When David and Sarah decided it was time to transform their tired bathroom in Old Basing, they searched around for the best company and discovered Test Valley Kitchens & Bathrooms Ltd
David takes up the story: “Our old bathroom was about 20 years old, it needed not only a facelift; we wanted a complete change and we also we needed ideas as well as installation.
“We've had various kitchen and bathroom people to quote from in and around Basingstoke that I've used before for smaller jobs. However, I wanted a comparison, so I searched online, Test Valley came up and I liked the look at them.
“When we first met Ray, we were both very impressed with him. He came across very well. He had lots of ideas, while being very receptive to what we wanted. I think we'd seen one other person then we saw another bathroom supplier after that. And there was quite a marked difference. One of them I knew from before, so I sort of knew what to expect from the approach. Ray came across differently. I don't like people being too pushy, you know, and he was just the right sort of flavour for us. He understood what we wanted and came across very well.
“He came up with a completely new bathroom. We keep calling it the bathroom but it's not the bathroom anymore! Ray brought a fresh look to the whole thing, and we changed the family bathroom into a shower room.
“The process, once they started work, was very smooth. Let me say that Mike Hills, who did most of the work, was good to work with right from the word go. Ray brought him along beforehand so we’d had a chance to meet him, Sarah, and I both knew we could work with him. I've got a background in construction and was happy with how he said he was going to approach the works while protecting the surroundings. I asked him from the word go to give us a heads-up beforehand about any noisy works or when power or water supply would be affected. He also kept us informed as we went along, he was very user-friendly.
“During the work, there were a few extras, mainly brought about by the need for some additional plastering as a lot of existing tiles had to come off and none of us really knew what the state of the walls was going to be, so I was prepared for it. And I think Mike took an extra day. That was all by agreement. So, it was finished on time and to budget.
“The finished shower room is brilliant. It might be said I spend more time in it now, which is probably not good for the planet because you know, there's a lot of water going down the drain, but I do love it, it's great. We've had friends stay and have used it, everyone, who sees it has been impressed.
“I would definitely recommend Test Valley. I’ve no qualms recommending Test Valley and Ray, all the people that we met were really helpful and professional.
“I tend not to do reviews for many companies but if I get good service, I like people to know about it. I think that's fair and it's a good way of going about things.”
COMING SOON: Before and after pictures.
With an old kitchen and a friend in Test Valley Kitchens & Bathrooms Ltd consultant Lynne Misiewicz, it was only a matter of time before Tony and Rebecca would turn this vital room into a minimalist dream. They take up the tale.
“The kitchen we had was done 20 plus years ago and we were thinking about a refurbishment until a conversation we had with Lynne,” explained Tony. “We were just going to just spray paint the cupboards and get a new worktop,” revealed Rebecca, then talking with Lynne, who is a friend, “She said ‘You're just better off getting a new kitchen and I could design it for you!”
“We had preliminary chat and she asked us if we had any ideas, before making suggestions. Tony and I knew we wanted something very functional and minimalist, that was user-friendly and not going to date too much or too quickly. Moving on to the actual design, Lynne suggested a breakfast bar, which has been just sensational it's made the kitchen.”
Tony said: “Lynne fed off what we said and obviously came up with lots of ideas that we could say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to.”
“Then Ray Goodridge came over with a carload of samples to help us choose the colours, and they threw ideas at us,” explained Rebecca. “I think where they add value is in response to our suggestions. We might say we want this particular sink, and then Lynne or Ray will suggest a different approach and explain their experience.”
Tony added: “They had lots of ideas and encouraged us to visit Wickes to look at their displays and we also visited PWS design center in Slough. It felt very collaborative and there was no hard push, we never felt under pressure.
“I didn’t realise I was going to be picking out units like the oven and hob. I’m sure the last kitchen I had everything was just suggested and that’s what I got. This was a lot more considered and shows in the result.”
Rebecca again: “We have had the kitchen almost a year and are very happy. We’ve kept it minimalist. We've kept it very clean. It's not cluttered. And everyone who comes to see us says: ‘Oh, wow, we just love it'. It is a very small kitchen and from a style and a design point of view, it works really well. There's only so much you could do with this small kitchen.
“I did feel like we were being looked after rather than just on a conveyor belt. And I think that's where you get the personal touch from a smaller company. I felt that we had more of a personal touch, and I think that's important. And the fact is Ray spent a lot of time with us.”
Tony agrees: “They were very flexible on the amount of time they gave us and that contributed to the end result, driven to our agenda, not theirs.”
Rebecca concludes: “We didn't feel rushed. You know, we could take our time to make our decisions. And if there were issues, if something's not quite right, they sorted it straight away. Aftercare is just as important, and the kitchen is guaranteed for two years.
“I would highly recommend them. You know, Lynne was great from a design perspective. Ray was great in helping us understand everything about the kitchen and how to put it together. And then others behind the scenes, like CAD work and terrific fitters. Definitely highly recommended.”
COMING SOON: Before and after pictures.
When Helen needed a new shower to meet the growing demands of her husband Royston’s progressive illness, she was in the process of getting quotes when she was urged to contact Ray Goodridge from Test Valley Kitchens & Bathrooms Ltd.
Helen takes up the story: “We needed a new walk-in shower for my husband, he has Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and we wanted a shower where he would be safe, and I could help him.
“Ray Goodridge from Test Valley Kitchens & Bathrooms Ltd was recommended by Fiona Jones, she has been assisting me since my husband has been ill, with paperwork and finances and she knew him through BNI networking.
“I already had one or two quotes. And then I had a quote from Ray, which was all eyewatering, to be honest, however, there was something about Ray's personality and enthusiasm that made me choose him. He suggested various things that I hadn't thought of or ways of doing that made me believe that he was able to do it.
“My husband is, unfortunately, inevitably deteriorating in his ability to look after himself. I needed to make sure that he has showered properly. Previously the shower tray was raised off the floor and Royston was tripping over the edge to get in and it was too small for me to help him.
“Ray produced designs to replace the shower and we’ve had an enormous shower tray fitted with a glass wall and a seat within the shower. There is no room for me to help him. We did have a problem with the first seat, which took up too much space, but he found and sourced another that was perfect.
“I would recommend Ray and indeed all the builders and tradesmen were very professional, and you know, they all worked very well and behaved themselves very well and did their work and didn't leave a mess behind when they finished. This was important as we were still living in the house while work went on.
“Ray also handled all the inevitable snagging himself, which was nice and when I found out that I would need to do the painting, I was able to pay extra to have that done. I’m too busy to do that!
“It did take more time than I had bargained for. But ultimately, the result is lovely. So, we're very pleased with it. Royston does sort of recognise there’s a difference. Although, and it is quite common with Alzheimer’s, they feel the cold and don’t like to get wet. He no longer likes swimming and isn’t keen on the shower. However, because it's much more convenient now because it's open at one end, I can get in without getting completely soaked myself and I can make sure that he's washed properly. It is lovely.”
COMING SOON: Before and after pictures.
When Louise came into some inheritance, she knew it was the opportunity to indulge in a new kitchen and chose Test Valley Kitchens & Bathrooms Ltd to bring her dream kitchen into reality. Sat in her new kitchen,
Louise takes up the tale: “It was a no-brainer really. Well, it was between a new kitchen and a conservatory, and I went with the kitchen. I’d been talking about doing the kitchen for a long time. It was around 25 years old and hand-built out of MDF and to be honest, was falling to bits. Doors were falling off, all sorts of stuff. With the inheritance, it was always going to be a new kitchen.
“I knew the company and Ray Goodridge, so I was happy to go with them. The first thing they did was take me to a showroom to see what was available and we talked about what I wanted to achieve. I think the style is similar to what I had before and I went with a different layout, with extra units to make the most of the space.
“I chose these corner cupboards that pull out so you can use all the space that was just wasted before, and stuff would get chucked in there and while you planned to get it out one day, in reality, it was never used. With two corner cupboards that fully open out, it is usable space.
“The installation went very smoothly indeed, and the project was very well managed with everyone lined up from the electricians and plasterers to the painters and decorators and of course the fitters. It was all timed well.
“You do resign yourself to living with a microwave and fridge in the lounge for a few weeks until is done, but the actual job went very smoothly and wasn’t intrusive. The trades were all good lads, very friendly and even did a couple of extra jobs for me. I had a couple of big Butler sinks which I’ve replaced with a smaller double sink. We’ve saved the old sink and they put some brackets on the wall so I can have it in the garden.
“I do recommend them on social media, Facebook especially and always share their posts when I see them. To anyone thinking of using Test Valley Kitchens & Bathrooms Ltd I would say they were very efficient, very friendly and worked hard. The project went very smoothly and was finished on budget and on time – well actually it did go slightly over budget after I chose a better fridge and the granite cost a little bit more than expected. Everything I wanted though and I’m very happy with my kitchen.”
“The kitchen is the heart of a home. Probably the one room we all spend the most time in together for meals and making memories. It is a lovely room now, a large family kitchen with a table in the middle.
“I’ve had the kitchen for over nine months now and I have to say it has made everything much more of a pleasure. It has taken the chore of cooking and whatever you need to get, it is just over there in easy reach. It’s made life a little simpler in the kitchen and easier too.”
COMING SOON: Before and after pictures.
Exceptional quality and customer service underpin everything we do.
We understand that planning a new kitchen or bathroom from scratch can be daunting and time-consuming.
Our honest and transparent approach takes the stress out of the process by providing a personal end-to-end service delivered on time and on budget.
With 40 years of combined experience, you can depend on Test Valley Kitchens & Bathrooms Ltd to complete the project and exceed your expectations.
4 Whitgift Close, Beggarwood, Basingstoke. RG22 4QJ.
Company no.: 13260976
VAT no.: 378138662
