Howdens Kitchens - any good?

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

We are having a new kitchen and were looking at getting one from John Lewis but our builder is recommending Howdens as he says the quality is better which surprised me. Does anyone have experience of Howdens? TIA

[CointreauVersial]

Supposed to be good quality, and good value. We have a Howdens utility room, which is pretty sturdy, despite being mega-cheap.

[teta]

Its because Howdens will only deal with trade customers ,hence the builder will always mark up the cost of the kitchen he orders, and then will pass on the cost to you.Your builder will make a good cut out of your kitchen.Mine has tried to get me to order one of their kitchens about 20 times so far which has totally put me off Howdens kitchens.I hate the fact that i don't know the actual price even though i believe the quality is good.But i honestly don't believe that the quality will be better than a John Lewis kitchen.

[Themumsnot]

We are getting our kitchen through Howdens. They do have to be bought through your builders account, yes, but our builder is not taking a cut, we are getting the full value of his discount. They do seem as good quality as comparable mass-market kitchens.

[CaveMum]

We had one installed in late 2009 and couldn't be happier with it. We had the same situation as Themumsnot: our builder passed on the full discount.

Can't for the life of me remember the name of the kitchen type we went for, but it will be on the paperwork so I can dig it out if that makes a difference.

[jeanjeannie]

Our experience with Howdens (from a builder/carpentry company perspective) is that the actual Howdens frames are ok - but DH has replaced countless numbers of fronts. The surface veneers tend to peel like a false fingernail (his explaination not mine!) He said it's as though they've got wet or damp and peeled back. Dead impressed with JL though and much to his surprise IKEA. No experience ourselves although I'd bite your arm of for one of the JL kitchens I've just seen

[WynkenBlynkenandNod]

Our Howden's kitchen is 5 years old and some of the fronts and sidesof the doors aren't looking as good now. Not sure I'd use them again.

[RattysPicnic]

We have three Howdens kitchens and will get another on the project we're just doing. I'd recommend them - they're sturdy. They also come made up and ready to slot in (not flat-packed) so should cost you less in labour.

Also, I did buy through my builders account but if I were you I'd go direct to Howdens and ask to buy one. They'll want to sell you one, so I'm sure will help you find a way to do it directly if possible.

[TracyK]

I got one fitted about 6 years ago - and 98% of it is looking as new (ish).

As Ratty says - they come made up and not flat pack - so our builder had it fitted in under a day (and we have a fairly large kitchen).

Just check - if the range you are going for(if you need it) - has a split tall cupboard for a tall fridge freezer. Our range didn't and so had to fudge it!

Do you know anyone that has a company? I used one of my clients companies to 'open' a trade account with them. They fall over themselves to get you to buy a kitchen - they phoned me about 4 times in three days - discounting more and more each time!

[DuplicitousBitch]

they are dullerama though

[JemimaMop]

We have a Howdens kitchen and it isn't great TBH, I preferred the Jewsons one we had in our old house.

[thinNigella]

I have one. it is nice, was cheap and looks good. I customised it - i.e. I bought a sink from somewhere else and got them to put that in instead. Our carpenter also passed us on the discount, we then went back and negotiated with them directly. If you buy in October they have a massive sale I think. I didn't buy in the sale and got a v nice kitchen for £7K inc appliances and solid wood worktop, MFI and Magnet wanted £15K+

[frankie3]

Howdens supplied the units for Schreiber/Hygena at MFI, the units were exactly the same. Builders like Howdens because they can go the the trade suppliers for each item, and not have no order it all at once if you change your mind about anything. ALso if anything is faulty, really easy to exchange. We have Howdens kitchen in Oak and after 4 years it still looks brand new.

[Missmodular]

I like them. Had one installed last 18 months ago. Feels good quality and still looks good.

[Themumsnot]

My reasoning is if I spend less on the units I can afford to spend more on worktops and flooring. I want slate worktops and wood flooring - and the floor area is 70sqm.

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

Thanks very much for all of your responses. We need to have a look at their units.

Cavemum - it would be really interesting to know which kitchen type you went for if it's not too much trouble.

Thanks again.

[ascouser]

I think Ikea are much better and can see them lasting longer than the Howdens one I have in this house. Mine has started to peel as well. (put Ikea in last house project)

[BeenBeta]

We had a Howden kitchen in a rented house and it was pretty good.

teta and others are right though. They only sell via professional tradesmen so your fitter will adding a hefty markup - especially if they already knows you are considering a John Lewis kitchen as the alternative.

[TracyK]

I got the Toscana range - which was a mid dark brown, very plain smooth doors. They don't sell it any more - but our dishwasher leaked onto the door panel and it all warped. Managed to find a Howdens that still had the doors in stock - and got a replacement for £20. So they seem to keep loads of stock of old kitchens for ages.
I might be tempted for future kitchens to order a couple of spare doors and keep in the loft - just in case......

[LisMcA]

Howdens do sell to the public too, but at full price. Your builder probably has an agreement with them for a discount.

My dad is a self employed joiner and fits kitchens mostly. He uses Howdens and never has any complaints.

Go to their show room if it's near by they will always have their current kitchens on display. I've had 2 Howdens kitchens(different houses) and cannot fault them for quality and finish.

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

Thanks all. Responses mixed but I think more good than bad. Will be popping down to check out the storeroom.

[Wigeon]

We are having our kitchen done and just got quotes from Wickes, Howdens and Magnet. Wickes and Howdens quotes almost identical. Magnet quote £1800 more but I didn't think any nicer.

Our builder likes Howdens, and we visited two of his previous clients, who have a Howdens kitchens, and they are both happy with them. You can choose your own appliances, worktops, flooring etc if you want, rather than go with theirs.

There are loads of threads on here about kitchen fitters, including Howdens (just search - that's what we did when we were planning what suppliers to look at) and I'd say that 98% of Mumsnetters are happy with their Howdens kitchen!

FWIW we are almost certainly going with Howdens!

[CaveMum]

Sorry about the delay in coming back!

We went for the Malvern range and the total cost (inc VAT) was about £5,700. This included a range cooker but not the installation charge from our builder.

Our kitchen is about 10ft x 8ft so I don't know how that compares to yours.

[CaveMum]

Oh yes, the price also included the extractor unit aboce the range too, so the actual units themselves probably came to about £4,500ish.

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

Thanks for your reply Wigeon. Good to know that Howdens so popular with so many on MN.

Thanks again Cavemum for taking the trouble to hunt down the info.

[dexter50]

Hi we've just had a howdens kitchen installed and to are delighted by the quality and finish of the whole kitchen. Also Howdens were just so flexible we went to wren first but the Hitchens designer was adamant we couldn't do this or that. I spoke to our builder and he advised howdens as that is all he will now fit (he's also a master joiner) so we went and we're glad we did