Direct Kitchens have been an enormous disappointment.

Design stage was ok, although we had to push pretty hard for what we wanted as against what the designer thought we should have. The real problems started after installation. When the overhead cabinets were installed, we noticed that the rangehood was out of alignment with the stovetop, shelves were installed damaged, a door handle was installed wonky etc. The bulkhead still needed screw holes plastering after the plasterer had installed it and the cornice, but they seemed to think that this was fine - I'd just have to employ a plasterer to complete the job that their 'tradesman' couldn't be bothered finishing. They even came out eventually and agreed that there were issues of their making, but then they seem to just want us to go away.

It has been 2 months now and they still refuse to return calls or emails. We've involved Consumer Affairs prior to going to VCAT. We still have boxes of stuff we can't unpack until this is resolved. Heartbreaking. We paid top dollar for a seamless professional service, and seem to have got cowboys.

Approximate cost: $15000