#How to cook up kitchen savings

F or the DIY enthusiast spring slots neatly between Christmas bills and the summer break, and offers the perfect opportunity to get around to those outstanding renovation projects. If a new kitchen is on your radar make sure you utilise your bargaining skills to turn existing reductions into fantastic value.

Preparation is key

It is worth spending time planning your kitchen layout: ill-thought out designs can cause problems. For example, while it is great to have a new hob, not allowing enough space for protruding saucepan handles could result in stressful cooking. Most quality showrooms offer a free planning service, but you should make sure you understand what you want and need by reading up beforehand .

Calculate your overall budget, itemising each element of your kitchen. It is amazing how you can lower costs from the outset if you commit to a set figure. For starters, it will help you to avoid being pushed into agreeing an inflated price by the salesperson.

Market moves

It is impossible to open a newspaper or switch on a television without seeing adverts offering huge discounts as stores compete for your custom. An early Easter, poor weather and an impending election has persuaded many stores to offer great value to entice you into their branches.

When visiting a store you should ask when they will be receiving new stock. Many retailers are publishing their summer catalogues and will be keen to get rid of old stock before the latest models arrive. Buying something from the older range can achieve better-than-advertised discounts.

Several stores will price match, while others offer price-match plus where they will give you a further discount on the best price found. I managed to secure a significantly better deal by using a search engine to establish best prices and saved myself a further 300.

Time your visit

The vast majority of customers visit kitchen stores during a weekend or bank holiday. If possible, avoid these days as salespeople will have plenty of customers at the tills and will be less inclined to offer you a discount. Mid-afternoon on a Tuesday will often pay dividends for kitchen-hunters.

Shopping around

As the cost of a kitchen often exceeds 3,000, most salespeople will understand you are not going to buy immediately. However, this gives you the opportunity to build a rapport.

Experience has shown that you are more likely to gain a discount and get better service if you befriend the salesperson. Make sure they know you are considering several other stores by telling them about offers you have seen elsewhere.

Even if you are keen to purchase all items from the same store, leave them with the impression you will only do so if the price quoted is exceptional. Alternatively, omit one or two smaller items from your list as they can be added later to be used as deal closers .

Return and improve the price

Return to the store on a quiet day when you know the original salesperson will be there. Say that you are ready to buy but need to tighten up on the price as another store has offered you an additional incentive (this could be a better price, free items included in the deal or a price-match offer).

Make an offer, such as: I will buy from you now if you reduce the price by 500 and include an extractor fan and sink taps .

If you want a more luxurious kitchen but can't really afford it you could consider buying ex-display and used kitchens at a discount.

When it comes to fitting and plumbing it is important to get efficient tradesmen, so again make sure you read up on choosing the best fitter for your budget .