Worth trying to get Howdens to price match or just crack on with DIY Kitchens?

[Eastie77Returns]

Our Howdens quote for a Chilcomb, excluding appliances & worktops, is just over £7k.

Like for like DIY Kitchen quote comes to £3.5k, subject to changes but DP (former kitchen fitter) built the plan with their online tool and it looks solid. He is done with Howdens, thinks our designer is incompetent and generally thinks DIY is better quality.

Personally I think quality is probably the same but obviously it makes sense to go with DIY based on price and I really like the Norton range we’ve selected.

Our Howdens rep initially said they do not price match DIY kitchens because the latter is always cheaper as they have fewer overheads. He also send Howdens have unique features such as soft closing cabinets hence the higher price

My only issue with DIY Kitchens is I want to see the models in person and it’s a 3.5hour trip to their showroom. We have friends in Leeds so can make a weekend of it but I’m a bit nervous about the returns process if any of the pieces arrive damaged etc. Our Howdens designer has now said if we send him the DIY quote he will speak to his manager and “see what he can do” but he is pretty slow at replying.

Has anyone successfully price matched Howdens with DIY Kitchens? I’m not sure if it’s worth going through it all (I can’t see them going down to £3.5) and as we are short of time DP wants us to order the DIY range today!

We used appliance city for our appliances. They were the cheapest at the time.

Do dit kitchens come flat packed as Howdens don't and kitchen fitters will charge more to fit a flat pack as it takes time

My Mum had her kitchen from a local independant and that wasn't too high a price so sometimes they are worth looking at too

My husband is a property developer/landlord and has fitted countless kitchens using Howden/benchmarxs. We decided to go DIY kitchens with our current reno and have no regrets. Really good customer service and great quality- the one we have is better quality than our old benchmarxs kitchen.

If your husband is an ex kitchen fitter he will be fine with DIY kitchens

@worriedatthistime

Do dit kitchens come flat packed as Howdens don't and kitchen fitters will charge more to fit a flat pack as it takes time

No they come assembled :) well, mine did!

Just go with DIY. They’re fab

@worriedatthistime

Do dit kitchens come flat packed as Howdens don't and kitchen fitters will charge more to fit a flat pack as it takes time

All units are delivered fully assembled.

Housepicturetime amazing, thanks! I’ve spent an hour I really don’t have to spare on the Littlegreene site😂 Love the way they group colours into collections which takes a lot of the decision making away for people like me who struggle to work out which colours complement each other. I’ve been team F&B all along but can see there is a Little Greene store close to me so will pop in later today.

Re appliances, I’m going with AO.com mainly because I get cash back but can see some other good ideas on the thread. I had no idea about Boots!

DP is completely bemused I’ve now embraced DIY Kitchens on the strength of Mumsnet rather than accepting his advice to begin with

Do DIY do a larder

@maeveiscurious

Do DIY do a larder

They have pages of larders - look on website under UNITS - TALL. Also you can buy extra shelves, internal drawers etc to customise any unit.

Can't comment on Howdens but I have a DIY kitchen and 4 years on I still get a thrill walking in there, I love it.

DP is completely bemused I’ve now embraced DIY Kitchens on the strength of Mumsnet rather than accepting his advice to begin with

This game me a laugh OP.

If you are local to Cambridge you are welcome to come and see my 2.5 yo DIY Norton.

@Chasingsquirrels haha thank you. We are in London but often visit a National Trust place near (or maybe in) Cambridge the DC love, it’s an easy drive for us via the M11 so I might pop by

brokengoalposts that is very reassuring!