KITCHEN COMPANIES: WHO DO YOU (AND DON'T YOU) RECOMMEND?

[willow]

Mumsnet, forgive me. It's been nine years since my last confession.

Right, about to have a kitchen extension built and an ancient kitchen replaced. Never done this before. Baffled by the choice. Been looking at/talking to everyone from Howdens to Highams, Neptune, Brookman etc, plus some small companies like unpainted kitchens. So, those of you who have had a new kitchen in, say, past five years, who would you recommend and who would you avoid at all cost?

TIA

I’m in the process of choosing a kitchen and have prioritised ‘made in the UK’ brands due to supply chain issues. And because the ‘solid wood’ Shaker and beaded styles I like are done best by UK centric providers.

Howdens was first choice because they seem to offer the most comprehensive free kitchen design / planning service; the planner is great and even encouraged us to take his designs to other places so he could negotiate a better price for us if we go back which we prob will as their Elmbridge design is beautiful.

I approached JL with the same design and the quote with fitting was reasonable enough that it encouraged me to go to more ‘handmade / assembled’ providers such as Harvey Jones and various local bespoke providers.

I ruled out Neptune as their kitchens are made in China, and ruled out Devol / Smallbone etc because I don’t feel passionate enough about their designs to spend £££. DH is going to plug our design into the DIY kitchen online planner when he has time; but we probably won’t go with them as we would need a proper kitchen fitter to put them in & nobody local has experience of them.

Thanks. Hadn't thought of getting Howdens to do that!

Sorry, should clarify that I'm after a Shaker style kitchen as have some original 1900s cabinetry that is too pretty to ditch.

Harvey Jones are one of top companies - we looked at them as well as Neptune, Tom Howley amongst others. We looked at Howdens but they’re not in the same league - we couldn’t afford Harvey Jones et al so having looked at Handmade Kitchens of Christchurch and seeing the good reviews on here we ordered from them. The construction of the units is the same of the high end companies.

It’s currently being fitted and painted - we are very happy with quality and the design.

It all depends on your budget.

@LittleOverWhelmed

Harvey Jones, unreservedly.

They are just finishing installing ours now and have been amazing throughout. Good designer, lots of site visits by designer and their surveyor (who used to be one of their top fitters) to check everything, 5 fitters (one did two kitchen for Liz Hurley - she insisted he came back to do the second kitchen) and a 5 painter (he paints all of the cabinets in their showrooms around the country). The surveyor is back to check at each stage. They have been amazingly patient and flexible with me.

Yes they are expensive, although we got a very good deal on the cabinets (I ordered between Christmas and new year - sales targets?). Sources our worktops, sink, Quooker and waste disposal direct - saved a bit there. The product and service delivered have been excellent.

They are re made in the U.K. - if that matters.

Thanks. I have been in to see them and they are gorgeous. Might need to hit in the sale, though!

@Qc16

Harvey Jones are one of top companies - we looked at them as well as Neptune, Tom Howley amongst others. We looked at Howdens but they’re not in the same league - we couldn’t afford Harvey Jones et al so having looked at Handmade Kitchens of Christchurch and seeing the good reviews on here we ordered from them. The construction of the units is the same of the high end companies.

It’s currently being fitted and painted - we are very happy with quality and the design.

It all depends on your budget.

Thanks. Yes, they seem to have a great range at a good price.

I've had 2 kitchens from Handmade Kitchens of Christchurch now and would recommend if you are looking at that style of kitchen but don't have a Harvey Jones/Tom Howley budget. The process is more involved (they don't do fitting/painting of the units). But the quality is very good for the price and the units are bespoke to size so as long as you have a good fitter/painter it can look amazing. Our quartz fitters couldn't believe the cost of the units vs the bigger kitchen companies. They thought they'd be 4 times as much as they were.

Surprised to see someone had a good experience Howdens. We went in store to try and place an order but they snubbed us. My work colleague said you can only get an appointment via a builder, she had him make an appointment for her but Howdens were rude and unwilling to help them, so they gave up. However, that particular store does have a bad reputation.
We went with Wickes in the end and fitted units and did tiling ourselves but had to get a plumber to fit sink which was the most difficult part.
I've also had Magnet recommended to me by a friend who is very happy with hers so might try them next time.

If you are in the north west panorama kitchens are brilliant. High end so fairly pricy but brilliant service with it.

Avoid Wren kitchens, had an absolute nightmare with them, all the fronts kept arriving damaged, quality control was a disgrace, never buy handleless gloss, also avoid white kitchen floor tiles!

My fitter recommended DIY Kitchens. Then i discovered Mumsnet was obsessed with them.

The kitchen is fantastic and a bargain compared with other brands.

Thanks everyone for all your advice. Just starting to get quotes in from a couple of places, so please keep advice coming! I'll report back with who we eventually go with and how it goes.

@AnnaMagnani

My fitter recommended DIY Kitchens. Then i discovered Mumsnet was obsessed with them.

The kitchen is fantastic and a bargain compared with other brands.

Don’t choose Matt and the plastic wrap looks terrible after a while