Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

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

Original poster

Howdens - good or bad on quality and price?

33 replies

SunglassesSeventy · 04/05/2021 12:18

I've had a builder come to quote for some building works in the kitchen, he recommended a particular fitter from Howdens to come out and measure up and quote. I'm happy with some of the Howdens kitchen designs and think the designer has done a great job of designing our awkward kitchen. I have quotes from her for a couple of different kitchen designs.

However, I realised at the weekend that I haven't researched other fitted kitchen options, and I'm sure there are loads! We've spent a lot of time with Howdens tweaking the design and I'd like to go with them, but in the back of my mind I know I haven't done the full research (and must admit I kind of can't be bothered now to go through it all on loads of other websites).

So as a shortcut - if any of you did research lots of kitchen brands - how does Howdens compare on price and quality to others?

OP posts:
BeechTreeView · 04/05/2021 12:23

We are probably going with a real wood kitchen from Howden
Partly because we ran out of oomph and are kitchened out.

It was comparable to a Laura Ashley kitchen in wood from local kitchen company. Probably a bit less but the design is a bit different. . Less than a posh kitchen from a local designer.

Our kitchen fitter who i trust suggested them. He's said to them to just send us the full quote and we'll buy through him.

Original poster
SunglassesSeventy · 04/05/2021 12:25

I know exactly how you feel, great description 'ran out of oomph and are kitchened out' - it does get a bit like that doesn't it? There are only so many hours you can talk about kitchens and pore over kitchen pictures on Pinterest etc before becoming overwhelmed.

OP posts:
Original poster
SunglassesSeventy · 04/05/2021 12:26

ps we're looking at the real wood ones too, can't decide which one yet, love Elmbridge but it's more expensive than the others.

OP posts:
Tinselandlights · 04/05/2021 12:30

We had our last kitchen from Howdens - it was put in by a relative so there was no need for him to push any particular type of kitchen on us as he was transparent about costs and markup.

He explained that it is a decent quality mid-price kitchen, and that to get a better quality one, you would have to have a big price hike to make it worthwhile.

We went with it and were really happy - all the appliances last five years (we moved out and I think the dishwasher needed a new pump shortly afterwards) but the quality and finish were great.

Original poster
SunglassesSeventy · 04/05/2021 16:42

Thanks Tinselandlights that's really good to know, we went to their showroom this afternoon and saw some of their doors and they do seem good quality.

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 04/05/2021 16:45

For an easy comparison on price add the units & trim etc that you need into DIY Kitchens for a similar style.

Cocoaone · 04/05/2021 19:07

We have a gloss kitchen from Howdens. It's nearly 10 years old now and looks like new, cabinets and doors are in great condition. We had a granite worktop from a local stonemasons so can't comment on their worktops.
I would just avoid their Lamona range of appliances. They only lasted 5 years max before being pretty useless (apart from the induction hob, which is still perfect)

SlidesAndLadders · 04/05/2021 20:36

We saved 40% on our Howdens quote buying ours from DIY Kitchens.

I hate that Howdens don't tell you the price. They give your fitter a price, and he decides what price he's going to quote you.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 05/05/2021 09:47

I do agree about Howdens and the fact that you can’t get a straight quote about price. It all depends on what trade discount your builder/fitter can get from them, and whether he’s planning to make a profit out of you.

We did use Howdens once, but it was just part of a major renovation project and I did trust our builder.
It was a mid range, classic style kitchen and still looks very nice over 10 years later.

starfish4 · 05/05/2021 11:02

We had a Howdens kitchen fitted, but by an independent installer. We were really pleased with it. We've since moved house, our present house had the kitchen fitted the same year as our hold Howdens kitchen, but it looked tatty by comparison at the time we moved.

Changingwiththetimes · 05/05/2021 12:08

I've used Howdens on four kitchens and I have had no issue with them showing me the exact discounted price. The builder officially orders it but I pay for it direct and see the complete breakdown.
I think they are a good mid price brand. But any kitchen is only as good as the fitter.
Howden do decent flooring too.i like their waterproof laminate.

Toddlerteaplease · 05/05/2021 15:15

I got my Howdens brochure yesterday. Didn't like that there was no price on anything. I've already ordered with wren anyway.

Original poster
SunglassesSeventy · 05/05/2021 15:28

I've had no issue with getting prices - the designer I'm working with has been working very hard to keep issuing me with prices for all the combinations I come up with!

Sounds like a few of you are happy with the quality of Howdens

One or two of you mentioned DIY kitchens - are they of the same quality as Howdens?

Interesting re appliances, I'm not sure how that works if I buy their cupboards but someone else's appliances (I have zero understanding of integrated but have assumed it all comes together ,the appliance with the cupboard and door)

OP posts:
wonkylegs · 05/05/2021 18:38

The problem with Howdens is that the price they give builder x may be different to the price they give builder y, z etc
Even if they give you a price breakdown it won't necessarily be consistent and depends on the branch, rep, builder.
Lots of people in the industry find this very frustrating
A lot of my clients have bespoke but I am so far impressed with DIY kitchens as a cheaper option - only had painted finish not wood (Helmsley) or IKEA but only certain ranges
Don't rate magnet at all - overpriced for the quality.

Chasingsquirrels · 05/05/2021 22:05

My fitter who mainly does Howdens was all face-pulling and non-the-same-as-Howdens about my DIY Kitchens at the beginning.
By the end he was singing its praises

RogueV · 05/05/2021 22:08

Our solid oak Howdens kitchen is absolutely stunning, has been fitted really well and still looks as good as new 3 years on.

03jill26 · 05/05/2021 22:15

We had a Howdens kitchen fitted in our house when we built it eight years ago and it still looks good. We bought our appliances elsewhere but everything was a standard size so there was no problem. The worktops came from a different company too. We used a similar Howdens range in the bathrooms too!

ToryStelling · 05/05/2021 22:29

We had a Howdens kitchen fitted a couple of years ago. No complaints, it looks great and we were very happy with the price.

Get your own appliances though, Lamona isn’t great.

wahdydke · 05/05/2021 23:22

Love our Howdens kitchen, I'd go with them for another one in a heartbeat.

Original poster
SunglassesSeventy · 06/05/2021 20:22

Thanks for posting, I've now gone back to Howdens to see if they can reduce the price as I've priced up some of the cabinets on DIY kitchens and they come up 26% - 34% cheaper there. Fingers crossed they will give me 30% off the original quote and if not I can go to DIY kitchens instead.

OP posts:
cakefanatic · 06/05/2021 20:28

We have a kitchen from DIY. For boring reasons relating to me messing up the order of one individual cupboard (twice!) we have one h
Howdens carcass. I can honestly say the DIY cupboards are considerably better quality than the Howdens one. I would not go to Howdens.

Original poster
SunglassesSeventy · 06/05/2021 21:38

Interesting cakefanatic - having that direct comparison is good.

In what way are the Howdens carcasses worse? Is there anything specific about them that is different, or do they just feel less robust?

Do both DIY kitchen and Howdens carcasses have lots of holes inside for different shelf positions? (Useful if you want to move the shelves but doesn't look so good).

OP posts:
cakefanatic · 06/05/2021 22:00

It’s just not as well made and the legs are not as good quality. Was very glad we went for DIY. Also hate Howdens pricing policy.

Toddlerteaplease · 08/05/2021 05:25

I've gone with Wren. My friend has a beautiful kitchen by them. And I've been impressed by their service so far.

Wriggleout · 08/05/2021 05:44

Very pleased with the Utility room I had fitted with Howdens units last year. Now I want to do the kitchen!