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Original poster

Howdens Kitchens

52 replies

Nannewnannew · 30/11/2021 12:13

Has anyone had a kitchen fitted by Howdens please? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I’m currently looking at their catalogue but am finding it increasingly frustrating to make an informed decision when the prices are not printed. I’m also beginning to worry that it’s a marketing ploy to get customers hooked and I could get a better deal elsewhere.

Would appreciate any tales of people’s experience, whether good or bad.

OP posts:

Warmduscher · 30/11/2021 12:16

Do an advanced search - there are dozens of threads about this, many in the last few months.

You’ll get a mixed bag of responses with quite a few people saying they’ve used DIY Kitchens with good results and others saying avoid Wren like the plague.

You’re welcome

Original poster

Nannewnannew · 30/11/2021 13:04

@Warmduscher Thank you, I will have a look.

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Justcannotbearsed · 30/11/2021 16:42

I've posted on other threads. We used our own fitter and got a kitchen from Howden's - he purchased it and we saw the invoices and everything and just paid the price he was given.

It's really good quality, we went for a shaker style with wooden doors and upgraded the cabinets. The design service was good. They were very good at taking back about £3K of cabinets that we didn't use in the end due to getting a built in cupboard instead. We bought the appliances from them but went for NEFF and Bosch as the Lamona ones didn't get great reviews. We bought the Qooker from them too.

We got a worktop from a local independent as Howden's couldn't do a long enough piece of quartz for the Island.

We had about 6 quotes in the end all pretty much for the same thing and they were the most reasonable. Magnet were astonishingly expensive beating the local high end independent and mid range independent.

Our fitter - who is good - also happily recommends a decent B&Q kitchen as long as it is fitted well.

OrangeSnorkel · 30/11/2021 16:49

Howdens have been brilliant.

You can really negotiate them down in price, so don't just take the price quoted.

We did our own handles to make the whole thing look a bit more expensive and less generic.

Quartz was really good quality. We got the paintable chilcomb cupboards so we can change our mind on colour in 5-10 years and it is easy to change.

I would avoid their laminate worktops if you can afford it. My SIL has them and they are peeling off and look really cheap unfortunately. They looked great at first but have not lasted.

Original poster

Nannewnannew · 30/11/2021 17:00

Thank you so much for your replies, they have reassured me and also given me food for thought, especially about the Lamona appliances and laminate worktops. I was told by the designer that the wooden worktops have to be oiled every year so that made me dubious initially but now maybe they are worth considering.

OP posts:

FuzzyPuffling · 30/11/2021 19:15

Mine's in the final stages of being fitted. It looks fab , is very substantial and my builder rates them. He won't fit Wren for quality issues.

I got a full cost breakdown from Howdens with lots of substantial discounts (like a big fridge freezer for £5, and an £800 Neff oven for £9.95) and I still blagged another discount on the total. I've gone for Neff appliances throughout.

SunnyUpNorth · 30/11/2021 19:55

@Nannewnannew be cautious if wooden worktops. We used to have them and they have to be piled quite regularly, I think it’s 2-3 times per year. It’s a pain. Also around the tap area where it constantly gets wet always ends up going black and mouldy.

You can always get your kitchen there and counters from elsewhere.

Original poster

Nannewnannew · 30/11/2021 20:45

@SunnyUpNorth Thank you, that’s interesting information. I was initially worried about wood and water, not being a good combination, especially in the kitchen, so will look at other options.

OP posts:

SunnyUpNorth · 30/11/2021 20:59

Oiled not piled!

maofteens · 30/11/2021 21:43

I've just had one fitted. It's your fitter that you need to find - that's key to any successful kitchen as much as the units themselves.
I was swayed by the Which Best Buy - I went for the handleless option and designed it my self and just told them what I wanted. I used a different stone supplier for the worktops and the fitter did the under counter lights. My one dubious purchase was the larder breakfast cupboard. I had to pay a carpenter £400 to put it together! It was overpriced for not being ready built.
Another good thing is pretty much everything is in stock so no long lead times.

Twizbe · 30/11/2021 21:59

We've had 2 Howdens kitchens and loved them both.

Our old one was 10 years old when we changed it and it was still going strong. We actually sold it on to someone else.

This time we got our quartz worktop from a local stonemason rather than from them, we also didn't buy their ovens but their induction hobs are great.

Georgie8 · 30/11/2021 23:08

We have a beautiful Howdens kitchen, our carpenter and builder tweaked the design and, ultimately the kitchen is only as good as the fitter.
Got our granite from another supplier.

gleegeek · 30/11/2021 23:40

Our Howden's kitchen is 2 years old this week and looks pretty much like new! It is quite overwhelming at the beginning but the kitchen designer was very easy to work with and happy to use parts of other designs from other companies. At first the quote was too much but we managed to get almost everything for our budget in the end. Halfway through fitting we changed our mind about the sink and taps and they were exchanged same day. We bought our quartz from elsewhere and all our appliances. HTH.

Shouldbeworkingnotreadingtalk · 01/12/2021 08:27

My other half is a kitchen fitter, does Howdens all the time. Pros, they have everything in stock, all the time. So if somethings missing, easy to remedy. Quality is also excellent. Pricing is good, the kitchens vary from cheap, to expensive according to if solid wood etc. . Cons. You can't see the pricing unless you have an account, their solid quartz worktops are expensive. They don't use their own fitters, you need to find a decent one. :-) .... thoughts on others. Wren quality is generally fine, but customer service useless if they don't get it right first time. Delays getting the correct stuff sent out, which holds up the fitter. Wider choice of colours than Howdens though. Pricing generally more. Hope this helps. If you're near Lewes (Sussex) feel free to DM

Original poster

Nannewnannew · 01/12/2021 19:59

Thank you all so much for your input, it’s all been so helpful. I’m meeting up with a Howden’s kitchen planner tomorrow and feel a bit more confident about how to proceed.
@Shouldbeworkingnotreadingtalk, yes that’s also helpful to hear your husband’s views, I do live on the south coast but, unfortunately, not near Lewes, but thanks for the offer.

OP posts:

sleepyhoglet · 01/12/2021 20:11

I am excited about Howdens. My dad is planning to fit the kitchen. I wonder what should be essential- I like the sound of the quooker rap as we live in a hard water area but wonder if I need a general water filter thing.

sleepyhoglet · 01/12/2021 20:12

Can you get a company to fit just the worktop? I don't think my dad will be able to do that

sleepyhoglet · 01/12/2021 20:14

How do you get a Howdens account? My dad isn't a trade but does work for companies who build houses as a site manager

Feetupteashot · 01/12/2021 20:19

I was too annoyed by obscure pricing. Builder heart howdens as can take back damaged units and get replacement in the day.

Diy kitchens were great and cheap. But it's all about getting a decent fitter which you will get bored of being told

tinkywinkyshandbag · 01/12/2021 20:23

You need a really good fitter - the kitchens themselves are okay but ours was badly fitted and it really lets it down.

Tractordiggerdump · 01/12/2021 20:31

Don’t go for the Lamont oven. It was awful. Upgrade where you can.

Original poster

Nannewnannew · 06/12/2021 15:16

I’ve chosen my kitchen and have gone mid range Howdens Chelford range. I’ve also been lucky to have a very good fitter recommended by some friends, so it’s all systems go in the New Year. Thank you for all your input.

OP posts:

freshcarnation · 06/12/2021 20:11

I love the look of the brochure but can't seem to find a showroom. How do you actually see them?

Original poster

Nannewnannew · 06/12/2021 22:02

@freshcarnation. The kitchen planner came to the house and brought a brochure with her, took measurements and discussed what I wanted. The next day she sent the design through by email. Once I decided to go ahead I had to make appointment at a small showroom where a couple of showroom kitchens were on display and we went through the finer details. So I don’t think there is a large showroom as such.

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Thanksagainand · 06/12/2021 22:08

Gosh I found Bowden’s to be dreadful! Prices are ridiculous and hidden so you never know what you are paying and the fitter gets a massive discount. When I went on my own to get a replacement sink they gave me a supposed discount…which made the overpriced sink a normal price. The glaze is wearing off, the cupboards were different shades of white which has flaked off. Just no. And when the tap started to drip, we have to buy an entire new tap unit, not just a washer. Insane.

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