Howdens vs IKEA?

9 replies

betterwhenthesunshines · 07/12/2011 16:47

Are they at all comparable on a cost basis?

Howdens won't give me a quote as they are trade only. Which is fair enough, but there's not much point in asking the builder to get a quote through them if it's 3 times the price of IKEA. Anyone been down this route before?

OP posts:

cera1980 · 07/12/2011 16:48

My OH is a trade and fits Howdens kitchens, he recommends them when giving quotes as he thinks they are well made and durable

Wizzywuf · 07/12/2011 16:50

We have a Howdens trade account but most things are far cheaper at B&Q or ikea so we havent used Howdens much. If you can buy the same product in ikea I would

bounty007 · 07/12/2011 17:09

I would also look at whether ikea are close by? If you can get there easily for bits I would go with them, think they are still top of which? ratings. I would vote ikea if there wad one close by....

said · 07/12/2011 17:39

We had quotes from them. First was for about £6 or £7 k including appliances (their own so no idea if any good) We went with IKEA in the end and the kitchen (including most appliances and worktop bought elsewhere in decent sales) was about 1/2/ to 2/3 the Howdens "discounted" price.

jaspercat2002 · 07/12/2011 18:08

Have you been to look at either? We had heard such good things about Ikea's so went to have a look and didn't actually like how they looked on display. Also a friend had a nightmare with trying to get missing/broken bits replaced as our nearest store is an hour away so definitely worth considering distance like bounty007 says.

Original poster

betterwhenthesunshines · 07/12/2011 22:04

I've always bypassed the kitchens in IKEA as I've not been in the market for one before now, but they do seem to have increased their range of units. But door wise they don't do a painted wood one, either wood (can't do as having wood floor) or the laminate type doors and I wonder if they are going to chip? I know people who say once they're in, and well fitted then they are great, but you have problems getting all the bits delivered... and it will have to be me who assembles all th eunits.. oh joy!

Have been to see Howdens, but can't get an idea of cost until I go through the builder and I'm not at that stage yet (big project next spring) but I do need an idea of cost for budgeting.

Am also going to see Benchmarx (?) tomorrow who do a good looking painted wood, but Ifear it's going to be too costly.

OP posts:

Staverton · 07/12/2011 22:22

Try buildbase for a painted wood one

Wizzywuf · 07/12/2011 22:51

Or Try Wren. We used them for our kitchen and Ikea for thr futility room.

Original poster

betterwhenthesunshines · 08/12/2011 14:37

OK Benchmarx came in at about £4,500 not including any worktops or appliances. That's supposedly trade price -they don't do variable discounts like Howdens do. I think it seems quite a lot, but that is for solid oak framed doors. Mind you - the carcasses are standard white melamine.

I think for a similar price or less (in the sale, with trade purchase) I could get a B&Q Cooke & Lewis range Carisbrooke...

Thanks Staveton I will look at buildbase. And Wren.

OP posts:

Flip