To ask howdens for cheapest options?

[Invisiblewoman1]

I am having a howdens kitchen design today and budget is my number one priority. As they don’t display prices I have no idea what the cheapest options are. I want a shaker style but otherwise just the cheapest. Anyone any idea what the differences are or if I tell designer I want cheapest they will tell me?
Thanks!

They told me their two cheapest to choose between. But then we had been blunt with them that we wanted a basic kitchen and would go elsewhere unless there was some indication as to price since it was our only criteria. Still didn’t give any numbers but at least it steered us in the right direction (which eventually was to Homebase).

Yes they will tell you the cheaper ranges, you can usually tell the cost by the thickness/material of the doors though. For example the Allendale is 16mm PVC wrapped MDF, I think its their cheapest shaker range. They will price match places like DIY kitchens too if you haggle on price. We got a huge discount by finding a similar range their and getting it all price matched.

Parents had a solid wood kitchen from Wickes a couple of years ago, good quality and was cheaper than Howdens.

If budget is number one priority then why not go super basic B&Q

I wouldn't be going to Howden's if budget is set, and at a lower end.

You could look at the designs and say 'I'd like the cheapest from kitchen A, B or C' please, but they won't give you a price until you've told them which fitter/builder is ordering it for you as they all get different levels of discount, which they may or may not pass on to you (infuriating business model).

That, plus their completely hopeless designer who ignored everything I told him I wanted and had obviously never used a kitchen for it's intended purpose sent me straight to Ikea.

I've always wanted an Ikea kitchen and they're probably amongst the best for quality for the price and I am completely happy with it.

Ha ha, that's just about everyone saying 'don't go to Howdens'.

Totally agree with @BarbaraofSeville about ikea kitchens. Absolutely fab quality and love the fact all the extra bits and bobs are interchangeable so I can 'update' the kitchen without costing an arm and a leg.

Get a design you're happy with then purchase from DIY Kitchens and get a fitter. Great quality, transparent pricing and you are not paying for showrooms, designers and a builder's mark up.

@MotherOfGodWeeFella

Get a design you're happy with then purchase from DIY Kitchens and get a fitter. Great quality, transparent pricing and you are not paying for showrooms, designers and a builder's mark up.

Design is a valuable skill, its not a great idea to play the system for a free design...

I won't use them as they arent up front with pricing.
DIY kitchens are cheaper and better.

Howdens is one of the more expensive companies for kitchens. We had our kitchen designed by B&Q with one of their recommended kitchen fitters, personally we had an amazing experience. Our budget was 5k.

Avoid Howdens. Their pricing structure is based on the person you speak to on any given day and their mood.
Absolutely disgusting business model and extremely rude staff. Always calling and begging for your business when it is time for them to meet a deadline for their bonuses 😡 a recent investigation found an up to £40,000 discrepancy in cost depending on shop and person you spoke to.
IKEA, B&Q or speak to the fitter and see if they use an independent kitchen company which can be much better quality

@MoiraNotRuby - not many all kitchen designers are particularly skilled and the OP could design her own kitchen. She could pay a specialist for a design then shop around for the best deal.

Ime very many kitchen companies lack transparency in their pricing. We had a quote from Magnet which was astronomical. When we asked them to look at bringing the cost down the manager suggesting removing the island worktop. It reduced the cost by over £2k but was hardly a practical suggestion in order to get us a working kitchen.

If you want transparent pricing, don't go to Howdens.

They pay your builder commission so they will never be 100% honest about your pricing.

Go to ikea or Wickes, where at least there are labels with the costs on them, I've also heard good things about DIY Kitchens on here but haven't used them myself.

If budget is your main consideration you should always shop around anyway. And consider waiting for a sale period.

When Wickes have a sale (I know I sound like an advert for Wickes on here sometimes but we've only ever had great service from them) the designer/sales person has been known to tell us when the extra 10% off weekend is and book the follow-up appointment then so we get an extra discount!