This project started with a leak. By the time the client called SJM Kitchens, water had worked its way through most of the kitchen, and what had already been a dated room was now a damaged one. Cabinetry, flooring and finishes had all suffered, and patching was never going to be enough.
What the client wanted from the replacement was clear - a modern, sleek refresh. Not a like-for-like reinstatement of what had been there before, but a kitchen that felt current. The Portofino range was specified in a painted finish, with laminate worktops, LVT flooring, new wall tiles and new appliances.
The work ran in Guildford, Surrey across two weeks to a budget of GBP 12,000. Because the water damage had reached the electrics as well as the surfaces, electrical work formed part of the quote alongside the kitchen, the flooring and the tiling.
Water damage makes a project harder to scope, because the full extent of it is rarely visible until the old kitchen is out. The approach here was to plan the job thoroughly up front rather than discover problems mid-install, and it worked – the client’s own summary was that proper planning avoided the issues altogether.
The damaged kitchen was stripped out, and four trades were brought in and sequenced around one another: a kitchen installer, a plumber, an electrician and a tiler. The electrical work was completed before the new units went in, with the plumber handling the wet connections. New wall tiles and LVT flooring followed, then the Portofino painted units, laminate worktops and new appliances.
SJM Kitchens coordinated all four trades directly and kept the client updated as each stage completed – something he singled out afterwards.
The finished kitchen delivers the modern, sleek room the client asked for, in place of one that had been both dated and water damaged. His verdict was that he loved every aspect of it, but what stood out most was the way the colours complemented one another - the painted Portofino units, the worktops, the wall tiles and the flooring reading as a single coordinated scheme rather than a set of separate choices. He described himself as over the moon with the whole process.
"Scott installed a kitchen for me. I cannot fault his professionalism. The work he personally did was of the highest standard and he coordinated specialist services eg electricians. He provided updates and was always approachable and willing to discuss how the installation was progressing. He responded quickly to text messages and phone calls. I confidently recommend SJM Kitchens if you are considering having a new kitchen."
Whether you need a complete transformation, a new layout or a carefully planned kitchen refresh, SJM Kitchens can help create a stylish and practical space tailored to your home. Contact SJM Kitchens to discuss your project and arrange an initial consultation.
The services we provided during this project
