Thank you for choosing Knebworth Kitchens for your kitchen design and installation. We are committed to providing a personalized, high-quality service tailored to your unique needs and vision. To ensure a smooth and transparent process, please review our Terms of Business below.
1. Consultation and Design Process
Free Initial Design
We offer a free initial design and quotation based on the consultation and measurements taken during our first meeting. This initial design provides you with an understanding of the potential layout and costs associated with your new kitchen.
Commitment Fee
Should you wish to proceed with further design revisions or to finalize the design after receiving the initial proposal, a Commitment Fee of £750 will be required. This fee demonstrates your intent to move forward and is deducted from the final balance if you proceed with the project.
Design Ownership
Please note that while the initial design is complimentary, full access to detailed designs, revisions, and material specifications will only be provided upon payment of the Commitment Fee. Until a purchase is confirmed, all designs remain the intellectual property of Knebworth Kitchens.
2. Payment Terms
Our payment terms are designed to be clear and fair, ensuring transparency and security throughout the process.
Deposit and Order Confirmation
- Commitment Fee: To proceed with design revisions and finalize the kitchen design, a Commitment Fee of £750 is required. This fee is deducted from the total project cost and confirms your intent to move forward.
- Main Deposit: Once the final design is confirmed and you are ready to place your order, a deposit of 45% of the remaining physical items cost (after deducting the £750 Commitment Fee) will be required. This deposit secures your order and initiates the production of your kitchen.
Payment Schedule
- Refundable Deposit: The 45% deposit is refundable until manufacturing begins, which is typically 30 days before the scheduled delivery. After manufacturing has commenced, this deposit becomes non-refundable due to the bespoke nature of your kitchen.
- Physical Item Balance (50% of the remaining physical items cost): This payment is due one week before the scheduled delivery of your kitchen components. This payment is required to release the manufactured items from the factory and is non-refundable once manufacturing has begun.
- Installation and Trades: Payments for installation and related trades (e.g., plasterworks, electricals) are to be made upon practical completion of the work, prior to any snagging. Please note that any minor adjustments (e.g., door realignment) that may be needed post-installation will not delay this payment.
- Final Balance Retainer: A retainer of 5% of the physical items cost will be held until all snagging is completed to your satisfaction. This ensures that any issues are addressed promptly and to your complete satisfaction.
3. Accepted Payment Methods
We accept the following payment methods for your convenience:
- Bank Transfer
- All Major Credit Cards (including American Express) – No extra fee is charged for credit card payments, allowing you to take advantage of rewards such as airmiles.
4. Cancellation Policy
Sales Process and Consumer Rights
- Email Communication: The majority of our quotations and sales process is conducted via email to ensure transparency and alleviate any form of "pressure selling." This allows you to review and consider our proposal at your own pace.
- Face-to-Face Interaction: However, due to the need for precise measurements, the presentation of material samples, and the personalized nature of kitchen design, our service includes face-to-face meetings. This personalized service means that our transactions are not considered "distance sales" under Section 75 of the Consumer Contracts Regulations.
- Bespoke Nature of Kitchens: As our kitchens are custom-made to order, once manufacturing begins, the 45% deposit becomes non-refundable. This is due to the costs incurred in producing bespoke items, which cannot be resold.
Cancellation Before Manufacturing Begins
You may cancel your order up until manufacturing begins, which is typically 30 days before the scheduled delivery. If you choose to cancel before this point, your 45% deposit will be fully refunded. The only non-refundable amount will be the Commitment Fee, which covers the design and administrative work already completed.
Cancellation After Manufacturing Begins
Once manufacturing has commenced, the 45% deposit becomes non-refundable due to the custom-made nature of your kitchen. If you choose to cancel the order after this point but before delivery, you will forfeit the deposit to cover the costs of manufacturing, storage, and restocking.
5. Refusal or Missed Delivery
- Access and Delivery Requirements: It is essential that you ensure access to the delivery site is available on the agreed delivery date. If access is not provided, or if delivery is refused or missed for any reason, this will cause delays and may result in the project being rescheduled according to our availability.
- Re-Delivery Fee: In the event of a missed or refused delivery, a re-delivery fee may be charged. Additionally, as the kitchen components are bespoke and manufactured specifically for your project, there are no cancellation rights once manufacturing has begun, even in the case of delivery issues.
6. 0% Finance Vs. True Cost Transparency
We pride ourselves on offering transparent, fair pricing with no hidden fees. Many competitors who advertise "0% finance" often include hidden interest within their pricing, significantly increasing the cost of the kitchen. Below is an example of how 0% finance compares to our transparent pricing with a retail bank loan at 6% APR over 5 years, including the potential savings in interest.
Comparison of Costs
| Scenario | Actual Cost of Kitchen | Hidden Interest | Example Total Cost (Retail Bank Loan at 6% APR Over 5 Years) | Interest Paid | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Offer with Interest-Bearing Finance | £10,000 | None | £11,600 | £1,600 | High-quality kitchen, transparent pricing, clear financing terms |
| Competitor’s Lower-Quality Kitchen with 0% Finance | £7,200 | £2,800 | £10,000 | £2,800 (Hidden) | Lower-quality kitchen with hidden interest disguised as 0% finance |
Interest Savings:
- Interest Paid with Your Offer: £1,600 (on a £10,000 loan at 6% APR over 5 years)
- Hidden Interest with Competitor’s 0% Finance: £2,800 (included in the inflated price)
- Total Savings in Interest: £1,200
Explanation:
- Our Offer: If you finance a £10,000 kitchen with a retail bank loan at 6% APR over 5 years, you would pay approximately £1,600 in interest, bringing your total repayment to £11,600.
- Competitor’s Offer with 0% Finance: Although marketed as interest-free, the kitchen price is inflated by £2,800 to cover the cost of "0% finance," meaning you pay this amount in hidden interest.
- Total Savings in Interest: By choosing our offer, you could save £1,200 in interest compared to the hidden costs associated with the competitor's 0% finance offer, all while receiving a higher-quality kitchen.
7. Project Timeline and Milestones
After receiving the Main Deposit, we will provide a detailed project timeline outlining key milestones from design finalization to installation completion. This helps manage expectations and ensures that the project progresses smoothly and on time.
We look forward to working with you to bring your dream kitchen to life. If you have any questions regarding these terms, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
