A rigid kitchen is one where every cabinet arrives already assembled and square, with the hinges and drawer runners fitted at the factory. Your fitter takes each unit out of its wrapping, levels it and fixes it, rather than building it from a flat-pack box first.
All the kitchens we sell are rigid, from Second Nature, Kitchen Stori, Burbidge, TKC and Pronto by BA.
Rigid or flat pack: the differences
- Built square: cabinets are assembled at the factory rather than on your kitchen floor, so they arrive square and ready to fit.
- Fitting time: the fitter isn't building cabinets, so the kitchen goes in faster, and you pay for fewer days' labour.
- Fewer mistakes: hinges and drawers are set at the factory, so doors line up and drawers run true from the start.
- Delivery and access: rigid units are bigger to carry in, so measure narrow doors and stairs before you order tall units.
What to check in the specification
Rigid doesn't automatically mean well made. These are the details that matter, with what you get from us:
- Board thickness: 18mm board throughout. Some kitchens use 15mm or 16mm, which is less stiff and holds screws less well.
- Backs: 18mm solid backs in base and wall units, rather than a thin hardboard sheet.
- Hinges and drawers: Blum or Hettich soft-close hinges and 40kg soft-close drawers.
- Legs: 150mm legs, adjustable for uneven floors.
- Guarantee: 25 years on every carcase.
What a rigid kitchen costs
From the ranges we sell, the units for a typical 13-unit L-shaped kitchen cost from £1,962 including VAT, and half the ranges come in under £2,467. Painted timber and in-frame kitchens cost more. Our kitchen cost guide breaks the prices down by style.
Buying a rigid kitchen online
- Send your measurements, a rough sketch and a few photos.
- We send back a 3D design, a floor plan, elevations and an itemised quote, usually within 1 to 2 working days.
- Order sample doors to check the colour in your own light.
- Your kitchen is delivered in 2 to 3 weeks (5 to 6 for painted to order), with every cabinet built and wrapped.