had just boxed it in and carried on. We ended up having to strip everything back out, fix the leak properly, and start again.
Now we always investigate any signs of dampness before we start work. It's not always our job to fix it, but we need to know it's there.
Poor Ventilation Planning
Nottingham's old houses weren't built for modern cooking. Extract fans that don't extract anything, condensation that ruins paintwork, cooking smells that never go away. We see it all the time.
The house on Derby Road taught us about proper ventilation. Big family, lots of cooking, and windows that faced the wrong way for natural airflow. We ended up installing a proper ventilation system with heat recovery. Transformed how the kitchen felt to use.
What We've Learnt About Materials
Nottingham's Hard Water
Our water's lovely to drink, but it's tough on kitchen surfaces. Limestone shows every watermark, and even granite can get stained if it's not sealed properly.
We've switched to recommending quartz worktops for most families now. They don't need sealing, they don't stain, and they still look good after 5 years of Nottingham water. The family in Beeston with the white quartz installed in 2019 - it still looks like new.
Humidity in Older Properties
Victorian houses breathe differently to modern homes. All that solid brick and lime mortar means humidity levels go up and down like a yo-yo. We've had to adapt our material choices to cope.
Solid wood doors can warp in these conditions, so we use engineered materials more often now. The German cabinet manufacturer we work with understands British conditions - their materials are designed to cope with our climate.
Why We Switched to German Hinges
British hinges kept failing after a couple of years. Not immediately - they'd start off fine, then gradually get loose and wobbly. We were getting too many call-backs to adjust doors and drawers.
German Blum hinges cost more, but they last. We've got installations from 2016 where every door still closes perfectly. The soft-close mechanism still works like new. Sometimes paying more upfront saves money in the long run.
Building Relationships with Local Trades
Finding Reliable Electricians
Mike joined our team in 2014, and it transformed how we work. Before that, we were using different electricians for different jobs. Some were brilliant, others... weren't.
Having Mike means we know the work will be done right the first time. He understands kitchens, knows what Building Control wants to see, and he's tidy. Makes such a difference to have someone you can rely on.
Local Supplier Partnerships
We used to buy materials from whoever was cheapest that week. Now we work with fewer suppliers but build proper relationships. When the Parkstone family needed their worktop replaced urgently (their toddler had managed to crack the granite with a toy hammer), our supplier pulled out all the stops to get a replacement within 48 hours.
Supporting Local Business
Where possible, we try to use local trades and suppliers. It's not always possible - some specialist materials only come from certain places - but we like supporting the Nottingham economy.
Our partnership with Kudos Kitchens is a good example. They've got the big showroom and German connections, we've got the local knowledge and installation expertise. Together we can offer something neither of us could manage alone.
What Our Customers Have Taught Us
Every Family is Different
The empty nesters in Wollaton wanted a kitchen for entertaining - big island, wine storage, space for 12 people to sit down. The young family in Carlton needed maximum storage and easy-clean surfaces that could cope with toddler chaos.
We've learnt to listen more and assume less. Just because someone lives in a particular type of house doesn't mean they want a particular type of kitchen.
Budget Honesty Matters
Nobody likes nasty surprises with money. We've learnt to be really honest about costs upfront, even if it means we don't get the job.
The family in Arnold who got three quotes - ours was the highest by £2000. They went with the cheapest and ended up calling us 6 months later to fix the problems. Ended up costing them more than our original quote.
Now we explain exactly what's included and what isn't. Better to lose a job than have unhappy customers.
Timing and Communication
Family life doesn't stop for kitchen renovations. School runs, work schedules, elderly relatives visiting - it all needs to fit around our work schedule.
We've gotten much better at communication over the years. Daily updates, photos of progress, warning about noisy work or when the water will be off. Little things that make a big difference to family stress levels.
The Next 15 Years
Nottingham's changing, and so are kitchens. More families want sustainable materials, smart technology, and spaces that work for home working as well as cooking.
We're seeing more enquiries about accessibility too. The population's getting older, and people want kitchens they can use comfortably for longer.
But some things don't change. People still want quality work at fair prices. They want honest advice and reliable service. They want their homes treated with respect.
That's what we've always tried to do, and it's what we'll keep doing for the next 800 kitchens and beyond.
Ready to benefit from our 15 years of local experience? Call us on 0115-824-4201 or book a free consultation to discuss your Nottingham kitchen renovation.
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