Top 12 most frequently asked questions

We opened over 12 years ago and in that time, we have been asked all sorts of questions by potential customers. They visit the showroom or check -out our website and inevitably, questions arise. We thought it might be useful to take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions and do our best to answer them in a straightforward and concise way.

Some of them are big questions with big answers and for these we have separate, more detailed sections that we have linked to. Others are a little shorter and can be easily answered with just a few words.

So here it is, one question for every year we have been here, here is the top 12 most frequently asked questions…

1. How much do our kitchens cost?

Of all the questions we get asked this question is top of the list. And it is one we have gone to great lengths to answer in another blog post where we have given a detailed breakdown of three real kitchens with the associated costs involved.
There are two big drivers of the cost, one is the size and the other is the specification. A big, high specification kitchen with all the bells and whistles can cost in excess of £50,000 while a smaller, lower specification kitchen will likely start around £20,000

As with many things, the devil is in the detail, so take a look at the Blog post or read the pricing section of our website for a very detailed look at costs.
Read Blog How much does a new kitchen cost

2. Why do we only sell German kitchens?

This is easy for us to answer. Quality. Choice. Consistency.

Quality – German kitchens are manufactured to the highest industry standards and in our opinion they represent the best value for money. Yes, they cost more than cheaper English kitchens but they are built to last and when you consider how important the kitchen is in a house we feel it is worth paying a little more for something that will stand the test of time.

Choice – They offer a huge range of styles and options. With over 2000 paint to order colours plus a vast array of standard finishes and styles there is simply something for everyone. From entry level direct lacquer doors right through to luxury wood veneers there is an abundance of choice. Couple this with vast array of clever internal storage solutions and it soon gets very hard to beat the Germans when it comes to finding something you like.

Consistency – Having worked in the kitchen industry for over twenty years we have seen and experienced many types and styles of kitchens from many different manufacturers. At the end of the day the consistent quality that the German manufacturers offer is the best in the industry. Hacker, our factory in Germany, produce over 500 million euros worth of kitchens every year and this is only possible by having the very best production methods. The factory is more like a car manufacturing facility than a kitchen factory. They invest for the long term, with a production line that utilizes automation wherever possible. The result is absolute consistency in the production process. When we sell a kitchen we know, without doubt, the quality will be exactly as we expect. Every single time.

For an in-depth look at our Hacker German kitchens check-out our kitchen details page here

3. Do our kitchens come with a warranty?

Yes. Our entry level Concept 130 kitchens come with a 5 year warranty and our high end Systemat kitchens come with a 10 year warranty.

Our worktops vary, with some manufacturers like Caesarstone offering a lifetime warranty. Most quartz and ceramic work surfaces offer between a 10 and 25 year warranty.

Appliances vary too but the standard across the industry for brands like Bosch, Neff and Siemens is 2 years. Whilst high end Siemens Studioline and Neff Collection appliances come with a 5 year warranty.

4. How long does it take to get a kitchen?

Once the design is finalized and the order is placed with our factory delivery is approximately 6 weeks. This can vary depending on how busy the factory is. Sometimes in might be a short as 4 weeks during quite times and sometimes it can be 8 weeks if we are very busy.

5. Do we install too?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, in most cases we design, supply and install the entire kitchen. This gives our clients the peace of mind that we are responsible for the entire project. There is no room for confusion, no danger of miscommunication between us as the designers and suppliers and a separate team of installers.
Over the years we have found that without doubt, keeping this simple and having one party be responsible for the entire kitchen project is the best way to go.

Click here to learn more about our installation service and to watch a video montage of a kitchen being installed by Black Rok

6. Do we employ our own fitters?

Yes. In fact Ed, one of the directors at Black Rok, is in charge of this part of the business. To say it is a vital component of our success would be an understatement. It is paramount to the quality of our work that Ed leads the installation process. He works alongside Zac and Jake, who fit the cabinetry, and James who is in-charge of the stonework. As a team we have worked together for over twelve years now and have developed a highly efficient, highly intuitive way of working.

7. How long does it take to fit a new kitchen?

It varies a lot depending on size, specification and the number of different materials involved. On average it takes about a week for a small kitchen with laminate or wooden worktops. For larger kitchens with quartz or granite worktops it takes two to three weeks. And if you are having glass splashbacks these will take a further week or two depending on the size.
Here is a typical timeline for a large kitchen with quartz worktops and glass splashbacks;

Week 1 – The cabinetry is delivered and fitted. The initial focus is usually to get the base units installed to get the kitchen ready for the stone company. If you are having quartz worktops these are “templated” at the end of the week once all the base units are fitted. (Templating is the process whereby 6mm hardboard is cut to exactly fit on top of the units with the required overhang detail and represent the shape of the worktops, it is then used by the stone company as a template for the worktops to be cut.)

Week 2 – Final cabinetry is fitted such as the wall units and the tall units. At the end of Week 2 the quartz worktops are delivered and fitted. If possible, the appliances will then be connected and the sink and tap plumbed in. Whilst there might be some further work to do the kitchen will often be usable at the end of Week 2.

Week 3 – The glass is measured. This can only be done once the stone worktops have been fitted due to the precision involved in working with glass. Any socket cut-outs are also marked and measured and then the glass company can begin cutting the glass. Once the glass is cut it is then sent away to be “toughened” before being returned to the glass company for painting. (In order to be used as kitchen splash backs it is advisable to have the glass “toughened” so it can withstand any knocks and bangs.) This process can take a week or two depending on the size of the glass.

Week 4 – The glass splash-backs are fitted and the final sealing and finishing off are done. Your kitchen is now complete so it’s time to enjoy!

8. Do we also supply the appliances and worktops?

Yes. We mainly supply Siemens, Neff and Bosch appliances. But we also have access to most brands on the market, including Bora, Caple and CDA. In terms of prices, we are extremely competitive with our main brands, Siemens and Neff, as we have a very good relationship with them because we are such a large and trusted account.
In terms of worktops, yes we also supply and install all types of worktops. We work very closely with Francis Tate Marble Works for all our stone worktops (quartz, granite and ceramic.) We also do laminate worktops which are cut and edged in our factory in Germany. And finally, we do real wood worktops which we cut and install on site.

9. Do we charge for designs?

No, we do not charge for designs (although we sometimes think we should!!) We rely on winning work by representing the best value proposition our potential clients will discover on their kitchen buying journey. A lot of work goes into designing a kitchen, from the initial measuring to the hours spent designing the kitchen on screen. We do not charge for this because we understand that clients want to see what their kitchen will look like and what it will cost before parting with any of their hard-earned money.

10. How long have we been here?

We opened our showroom in Uckfield in 2012. So 12 years if you’re reading this 2024!

11. Do we come out and measure up?

Yes. We generally suggest that potential customers come to our showroom first so they can see our kitchens and check they like the look and quality. At this point we can also talk about their ideas and give them a sense of what it might cost. If they are interested to progress things to the next stage we will then arrange a site survey where we can measure their space and at this point we will also run through their ideas and the things they want in their new kitchen. Once the site visit is complete we will be armed with both the key measurements and a working brief from the client.

12. Can we design from architects’ drawings?

Yes. A large proportion of the work we do starts by looking at a set of architect’s plans. From these drawings we are able to enter the detailed measurements on our own design software and begin designing the kitchen and bringing the space to life. If and when you have the drawings of your extension or your new house the best way to proceed is to give us a call to book an in-depth discovery session. During this meeting we can talk through your ideas and explain some of the options available. By the end of this meeting we aim to have a working brief from which we can begin designing your kitchen.