Howden's or Homebase?

gouldilocks

Need some advise please, have been looking at kitchens for what seems like forever but we now need to start ordering, we've got two very similar in price quotes from both Howdens and Homebase... I seem to be swaying towards the Howdens one but what are people opinions?

I was all set for Howdens but someone put me off by saying they were'nt good (even though I've read good stuff on here), that they fall apart then you can't get replacements, but then he has a top of the range bespoke italian kitchen!!

Should I ignore his comments? What do people with Howdens kitchens think?

Also (sorry long post) worktop wise I do like the high gloss but partner prefers the matt laminate, I think the gloss looks sleeker but he reckons too hard to keep clean but we both like the maia from Homebase, anyone got any opinions on this? Or any ideas on a similar looking worktop which isn't too expensive?

Thanks x

Doozergirl

Intersting to know how someone with a bespoke italian kitchen will know all about Howdens' kitchens! It's not going to be the same quality but the Howdens kitchen is a sold carcass which saves a bit on fitting costs, it will stand the test of time certainly compared to a Homebase kitchen. Pieces can also be collected directly from the warehouse which often solves the issues you get with kitchens being delivered after weeks of waiting only to find that bits are missing and you have to send the fitters home. If there is anything missing, you simply collect it from Howdens. Why you wouldn't be able to get replacements (bearing in mind that all the DIY sheds will discontinue ranges at some point) I don't know

I don't think gloss laminate is harder to keep clean - in fact I'd say the opposite - there's no rough bits for germs to hide themselves in. I'm having to live with a rough laminate work surface right now and I hate it - it doesn't ever feel clean to me anymore. Maybe that's to do with it being a bit old and somebody elses Gloss worktops are supposed to show scratches but in the time that I had one, I didn't have a problem. I would never cut anything directly on a worksurface.

gouldilocks

Thanks for your advise, looks like we'll go for the Howdens and I'll have to sweet talk him into the gloss! As he says its mainly me out there anyway!

Was thinking gloss worktops with upstand as well... decisions, decisions! x

Doozergirl

Careful with upstands near the sink - they will soak up water like a sponge. I like upstands too - I'm not going to have tiles in the new kitchen again. I'd like a glass splashback for the cooker. I managed to get some Quartz really cheap from B&Q but no upstands - might have to pay extra for some.

woodbutcher_2

I would go for the Howdens kitchen myself.Solid units and come pre-assembled.As for upstands near a sink.Been to job recently and she wants upstands replaced with full height splashbacks.This kitchen was recently fitted and the upstands around the sink were already starting to swell.If you are going for upstands,make sure all cut edges are sealed by either coating them with silicone or waterproof pva.When fitted,make sure all joins are then sealed with a good quality silicone.

gouldilocks

Thanks for your help, still haven't decided about upstand yet, we haven't got the sink problem though as the back wall is being knocked out to become kitchen/diner so will be getting larger worktop (breakfast bar) and there will be nothing behind the sink (know it sounds weird but our neighbours have done it and it looks lovely!)

My original idea was upstand round the kitchen with splashback in same material above the cooker... glass does sound tempting though but don't know what I'd do above the worktops everywhere else.

majjie

High gloss worktop finishes are prone to showing small scratches. They're not structurally a problem - but some people don't like seeing them. They especially show up when light shines on the worktop.

With solid surfaces like Maia, these little scratches can be polished out again, if you don't like them ... but then that makes them more high maintenance than a matt surface would be.

You can get matching glass splasbacks and upstands. There's an E-bay shop doing them:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Kitchen-Additions

or you can get them from trade supplier Hafele, who also do matching tiles - but then you need to find a retailer:
http://www.hafele.co.uk/Hafele35a1/Templates/Hafele/browse.asp?newrecordset=yes&classlevel=7363

I haven't compared the prices.

Doozergirl

Nice one majjie, thanks

gouldilocks

The glass looks great, thanks for the links x

JANELUVI

Hi, just seen your thread and thought I'd let you know that I have just had a Howdens kitchen fitted and am really pleased with it. I was lucky to choose two very good fitters who did a brilliant job and also decorated and tiled for me. I chose the shaker Beech (Lyndhurst) with the Ebony matt worktops as seeing as this kitchen will have to last me forever I didn't want something that would look dated too quickly. I use worktop protectors (one glass from M & S £5 and one I got from Ebay which looks like a slab of granite but with protective feet) I thought about glass splashbacks but settled on natural stone mosaic tiles which look beautiful but a bit of a pain to prepare with 2 coats of sealing before grouting and 1 after. Anyway, that said, def. go for the Howdens but get good fitters!

squoog

I agree with above. I recently fitted a homebase kitchen as the price in the sale was a few hundred less than Howdens, BUT the carcasses were weak and wobbly and hard to fit. My builder said the factory made carcasses at Howdens are much stronger.
as for the gloss worktop, we have one and it does look nice, but as light shines on it, it shows the water marks if you have just wiped it and not buffed it perfectly. Also I stood a bottle of cleaning fluid on it that had leaked over the shopping and it has etched the shape of the bottle base in to the worktop! Grrr! But it does look nice...