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DIY Kitchens review
We put DIY Kitchens through our rigorous lab tests and surveyed Which? members, including those who had bought from the company, to see how happy they were with their purchase.
The online retailer says it supplies kitchens at lower prices than other major retailers by cutting out the expense of showrooms - it only has one, in West Yorkshire (the largest in the UK).
We assessed its Innova kitchen units in the lab. This is a ready assembled unit – not a flatpack.
To see how DIY Kitchens compares with other leading brands we reviewed, discover the best and worst kitchen brands according to our analysis
DIY Kitchens overall score
Our overall scores combine expert lab assessment results and customer survey data from real owners.
Log in now or join Which? to reveal the results for DIY Kitchens.
| Unit | Overall score | Lab assessment score | Customer score | Customer service | How well the kitchen lasted | Visit retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innova | DIY Innova Kitchens |
Table notes: The overall score is based on the lab assessment of the units (60% weighting) and feedback from our customer survey (40% weighting), which incorporates the customer score, plus ratings for the level of customer service and how well the kitchen lasted. The customer survey was conducted online in February 2023 among 4,378 Which? members who have bought a new kitchen in the past 10 years. DIY Kitchens sample size: 96.
We tested 19 kitchen ranges from various brands, giving them an overall score based on their performance in the lab and customer ratings.
The best kitchen we assessed achieved an overall score of 81%. Our five best kitchen suppliers all scored over 75%.
At the bottom end of the table, our lowest-scoring kitchen earned 59%. In fact, eight kitchens from four brands all got scores of less than 70%.
For advice on creating a stylish, functional kitchen, read our guide to kitchen planning
DIY Kitchens lab assessment score
Our expert lab tests are specially designed to test how kitchens will stand up to everyday use.
Log in now or join Which? to reveal the results.
| Unit | Lab assessment score | Quality of units | Loading shelves | Drawers and runners | Hinges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innova |
Table notes: Lab assessment scores are calculated based on a kitchen’s performance in 19 tests across four key areas - quality of units, loading shelves, drawers and runners and hinges. Ratings are combined to create an overall assessment score.
Our lab scores ranged from 89% to just 54% - one kitchen failed our hinges test.
Find out how we test kitchens in our lab
DIY Kitchens customer survey score
We spoke to 96 DIY Kitchens owners to find out how they rate their kitchen.
Log in now or join Which? to find out what DIY Kitchens customers told us.
| Customer survey category | Scores and ratings |
|---|---|
| Customer score | |
| Customer service | |
| Quality of cupboards, doors, drawers and worktops | |
| Quality of finish | |
| How well cupboards, doors, drawers and worktops lasted | |
| Value for money |
Table notes: Based on the responses of 96 DIY Kitchens customers in an online survey of 4,378 Which? members conducted in January and February 2023. Customer score is a combined score based on customer ratings of satisfaction with their kitchen and likelihood of recommending to a friend.
Our top overall scorer achieved an outstanding score of 86% in our customer survey.
At the other end of the table, some of the brands we assessed scored less than 65% overall - including some two-star ratings.
We also used our reader survey to find the 7 things people regret most about their kitchen design
How to buy from DIY Kitchens
Unless you visit the showroom in West Yorkshire, you will need to purchase your kitchen from the DIY Kitchens website.
You will need to choose your kitchen range and colour, configure your units, and organise your own installation.
When you add items to your shopping basket, you will be assigned an ID number so you can access your basket from any computer.
Benchmarx also offers online design support 7 days per week from 8am to 6pm.
DIY Kitchens design services
No, but it does have an online planning tool. You can also send the company a plan or quote you have from elsewhere, and DIY Kitchens will give you a revised quote based on one of its own kitchens.
You can also visit the showroom in West Yorkshire, but you'll need to book in advance. Otherwise you can order door samples and tour its virtual showroom. It delivers to the UK mainland only.
DIY Kitchens installation
Fitting DIY Kitchens units yourself
DIY Kitchen’s Innova units come pre-built, so you won't need to construct them.
However, you need to install them into your home. You can do this yourself – our labs tested and rated the ease of this process.
Log in now or join Which? to find out how easy it is to fit DIY Kitchens units yourself.
Does DIY Kitchens install kitchens?
No, DIY Kitchens doesn't offer installation services, so you'll have to find your own installer.
Use Which? Trusted Traders to find reliable kitchen fitters near you.
How much does it cost to fit DIY Kitchens units?
To find out how much the average kitchen installation costs in 2024, we consulted the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) database.
They estimate labour rates based on the current Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council wage agreement and a model of the average kitchen.
They told us that the total cost of labour should be 20-30% of your total spend. Fitting a bespoke kitchen costs 20-35% more than fitting a standard kitchen.
Log in now to or join Which? find out how much you can expect to spend on labour when renovating your kitchen
House type (floor size) | Number of units | Standard kitchen | Bespoke kitchen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terraced (8sqm) | 8 | ||
| Semi-detached (15sqm) | 12 | ||
| Detached (24sqm) | 16 |
Table notes: Prices includes the cost of stripping your old kitchen, fitting your cabinets and finishing the kitchen. Prices also include VAT. Data copyright RICS 2023, reproduced with permission. Data is correct as of December 2023.
We recommend that you always get at least three quotes from different traders before you start any job, and get a fixed price contract if possible (this means the prices can not go up expect in pre-agreed circumstances).
Which? members can see a full breakdown of how much a new kitchen costs in 2024, including for labour, kitchen islands and worktops.
See our guide to how to work with your trader to find out more money-saving tips
DIY Kitchens ranges and unit sizes
DIY Kitchens' Innova units come in 35 styles, including traditional, modern and shaker.
The carcass comes in 7 different colours, and there are 216 different door style/colour configurations to choose from. Some ranges are available in bespoke colours.
DIY Kitchens come in standard sizes, including 570mm, 720mm, and 900mm heights and 500mm and 600m widths. You can increase or decrease the depth of the units when ordering.
DIY Kitchens guarantee
All DIY Kitchens units have a 25-year guarantee, with the exception of the Innova doors, which come with a five-year guarantee.
This guarantee excludes appliances, sinks, taps and worktops; the guarantees for these items depend on their manufacturer.
Find out more at DIY Kitchens.com
This article uses insights from the Which? Connect panel, collected from research activities with our members. Find out how to get involved