I'm in the process of getting my kitchen redesigned and I have decided to go with Howdens. I know the range I want. I had a guy come and measure up about a month ago and to draw up an initial plan.
It then took him 2 weeks to email me the plan and the quote. I understand the quote has to go through the builder first but even so. I wasn't happy with his plan and some things on it were wrong at what I consider a basic level (he had an upstand for the cooker starting in the middle of a window!).
I replied immediately to his email of the plan saying that I wanted to discuss and could we arrange a time for me to come in. He didn't reply for 2 days so I called him. He was a bit arsey with me on the phone when I said I wasn't happy with a few things but we booked a time for me to go in (much longer away then I wanted but he said he was on holiday).
Then on Tuesday I was supposed to be seeing him I had a phonecall saying that he was ill so would have to cancel my appointment. He called me on Thursday to rearrange and wanted to make it for next week but i said would be tricky as school holidays. Asked if could do yesterday and he said he was going to spend yesterday catching up with stuff but reluctantly agreed.
So went in there yesterday. He spent half an hour trying to find my plans and dithering about. Then when we finally got down to work I just didn't feel confident that he gets half of what I'm talking about. To make matters worse there was another lady designer with her client who had their designs up on the big screen and seemed to really know her stuff, was suggesting alternatives that they really liked and was taking them round and showing them stuff. My guy just seemed exasperated when I said I'd like the sink to sit central to the window (didn't thjnk was a big ask).
When the other designer had finished with her people I asked if he could put my design on the big screen but he refused, said that his computer doesn't display it properly or some other tosh. I left not long after as had to pick kids up from school.
I had been there almost 2 hours and really not confident of this next plan that he's going to produce. I keep thinking that I wish the other lady was designing my kitchen!
I really feel like complaining about this guy as I just don't think he's competent. But then is it mean to get him in to trouble? I am pretty much at a point now where I know what I want so could just tell him to do what I say but it would be nice to be able to have the designer know their stuff and suggest things that I might not have thought about!
Another example, I have literally just noticed that it states in the brochure that the chimney cylinder I want is not compatible with the range cooker he has suggested. Shouldn't he know this???
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Howdens - Should I ask for another designer?
7 replies
Rollergirl1 · 28/03/2015 10:19
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