Question 1

How does the design process work?

Accepted Answer

We’ve created a design process that's fun, collaborative, and centered around you and a space you'll fall in love with.

We've made a whole page about our prcoess, with examples, of each stage from when you first get in touch, to when the project is installed and completed in your home.

Click here to see how it all works.....

Question 2

How do you create a kitchen that celelebrates my individuality, with a look and feel that's all my own?

Accepted Answer

Our homes are a reflection of ourselves.

It's almost too obvious to state but the things around you should be the things that mean the most to you. A room is a living expression of the inhabitant via the things in it that are there because they bring us joy; the postcard that reminds you of that holiday, children's pictures, the oven gloves that once belonged to a grandparent, seedlings growing on the windowsill. Its what makes a place authentic, creative and delightful.

When we're designing a space for a client, we're aware that we're providing a framework to be inhabited and personalized; its a frame for the art, not the art itself. The frame obviously needs to suit the artwork and done right, it enhances the work perfectly.

We start by getting to know the person, asking questions about what makes them sing and, reading the story that they are telling about themselves through the things they have around them.

Here's an example of how we did this for Katherine and Alan, in their Seaside Kitchen...

When we first went to see Katharine and Alan, we observed that they used their fridge as a kind of notice board to put up pictures by the kids,  reminders, lists, cards etc... with magnets onto the metal face of the old fridge.

They had their hearts set on integrated appliances and for things to be neat, but we knew these drawings and treasured things were the secret ingredient that would personalize their kitchen and make the home.

So we proposed a cork panel integrated into the cabinet fronts... the idea developed into a full band of cork, stained  black to match the black front of the oven, to allow the family to curate an evolving backdrop of things that tell their story.

Find out more about this case study, and see all the photos here....

Question 3

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

The million dollar question: "How much will it cost?"

It's a great question, and there isn't a single answer. But we hold to the principles of honesty, integrity and plain dealing, and we don't see why this information should be hidden for later.

Perhaps the reason it is a norm for bespoke designers not to publish prices is because each project is unique and tailored to the specific needs and preferences of the client. This makes providing one-size-fits-all answers to the question of cost problematic. That is why we encourage anyone thinking about a kitchen project to book a quick chat via our website. You'll speak directly to one of the company owners, Hugh or Howard, tell us about your project and we can give you cost advice then and there. A quick chat is for you to ask us about any questions you have and get candid advice, there's no obligation and no hard sell, just go to hmillerbros.co.uk and click on the 'quick chat' button to book a slot at a time that suits you.

So... with that introduction over, lets get into it:

Design: we offer two routes to a kitchen - one is the bespoke design route mentioned above, and the other is a 'existing-design' route where, if you love a particular design in our LookBook and want us to adapt it to your space, we can work up a layout and quote. The existing-design route is at a lower price point as it involves far less design and coordination time. The design time involved in a bespoke kitchen is usually about 15% of the total cost and a minimum of £5k, so generally kitchens with a total cost of under £60k tend to go down the existing-design route and those over have the option to go in to our bespoke route.

Cabinetry: This is usually about 50% of the total cost, obviously the amount of cabinetry affects this, with large kitchens requiring more material and more labour. The timber selection affects the cost; oak and ash are more cost effective than more obscure or prized species such as elm, cherry or walnut. A high proportion of solid timber to veneered boards tends to increase the cost. What people tend to overlook is how efficiently the cabinetry can be made and here the number of different processes and one-off custom items is what affects the cost. For example, a kitchen with 3 different sizes of draw box can be made more efficiently than one with 27 (I can hear you asking the question... and, yes, we have made a kitchen with 27 different sizes of drawer box.) A typical bespoke kitchen for us, one with a wall of full height cabinetry, a section of waist-high cabinets under a countertop, and an island, might have a cabinetry value of around £35-£40k.

Appliances: a full set of appliances from a high-quality brand such as Miele typically costs around £12k. For some clients, the show-stopper will be a feature appliance such as an AGA, SubZero fridge or a Gagganau oven set, these appliances can be over £10k each. We tend to recommend appliances that are of the same quality and longevity as our cabinetry, but our experience in the industry has allowed us to develop some best-buy tips for good quality but cost-effective appliances, adn we'll happily share these with you if you're keen.

Worktops: A good rule of thumb is to factor in £1.2k/m2 of worktop for natural stone and £1k/m2 for a premium quartzstone worktop. An average kitchen with an island might have 6-8m2 of stone (more if there are tall backsplashes) or stone cladding to areas of cabinetry so this gives a range of £7 - £10k.

Delivery and installation: We fit our own projects. This is because we know one of the top issues for our clients is the disruption and mess caused by tradespeople in their home and we can guarantee a quality service when its our own staff. We mock-up our projects in the worktop and thoroughly plan the installation so that we can install quickly and without mess or disruption. An install in central London might cost £8k, one nearer to home that can be done without the need for accommodation might be 4k. If you have a builder, and want us to deliver cabinetry only, that's fine. It's important we know this at the start of the design process, so that we can optimize the design to simplify the fit so that someone else can do it.

Finally there's VAT, we include VAT in any price we give to you and all of the cost ranges above include VAT.

Question 4

How do you minimise disruption and mess during installation?

Accepted Answer

We understand that a kitchen renovation can be a considerable undertaking, and we work really hard to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. That's why we go above and beyond to minimise disruption and mess during installation. Here's what you can expect from our team when we're working in your home:

We regularly tidy and clean the work site to keep mess under control.
We remove any rubbish at the end of each day and take all the packaging from appliances and components with us at the end of the installation. 
We careful protect your floors and other surfaces to prevent any damage.
We handle any hazardous materials or heavy equipment needed during you installation in a safe and responsible way, and make sure they are not a danger to your family or pets.
We communication with you throughout the installation process, so you know what to expect, and when, make sure you're kept informed of progress, and address any concerns.

We believe that your beautiful, functional kitchen should come from an organised and stress-free installation, with a minimum of mess and disruption to your home and family. You can trust us to handle the installation of your project with the same care and attention to detail that we bring to every aspect of our work.

Find out more about our design, making, and installation process, with examples from previous projects, here...

Question 5

What if I notice a snag after you've finished the installation?

Accepted Answer

At H. Miller Bros., we're committed to delivering a proejct that not only meets but exceeds your expectations. We know that unresolved snags are a common frustration for people having work completed in their homes, and this is as true at the busget end oft he market as it is for us at the premium end. Resolving any snags that might arise after your kitchen has been installed is a top priority for us, and we've developed a process to ensure issues are identified and corrected as soon as possible. We do this by...
  
Carrying out a walk-through with you when everythigns installed, to identify any concerns;
Immediately fixing any issues that can be addressed on the spot, and taking detailed notes of outstanding issues, so we can addressed them in our next visit;
Following up with after each visit to make sure everything is to your satisfaction
Carrying out a post-installation inspection, 3-months afer completion, where we make any last tweaks or adjustments.

We're here to help, so if anythig isn't quite as you'd expected or hoped, please get in touch with us directly, or let the fitting team know and we'll call you immeadiately. Our goal is to provide you with a beautiful, functional kitchen that's a delight to live with and use. Fixing any snags that might crop up is absolutely part of the service.

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How does the design process work?

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