KITCHENS SINK IN WHICH? SURVEY; Fears for DIY fans.

MAJOR DIY stores fail to deliver the right parts and provide poor instructions with their new kitchens, a survey has revealed.

In Britain we spend pounds 600million a year on fitted kitchens and half of us buy from the big DIY stores.

But in tests conducted for Which? magazine, some kitchens were found to have weak doors and drawers, and others were criticised for failing to provide adequate instructions.

Although Ikea was found to have the best quality units at cheaper prices, Which? concluded the instructions needed to be much clearer, especially as the Swedish firm do not offer a fitting service.

DIY specialists Wickes and B & Q scored badly on unit quality with both firms accused of providing weak drawers.

But B & Q - along with MFI and Focus Do It All - had the best overall service, from planning and choosing to installation.

The Which? report said: "We think kitchen units should be provided to an acceptable level of quality, so we bought similar units from each company and put them through some simple strength tests, focusing on doors, shelves and drawers.

"We opted for flat-packed units so we could look at how easy they were to assemble.

"We also gained an insight into whether units arrived in a suitable state for use and with all the correct parts.

"Irritatingly, three of the units we bought had parts missing.

"We think that people inexperienced in DIY would find it difficult to put any of the units together easily."

The report added: "Sadly, many of us find fitting our dream kitchen can turn into something of a nightmare.

"Which? Legal Service deals regularly with members' problems such as missing or damaged parts, delays in installation or poor quality workmanship.

"In the worst instances, people have been left with unfinished kitchens."

The report urges retailers to become members of quality-assured schemes such as those operated by the Kitchen Specialists Association and Qualitas, which offer standards and protection to customers.