Good kitchen supplier who will deliver as promised?

[PSJ1]

We're about to extend our home and need to find a good reliable kitchen supplier. Does anybody please have any suggestions?

I'm asking, because we just renovated an apartment and used Magnet to supply the kitchen, which turned out to be a very bad decision because the after-sales service was horrendous. A number of items were missing from our delivery, and others were incorrect. It took us over three months, countless phone calls/emails and a huge amount of stress, to get the replacements. Also, despite site visits from the designer, parts of the design simply did not work in practice and we had to change the plans as the work was ongoing. All these delays and errors cost us dearly.

Where do you live?

I am interested in this also. We have yet to visit Howdens and Wickes which we plan todo this weekend but an initial look at websites and they all seem much of a muchness. If you didn't go down the big kitchen companies router then who supplied your kitchen? Are you happy with quality? We have been meaning to do our kitchen for the last 5 years but keep going round in circles as so many negative comments about some of the big chains. We have a builder/ fitter who directed us to Howdens but I am aware that this is because he will get a huge trade discount? Or is it us that gets the discount?? still a bit confused about this.Anyone done handmade kitchens? they look good online but are they expensive? So many questions!!

We are in North London by the way.

Chances are any builder who's 'selling ' the idea of a Howdens kitchen is actually making a buck or two on the project !

Shop around and even better compare 'like for like' by asking the various different places to price from the same design layout - so you can actually see who's giving you the best deal !

Good luck with it all !

Sorry - don't know why it posted twice !! ( wonder if this will too ?!) anyhow - always ask for client recommendations too !!

IME all Builders/carpenters love howdens. Main reasons seem to be: 1. Units are already made up. 2. Discount. 3. The gap behind the units which makes it easy to run pipes etc cleanly. 4. They won't disclose prices to clients so you've no idea what the mark up is generally. 5.i've Not yet met a builder who doesn't have one in their own house 😬

Saying that, they are all happy with the quality.

Non-builders dislike Howdens mainly because 1. They won't disclose prices to non-account holders 2. Prices for the same product vary wildly from branch to branch - even to account holders.

If you are on a budget, buy Ikea units and spend more money on taps/ appliances and worktop material. Great quality, no quibble if you haven't had something delivered and very hard wearing. You'll end up with a fantastic kitchen for a lot less money. The new door ranges really have some on-trend finishes right now.

IKEA. We had our kitchen done by th m last year and it was fab. Any problems were quickly sorted and in the worst case scenario you can just go to their shop and pick up any bit you need. Their pricing is simple and transparent, they have a 25 year guarentee and they are a Which Best Buy. What's not to like?

We had our kitchen done by Wickes-they were brilliant and the kitchen still looks new three years later. I've recommended them to lots of friends.

Stay away from wren!