Howdens kitchen query

hopfarm

I have suffered a major house fire resulting in my entire house being made good through my insurance company.I was advised by my builders to use Howdens for my replacement kitchen.They came round measured up and designed the kitchen using Belmont white gloss units and oak laminate worktop.My kitchen is fairly small (2.5x3.5m) and the quote is coming in at £8391 for supply of kitchen only,this seems quite high?The problem I have is that I am not seeing a breakdown of costs only final cost thats supplied by builder.It is for approx 16 units.Has anyone any experience of prices for this kitchen?

CyCo_2

You are being ripped off, big style! Probably because they know it is an insurance job.

Have you got a Benchmarx or Magnet trade close by you can get quotes from?

hopfarm

Thanks for the reply,thats what I thought! Have got B&Q coming round this afternoon and are going to Magnet trade tommorow,the only problem with using someone else is that the kitchen allowance is reduced giving me less to spend ,damned if I do,damned if I dont !!!!

CyCo_2

Why is the kitchen allowance reduced if you get it from elsewhere? Insurance companies tend to offer a set amount for replacement of the products, which you can "top up" if you want to spend more than they are offering. (I deal with kitchen insurance quotes quite often)

Let me know how you get on.

hopfarm

It was the builders that told me it would be reduced to allow for their costs (invoicing,transportation e.t.c) I am going to email the surveyor and confirm that this is the case,will let you know.

CyCo_2

Ok, what that basically means is that if they get the kitchen from somewhere else, they can't make as much from it as they can from Howdens.

Tell them you want to see a detailed quote for the kitchen. The price they are quoting you sounds very much like the price without any discounts (or very little discount anyhow).

Also ask them for a copy of the plan, and say you are going to get a quote from B&Q for the same layout. Should be interesting to find out what they reply to that!

hopfarm

Have emailed them requesting a copy of breakdown of costs and copy of layout,received reply saying they will arrange for Howdens to drop off some sample doors and if I choose a different range then the price might come in within budget,but no breakdown of costs!!!!!

CyCo_2

Have they given you ANYTHING? Like 3D visuals, exactly what is in the price? (i.e. appliances, worktops, sink, tap etc).

Any builder worth their salt will give you some form of indication as to exactly what you are getting.

It screams out to me that they are just looking to make as much money as they can from the insurance company.

victorias_dad

Howdens are probably quoting there retail price and will bare no relation to the price the builder will pay, It has nothing to do with being an insurance claim ask you builder how much of his trade discount he is willing to pass on to you, of the top of my head i think i get 60- 70% remember you have to be in the trade to buy from Howdens your builder is Howdens client not you

hopfarm

Still no breakdown on costs! The prices I am being given are from my builder,not from Howdens,my job went out to tender and this builder was appointed.If trade get 60% discount then my very small kitchen would be coming in at approx £13600!!! However the builders are saying the quotes given are with discount! Have tried to find prices online but of course they are not there! Would be interesting to find someone with a Burford kitchen to compare costs.

hopfarm

Sorry forgot to say that this quote is coming in much higher than my insurance allowance and I am expected to pay the difference,just dont want to be ripped off!