Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Original poster

Any advice on Howdens kitchens?

102 replies

cherrybug · 12/12/2020 12:22

We are building an extension and will be getting a new kitchen (L shaped with an island). Our builder wants us to go with Howdens and keeps putting us off other places we suggest (Wren for example).

As Howdens don't have an itemised price list it all seems like a bit of a racket to me, where three different people could spend different amounts for the exact same kitchen depending on the 'discount' their builder gets. They've given us an 'estimate' based on the design they did which seems expensive. Though maybe it's just a starting point for negotiation.

I have also looked at DIY kitchens but just don't know where to start and would be terrified of getting it wrong. We are in Scotland so can't go to see their showroom.

So my questions are - are Howdens kitchens good and how do you make sure you get the best deal with them?

OP posts:

3dogdnorth · 14/12/2020 09:55

We installed a Howdens kitchen 10 years ago and it's still going strong. Some of the laminate is lifting on the door of the integrated dishwasher but the rest still looks good. It wasn't expensive but we were advised to spend a little more on the worktops (Corian quartz) not from Howdens and a nice tap. Good advice I think!

FirkleingFree · 14/12/2020 12:08

Sorry, not read the full thread! My Howdens kitchen is being fitted as a type. I did get a better price than from Wicks and Magnet (saved about 4K in the end as I had their appliances as well) but my builder did pass on his full discount to me. He's not actually fitting it though, he just let me borrow his account.

My fitter has honestly said that this has been the worst kitchen he's fitted! He thinks the quality has gone down and the instructions are vague at best and incorrect at worst! Saying that it is looking nice now, and howdens replaced two damaged items (not cheap ones either) with no fuss.

MissPollyPops · 14/12/2020 12:42

@FirkleingFree

What kind of instructions do you get? I thought all the cabinets came ready built? And stuff like putting doors on must be quite standard? Especially for a kitchen fitter?

sunshinesupermum · 14/12/2020 17:05

skankingpiglet

I'm considering Howdens for the carcases (through my builder) but Ikea doors as they have a colour I really like. What do you think?

Mum2KSS · 14/12/2020 18:05

Our Howdens kitchen is 4 years old and I'm very happy with it. We didn't go for lemona appliances though and have granite, appliances, tap& sink from other sources. Also we upgraded to their soft closing catches, would totally recommend from the experience we had .

FrogFairy · 14/12/2020 19:18

@sunshinesupermum unfortunately Ikea kitchen cabinets are sized differently to Howdens so would not be compatible.

sunshinesupermum · 14/12/2020 19:23

Thanks frogfairy that is a nuisance 😞

Nettleskeins · 14/12/2020 19:29

Mine is looking good still. But tap was a problem and the lamorna fridge noisy. The H laminate worktop is brilliant, builder said avoid their wooden worktops so we did!
Also the designer made a mistake with measuring where range cooker fitted into chimney breast (recessed). Check cupboard measurements again and again as it will affect where power points are, lights etc.
Really pleased with it still.
The prices are negotiable, nothing like what they are listed as. I think our builder got 50 percent off???

Smallgoon · 14/12/2020 20:36

@sunshinesupermum

skankingpiglet

I'm considering Howdens for the carcases (through my builder) but Ikea doors as they have a colour I really like. What do you think?

I'm surprised by this as it's usually the other way around! Ikea's doors are really lacking. People tend to purchase their cabinets but get bespoke doors.

BTW, Ikea's doors may not be compatible with Howden's units since they don't follow the standard sizing used by Howdens/DIY Kitchens etc, so you should check this first.

malloo · 14/12/2020 21:05

After many months of research and planning I've decided to go for Ikea. Howdens have nice designs but the things that swung it for me are 1.cost and transparency of pricing - being able to specify each different bit myself and see the price go up or down accordingly 2. Better use of space - ikea units are deeper and go down further ie. plinths are smaller. All other kitchen units I looked at had loads of wasted space at back and bottom. My kitchen is small and I need to maximise storage. 3. Good reviews about build quality, came out well on Which etc. I'm getting ikea fitters because the units are not standard and lots of joiners won't do it. Hopefully all goes ok!

Christmassequins · 14/12/2020 21:12

I really wouldn't recommend Howdens. Buying a kitchen from them is like buying from a double glazing salesman. You never know if you've been ripped off or not. We were able to get our kitchen at trade price but oh god, the service was dire. They sent some wrong units, parts were missing and on one spectacular day, they delivered replacement parts (all of which were wrong) 3 times by car. They then tried to bill us later for parts we hadn't had. Never again.

Zinnia · 14/12/2020 21:14

I've not used them myself (yet) but Naked Doors do replacement doors for Howdens (as well as Ikea). I've got some samples from them and the quality looks good, but not got a quote yet.

The Ikea doors won't fit the Howdens units even if they are notionally the same size - something to do with the hinges IIRC.

There's also these people https://www.unidoors.co.uk but they literally just came up on a Google search, there must be lots of other companies doing the same.

Solasum · 14/12/2020 21:20

I have had a Howdens kitchen for 2.5 years and it still looks like new. It was fitted very very slowly by an excellent joiner, and it shows. I went for non-Howdens appliances, worktops and taps. It makes me happy ever day.

skankingpiglet · 14/12/2020 23:13

FirkleingFree I'm not sure a fitter who is consulting fitting instructions (other than for magic corners or similar, and then they tend to be templates rather than instructions) is the best judge of a kitchen's quality. It sounds like they don't have a great deal of experience.
I didn't even realise Howdens had fitting instructions TBH, it is one of those things it is assumed you already know how to do. I couldn't begin to guess how many of their kitchens I've fitted over the years, but have yet to be sent instructions with either the delivery or plans.

Christmassequins · 15/12/2020 11:00

To be fair, our joiner, who has years of kitchen fitting experience, needed the Howdens instructions. He'd not fitted one before and found them a bugger.

sunshinesupermum · 16/12/2020 15:38

That's really interesting malloo My kitchen is very small too. When are you having your kitchen fitted? Was the Ikea design service good?

billysboy · 16/12/2020 15:45

Howdens are a trade wholesaler so bear this in mind if you are Joe Public

They have UK stock of most of their units which enables the fitter to have great flexibility as if a unit is damaged or need swapping for a different size one of the branches will have stock

Your builder will be able to negotiate with them on price how much he passes on to the customer is between him and Howdens , again they are a trade wholesaler

The quality of their carcasses is great and you can always fit custom doors / worktop

They also offer a design service

I wouldnt touch a Wren kitchen with a bargepole

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 16/12/2020 18:50

I agree, it makes you suspicious when you can’t be given a definitive price straight off. Especially if you think your builder may be making a profit on it.
However, if you trust your builder or tradesman...
We had a mid range Howdens kitchen put into a flat we were renovating from an utter hellhole. Our builder did get us a very good deal and the kitchen still looks very nice over 8 years later. It was Burford cream IIRC.

Katjolo · 18/12/2020 09:43

Which range is mid level?

skankingpiglet · 18/12/2020 12:41

Their brochures usually start with the top end and end with the cheapest, so mid range is the bulk in the middle

Katjolo · 18/12/2020 13:37

Can the ranges be identified on their website? I.e entry level, mid range etc.

Cathydundee · 16/11/2021 08:13

I’m getting a Fairford blue installed in January from Howdens. It looks similar to yours with the breakfast bar so I’m looking for bar stools. May I ask where you got yours ?

JudgeRindersMinder · 16/11/2021 08:41

@Viviennemary

I don't like Howdens at all. I don't approve of their pricing rules or lack of.

I’m much the same. I had an IKEA kitchen in my old house for 15 years, and the new owners have just replaced the worktops and have said it’s brand new again, amd are grateful to us for having had it😂 I’m in the market for a new kitchen and very much leaning towards DIY kitchens

Justcannotbearsed · 16/11/2021 08:43

Our fitter ordered our howdens kitchen and passed the discount on to us, andwe had all the invoices. They took back £3k of stuff when we changed mind on layout. Kitchen fitter was happy with it.

The designer was good. We bought Neff and Bosch appliances through them.. They were helpful about a duct issue.

It was much cheaper than magnet, and a bit cheaper than local independent. We went for the top range cabinets and doors.

It looks great.

Eyesofdisarray · 16/11/2021 08:51

We have a Howdens kitchen- well fitted, no complaints there.
Quality not great, door finish chips easily. Dishwasher door badly affected by heat/steam from dishwasher. Worktop wearing at the joins.
Builder encouraged us to go with them though, good discount.
Wouldn't recommend their appliances though- oven broke after 3 months. Dishwasher and fridge replaced twice. Still love the hob though
Friend used Wren and had an awful time with missing/delayed items and poor customer service

Flip

1 2 3 4 5