Things you should know before you invest in a quality kitchen

Most of us know that German and Italian kitchens are known for their quality, longevity and sleek designs, etc. Along with the branded kitchens there are also local kitchen manufacturers that can produce almost a similar quality kitchen. 

​Based on our experience in the local market we know that clients go through a dilemma of whether to buy a branded German kitchen or get their kitchen locally made. 
 
The objective of this article is to help clear this dilemma and to assist buyers make a better decision. This can be better understood by understanding the advantages and disadvantages of both: 
 
 German and Italian Kitchens: 
 Advantages 

1. Brand value and status, we all like owning nice brands right? 
2. Some of these brands are over 100 years old so the kitchens have evolved to be long lasting and innovative. 

 Disadvantages 

1. They are super expensive, at least most of them accept for few entry level European brands available in Dubai.  Expense adds up due to the shipping costs.
2. Unless you are buying a display kitchen more often than not there is a waiting period from 8-15 weeks because once you place the order the kitchen cabinets need to be shipped from overseas. So there is a waiting period. 
3. They are modular kitchens which means the cabinet sizes are standard and most of the times won’t fit perfectly in you spaces. Odd fillers are used to cover up the left over spaces. 
4. Once the kitchen has arrived and if certain parts or accessories are missing clients will have to wait for the next shipment to arrive which typically is 6-12 weeks of waiting time. 
5. There is a contractor that gets involved to carry out pre kitchen installation services which is a third party company. Most kitchen companies recommend contractors they are comfortable working with but they do not take responsibility for contractor’s work. So as a client you need to deal with an additional party along with a kitchen company. And if the contractor does not come with experience in offering pre kitchen installation services it creates a huge confusion between the contractor and kitchen company. 

 
Locally Made High End Kitchens: 
 Advantages 

1. They are made to fit your spaces hence no odd fillers. 
2. Cost effective, mostly they cost half to 2/3rds the cost of most German and Italian Kitchens. 
3. If the materials used in the kitchen are of good quality the kitchen becomes as good as a German kitchen when it comes to durability and feel of the kitchen. 
4. Since everything is custom made there is no limit to creativity, one is not bound by choices to select only certain colors and from a certain range or a style of kitchen that brands offer.
5. Most local kitchen manufacturers have their in-house team for pre kitchen installation services, so clients need not deal with multiple parties hence less confusion.  
6. No waiting period for 3 months. For time conscious companies to manufacture and install a kitchen would take anywhere between 20 to 25 working days. 

Disadvantages

1. There is no international brand name, so if someone is brand conscious it might not suit their preference. 
2. Some argue that the finish of branded kitchens is superior which may or may not be true based on the kind of local company you choose to work with. 

 
In a custom made high end kitchen the materials and fixtures are from the best manufacturers in the word the only difference is that they are tailor made and installed to fit the spaces. 
 
To put it in simple terms a locally made high end kitchen is like a quality tailor made suite whose materials, accessories and buttons are all from a quality brand but it is locally stitched to fit ones body. 
 
Since the advantages of a good quality locally made kitchen far out weigh the advantages of a branded kitchen we can conclude that a kitchen that is locally made by a right company with good quality fixtures and materials, you not only get a cost affective kitchen but it also lasts long like any known branded kitchen. 
 
This is just our opinion, please feel free to comment or write to us at info@acrossdesigns.com if you have any questions or comments we will be more than happy to respond to you.