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I think that now the vast majority of people are aware of the prevailing financial climate and the tough trading conditions for many firms. Therefore, we are not surprised by stories in the news of firms failing and orders not being fulfilled. There have been several high profile cases during 2011 of kitchen suppliers who have not been able to carry on trading through the downturn. However, what we should be surprised at, not to mention saddened and shocked by, are the amount of consumers who suffer financial loss when these firms fold.

Stories of families that have lost hundreds, sometimes thousands of pounds, after giving a deposit only to find the firm folds prior to work being started are heartbreaking at the best of times but seem especially unfair given how hard it is today to save and have funds available for home improvements like fitting replacement kitchens.

There seems to be a contradictory situation at the moment where some people, despite rising household costs and inflation have, thanks to the low interest rates in the last few years, been able to save up enough money to allow them to consider home improvements. Often in these cases thoughts turn to replacing your kitchen - it is after all a great investment. However, improving your homes is an expensive outlay and the last thing you want to be faced with is potentially suffering severe financial losses, particularly given the time and prudence it may have taken to put you in the position where you can consider installing a new kitchen.