Wickes, Howdens, Magnet? Are these kitchens rubbish?

[2019change]

We need to buy a new kitchen for a small flat. Been to all the usual suspects but kitchen fitter is now saying Wickes carcasses are rubbish and that we must go to Magnet or Howdens. I am looking for opinions on this because each of these companies told us the carcasses coem form the same place and it is only the doors which are different. I have an all in price so do you think the kitchen fitter is pointing us in the direction of Howdens because he gets the best discount there or are they really better? Are Wickes kitchens rubbish? Thank you.

[2019change]

Sorry this posted when it was meant to be previewed - will try again!

We need to buy a new kitchen for a small flat. Been to all the usual suspects but kitchen fitter is now saying Wickes carcasses are rubbish and that we must go to Magnet or Howdens. I am looking for opinions on this because each of these companies told us the carcasses come from the same place and it is only the doors which are different. I have an all in price so do you think the kitchen fitter is pointing us in the direction of Howdens because he gets the best discount there or are they really better? Are Wickes kitchens rubbish? Thank you.

[zsazsajuju]

If it’s for a small flat I wouldn’t spend the money on any of those- Ikea will look just as good

[StarbucksSmarterSister]

I have a Wickes kitchen, 4 years old. It's the Tiverton range. It's fabulous. It has solid wooden doors.

I wouldn't touch Magnet, they have an awful reputation. I know a couple of people with Howdens kitchens. They like them but I haven't actually seen them.

[witherwings]

We had a magnet kitchen in our last house. I loved it. It looked Fab and was very sturdy.
Friends had a Howden's and was a bit derogatory about any other supplier but they seemed very similar.

[Aragog]

I have a Howdens kitchen. It's about 4 years old now and still looks pretty much as new. Builder found it simple enough to fit and follow the provided plans, plus the additional changes we wanted making to enhance our plans - he was able to get materials to fit the sizes, etc. Seems pretty hard wearing and sturdy. Ours is a white gloss with a solid wood work top.

[Comefromaway]

My kitchen is Howdens. It’s over 10 years old and still looks new.

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

Howdens is good. Lots of fitters don't like wickes as the carcasses are flat packed so more work plus it cab take time to get replacement parts. Howdens are rigid carcasses and can normally deliver within 24 hours or so - including replacement bits

[duckme]

Ours is howdens. It's really lovely and still looks as good as it did when it was installed. I think the cupboard carcasses come already built as well, which helps speed things along.

[Chista]

Howden carcasses are usually thicker than wickes and with a longer warranty I think. Magnet are not worth the money

[Nettleskeins]

I had a problem with one of the Howden pan drawers (fitting was a bit lightweight) and one of my cupboards is now got a loose hinge (but that is 5 years in) Otherwise, I would say they are very good. Cream gloss kitchen. I particularily like my laminate worktop from Howdens -radiance something or other (blackish grey with shimmer)
Don't buy the Howden wooden worktop according to my fitter (although I didn't want one anyway) and the Lamorna larder underworktop integral fridge hasn't been that great (too small and noisy) But otherwise, I am very pleased with it.

[GarethSouthgatesWaistcoat]

DIY kitchens seem to get great reviews but their only showroom is in Yorkshire. Their prices are good and I think I read that the units come ready assembled?

[goingtotown]

Ikea units don’t have a void at the back, that’s why our fitter advised against them.

[notdaddycool]

Have Howdens, so do my parents, no complaints from either of us. Friend is a builder and says the solid wood worktops are identical and much cheaper from Wickes.

[CrazyCatLady159]

My dad is a builder - he always tells people to use Howdens and he put a Howdens kitchen in my house

No problems with them so far, been here 8 years

[quincejamplease]

Are Wickes cabinets 15/16mm rather than 18mm? B&Q cabinets are the thinner ones.

Other than the flat pack difference a pp pointed out that's the only real difference I'm aware of.

Probably the only time post installation you'll ever think again about whether you have 18mm or smaller will be if you ever want to retrofit drawers or other storage options into the cupboards, at which point you might have slightly restricted buying choices.

[quincejamplease]

That was supposed to say difference between Howdens and Wickes. I have no experience of Magnet.

[Koloh]

Good experiences with Howdens generally find them very good. I would not recommend B&Q I have a single B&Q pan drawer unit in an otherwise Howden's kitchen and I've had to have it mended two or three times in five years. Rest of the kitchen is absolutely fine.

My old IKEA kitchen was also fine, tbh! I fitted it in 2003 and as far as I am aware it is still going (I moved, but the kitchen remains in place, I mean). I did have doors made, though. I don't think IKEA doors would have lasted 16 years. The carcasses, though, are pretty solid.

Buy solid doors and the best drawer units you can -- a fact I have always known but somehow got ignored on this one unit, grrr.

[danigrace]

Another with Howdens, very pleased with it. Recommended by my dad who has lots of experience fitting different kitchens