What kitchen provider would you recommend and why please

3 years ago

We are trying to get started with designing a new kitchen and would like to know people's experience of companies such as Wren, Howdens, DIY Kitchens and any other for that matter.

Featured Answer

Daisy England

3 years ago

I wouldn’t recommend any of the bigger high street companies and that includes Wren, Howdens or Magnet.

You will get better customer service from an small family individual businesses and most likely they will be able to offer non standard items. They will also offer more choice as they are not restricted to one manufacturer.

Most people think they’ll be paying far more by opting for an independent company presuming that the big boys buy in bulk and that it will be cheaper, but that’s not the case.

Look for an independent In your area.

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Comments (25)

Caroll Brown
3 years ago
I used Howdens and thought they had a good choice, the only annoying part is having to go through a builder and not knowing the cost until your builder passes on the quote which may or may not include their discount. Mine was a really small kitchen and it was reasonably priced in the end.

"Howdens is unusual in that it refuses to sell to the public direct. Builders buy the kitchen chosen by their customer and either pass it on at cost or sell it on at a profit – helped, it is claimed, by estimates produced by Howdens staff"
dramaqueenuk thanked Caroll Brown
Ellie
3 years ago
I visited well known high street kitchen stores and a local independent shop.

All of the above tried to squeeze in as many units as possible, resulting in messy layouts. None of them came up with any special unique ideas that would make me want to give them my custom.

I bought from DIY kitchens, designed it myself and had my joiner fit it. Extremely happy, better quality at less than half the price!
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Julie C
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
We have been shopping around too, not easy during the COVID pandemic / lock down/ restrictions. Most of the shopping has been via online design sessions etc.

Magnet - decent design but I thought the units looked a bit cheap. The price was not cheap!

Howdens - my favourite design and the units and doors are great BUT having to go through the builder is such a pain. They also turned out to be very expensive.

Wickes - designer came out to measure and was insisting on us blocking up a door that we don't want to block up; so he could pack more units in presumably.

Wren - we got lucky with the designer, she was great and so patient with all the changes, came out the best price so far and we would go with them BUT we got door samples and they just seem plasticky.

DIY kitchens - my neighbour got their units and is delighted with them. We have planned online but I am worried that we won't have chosen correctly, especially end panels etc. They aren't selling appliances just now either. The most annoying thing is not being able to speak to anyone, but this is due to high demand and won't last forever. We plan on visiting them (even though it's a 4-5 hour drive) and hope to finalise and finally order!!

Hope this helps!!

Oh and we did go to a few independents but sadly they were all more expensive.
Sonia
3 years ago
My kitchen was from Wrens 10 years ago. They were only supplying then and not fitting. The kitchen was a typical, average mdf wrapped one, nothing special. I was swayed by the amazing showroom. I did my own design but it is a smallish room. I probably wouldn’t buy from them again. I would prefer an independent, however not all of those are great, so much depends on the staff and service. Visit a few and get a feel for them. Howdens quality is much like Wrens.
dramaqueenuk
Original Author
3 years ago
Caroll Brown, I take your point about Howdens only being for trade. Fortunately for us our neighbour (and friend) is installing our kitchen for us, so he won't be ripping us off, just charging his normal day rate. That's IF we decide to go with Howdens. We've visited DIY Kitchens and agree that you make an enormous saving that way. I'm just not sure I have the confidence to be responsible for getting ALL the ordering correct! Oh, decisions decisions!!
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Morley Stove Company Ltd
3 years ago
If you are looking for an Everhot Cooker please get in touch!
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Lifestyle Kitchens
3 years ago
I agree with Daisy, much more choice in design and product from a local independant and a much better service, especially if you're worried about ordering everything yourself. The money you might save can easily be lost if you have to order extra parts, getting the fitters back, not getting the kitchen finished so other tradesman can start. A local independant can project manage it for you.
obobble
3 years ago
Benchmarx operates like Howdens and is about the same on prices.
Richard L
3 years ago
Go local,

Try facebook marketplace for recomendations, google map search on 'kitchen fitter' and Ratedpeople.com for some leads on local businesses who are interested in bidding for the project (provided you can be specific)
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Morley Stove Company Ltd
3 years ago
We have Everhot Range Cookers in our showroom if you are interested 🔥
Juliet Docherty
3 years ago
Look at the worktop situation with DIY Kitchens, I think they do an incredibly good deal with included solid worktops.
A Guise
3 years ago
Have a look at the Howdens and Wren forums on Facebook. Some horror stories especially Wren. We were told by our architect that German kitchens are better made than UK made
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3 years ago
Hi,

Hope you don't mind me getting in touch!

My name is Lucy and I'm working on a new TV series about people renovating their kitchens.

We would love to hear from people in the UK who have ordered/near ordering their kitchen. The show is documentary style, with a well-known presenter who has over 20 years experience in the building trade. I wonder if this may be of interest to you? If so, please pop me an email with a contact number, budget, and brief description of timescale to Lucy.Cooper@PiProductions.tv. Kind regards, Lucy
tamp75
3 years ago
In our first house, we went with a local independent supplier & fitter. They worked to the design we wanted & fitted everything well into the smallish space, inc different sized doors that weren’t available through other suppliers. Price was a little more than the average but not astronomically so. With our last kitchen, we went with DIY kitchens. Yes we had to design & order everything ourselves but I phoned up many times to go over everything & they were always really helpful. The online videos are also useful. Ordering sample doors was easy too. We had a great deal on quartz worktops through them - they sent out people to template it. Our fitter, who always usually works with Howdens kitchens, was impressed with the quality of the units, which arrive ready made, not flat packed. I’d definitely recommend them.
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OnePlan
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Our clients tend to shop around with our finished designs - this enables them to compare like for like. It’s maybe one of the best ways to see what’s the best deal for you. And is fair to showrooms too.

Most, if not all, companies will happily price a project from a finished set of drawings and item list.

Past clients can confirm that many, even DIY kitchens, happily provide a quote that can then be made into an order from our drawings - so you don’t have to pick each element and put it into a shopping basket.

(And obviously as we involve clients in the design process, the layout is one they are totally confident and comfortable with.)
Nicola M
3 years ago
Although it's great to be able to support local companies, sometimes budgets don't stretch to that! (At least in our experience.) For our last three projects, we've used Howden's as they have come out at the best price. My husband is in the trade, so we can deal with them directly. October they normally have a big sale and they can offer price match for like-for-like kitchens. We have had no issues with the quality and with the deals they can be great value for money.

If your neighbour can purchase directly with them, that will make life easier and you can benefit from the discounts especially during their big October sale. They also offer a design service and will work directly with you. I don't believe they charge for this design service.

I personally have only had positive experiences with them, but we have always designed our kitchens using online planners and sent them over to them to price up. In the event the wrong item was sent, replacements always came quickly.

Some of the stores have started their October sale early! We are just about to purchase our 4th kitchen from them. :)
Julie C
3 years ago
I’ve found that fitters charge by unit rather than by the day. Doesn’t seem fair pricing to me especially when units are fully built including drawer fronts on etc!! you are lucky you have a neighbour that can do it.
Sara Keatley
3 years ago
We are very lucky by the sound of it!
twamleyk
3 years ago
I'm surprised no one has mentioned IKEA kitchens? When we got our kitchen, they got very high ratings with Which. I think we will buy from them again, but just use the carcasses and then get the doors elsewhere - though I haven't looked at their designs in a while, but there are some great companies that focus on creating new doors for IKEA units.
Gabby Wong
3 years ago
We got it from DiyKitchens- really recommend. Sent them the design and our shopping basket and they checked we’d got enough end panels and plinths etc. Even helped us reduce what I thought we’d need and said bits could be shared between spaces!

Was a great option & fully built so won’t take long to fit, so if you’re getting a day rate will take far less time!
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Morley Stove Company Ltd
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We sell EVERHOT Range Cookers if you are interested - https://www.morley-stoves.co.uk/everhot-cookers
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OnePlan
3 years ago
@Moreley Stove company ... we know! This is your third post on this one thread ;-)
AMB
3 years ago
Another vote for DIY kitchens from me. Really good value for money and come fully built (who buys flat pack these days unless they have access issues!?). The kitchen I picked was made in Yorkshire (and they sent some Yorkshire tea and biscuits with the delivery!) Great customer service. I'm considering Better Kitchens this time around because it will be a bigger, more expensive project and their showroom is closer. I have looked at Wren, Magnet, Howdens, B&Q, and Wickes but the range and prices aren't as good and I don't think align with the quality.

What kitchen provider would you recommend and why please

Daisy England

Comments (25)

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