How to Howdens shaker kitchen ranges compare?

[Sorbustree123]

We're looking at Howdens shaker kitchen ranges (Allendale, Chelford, Chilcomb, Fairford, Tewkesbury) but can't work out how they vary in quality/price. Any advice? It would be great to see photos if you've had one fitted. Thanks!

I looked at the chelford and the chilcomb. The chilcomb was my favourite and I think it was their newest one. It had a more defined grain whereas the chelford had a smooth finish. The chilcomb is also a thicker wood. In the end I went with the Norton Shaker from DIY Kitchens as I felt their shaker in superior to Howdens.

Allendale is their trade level, cheapie cheap. If you look at their brochure it gives you door thicknesses, materials etc which will give you a clue.

Allendale is their entry level Shaker kitchen.
Fairford & Chelford are about the same price. The former has a textured finish, the latter has a smooth finish. Both have a thicker door than Allendale.
Chilcomb is the newest, and the most epensive, but it has a full timber door rather than being wrapped. I believe it's replaced Tewkesbury.

Worth noting that the cabinets will be the same for all. Howdens units normally come pre-built. They do a flat-pack range, but that's more for the cheaper end of things - buy to lets, for example.

This is worth taking a look at - www.howdens.com/help-and-advice/inspiration/kitchen-ideas

Cheap and cheerful, will last you a couple of years, has the doors are very thin they will only work with your fitter, not you when it comes to price, your fitter may say you can have my discount as I have an account with them. What happens then is, they will design your kitchen for you but then give your fitter two prices that have already been agreed, one for him with his true discount, the other is an inflated price of about £500+. Your fitter then will hand you the quote with the inflated price and pocket the extra. Always buy your own kitchen.

Not sure if it's still the same, but certainly in the past, the main difference in their shaker kitchens was whether they had a frame or not. So the kitchens where the cupboard doors closed flush into a frame were much more expensive. The models where the doors sit on the front of the cabinet were cheaper (and much less robust).