Thinking of renovating the heart of the home, but not sure where to start? Kitchens are no longer just a place to cook and share meals. Nowadays, the kitchen is the centre of the home where a large amount of time is spent with family and friends.
A renovated kitchen is an investment that will increase the overall value of your home when it comes to buying and selling. So let us introduce you to the best kitchen designers and renovators in Sydney; Nobby Kitchens, Apollo Kitchens, Sydney Kitchens, Kinsmen and Freedom Kitchens
Nobby Kitchens
Nobby Kitchens, experts in the kitchen design and renovation for over 80 years is our top company recommendation for clients wishing to update their kitchen. Unlike anyone else in the market, Nobby Kitchens offer a fully project managed service that takes care of the end to end experience, taking full responsibility so the customer doesn’t have to pay their trades, electrical or plumbers directly. Nobby Kitchens also work off a lump summed contract so the customer knows what they’re paying from the beginning, with no hidden extras.
Nobby Kitchens produce and install custom-made, bespoke kitchens at all four prime locations; Pymble, Castle Hill, Taren Point and Newcastle, boasting a unique 10 year warranty. Nobby does not install flat pack kitchens, ensuring each kitchen is designed specifically for that customer. From the beginning, the client is assigned their own project manager who looks after them for the entire experience.
We have checked multiple review sites to assist us in making our decision. Nobby Kitchens have received 4.6 stars on Product Review, with most of the positive reviews boasting about their “professional service”, “exceptional project management”, and “on time and on budget contract”.
Apollo Kitchens
Apollo Kitchens has been family owned and operated since 1968 with exceptional kitchen showrooms in the Central Coast, Hunter and Sydney regions. They have an extensive team of qualified designers and project managers that work with customers at every stage of the renovation process for optimal kitchen design.
Similar to Nobby Kitchens, Apollo Kitchens uses state-of-the-art facilities and software to ensure that all kitchens are designed, manufactured and installed at the highest possible standard. Their services include custom cabinets, kitchen design and installation, outdoor kitchen construction and project management.
While Apollo Kitchens has a strong reputation of expert craftsmanship and exceptional service, their complete kitchen renovations are usually middle to high end, making it inaccessible for those on a budget, unlike Nobby Kitchens who offer a range of available options.
Apollo Kitchens has a 5 star rating on Product Review, however this rating is only based on two reviews from two years ago. So we’ve relied on word of mouth and Google reviews which show a 4.6 star rating, with much agreement of their high customer service standard.
Sydney Kitchens
Sydney Kitchens has been working in the kitchen design and renovation industry since 1979. Their single showroom is conveniently positioned in Willoughby, only 6km north of Sydney’s CBD. Sydney Kitchens has made its mark with their start to finish kitchen services from the initial design to final installation. This accountability through the entire process and experience within the industry, similar to Nobby Kitchens and Apollo Kitchens, is why we have ranked Sydney Kitchens as third in this race.
When undergoing further research, we discovered that Sydney Kitchens don’t have their complete builders license and are thus unable to coordinate complete project management or offer home warranty insurance, unlike Nobby Kitchens and Apollo Kitchens. Sydney Kitchens has received 3.5 stars on Product Review, only based on 18 reviews. We believe this wasn’t enough feedback to make a conclusion from, so we checked their 27 Google reviews as well, averaging on 4 stars. Common praises included “minor problems being resolved quickly”, satisfaction with the “final product” and the “sufficient management of the trades” during the renovation.
Kinsman
With Kinsman Group’s appearance on the television show The Block 2019 as the official kitchen and laundry supplier, this Australian-owned manufacturer and retailer holds recognition across the country. With 9 showrooms in New South Wales, Kinsman aims to demonstrate how spaces can be transformed with the latest and exciting design trends for modern living.
As mentioned previously, Kinsmen Group doesn’t just focus on kitchens and wardrobes, similar to Nobby Kitchens they also offer laundry renovations. Kinsmen Group also gives the customer the choice between the Xpress Range and the Designer Collection. The Xpress Range includes flat pack kitchens delivered in just 10 business days, whereas the Designer Collection is more flexible and allows the customer to design a kitchen as unique as their lifestyle. This variety and exposure in the media has secured Kinsman a spot in our top 5.
However, similar to Sydney Kitchens, Kinsman also don’t have their builders license and are unable to coordinate complete project management or offer home warranty insurance.
But what do their customers have to say? We’ve researched multiple review sites including Product Review which shows an average rating of 3.8 stars based on the feedback of over 250 people. Most of the positive comments complimented Kinsman’s “tradesmen who cleaned up after themselves” and their “good communication” throughout the renovation process.
Freedom Kitchens
Similar to the Kinsman Group, with appearances on the television show The Block, and 8 showrooms in New South Wales alone, Freedom Kitchens is a strong name in the industry. All Freedom Kitchen cabinets, laminated benchtops and doors are manufactured and assembled locally with a 7 year warranty.
Unlike the top three kitchen designers and renovators in Sydney mentioned above, Freedom Kitchens is a design and supply-only business, which means they don’t offer installation of their Australian made flat pack kitchens, thus they also don’t have their builders license or offer home warranty insurance. Thus, Freedom Kitchens is most suitable for those clients wishing to install their new kitchen themselves. Due to Freedom Kitchens not coordinating trades or offering lump sum contracts, they have placed fifth in our selection of kitchen designers and renovators.
In terms of reviews, Freedom Kitchen has one of the lowest ratings in our top five from Product Review with 3.5 stars from over 1,000 reviews. Themes that were prevalent across the most recent reviews include damaged or incorrectly measured products, unmet deadlines, miscommunication and lack of accountability for trades. However in contrast to the negative reviews, most of the positive reviews were happy overall with the quality of their new Freedom Kitchen.
All in all, due to their high review status, completely project managed contract and experience in the industry, we recommend Nobby Kitchens as the first stop in your kitchen redesign search in Sydney.