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Original poster

Kitchens - is Howdens the best?

51 replies

ReeReeR · 28/07/2019 17:12

I’m after modern style (handleless) units in white, probably matte rather than gloss, wooden worktop. I think of Howdens as being good quality. Got a quote and it’s not and. Had a quick look in B&Q and they looked cheap. Is there anywhere I should be looking? Not sure I’m keen on Wren.

OP posts:
LenoVintura · 29/07/2019 21:50

I'm having a Howdens kitchen installed as we speak. Our local joiner is fitting it - he's putting his money where his mouth is as he recommended them. I also looked at DIY kitchens and went to the showroom which was impressive. Liked their kitchens but just wasn't confident enough to order without a design service. I did get them to quote against the Howdens spec list I already had, which they were happy to do like for like (as far as possible). I then used that to knock down the Howdens price and saved myself more than two grand.
My joiner likes DIY as much as Howdens but doesn't recommend Magnet or IKEA.

My Howdens kitchen is matt, handleless, all appliances are AEG.

FredMerc · 29/07/2019 22:06

@Holymosquito

I had a Howdens kitchen fitted in my last house, bought by my builder who was trade. One of the handles snapped after a few years and one of the drawer fronts was damaged after about 5. They sold me spares directly even though I wasn't trade.

userxx · 29/07/2019 22:19

My howdens kitchen is still looking really good after 10 years. I'd definitely go with them again.

Herefortheduration · 29/07/2019 22:39

Ours is DIYKitchens and we are really happy with it. The showroom is well worth a trip out too. It's the best we went to, full kitchens laid out and s section where you can see into and use all of the interiors too. Plus there's a free cafe, lol

wowfudge · 30/07/2019 11:41

Kitchen fitters don't like IKEA kitchens because they don't have a service void at the back of the units, which means they're different from everything else on the market.

If you are a competent DIYer you can fit a DIY kitchen yourself. They provide instructions with the units.

wowfudge · 30/07/2019 11:43

The other thing with DIY's showroom is that they have a section with every size of cabinet they do as well as all the different designs. Not every cabinet is available in every design, but most are.

MitziK · 30/07/2019 11:56

My Howden's kitchen is falling apart after less than ten years. The laminate is separating on most of the doors and the kickboards literally disintegrated.

I suspect it was thrown together by an apprentice ten minutes before they went down the saloon to meet Jesse James and Billy the Kid, but even so, I'd expect it to maintain at least some structural integrity when faced with such shocking things as being cleaned.

Original poster
ReeReeR · 30/07/2019 12:15

@LenoVintura I want matte, white handleless too. What kind of work top do you have?

My mum’s howdens kitchen lasted really well. I might go have a look at DIY and compare.

Thanks all

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 30/07/2019 12:19

My carpenter is fitting a benchmark kitchen. He says they are hard wearing

Sarcelle · 30/07/2019 12:21

We recently had a kitchen fitted by Wickes and could not fault anything, although I was prepared to. Everything, the design, the delivery, the fitter (we used one of their recommended ones), the fit, the aftercare. Pleasantly surprised and the units are good quality.

PandaToTheMasses · 31/07/2019 14:07

The units are ok but do NOT get the Lamona appliances. They are very poor quality and break down within 2 years.

Jupiter13 · 31/07/2019 14:14

Just spent 30k on kitchen...it's really nice for a kitchen...but hey so are plenty of others.

fatfluffycushion · 31/07/2019 14:19

I've had several howdens kitchens and all have been good mid range quality and look good , look at rixonway who are online , I've also used them as they deliver the carcasses whole like howdens , I preferred their quality tbh and will go to them next time around

bookworm14 · 31/07/2019 14:22

We are having a kitchen fitted by Wickes as we speak. No complaints so far (although they haven’t finished yet!).

fatfluffycushion · 31/07/2019 14:22

I buy all my appliances online - usually Ao , don't get them through the kitchen supplier as that's an expensive option

Bumblenut · 31/07/2019 22:19

Agree with PP, definitely don’t get the Howdens appliances. Also, if s boiling water tap is your thing don’t get the Howdens one. The tap itself fine but the boiler howdens use (think it’s reddring) is a bit crappy in my opinion - doesnt get the water much above 70 degrees. I use the kettle instead and only the boiling water tap for Rinsing pasta etc. I ended up with the Howdens one as they chucked it in for free to match another quote, but I don’t rate it at all.

Quality wise I think Howdens is supposed to be similar to benchmarx (trading arm of wickes) but come ready assembled so quicker (ie cheaper) for your joiners to fit.

A couple of other things I didn’t like about Howdens - their ‘le mans’ cupboard inserts are stupidly expensive; no option for cupboards to go all the way to ceiling; no double under mount sink available.

Other than that they’re fine! Super fast delivery (day after ordering) and joiners can pop in for any extra bits needed which is an advantage over something like DIY kitchens.

Bumblenut · 31/07/2019 22:21

She obviously the non transparent price structure is infuriating do you need to hAve a fitter you trust - mind just used to forward me the Howdens quotes so in the end Howdens dealt with me on the price direct.

Bumblenut · 31/07/2019 22:21

Shit. Sorry for all the typosGrin

thinkingaboutthinking19 · 31/07/2019 22:25

I love our Benchmarx kitchen. They are similar to Howdens but we have found them to be better quality - had a Howdens kitchen which was delivered in part and with some damaged items.

Restlessinthenorth · 31/07/2019 22:34

My partner makes the worktops for Howdens Smile

From what I can understand, the manufacture process is really thorough, quality checks are super rigorous, and he really rates the materials. They invest a lot in their technology/facilities (and also treat their staff very well!).

LoveGrowsWhere · 31/07/2019 22:35

.

LenoVintura · 31/07/2019 22:44

ReeRee I don't know what the worktop is called, I will look at the invoice manifest and come back to you. It's laminate - I don't like granite. I bought AEG appliances as I wanted a brand, not an in house rebadge of something like Beko.

DespicableMeh · 01/08/2019 01:41

I've had two IKEA kitchens fitted (two different properties) and wouldn't choose anything else. For price and guarantee (25 years I think) you cant go wrong. There's an online planning tool, plus appliances which are recognised brands (whirlpool etc) or you can source them elsewhere.

The key is finding a fitter who is happy to fit it, as someone mentioned above, the lack of service void can be an issue for some fitters as it means more work for them to ensure a good finish.

I don't work for Ikea honest, but I've had two really top class looking kitchens from them for less then £5k plus appliances. Benchmarx quoted me £19k for virtually the same kitchens.

Brain06626 · 01/08/2019 02:06

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AwkwardPaws27 · 01/08/2019 09:50

@DespicableMeh can I ask if you used the IKEA fitters and if not, why?
I'm considering an IKEA kitchen and heard about the service void issue, so thought I might use the IKEA service, but struggling to find reviews on the fitting service. Thanks Smile