Howdens - good or bad on quality and price?

[SunglassesSeventy]

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?

I've fitted a lot of Howdens kitchens over the years, and chose them for my own kitchen. They are nice to install, and good quality (unless you buy the cheapest range). I also get a good price due to a combo of previously working for a firm that spent a lot with them, and having a good rapport with the team in my local branch. I agree their lack of transparency with pricing can be an issue as the tradesperson, but as the end customer your issue is with the fitter not being honest & transparent about passing on the cost, not Howdens.
I haven't fitted a DIY kitchen, so can't comment on those. The only brand I won't fit are IKEA, as they are a PITA for the fitter. All the chippies I've worked with have also avoided their kitchens like the plague!

@Chasingsquirrels

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

Same here! Builder was very keen for us to buy from Howdens but eventually agreed that our DIY kitchen was superior.

I used Howdens because the builder I had found would only use Howdens. The units were good quality and the finished kitchen looked good but the designer was awful and the system of just giving you a total price so no idea of how much individual items are is bad.
I would not use them again as I want a kitchen designed the way I want and a cost breakdown.

Our fitter recommended them and agreed to us getting the itemised price list. So we are shopping around. DIY kitchens not an option.

Designers vary everywhere....bit concerned ours is only 6 months as a designer, but she’s not jaundiced by it!

I bought from Howdens because my fitter is upfront re costs and also Howdens were the only ones who had the colour I wanted a sort of British Racing Green which looks fantastic with my white glass worktops.

Strange that some of you have experienced issues with lack of transparency on price.

My Howdens designer has sent me loads of different price estimates with full itemisation each time. Not impressed that they're more expensive than DIY kitchens though!

I have a Wren showroom near me, might go and have a look.

One thing about Howdens, the wooden handles I wanted were way more expensive than the virtually identical ones I bought instead in Wickes.

We’ve used Howdens and B&Q. Howdens units (carcasses) come assembled but B&Q don’t so the cost saving of B&Q is lost as the fitting takes more time. However B&Q have very good 0% financing deals which helps. Found both quality fine.
I also hate the opaqueness of Howdens as it feels like you are doing all the tweaking blind pricewise.