Benchmarx vs Howdens

[wellhellodolly]

I am currently lusting after the Glenvedon White Howdens kitchen but my kitchen fitter sent the plans to Benchmarx who have costed up the equivalent kitchen (Perla) at almost £1k cheaper.

We are on a very tight budget and that £1k is very much needed but at the same time if Benchmarx aren't so good I'd rather spend the extra money on a decent kitchen.

From what i've read, they're pretty much the same quality?

[nunnie]

Think they are pretty similar from what I could make out when looking around in terms of quality. Have you asked your fitter to take the Benchmarx quote to Howdens to see if they can get their quote nearer?

Always worth a try, Howdens can come down in price from their original quotes.

[SwedishEdith]

I think some of the Howdens kitchens are identical to B&Q's Cooke & Lewis range. Really, really similar and with similar names. So, maybe consider them and see how they compare as well. I think all similar price ranged kitchens are much of a muchness,tbh. It's the worktops and appliances and pull-out features that make a difference

[wellhellodolly]

Thanks for your replies.

i don't really want a B&Q kitchen as our last one was from there and pretty much fell apart. Going to Howdens today so we'll see.

[Yorkpud]

We used Benchmarx as Howden's quote seemed a lot higher. However, when I was just about to order Howden's brought their quote down £200 lower than Benchmarx if we could take delivery in a week! Of course I had nowhere to store a kitchen so said no.
Becareful with Benchmarx that they include everything you want in the quote as they left quote a lot of stuff off mine which I then needed to buy later which annoyed me (Upstands, end panels (they just put it so carcasses were on show which I didn't want etc.) The builder also wasted tons of time there as they didn't put in some hinges that were meant to be there etc.
I am pleased with the quality of the kitchen though.

[SwedishEdith]

tbf, I think B&Q have 2 different standards of kitchens - no experience of the C&L but look better quality (well, identical to Howdens tbh)

[nunnie]

Haven't been to look at B&Q kitchens so can't comment on quality, the reason for not looking was the bad reviews though.
Also Howdens make their own cabinets so they might be similar but they aren't the same as B&Q, and to be honest after hunting lots of showrooms when deciding my kitchen I found quite alot are similar you have to look closer and have a good fiddle to find the quality differences.

[nunnie]

Sorry that all came out wrong. I in no way am saying Howdens is superior to C&L I have never looked at B&Q kitchens, was just saying that where I have looked the similar price ranges all seem to look similar style and quality.

Ikea is one place I looked at and price wise came out quite a bit below Howdens (slightly less cabinets) but they to me for what style wanted they had a limited range plus I won't buy a kitchen from them due to the poor service provided from their designer we paid for. If you do decide to go to Ikea avoid the design service for £100 at all costs and just do your own on their 3d planner much more superior. Definatly worth a look though because price wise they are cheaper. Go elsewhere for fitting though they quoted us pretty much the price of the kitchen again for fitting.

[wellhellodolly]

We popped into howdens today and the guy there is doing his utmost to get the price down.

Having looked at the cabinets close up they do seem to be good quality. Actually it's bloody gorgeous so I hope the price is right!!

[nunnie]

Will keep everything crossed for you then.

[bennymel]

Hi I know this is very belated but i recently had the same problem , I did however check the spec warranties and guarantees . Benchmarx out did howdens every time even the fitter said how much better the units and doors were as he had never installed a benchmarx kitchen . I even got a free plan design and survey . Benchmarx hands down Im afraid ......

[Xmania]

Hi,
I have been to Benchmarx and pretty convinced that I will go with Benchmarx, but the only problem I have is that their L-shape corner unit is small (925), compared to some other like Wren (972) or online stores (1000 or so).

Has anyone tried a mix and match across different suppliers? I am thinking of getting everything from Benchmarx except for the carcass of the L-shape corner unit.

Wren seem to have a different size carcass thickness from Benchmarx. If anyone has done a mix and match, could you tell me whose carcass I can use that will be the same height and depth as Benchmarx so that it will blend in.

Many thanks

[bennymel]

To be honest your its only just under 5cm difference you can just make it up in another unit further down ......

[redshoespurplehat]

a good test is to take a standard dinner plate with you and make sure it will fit in a wall unit and that the door will close! IME cheaper companies generally fail this test.
also to get a feel for of a company is good or bad write a thread starting ' Bla bla kitchens are rubbish ' and then s the people who have one will either agree or give you all the reasons why they aren't!!! it's a good way to get real info!

[Laingja97]

I know this is well outdated but I can say for future reference that Howden's kitchens triumph over Benchmarx, every unit is rigid which cuts the costs down of a fitter putting them together where as the units that benchmarx sell are rigid apart from the tower and corner units which on the average kitchen means you will pay at least an extra day for putting them together, also Howden's offer a 25 year guarantee for their rigid units, they are also a glue construction where as benchmarx is a cam and dowel construction which means they will not last as long, Howdens also offer many more different ranges from basic to high end kitchen now with true handle less and balham range which is exclusive to Howden's they also have their own brand of appliances which are the one of the biggest brands being sold at this moment. and any one on this message board that says the quality is of b & q cooke & lewis is being ridiculous because b & q is completely the furthest away from Howden's units and frontals. Howdens also price match with Benchmarxs, Wickes and every other kitchen company, and most of the ranges are reasonably priced, you pay for the quality and for a kitchen that lasts instead of one that you have to change in a few years.

[penberrh]

My benchmarx quote came in about £1k lower than howdens too. I sent it to howdens and they pretty much chewed their own arm off to match it, so I would give that a go.

I think in terms of quality I think they are more or less the same from what I read. Most howdens units come pre-assembled though so less money spent on fitters putting together flat packs.

[penberrh]

Oh. zombie thread