Cloisters Reviews 

Fantastic company to work with. Loved the local, family run aspect and received a very personal service.
Have had two kitchens from Cloisters - both bespoke, hand made, hand painted and top quality at a reasonable price. Also designed and built a bespoke bar which we are very impressed with.
They worked incredibly well with my project manager and kept exactly to time.
Thank you!

We're delighted with our new kitchen. The service from start to finish with Cloisters has been exceptional.
We thought we knew exactly what we wanted but ended up with a far superior product, which remained within our budget.

Joe developed the design, with a bespoke and detailed 3D model and creatively ensured we maximised our space whilst maintaining the look we wanted. This was not a standard fitted kitchen service, it is completely bespoke and benefits from the team's interiors and architectural training. Little features on our 'dream home' wish list, were incorporated and became reality. Joe considered everything during the design stage, so there were no hitches for the construction.

Once the design was finalised, the manufacturing team at Cloisters were very accomodating, delivering to our programme and assisting with the final instal. The team are perfectionists, skilled craftsmen and also lovely people!

We could not be happier with our new space. It's not huge but thanks to the level of detail and thought the Cloisters team brought, it has a dedicated place for everything our family needs and works perfectly ergonomically. It's not just the kitchen anymore, it's the heart of our home.

We are absolutely delighted with the kitchen built by Cloisters for our new living space. Even though the building work was considerably affected by the pandemic lockdowns, the Cloisters team worked to ensure that fitting the kitchen tied in with the ever moving building schedule and kindly provided us with temporary appliances while we waited for our long-delayed ones to arrive. Many thanks to Colin, Joe, James and the rest of the team for creating exactly the kitchen we wanted. We would certainly use Cloisters if we ever decided to replace a kitchen in another house!

I had already obtained quotes from a few of the key kitchen retailers and had decided on hacking a Howden’s kitchen to achieve a high-end look. However, our friends insisted it would be worth contacting Cloisters who had designed and manufactured their kitchen. For years I had thought, our friend’s kitchen was a high-end kitchen (I assumed probably beyond our budget). Our friends insisted that we would be surprised by how good value it was. Given that I loved their kitchen, I thought why not?
I am so pleased I did! On my first call, Cloisters insisted that I had a 2-stage consultation process – I was not keen as I absolutely already knew what design I wanted – having been through a few kitchen redesign projects in the past I knew my mind, but they wouldn’t take no for answer. The first consultation would be to discuss the kitchen specifications and then the designer would go away and come back with a proposal or two for discussion in the 2nd consultation. I had Joe Nunn (aka legend). It was so worth taking the time to go through the details with him and what I completely did not expect was that he would COMPLETELY CHANGE the design I had and be able to improve it by switching the entire layout of the space! The result was a game changer – his design and layout was more VALUE ADD than our architect was able to come up (Great work – Joe). So, in my mind the design service alone was worth the little bit more it cost than the usual high street retailers for what ended up being a much more bespoke kitchen, painted to my own chosen Little Greene colour. My builders were also really impressed by the quality of the units. Cloisters have been instrumental in creating an AMAZING high end looking kitchen space. They were helpful, responsive and professional at all times. I have already recommended them to a friend, as has my builder to his clients. And I would use them again too. Joe has also been able to help with bespoke shelving for a cleaning cupboard, coat cupboard and office nook which is a real bonus and time saver. I wish I’d used them for my bedroom fitted wardrobes!

Joe Nunn from Cloisters could not be more helpful designing our bespoke kitchen. Nothing was to much trouble, and he was very patient with all the questions asked. There was never any pushy sales and we were surprised at the value for money for such a high end kitchen.
Cloisters were professional throughout, the kitchen was delivered within our time scale, would highly recommend.

Our first appointment with Cloisters was to review our plans for a new kitchen. At this stage we thought our plan was final, having previously had plans drawn up by B & Q and Howdens. Unbelievably, and to our surprise Colin came up with a completely unique design and layout. Our kitchen plan would now incorporate three living areas - an increased kitchen space, living and dining area. Colin’s idea of relocating a door to a utility room provided a seamless flow to our kitchen worktops, cupboards and also allowed for a larger Island. This plan became our final plan and today we have the luxury of living in an impressive open space. Friends and relatives have been equally impressed - we can now fit more of them in for a get together!
Overall our kitchen journey was supported well by Joe and Danielle fixing our appointments, supplying samples to take home and even supplying a temporary fridge whilst awaiting delivery of our appliances. Cloisters’ kitchen fitter James, installed our kitchen according to specification with incredible attention to detail and quality workmanship - very clean and tidy.
Cloisters provided a friendly and efficient service which made it all the easier to ask questions as work progressed and have the any minor alterations attended to. We have the assurance that all work is guaranteed. Well done Colin and all the team for all the advice and support throughout the project. We have a super kitchen!

UPDATE: 20/02/2023
After an initial start and flurry of activity of the installation of replacement units for our kitchen and laundry room in November 2021 (yes 2021)) ... we are still waiting for it to be completed in February 2023 with no activity for 3 months.
We cannot express our disappointment and frustration with this company. The lack of communication and unbelievable excuses when they do get in contact is appalling. Blaming your suppliers and customers for the delay is not accurate and shouldn't be used as a reason to hide behind. All the material/parts you need are already in our home - except the replacement doors for those that warped because they were here being stored for so long.
As an approved retailer, even involving KBSA has had little success to spurring them into action.
We have invited Cloisters to engage in mediation - no response. We are reluctant to adopt legal proceedings but appear to have exhausted all attempts to resolve this amicably.
Come on Cloisters do the right thing, prove you do care and prove this rating to be wrong ... wow us by getting in contacting and confirming an installation END date.

Original post:
Our journey with Cloisters began in 2014 when we visited their showroom to discuss our requirement for a kitchen to be fitted in our barn conversion project. We had looked at several kitchen companies before going to Cloisters - Wow! What a breath of fresh air. After chatting with Colin for only a short while he immediately knew what style of kitchen would suit us and that's exactly what he and his team delivered. Colin had the patience of a saint and was always happy to tweak the design with changes we asked for as the plan developed and he came up with some great ideas for the surrounding living spaces too … and there was no hard sell! The very different kitchen and laundry rooms were finally fitted in 2017 due to delays on our side and we were delighted with both. We got to know Colin and the Cloisters team very well over the years and can honestly say that it was truly satisfying to work with them. We wholeheartedly recommend them, so much so that after unfortunately suffering extensive flood damage to our property in December 2020, it was our unquestionable choice to return to Cloisters to do it all again, this time with Colin's son, Joe, taking the lead.

After much research, Cloisters was the only company we found that we felt could provide us with the high-end style of kitchen we wanted without a ridiculous price tag. We love our new kitchen so much so can’t imagine ever replacing it, but if we were to move and need a new kitchen we’d absolutely use Cloisters again.

From the start the team was incredibly friendly - they even welcomed our dog into their showroom and gave her treats on our first design appointment, before we’d even committed to anything. They made a point of really sticking to our budget and proactively explaining any ways we could reduce costs to keep within our budget. They were also excellent at meeting our primary requirement of maximising storage and surface space - our kitchen isn’t huge and as such we didn’t have the option to change the layout too much, but it feels like a completely different room with so much more space. The storage solutions they came up with were really clever and have made such a difference, and they’ve created a wonderful separate area for eating with our utility items hidden away. The team was also really happy to offer their opinion whenever we asked for it, on things like what knobs would go with what taps and it very much felt like we got a great service from start to finish, with any potential hiccups solved immediately and without question.

We’ll definitely recommend Cloisters to any friends and family who are getting their kitchen done.

We first came across Cloisters in 2019 when we were replacing our kitchen and utility room following an extension. We visited all the usual retail and trade kitchen companies yet found none of the designs we were presented with made the best use of the space due to restrictions with the standard unit sizes. Colour options were also limited and we couldn’t help but feel we were being offered a design that had been presented numerous times before for similar layouts.

With this in mind we began researching bespoke kitchen services and came across Cloisters Design. The initial meetings focused mainly on how we wanted to use the kitchen as opposed to trying to work on a specific design, but somehow from these meetings Colin was able understand our garbled thoughts to present us with the first design that required very few changes from the outset.

On paper alone we were blown away with a 3D design that incorporated floor to ceiling units, a butler’s pantry to hide appliances, another large pantry for food storage and a central island that is a wonderful feature. We couldn’t believe all the features that were in the design that we’d never even considered having!.

All the units are superb quality, made to bespoke sizes to make the best use of the space with an in-frame look shaker style door finished in our chosen Farrow & Ball paint colours. In reality it really is most definitely a wow kitchen which has received so many compliments. Our builder often tells his new clients about this beautiful kitchen we had installed.

We also purchased our appliances via Cloisters Design which meant we were able to obtain a 5 year guarantee on our AEG ovens.

So impressed have we been with the service of Cloisters we have recently used them again to design, build and fit a bespoke media unit for the snug area of the kitchen /family room. Cloisters were able to make this in the same design and colour spec of the kitchen to ensure everything flowed and it’s made a wonderful feature of the room.

A lovely business run by a lovely family with a great team from the workshop chaps, to the delivery driver, to the fitters. We would thoroughly recommend using Cloisters for you next project.

My Kitchen is just wonderful and this is thanks to Cloisters.
Colin spent a great deal of time listening to what we wanted before drawing up his initial plans. His ideas were splendid in fact better than our architect. He then spent a considerable time tweaking the design to achieve the best possible result giving us a unique shaker kitchen with plenty of storage in both cupboards and drawers.
He built us a wonderful walk in larder which is the best thing I have ever had. Pointed us in the right direction for all our kitchen appliances. His fitters were so nice and very professional. Although our kitchen was started just before the first lockdown, I am still in awe of how lucky we were that we choose Cloisters – nothing but impressed.

The experience with Cloisters was completely different to appointments we had had with some of the big kitchen retailers. They really listened to what we wanted and worked to give us a few options of how we could best use our space.

We were pleasantly surprised that the price wasn’t significantly different to the big kitchen retailers, but the quality is far beyond – our fitter was impressed with the quality too. Our cupboards are custom sizes so make maximum use of our small space. We got to choose the exact colours we wanted as we chose painted doors and even got to pick the finish of the insides too.

Unfortunately, our kitchen was due to be delivered at the end of March – right as the country went into lockdown - so we had a few delays at the start. But the team at Cloisters worked hard to get us a working kitchen and supplied us with temporary worktops when the worktop fitters had put a hold on installations during lockdown.

We’re so pleased with the final result and it has completely transformed our space. We’ve got so much more storage now as well as it being so much lighter and brighter. It’s a shame we haven’t been able to show it off to our friends and family!

Embarking on a kitchen extension can be confusing, with trying to reimagine the space one would have available, and the best layout to make the most of the new space.
On first meeting Joe he was professional and he listened to all our desires and priorities. With a fast turnaround he completed his initial drawings and we started to feel excitement about our empty space that could transform into the most amazing kitchen/living space.
Cloisters provided samples of doors, worktops and paint samples, so we could take them home to ensure we were making the right decisions for us.
The completion did take longer than we had expected, but a bespoke vs off the shelf solution can do. The transformation is now a reality! The quality of the kitchen build is fabulous! The painting of the units just brought them to life, even though we’d opted for one of the many shades of white!
We are thrilled with our new space. A great space to cook, entertain and live in, with a mixture of quartz worktops and an oak breakfast bar with a circular eating/chatting space. Just fabulous!!

I started the process of designing my kitchen, utility and dressing room in January 2020. The design process was extremely easy and I was very pleased with the design and the product. I paid my deposit to start the manufacturing process and the kitchen started to be installed somewhere around March 2020, but then, lockdown happened. After this it was a continual battle to get anyone to come and visit to finish the kitchen. I was told in July that the hold up was the templating of the worktops, but these were templated and installed and still I couldn't get anyone to come back. I was lucky if I got Jim the kitchen fitter one/two days every three weeks!!! It was torturous. Was never told why my project wasn't a priority to get finished, was told that items were on back order, despite having paid and ordered these back in January. It got to the point where Toby the designing wouldn't talk to me by phone, we communicated via email and message. I was then told that unless I paid the balance of approximately £4000, I wouldn't get a slot to finish my project. Doors, hinges etc were put on wrongly, and it was only that I questioned why things didn't work correctly that I was told, "oh yeah, that's not right, I'll see if I have any in the van" Why put it on incorrectly in the first place. The project was finally finished at the end of October and nobody has bothered to sign off the works, or checked that I am happy with the finished article. To be honest, I'm glad I no longer have to deal with them, it was stressful and they couldn't care less. It was meaningless platitudes all day long. I'm sure when I visited their showroom they had a Which Trusted Trader sticker in the window, but on subsequent investigation, I cannot find that they are a member. They have one kitchen fitter working for them, no wonder I didn't see him for 3 weeks at a time.

The first kitchen planning company I visited had prepared two alternative kitchen designs based on the plans I had submitted but before I had even met them, and, unsurprisingly, neither of them came anywhere near what I had in mind. The layouts, choice of materials, and appliances in no way reflected my lifestyle or my aesthetic taste. It was, therefore, a great relief to find a company in Cloisters who were prepared to take the time to discuss my particular requirements when planning a new kitchen in what is a relatively small space.

Ingenuity was required to fit everything in without compromising on style. Colin and Danielle were helpful and imaginative in adjusting the layout, measurements and the locations of appliances, and then the colours of paintwork and worktops. James, the kitchen fitter, was meticulous in his work and offered helpful suggestions.

Whilst the house refurbishment is not yet finished, we are confident that we will enjoy many happy years in our new kitchen.

Having undertaken a major house build/renovation project we needed support with the layout and design scheme for the entire downstairs of our house. I have to commend Toby's attention and consideration in designing multiple schemes and working with us until we found the right and perfect solution for us. We are now moved in to our home and are thoroughly enjoying our wonderful new kitchen, utility space and TV console. The whole space is a joy to live in, and I am very grateful for Toby's consistent eye for detail and on hand advice with all aspects of our project, even the garden! Would highly recommend Cloisters and have found them to be extremely responsive and accessible to our needs.

Our kitchen was fitted around 5 years ago. A small issue with one of the drawers that occurred recently was resolved very quickly and without question even after all this time.

With many thanks
Mellissa

A really stressful experience, poor after sales service. Nightmare

Before i did my kitchen someone told me that 40% of people complained about their kitchen fitting. And Which published a report saying it was 35% so clearly there are a lot of bad experiences out there.
What you need to decide is how bad you want yours to be. If you want the worst possible experience you can find in the entire world of kitchen fitting then i think Colin Nunn and his company Cloisters Design is your answer.
Otherwise i recommend you read every negative review. I had the same issues. Absolute disaster.
When you first meet the Nunns the are lovely people, seemingly unable to do enough to deliver your dream.
Before you pay, they promise you so much.
When you pay (yes 100% upfront) the entire Nunn family, including the son, undertake a personality transplant and become the rudest most unpleasant people to deal with.
I have been sworn at, called stupid in front of people, i ended up speaking to the police, it was horrific when all i wanted was my kitchen finishing.
it was a couple of years ago but it as awful. When you complain it just gets worse. Afterwards they don't do anything under warranty.
I ended up replacing it.
I even tried used Which to try and get my complaint resolved, they were very helpful and suggested what we could do. I don't think cloisters are members anymore.
I recommend anyone feeling brave enough to place an order to pay with a credit card. Don't waste time trying to take them to court, they know it will cost you so much time and stress, and you have to go through the complaints process first. Don't waste your time. Contact your card issuer. You will have to make a section 75 claim because you have to pay so far in advance that a chargeback will not work.
I did and I got some of our money back eventually without the cost and hassle of court. Enough to employ a skilled kitchen fitter who was able to replace. And it avoids having to deal with the Nunns who seem to think they can get away with treating people that complain like poo.
There are probably 2 things that will happen next, either
1.The Nunns will post a reply saying I am vindictive and try to show how good they are
2. A few positive reviews will be posted, you can decide if that is a genuine review or not

I have to congratulate the last reviewer for getting his kitchen installed when the entire world was in lockdown. What a lucky chap he is. No review left on facebook though, maybe he doesn't have an account.
The problem with many review sites is that it is easy to create false profiles and post additional reviews if you want to make your business appear good. It is the same on houzz. I assumed they were genuine when i looked. My bad, should have read the positive reviews with caution. If you can create an email account which takes 2 minutes, you can leave a review. And apparently you can pay people for positive reviews to be left. To be clear I am not saying that any of the reviews are false, as I would hope that even the Nunns wouldnt do anything so underhand and possibly illegal.
But it could happen. What you need to do is read them all and decide if you can trust them.

If I was to do it again,I know what I would do. Avoid.

Excellent service from start to finish. Considered my budget carefully and came up with excellent ways to organise my small kitchen to utilize as much space as possible! Great communication throughout, within my budget and at no extra cost (in fact more reasonable and tailored!) to what i'd been quoted elsewhere. 100% would recommend if you're a bit stuck with what to do and wanting everything from advice to fitting.

Do not choose the option of Cloisters fitting your kitchen should you choose to design it with them. We dealt with Colin who has no concept of time, deadlines or estimated dates of anything being made delivered or completed. The Cloisters contract carefully stipulates “time is not of the essence” - that, together with their policy of insisting the entire invoice is paid upfront, leaves you with very little leverage when whst they then do is muck you about for months on end, with seemingly no desire to actually finish your kitchen. Ours took 6 months to install. Imagine my dismay when because no time estimates are EVER given, I assumed it would take 2-3 weeks.At the beginning it took 2 days to even deliver everything because it was just one man in one van. Then we discovered this one man alone was going to be the only person installiing the kitchen aswell. We had a mountain of kitchen units and appliances in our living space for the months the installation went on. We can see now on drawer and door edges how these have got Scuffed and damaged in the weeks they were piled up on our floor.Our dishwasher arrived damaged. Our fitter would only turn up on average 2 days a week, We were never told in advance when this would be and it was never explained why he did not come every day until the job was completed. During those extremely stressful full 6 months I was obliged project manage the kitchen installation myself just to keep it moving forward. This was a painful process of emailing Colin (who would often take 2 weeks to reply) ringing the office, who never put me through to Colin and who were very polite but never seemed to be able to actually help. The fitter himself never seemed to know what day he would be back at my house, indicating that he went where Colin directed on a day to day basis. Incidentally I have never met anyone able to take as much annual leave and still keep their job as this man did.
Should I also add the time when Colin Nunn’s son who also works there told my husband to F off? We reported this to Colin but no acknowledgment or apology from either of them was ever received. Colin Nunn appears to be detached from reality and should not be in a job involving customer service deadlines timescales or any sort of management.