We are sooooo happy with it. Thank you for all your hard work!
-Linda & Ken, September 2016
The end result is amazing
From our first meeting with Kym, through the design process, to the end product, we found her to be professional, knowledgeable and helpful in guiding us. Kym also has some amazing tradespeople working alongside her whose work is of a very high standard. We would not hesitate in recommending Kym, and Allstar Kitchens to friends, or anyone wanting renovations carried out in their home.
– Gayle & Warren, September 2016
We could not be happier
A massive thank you to Kym and the team at Allstar Kitchens for our amazing new kitchen.
Friendly service, helpful advice and care taken with all stages of the renovation to ensure we got exactly what we wanted. Prompt and professional work from start to finish from all involved.
We could not be happier with our new kitchen. Definitely would recommend and use Allstar Kitchens again.
– Andrew and Debbie, Palmwoods
A new kitchen was always a dream
When I finally decided to put my dream into reality the task seemed very daunting. From the moment I visited the Allstar showroom and met Kym I knew everything was under control. Through all stages Kym was patient and supportive, I ended up with a kitchen well designed and much admired.
Lynda, Maroochydore
Under mount sink with stone bench tops
Beautiful subway tile splashback Cocktail cabinet built into this kitchen
The fabulous kitchen I have always wanted
I cannot speak highly enough of Allstar Kitchens for giving me the fabulous kitchen I have always wanted.
From the moment I walked into the showroom the friendly service, guidance and support I received from Kym convinced me I was in the right place, and the whole experience from the design process to the installation was excellent.
Thanks again Kym I couldn’t be happier with my new kitchen.
Julie & Carl Buderim
Selecting the right benchtop – Laminate
Laminate benchtops consist of layers of paper with a decorative overlay. Textured laminates are among the hardest-wearing and most affordable benchtop materials. High gloss laminate can easily scratch and is difficult to repair. New types of edges are available to give laminate benchtops are more modern profile and can provide an inexpensive and stylish solution.
The laminate industry has responded to the popularity of stone with an amazing range of photographically reproduced stone, woodgrains and designer laminates for the budget conscious client who wants the look of stone or timber, but whose budget only allows laminate.
There are many very good brands available, such as Laminex, Egger, Formica, Polytec and Wilsonart to name some of the better known.
Most of the best quality laminates are around 1mm thick, and have the capability of being “postformed” or rolled on the edge with a very tight radius which gives the benchtop a more modern square edge which is quite different from the rounded bull nose edge most associate with laminated benchtops. There are some limitations. Not all laminates can be rolled so square and this profile only works with benchtops with straight lines.
Another option to get a square profile is with use of ABS edging. The edging hides the dark line that typifies laminate benchtops and allows a benchtop to incorporate any shape. The range of edging colors has not yet really caught up with the range of laminates, but there are more than enough to satisfy most people.
Pros:
- Economical
- Hardwearing
- Huge range of colours, textures, woodgrains and styles
- Is installed with the cabinet – no waiting as with stone
- Kitchen is operational at least 2 weeks faster
Cons:
- Can’t be so easily shaped
- No fancy edge profiling
- At risk of water damage
- Can be scratched, stained marked more easily than stone.
- Very difficult to remove scratches & stains.
- Doesn’t help resale in the same way stone does.
Overall, when the budget is tight it’s a great choice and can give a good WOW factor without the WOW cost.
What is the Allstar Kitchen Renovation process from start to finish?
Step 1- Design and Planning consultation
The first step to your new kitchen is careful design and planning with Allstar Kitchens in our showroom at Maroochydore which will help you with ideas, colours and designs. We follow this up with a free in-home consultation where we can advise you while you are developing your kitchen design. This allows us to look at your kitchen’s design and plans in the context of rest of your home and gives us a better understanding of your needs and lifestyle.
Step 2- Quote
Based on your design consultation with us, you will be presented with an obligation free quote for your new kitchen. This includes a plan that takes into account your design ideas and requirements, as well as meeting your budget. We recommend an appointment in the showroom to ensure you have a full understanding of the finishes and options in the quote so you can make an informed decision. An Allstar Kitchens quote is a full-cost quote for the entire project from manufacturing through to installation. It will also advise you of costs for potential upgrades to finishes as discussed through the consultation. This is all you will be charged for your kitchen unless you specify modifications during the process.
Step 3- Working drawings
Once you have finalised and approved the design and pricing, you can pay a deposit so we can schedule your job into our Sunshine based factory for manufacture. Once the deposit is paid, you will receive all finalised working drawings, designs and the specifications of your impending kitchen and cabinetry.
Step 4- Onsite measure and assessment
Measure twice, cut once. Your kitchen design will be double checked with an onsite measure and assessment to ensure that the manufacturing and installation process runs as smoothly as possible. The second progress payment is due at this step to allow for the ordering of the materials for manufacture of cabinetry.
Step 5- Manufacturing process
The careful planning and design process plus the extensive experience of the Allstar Kitchens team makes the manufacturing process quick and efficient. Your kitchen in manufactured right here on the Sunshine Coast under the watchful eye of the Allstar Kitchens team.
Step 6- Co-ordination with tradesman
To make the installation of your kitchen as quick and smooth as possible, the Allstar Kitchens team co-ordinates with the other tradesmen involved to take pressure and stress off of you. You can either use our recommended tradesmen or we are happy to work with your preferred tradesmen – simply provide their details as well as access to site at the right time, and you can sit back and watch your new kitchen come together right before your eyes. The third progress payment is due prior to installation.
Step 7- Installation
Allstar Kitchens take pride in being among the most efficient and cleanest installers of kitchens on the Sunshine Coast. More than 90% of standard kitchens cabinetry is installed in less than 2 days, including disconnection and pull out of the existing kitchen. Stone benchtops and splashbacks are installed after the cabinetry. Please see the Allstar Kitchens Renovation Guide for more information. The final payment is due at the completion of the full job.
How long will a bathroom or kitchen renovation take?
Typically you can allow anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks of actual labour. Factors that can impact this timeframe include:
- any structural works
- moving plumbing/electrical elements
- having large amounts of tiles to lay
- any repairs that needed to walls/floors etc. once the old kitchen/bathroom has been removed
- manufacture and installation of stone benches
- manufacture and installation of glass splashbacks
In terms of the planning and design, with no major structural changes, allow around 6 to 8 weeks for this phase. This includes:
- time to develop the design
- select materials and fittings
- lead times for the manufacture of custom cabinetry (3-4 weeks)
It’s important to keep in mind that no matter the size of your project, you need to factor in time for research, planning, quoting, hiring, red tape and acquiring materials.
Thank you for a fantastic kitchen
Just a quick email to once again say thank you for a fantastic kitchen.
Please pass on our thanks also to the cabinet installer, plumber and electrician for their very professional work and great manner.
The whole process was very smooth and stress free.
Everyone who has seen the kitchen are amazed and impressed with the whole job.
Wishing you all the best with the business and I will certainly recommend you to any friends and work mates.
Thank you also for the lovely cookbook.
Warm Regards
Maree and Dan, Buderim
Thank You So Much
Thank you so much for all the work involved in this project. Not only is the kitchen looking fabulous, but so too is the tiling, rendering and all the other aspects of this job over which you had influence. We are delighted with the outcome, I was up at the unit on the weekend, and now that it is all finished it really looks wonderful. We are very grateful for your advice, and also the fact that you were available to take delivery of tiles. Generally, you carried out the role of project manager, and to us, living in Brisbane, that was a huge relief. We have already spoken glowingly to our friends and colleagues here and on the coast of your wonderful services. We are looking forward to speaking with you again when we do the next stage, which will include the new bathroom. Many thanks again. Kind regards T & D – Alex H’land / Brisbane July