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Original poster

Which kitchen?

32 replies

Pie56 · 13/10/2023 07:44

A well worn debate I’m sure, but we’re having a new kitchen, our builder is fitting, he doesn’t recommend any particular company but has mentioned Howdens obvs! There is a showroom near us but it’s small and they seem a bit unhelpful as it’s all so trade focused. I don’t feel comfortable with their lack of transparency over pricing. Magnet have offers on atm, but they always seem to have some sale or other. Wren I’m wary of as they seem pushy and with terrible after sales reviews. I’m seeing DIY mentioned a lot here, hadn’t heard of them until recently. We are looking for quality of course, but not solid wood as I don’t think it’s worth the cost. Smallish kitchen, shaker style, pale grey with white granite tops. Nothing fancy just timeless. Would be really grateful for recent customer experiences/recommendations. We are near Guildford. Budget around 10k.

OP posts:
ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 13/10/2023 07:46

Don't go for wren, we had so many issues with the lack of communication from them, their fitter did a bodge job and we had to threaten with court action.

Binfire · 13/10/2023 07:47

We are really happy with our
DIY kitchen put in about 18 months ago. You’re a long way from the showroom though! It’s fantastic and worth making a detour if you’re heading north any time soon.

Chasingsquirrels · 13/10/2023 08:16

I'm really happy with my DIY Kitchen which I had fitted 4 years ago.
My fitter was initially somewhat negative about it compared to Howdens (his usual) but by the end of the fit said it was a better quality product.

Mine in shaker style (Norton) in sage green, and whilst I love it and nothing would have dissuaded me from the style - if I was doing it again there is no way I would have another shaker style as the grooves just gather dust & dirt. I'd definitely have a flat slab style.

I'm currently planning bathroom refits including fitted furniture and have totally discounted shaker styles for the same reason.

Original poster
Pie56 · 13/10/2023 08:24

I hadn’t thought of that! Good point.

OP posts:
TheCrystalPalace · 13/10/2023 08:29

We are currently having ours done via Howdens. I get what you say about pricing but they will tell you when you pin them down. It's just not so easy when your final quote is mixed up with the builder's discount and (in our case, currently) sale prices. Taking off or switching an item from your plan isn't as straightforward as all that.
Other than that, I can't fault them so far. The designer has been endlessly helpful, approachable and flexible.

DawsonWins · 13/10/2023 08:32

Don’t go for Magnet!
My parents had one fitted. They did the measurements etc… go it wrong and they end up with a gap between a cupboard and the extractor fan. A big noticeable gap too.
They couldn’t talk to each other (between trades) so the fitting took ages.

The quality itself is good but not worth the price difference Imo.

Original poster
Pie56 · 13/10/2023 08:35

That sounds encouraging, thank you.

OP posts:
TheCrystalPalace · 13/10/2023 08:49

Sorry, that wasn't clear. I meant, they've been fab about me keep changing my mind about things like taps and handles (even last-minute) but sometimes the price change isn't what you think it's going to be.

Isseywith3witchycats · 13/10/2023 15:10

Another fan of DIY Kitchens we have a flat slab gloss one with duropal marble effect laminate worktops two years down the line it still looks like a brand new kitchen, £2000 cheaper than the wickes one that we picked and better quality our fitter was very impressed and he usually fits howden ones we are lucky we live near the showroom so we did a coupl of visits to clarify exactly what we wanted

Sanch1 · 13/10/2023 15:41

Our DIY kitchen is fab. It was £7k, the equivalent Howdens was over £10K. The fitter had never used them before but said it was the best quality and easiest to fit he had used in a long time. DIY are helpful on the phone, you plan it all on an online grid. I used a wren/wickes type free design service then used that and transferred to the DIY design tool.

MiniCooperLover · 14/10/2023 09:08

We used Benchmarx, v similar range to Howdens the difference for me was they spoke to me about cost and weren't secretive and only talking to our builder.

Frosty1000 · 14/10/2023 09:34

We're in the middle of a kitchen renovation - our builder recommended DIY. So we've planned it ourselves, got a load of samples and are so excited. Fraction of the cost of elsewhere and I've heard better quality.

There's a video on YouTube if a chap comparing all the major complications which is a good watch.

Calmdown14 · 14/10/2023 16:59

Another vote for DIY.

I do have some Howdens units in another room too and they are decent quality. It's worth getting a price from them too.

What I liked about DIY is the transparency of the pricing. You can see exactly what adds to the cost in terms of end panels, internal fittings, door style etc. So you can easily decide to cut the number of pan drawers or ditch the internal bin or not have a rotating corner cupboard if you need to shave a bit off the overall cost.

gingergiraffe · 14/10/2023 17:50

We had a Howdens kitchen around eight years ago fitted by a friend. Looking back the planner really let us down and he obviously didn’t measure up properly and our fitter had to jiggle things around to fit them in. I didn’t like the lack of transparency regarding the cost although our builder was a close friend and did a brilliant job for a very reasonable price and I know he only charged us the cost price to him. The Lamorna gas hob, we had from them works fine but the plastic knobs disintegrated very quickly and I have not replaced since they are very costly. The extractor fan is not easy to clean. It was the only new kitchen we have chosen so no previous experience on what to choose.
I agree, a good idea to have completely flat surfaces on cupboard doors.
within the last year I have noticed that the surface of two of the cupboard doors is coming away from the door and is nothing to do with heat or water.
So I would not choose Howdens again. I wonder how long kitchens are supposed to last? From what a lot of people on here have said, I think next time I would look at DIY Kitchens.

thehonscupboard · 14/10/2023 19:18

Howdens are good quality but a friend needed a small replacement part a couple of years after fitting and they wouldn't talk directly to customers, only through a fitter, so it was a big pain for a simple replacement as had to find someone with an account.

Am a big fan of IKEA (can source appliances/worktop from elsewhere) as very reasonably priced and good quality. Builders can be reluctant to fit as they don't have a service gap, but this means that their drawers are massive compared to others. I believe you can also get fancier fronts made to fit ikea and DIY Kitchens from a few different companies.

KCandtheSunlightBand · 14/10/2023 21:21

I’d be very careful about using grey. My brother had a new light grey kitchen put in about 3 years ago and TBH it looks very dated. For such a big ticket item I would go more neutral.

I am looking at buying a new house and anything with grey carpet floors etc I can’t help thinking of the cost of stripping the grey out and replacing.

parietal · 14/10/2023 21:24

If for some reason you can't get DIY, get the builder to fit IKEA. Very solid and easy to replace doors etc if needed one day.

mrsbyers · 14/10/2023 21:28

We recently fitted my mums kitchen out using DIY Kitchens , my husband works for a joinery company and used one of their fitters and they said the quality was better than Howdens and Wren and their customer service was fantastic too - one door had a slight flaw and they couriered a replacement part within 48 hrs of my call

Ladyj84 · 14/10/2023 21:30

Don't go magnet grandparents did and what a disaster...Howdens have done several family kitchens and all been brilliant

fairislecable · 14/10/2023 21:32

My DD had DIY five years ago and was really pleased with it. Her fitter had never heard of them and initially was not happy but after the job he ordered one for himself!

My DS had Howdens and the quality was good but the finer details were not as robust as the DIY racks shelves etc.

Pipsquiggle · 14/10/2023 21:45

We had a DIY kitchen fitted 3 years ago, I still love it.

We had our kitchen designed and then went to have a weekend in Harrogate and stopped off at DIY on the way up. It just confirmed to us that it was good quality.

You do a lot of the leg work but you save thousands

SpidersAreShitheads · 14/10/2023 22:26

Have you seen the video of the builder guy who builds a similar kitchen from each in his garage? His name is Charlie something or other. I’ll try and find the link….

We’re about to buy a kitchen and seeing each kitchen unboxed and built made up my mind for me. We’re going with DIY Kitchens not just because of the price but because of the better quality too.

Yourebeingtooloud · 14/10/2023 22:31

Our DIY kitchen is 5 years old and still looking great. The fitter was very positive about it too.

friskybivalves · 14/10/2023 22:40

Love our DIY kitchen and also loved my minibreak to the Pontefract showroom to plan it and gaze at the show ones. Excellent free pastries!

Plus the units arrive at your house already put together so you do save on fitting costs (and they do a rip-off of F&B colours so there is another saving right there...)

Custardpudding · 14/10/2023 22:53

We have just painted our wooden kitchen, looks amazing! New floor and tiles, and new work tops. Bought from an independent kitchen shop