Kitchen installation help please

[LauraC84]

Se we're having a small extension at the back of our house in Birmingham so we can get a bigger kitchen / dining area.

We started getting kitchen designs last year and started looking at Wren, as you do, but not impressed with the mobile phone salesmen who called himself a designer. lol.

We then looked at independents and this company were really good - Classic Interiors and stayed within our budget too and nice friendly designer.

Inevitably, now we're due to start the project the build costs have increased which has squeezed our kitchen budget and the builder is recommending Howdens which he says he will fit.

I wondered whether I should try DIY Kitchens or Smile Kitchens instead?? - I'm just really worried about the risk of being responsible for ordering everything myself ?

I guess the question is do I stick with a trusted local independent where I can leave everything to them (and pay a bit more) or take the risk of saving some money and going online?

Thanks for any advice x

We have used DIY Kitchens a couple of times now. Just make an appointment and take a plan to their showroom, or even just the measurements, they will work out what you need. They have a fabulous showroom and make it all there. Their quality is far superior to Wren or Wicks, highly recommend them.

Second DIY kitchens, I’ve had mine 7 years and it’s a good as new, I love it. The quality is far better than howdens. Do not use wren - they are terrible. Google wren reviews and you’ll come across thousands of negative experiences.

If your builder is experienced in fitting kitchens and can get a decent discount out of Howdens, that would be a simple solution. My Howden's kitchen is the same quality and similar price as my friend's DIY one. Just don't get Howden's own brand appliances (Lamona). Avoid Wren.

We’ve just had a quote from both Smile and Howdens - they came out almost identical, however the designer from Smile was great, and designed a really lovely space for us and considered all the small things that Howdens didn’t consider.
Unfortunately I think we’ll end up going with Wren for the finance option as everything else has got so expensive.

(also how on earth do you get builders to quote, I’ve asked no less than 8 different companies now and they all ghost me or don’t bother quoting 😩)

I was told that builders get 'commission' (sometimes paid into their own account) which they may or maynot pass on to the customer, so if you are shown a quote from Howdens the discount won't show on there...