Howdens Kitchens compared to B&Q

cddc

The designer at my local Howdens could not plan his way out of a paper bag. But to be honest, all designers make mistakes every now and then.


And I should know, because I am one!


The fitter is abdicating his responsibility here though, because your contract is with him, not Howden's. So it should be him going to Howden's complaining about the design, not you. But presumably you have now paid him in full, so he is not going to worry about it.
Howden's are not going to to worry about it either because they have no contract with you.


So unless you have withheld payment from the fitter I can see nothing being done about this. As your contract is with him and not Howden's you may find it hard to get the problem resolved.


This is the difference in buying via a tradesman from a trade outlet, and buying from a retail outlet. Though you may save money buying from a trade outlet, they don't care about you, they care about getting repeat business from the fitter.

firstflat

I'm also comparing Howdens to B&Q....this is confusing! I had one builder with a Howdens account but I am not using him anymore, and Howdens refuse to return emails. My new builder has an account at another branch so I can still use them, but this forum has made me think that B&Q is better customer and after-fit service including appliances than Howdens and might just be better overall. B&Q just seem to have a small range esp flooring. Is there actually any quality difference between Howdens and B&Q on carcasses and unit fronts/worktops?
Howdens are more expensive and their customer service crap if you ask me. But if the quality is better I'd still go with them.
Any final thoughts please? Thanks