Your kitchen company reviews please

[sweetheart]

Hi,
We are in the process of kitchen shopping right now and so I'm looking for feedback on the various kitchen companies out there.

So far we have approached:
Howdens
Wren
Magnet
Wicks
Ikea

Howdens are currently coming out most expensive (By quite a long way) so unless we can negotiate the price down with them we won't be using them.

Ikea only have 1 range that we like which is being discontinued soon so we've decided to rule them out on the basis that we may have trouble getting units and if we need replacements in future they will be unavailable.

Which leaves us with
Wren, Magnet and Wicks

We will probably use them for supply only as we will sort our own installation.

Any comments positive or negative regarding any of the above would be fab.
Thanks

If it's supply only why not look at an online supply like DIY-kitchens, I discovered them from MN and we did get a good service and product from them.

I've contacted DIY kitchens but to be honest I'd be very reluctant to spend such a lot of money before seeing the product first.

We are a few hours drive from Gloucester and don't really have the time to go there. We'd like to get the kitchen ordered before the end of Jan because we need it fitted in March.

If by 'sort your own installation' you mean get a third party to do it, it might be worth sorting your installer first. They might have preferences / recommendations, and they also may be able to buy direct and pass on some of the savings.

Also, people's experiences of how good their kitchen is will be partly the result of installation, not just unit quality on its own.

We are having lots of building work at home at the moment so our builder will probably do the install. Whilst he has his preferences it may also come down to budget and he will fit whatever we ask him to.

We had a bad experience with Homebase - kitchen bought from and fitted by them - mainly due to a very bad fitter. However, after an initial year of us hassling them and remedial work by their other fitters, 5 years later it has lasted really well and still looks good.

Buying a DIY Kitchen is a leap of faith but one that I doubt you'll regret. You can buy samples against a future order. We ordered a door from our chosen range painted in our choice of F&B colour. You can also get samples of the carcass. No BS, the chippie that installed mine was very complimentary about the quality and said that he would recommend them to future customers - he previously recommended Howdens / Benchmarx.

I've posted previously about the relative cost for the same kitchen - see here. There's also comments on quality in the thread

HTH and good luck with whatever you choose!

We bought a kitchen from Wren (we used them previously in another house) First time round was excellent. Units are all wrapped on delivery. Its down to you to check each item thoroughly - the customer service is pretty good - if you have a damaged item, photograph it before it is installed and contact them, sending photo. They will replace any faulty/damaged items.
Second time around, we paid in excess of £12,000 for our kitchen. We did have a lot of damage on kitchen unit doors and a worktop, usually small areas of chip marks on the edges of doors etc. To be fair, they did replace all the damaged items with no problem. I guess you get this with any company - items that are being delivered are not always handled carefully. Its difficult to say who is best - I think if you have a good customer service department, then you can be reasonable confident you will get a good end result.

Hi, I have just uploaded a video on my Youtube channel comparing the UK's top 10 kitchen brands Benchmarx, B&Q, DIY kitchens, IKEA, John Lewis, Magnet, Howdens, Homebase, Wickes & Wren. This may be of use!

Great video & really interesting. I'm working my way through it.

Thank you! Was 6 months in the making so glad people are finding it useful

My magnet one is fantastic- currently being fitted by ourselves. No problems so far

I agree, that’s why they came 2nd with 8/10. Was very impressed with them but they are slightly more expensive than online retailers (but more convenient and simpler to buy/shop frankly!).

If you're looking at wicked then check out Benchmarx - their kitchens are the same but; cheaper, and carcasses come pre built so less room for error. Happy with ours so far. Just don't go for a dark colour unless you like looking at your own fingerprints!

Oh that's unfortunate as we are literally fitting a dark blue Benchmarx kitchen now 😂

Matte or gloss??

It's a matt wood effect grain

Oh I think something with a grain/texture would be much more forgiving! Ours is totally flat absolute matte 😫

Have you had a look at Better Kitchens?They are similar to DIY kitchens but based in Weston-super-Mare. We have just had ours fitted, the quality is superb and really solid (better than DIY even, and theirs are good). They are always on the end if a phone and fall over themselves to help you. Before and after sales service is nothing short of amazing! You can also order samples etc. I love our new kitchen and would highly recommend.

Wow thanks for the tip on Better Kitchens. I’ll have a look into them. How do they fare price wise?

We have the gloss handleless type and it was a little cheaper on price but the cabinet backs were the same thickness as the sides making them really sturdy. Everything turned up on time, their service is excellent and they responded immediately to any queries our fitters had. Everything comes built except for the corner base cupboards. I ordered on the strength of a door sample and by talking to them. We also visited DIY a few times but were put off by the production problems they were experiencing at the time we ordered. We're not quite finished yet, but I've included a photo so you can see.

Looks great! Love all of the drawers

We used Betterkitchens. The delivery came complete and there was no damage at all. When we had to order an extra panel... our first was ruined by the fitter due to our wonky walls... they couldn't have been more helpful. Wonder guys.... always on the end of the phone to help.
Our fitter couldn't believe the quality for the price we paid either.