Kitchens - which is better quality?

AuntyJean · 15 November 2005 at 8:43AM

I am replacing a 20 year old kitchen and got a quote from Wickes. The guy was over the top helpful. Told me which websites to look for worktops, sinks and to get either a Baumatic or Hotpoint built in cooker. After pricing up the kitchen he then said if I waited till Boxing Day ALL kitchens would be half price with 3-4 week delivery. We looked at three kitchens and he said two of them he wouldn't even put in his shed.

I then had an electrician in to quote for wiring and he said he could fit the kitchen for me and brought a Howden's brochure. I selected the nearest to the one in Wickes so he could price it up for me (yet to get the price for comparison).

My main question is which is better quality. Do Howden's supply Wickes?

As I need this kitchen to last 20 years but am working on a tight budget I (as do most of us) want the best at the least cost.

BTW I am not considering solid wood.

black-saturn · 15 November 2005 at 10:26AM

Do Wickes arrange the fitting for you too?

sweep9 · 15 November 2005 at 10:42AM

The majority of Wickes kitchens come from a company in West Yorkshire called GOWER. They also make the all the kitchen for Focus DIY.

Seamus · 15 November 2005 at 2:44PM

if you want the kitchen to last then make sure you get cabinets made with 18mm board as it is far stronger and the cost difference should be minimal.

fozzylozzy · 15 November 2005 at 3:31PM

We are having a new kitchen fitted next year and our builder has recommended Howdens above all others!! He has recently had a Howden's kitchen fitted in his own home which we have seen and looked fantastic.

The main reason he recommends them is the thickness of the carcasses and that they generally have all their stock on site meaning there's no waiting around for damaged/missing parts.

HTH.

Louisa xx

vansboy · 15 November 2005 at 4:12PM

Before buying, you need to get Wickes/MFI or similar to help plan the kitchen FREE & give you the plans. They do this on computer, you book a date to go to the store, with all your dimensions & what you want, then they'll do the job for you.

Then look at the ones that'll be sugested by other Moneysavers.

Howdens are generally a 'Trade' supplier, thats why all your builder pals have access to brochures & prices, where as the customer doesn't. This enables the tradesperson to put his margin on whatever he pays for the units - which, is probably fair enough!

Personally we got ours from IKEA well worth checking them out - you'll use a free online planning system from https://www.ikea.co.uk - or get down to the store & do it there. That's a good idea, 'cos the units are ALL there in real life, to double check they're what you want!!

& get IKEA Homecard - gets 5% off first order!!

VB

AuntyJean · 15 November 2005 at 6:01PM

black-saturn wrote:

Do Wickes arrange the fitting for you too?

Yes, they quoted £700 for fitting.

vansboy wrote:

Before buying, you need to get Wickes/MFI or similar to help plan the kitchen FREE & give you the plans. They do this on computer, you book a date to go to the store, with all your dimensions & what you want, then they'll do the job for you.

I got B&Q round - poor chap took ages over detail. Gave the whole thing to the electrician to compare prices on units.

Many thanks to everyone for advice.

Ted_Hutchinson · 15 November 2005 at 6:10PM

vansboy wrote:

Howdens are generally a 'Trade' supplier, thats why all your builder pals have access to brochures & prices, where as the customer doesn't. This enables the tradesperson to put his margin on whatever he pays for the units - which, is probably fair enough!

My daughter went for the Howdens option after someone very close to her, who shall remain nameless

had the cheek to ask for a trade account and who ordered it for her.
She therefore got it at trade price and is well satisfied. She found a local person who fitted it and it really does look great. It comes ready assembed and apart from a slight hiccup with a couple of items not being supplied this was soon remedied.
So if you know someone who is prepared to ask for a trade account it may well be worth your while persuing this option. I think she could have got a similar priced kitchen from elsewhere but I don't think the quality and build of Howdens could be bettered.

adr0ck · 15 November 2005 at 6:32PM

don't forget howdens is mfi

go to mfi get kitchen designed and priced up....then ask builder for cost from howdens (they also provide design service) (note howdens don't stock all different types of kitchen vaailable in mfi.... does do most though)

personally always found howdens to both be excellent service and good quality....whenever theres been a problem they are quick to rectify

safesound · 16 November 2005 at 1:34PM

Do howdens have a website? and how hard is is/whats required to get a trade account with them?
I've looked at the MFI website and their kitchens seem terribly expensive to me... ah well maybe I'm living cloud cookoo land and I'll have a terrible shock when I come to order my kitchen.

Ted_Hutchinson · 16 November 2005 at 3:40PM

They don't have a website. Just go to your local branch with your bank details and ask for an account. Because they are a National company you can sign up for an account in one area and ask for it to be delivered from another depot. I got them to send her a catalogue from her local branch, she ordered it (from an MFI design) and got them to deliver.

Kitchens - which is better quality?

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