Kitchen recommendations

[Ackley79]

Hi everyone,
We are looking at new kitchens and really like the Howdens Fairford and Burford. However, several people have put me off by saying how terrible Howdens were to deal with once the order was placed and the wrong items were delivered and they were really unhelpful, etc. I wondered if anyone had any experience of other similarly priced kitchen places? Eg Bradfords, Homebase, B&Q, IKEA - any others? Thank you

I haven’t used Howdens. I used Magnet Trade but as I understand it, it is a similar set up in that you order the kitchen through your builder and they deal with anything missing etc. Once our design was sorted, I didn’t deal with Magnet again. My builder had a good relationship with the manager there and sorted out any missing bits, mid-measurements and design issues. I had assumed Howdens would be similar?

We have decided to go for howdens so can’t comment on the finished result or final experience just yet. I read very positive things about howdens which is why we decided to go with them!

F

Yeah I had assumed Howdens would be the same and my builder recommends them (but he will likely be taking a cut!). I really liked them but then a few people have said NO WAY and told me about horrendous experiences with them. I also assume it’s down to individual branches so maybe we’re unlucky where we are with our local branch? Maybe I will weigh it all up and stick with Howdens after all. I can’t find anything else I like as much!

Wickes and B&Q are good, the takeaway ones btw.

I’ve been doing some research on’t web and it seems that Benchmarx are slightly better quality and cheaper than Howsens. Despite my best effort I have no personal experience as the branches were closed when I just popped out to look.

I wouldn’t touch B&Q with a barge pole. Their customer service is aweful. Wren great kitchen, slight muck up with delivery but sorted immediately.

I got a Howden's kitchen last year - think it's the Burford.
We had no problems whatsoever. I got mine in the sale, I think it was about 40% in October.

*40% off in October

We got our kitchen from Benchmarx. Very happy with the quality and they were very easy to deal with.
Be aware they are only open ‘office hours’ so that can be a problem.
I had a couple of things I needed to add and they were in stock so I could pick them up straight away. The cupboards come built which saves a huge amount of time.

I’ve never even heard of Benchmarx. Off to google them - thank you!

Benchmarx supply the kitchen for Wickes. They are the exact same kitchens but for less than half the price.
The other big plus is that they have a very short order time. About 48 hours I think.

I think Benchmark are from Travis & Perkins, the same kitchens as Supplied by Wickes but cheaper trade prices. Someone will correct me if I have muddled the brands.

I think you are right Always. We ended up using Magnet Trade but the only other one our builder would deal with was Benchmarx.

Yes, Benchmarx supply Wickes. If you get the brochures from both the pictures are the same.
We priced up a kitchen from Wickes when it was a bank holiday 60% off then the exact same with Benchmarx. Benchmarx were still cheaper.

We went with Magnet and are very pleased with the kitchen. Managed to get them to reduce their price to more or less the same as Howdens