Kitchen Fitting Advice / Help Needed Please........

3 years ago

Hi,

We have recently had a new Howdens kitchen fitted, together with tiling and are totally unhappy with the finish provided by our installer.

We have paid an amount on account, whilst awaiting snagging. Several of the doors are damaged (some apparently manufacturers defects, some on fitting) and all kickboards are damaged where they have been cut (noticably so). The fitter met with us last Friday and says this is all we can expect 'for the budget'. He says some of the manufacturers defects will not be replaced by Howdens, although they are defects.

Can I ask for any advice on whether this finish is acceptable please or whether as suggested, I am being too 'critical'.

Thanks in advance, any advice appreciated as this is the first time I've had a new kitchen installed.

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Comments (16)

Jonathan
3 years ago
Can we see some more pics please? The only picture I can see shows some very minor damage to a plinth which although not right seems insufficient to lose sleep over.
Amy Mitchell
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes, of course - sorry, I thought I’d attached more!
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Amy Mitchell
Original Author
3 years ago
Please see more.....
Amy Mitchell
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you
Daisy England
3 years ago
It’s poor. To say that’s all you’re getting for the budget you’ve spent is bad. You have paid for goods that are new not faulty or second hand.

To be honest I have never understood why so many people shop at Howdens. Their appliances are dire and their worktops not the best. They do have a decent choice of fascias but so do other suppliers.

Some of the photos are rather close to determine exactly what they are but you can clearly see dents, chips and bad workmanship.

Did Howdens recommend the fitter as you would have had to buy through a traders account to deal with them.
Amy Mitchell
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you for your comments. We bought the appliances (with the exception of the extractor) elsewhere but have had issues with the worktop (fitting related dents, which are being denied and suggested that we dropped a plate on it). The fitter was a recommended one locally, and appears to do a lot with Howdens. We had heard good things about their units and the whole my issues are with the fitting and damage that has been caused on fitting.
My concern is I know roughly where we are on what the fitter believes is outstanding, but despite having asked for a final invoice (the job started on 1 September and still wasn’t completed by 3 October) numerous times, and repeatedly asked for a meeting to discuss the issues, I still have no idea of balance outstanding and the meeting to discuss issues only happened on Friday 26 Feb, with me being told that is the best I can expect for our total budget (kitchen cost approx £6k excluding appliances and fitting) and that I have unrealistic I expectations, and how can I expect him to replace the damaged panels / doors etc.
Daisy England
3 years ago
If you still owe him money, put your concerns in a letter or email to him saying until you’re happy with the fitting and you don’t consider any more money is due until the matter is sorted.

If the worktop was faulty then surely Howdens should be replacing that.
Amy Mitchell
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you, that’s what we’ve done but unfortunately we appear to be at an impasse as he is saying that that is the best we can expect for our total budget (for supply and installation). He stated that some of the defects are “manufacturers defects” but that Howdens won’t replace (not sure why as we can’t get an answer to that) and the worktop he says it wasn’t faulty on delivery but isn’t admitting liability.
I’m considering getting an independent surveyor in to assess and advise as there is so much that needs rectifying.
Amy Mitchell
Original Author
3 years ago
There are issues with the tiling / grouting as well which he says we can’t expect any better on (edges are horrendous to be honest!)
Daisy England
3 years ago
He can’t keep saying you can’t expect any better. That’s an excuse. He has been paid to do a job. He has not carried out that work to a satisfactory level.

If they were manufacturing defects then Howdens should replace them. Have you been in a local Howdens store to speak to them direct?

If it were me I would take the matter further.
Amy Mitchell
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you, we intend to as we do not feel that the finish is satisfactory, and it’s reassuring to hear someone else agrees (if you know what I mean). I’ve emailed Howdens, the guy who came to measure / design and have asked for a meeting regarding the defects.
Mary Ketchley
3 years ago
Surely you have recourse with Howdens under the sale of goods act which (I think) states that goods have to be fit for purpose. I suspect the same would apply to the fitter. You didn’t pay for damaged goods or for damage to be caused by fitting. If the goods are damaged, they are not fit for purpose and you are entitled to a refund. Your fitter sounds a bit rubbish to me. Citizens advice might be able to help you.
Amy Mitchell
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you; I never thought of citizens advice to be honest - I’ll look them up. I wondered that on sale of goods act, but wasn’t sure where we’d stand with the goods being bought through a fitter.
Mary Ketchley
3 years ago
I’d say the fitter is then responsible and that’s why he’s being unhelpful. But ultimately he has recourse to the sale of goods act too. He can get compensation from howdens.
Sonia
3 years ago
Can’t believe the fitter says it’s what you can expect with the budget. A good fitter is a good fitter whether the kitchen is from Howdens or a top kitchen company. My kitchen was from Wrens so a similar kitchen, nothing fancy but affordable at the time. There were no chips or damage. I wouldn’t pay him a penny more. Your photos are difficult to see in context and not easy to see exactly what we are looking at so I suggest you take photos further back for when you contact Citizens Advice. Sorry this has happened to you. Too many cowboys out there 😡
Amy Mitchell
Original Author
3 years ago
Many thanks for your advice; will definitely do this on photos and will contact Citizens advice.

Kitchen Fitting Advice / Help Needed Please........

Comments (16)

Jonathan

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Kitchen Fitting Advice / Help Needed Please........

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Jonathan

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