Howdens - Should I ask for another designer?

[Rollergirl1]

I'm in the process of getting my kitchen redesigned and I have decided to go with Howdens. I know the range I want. I had a guy come and measure up about a month ago and to draw up an initial plan.

It then took him 2 weeks to email me the plan and the quote. I understand the quote has to go through the builder first but even so. I wasn't happy with his plan and some things on it were wrong at what I consider a basic level (he had an upstand for the cooker starting in the middle of a window!).

I replied immediately to his email of the plan saying that I wanted to discuss and could we arrange a time for me to come in. He didn't reply for 2 days so I called him. He was a bit arsey with me on the phone when I said I wasn't happy with a few things but we booked a time for me to go in (much longer away then I wanted but he said he was on holiday).

Then on Tuesday I was supposed to be seeing him I had a phonecall saying that he was ill so would have to cancel my appointment. He called me on Thursday to rearrange and wanted to make it for next week but i said would be tricky as school holidays. Asked if could do yesterday and he said he was going to spend yesterday catching up with stuff but reluctantly agreed.

So went in there yesterday. He spent half an hour trying to find my plans and dithering about. Then when we finally got down to work I just didn't feel confident that he gets half of what I'm talking about. To make matters worse there was another lady designer with her client who had their designs up on the big screen and seemed to really know her stuff, was suggesting alternatives that they really liked and was taking them round and showing them stuff. My guy just seemed exasperated when I said I'd like the sink to sit central to the window (didn't thjnk was a big ask).

When the other designer had finished with her people I asked if he could put my design on the big screen but he refused, said that his computer doesn't display it properly or some other tosh. I left not long after as had to pick kids up from school.

I had been there almost 2 hours and really not confident of this next plan that he's going to produce. I keep thinking that I wish the other lady was designing my kitchen!

I really feel like complaining about this guy as I just don't think he's competent. But then is it mean to get him in to trouble? I am pretty much at a point now where I know what I want so could just tell him to do what I say but it would be nice to be able to have the designer know their stuff and suggest things that I might not have thought about!

Another example, I have literally just noticed that it states in the brochure that the chimney cylinder I want is not compatible with the range cooker he has suggested. Shouldn't he know this???

[melomal]

Always ask for another designer or once you've been given the plan go to some high street kitchen designers and see what they think. You're handing over a lot of money and a lot of future happiness with your new kitchen, don't be intimidated or feel you've got to commit to this one designer!

The best thing to do is always shop around and see what your options are.

[MyFirstName]

Totally ask for another designer. Or have a chat with your installer and say you know what you want and can he work to your plans?

I got a basic design from Howden's designer, but like you, wasn't happy with the detail - cupboards slightly off set where symmetrical was do-able; a bit of a No, can't do it attitude from the designer.

My installer was great though - sat me down with some graph paper and we did it together - and he came up with some great suggestions too. I had spent some time planning a bit before hand (it is not rocket science), working out which size cupboards were available and how everything could fit together.

If we hadn't done that I would have gone to another branch of Howdens (there was only one designer at the local one)

Do not go with any design you are unhappy about. As mel says - it is a huge amount of money and if you have niggles they may turn into something that majorly pisses you off a few months after installation - when it is much tougher to get it changed.

[LovingTheSunshine]

the designer from Howdens we had pretty much asked me what we wanted where, didn't feel we got much inspiration from her. Someone I know had the other designer from the same store & said they were brilliant. The layout of the kitchen is the same as we already have!!! I would ask for the other kitchen designer at the store tbh

[kittyvet]

Let the builders measure up and never met the designer. It looked fine on paper but when they came to fit it the drawers didn't fit (had to exchange for smaller) and a load of pipes had to be moved so the cooker fitted in! Tried to persuade me to have some ridiculous sticking out oven so not flush with hob instead! Put my foot down to get pipes moved. Got builder to pay for it as they measured! Moral of story double and triple check everything!

[Teakind]

Hi, I'm having a similar experience with Howdens. Totally uninspirational design and any amendments I want to make are almost treated with a groan. They don't reply to emails and messages I leave over the phone seem to be ignored. It's also taken over a month to get a quote.

I went to Wickes and the lady was just lovely. Really listened to us and make some greats suggestions. They are a bit more expensive though but to be honest I don't want to give Howdens my money.

[Swanhildapirouetting]

I found the Howden's designer quite helpful really. He pointed out a few errors in my measuring (I hadn't allowed for an opening door) and everything has fitted perfectly and looks good. He also suggested taps that were reliable and didn't mind me changing my mind over the plan and the worktop.

However - and this is a big however - he failed to notice that the cooker was going to be recessed in such a way (when the building work on chimney breast was completed) that the cupboards next to it would not be flush. So we now have an asymmetrical cupboard arrangement on either side of the chimney breast with cooker in it. I learnt to love it! But it would have been nice to have talked it through in advance.

It all looks lovely (cream gloss burford) now but check and double check every aspect. They have a tendency to rush through the plan and put the most obvious solution. I think it is a bit high volume and you don't get the same personal touch that you might in somewhere where they deal with mostly private clients. Howdens do a large proportion of trade refits perhaps?

Surely you should just say you want a second opinion on the design from the second designer? It is really important not to be browbeaten on what is a huge decision/expense.

[Swanhildapirouetting]

The important thing is that they should be able to explain why they have put the sink in a certain way not the way you want - sometimes it can be because of the cabinet size or how it all fits together in the run. Then you have a chance to say - actually I want the sink to be centred and the cupboard to be a different (perhaps smaller) size to fit in with that. Often they are just used to putting in cupboards of a particular size. You can discuss options. Acquaint yourself with all the cupboard sizes and sink sizes there are available so you can play around on graph paper yourself. Then you feel a bit more reassured when they say no actually that doesn't look so good because x y z. It makes more sense then.

I think I sent the designer two designs before I agreed with his design!!!