Kitchens - which is better quality?

safesound

Ted_Hutchinson wrote:

They don't have a website. Just go to your local branch with your bank details and ask for an account.

Thats it? They dont ask for the usual headed paper, vat reg number, business cheque book, recent invoices to registered address etc? I only ask because I dont want to look a plonker (again....)

AuntyJean

Had a call from B&Q yesterday saying that they would give me 10% off everything (even doors which are currently reduced anyway), if I ordered before Sunday. Their quote was £4,500 including cooker, hob and chimney, double sink and taps and about 11 units, doors, fixings, worktop, plinths, and fitting etc. This would mean an extra £450 off and I could go for the pay in 6 months option.

The problem is I do not know if their white gloss units are any good. Wickes quoted £1,250 just for the units with me having to pay £700 for fitting and buy my own worktops, sink unit, cooker, hob and hood. I prefer the Wickes one and have yet to get the Howden's quote from the electrician.

Someone suggested that having the backing of B&Q would be worth it but I will rely on you guys (and gals) for your opinions.

dsk1980

Hi,

I have heard that B&Q have a terrible reputation for fitting.
We looked at Kitchens there and my Dad told me that they had recently been on Watchdog for shoddyness!

Just a warning!

In_for_a_Bargain

We had our kitchen from B&Q. Have just had new doors put on but the carcasses are still there and have been up for nearly 17 years. Price OK too. They also do fitting, Mum and Sister-in-Law have both had theirs fitted from B&Q with no problems. :T

Ted_Hutchinson

safesound wrote:

Thats it? They dont ask for the usual headed paper, vat reg number, business cheque book, recent invoices to registered address etc? I only ask because I dont want to look a plonker (again....)

Well my local branch didn't. But I take the view if you don't ask you don't get and I have no objections to occasionally appearing a plonker. They appeared perfectly happy to just have my home address and bank account details. I went in one week and filled in the form and a week later I had an account number. I then phoned Janes local branch asked them to send her a trade catalogue. She made her selection and went in and presented her plan from MFI or Wickes can't remember which, they priced up her selection, she ordered. I confirmed it was going on my account. They delivered. Her fitters discovered one item broken and one missing. Howdens replaced broken/missing items. Kitchen finished on time.
Apart from me having to pay it couldn't have been easier.

Joto_2

We're also in the process of getting kitchen quotes. A couple of comments. The MFI website doesn't show the discount prices so you may be pleasantly surprised when you go in store, although we had terrible problems and CS a couple of years ago when we bought bedroom furniture from them, although freinds have had no problems.I picked up a Howdens catalogue and price list the other day ( you can go in to see the kitchens and collect the price list, but you need to be trade to buy). Personnally I thought the prices were expensive. I couldn't find anything in Focus/Wicks that suited, but we have had a fitted bedroom from them in the past and we were very impressed with both the quality and service we received. As a final point most of the expensive looking Kitchen Showrooms also do supply only and there prices aren't always as steep as you may imagine. Good luck to all, I presume we ALL want it done before xmas.

safesound

Ted_Hutchinson wrote:

Apart from me having to pay it couldn't have been easier.

:rotfl:

Thanks, thats all I needed to know

tintin_2

I got an account today with Howdens. When I got the price list and compared like for like with MFI I found them (Howdens) to be more expensive than MFI however, that was against MFIs current promotion of 50% then 20%. On the plus side all the Howdens cabinets come pre built which will reduce the cost of the fitters time. I did notice thought that worktops and taps were cheaper in Howdens than MFI for identical ones. The Howdens man also said "come wth yur order and we cn lower these published trade prices".

shays_mum

i just found this, they just put the site up 17/11/05, hopefully will give us some more info soon :http://www.howdens.com/

shays_mum

btw are there any howden outlets in london?