Howdens kitchen query

poundshillingpence_2

A carpenter has just pointed out various problems with adapting the Ikea Abstract yellow white units to fit awkward spaces in the kitchen, such as around the boiler. He has offered to return with a Howdens catalogue.

I really like the Ikea doors and there seems to be no way of checking online if Howdens have anything similar to offer, nor checking the actual price.

Are there Hiwdens showrooms in the London area?

Can Howdens compete with Ikea in any way, other than unit sizes?

majjie

There are two or three Howdens depots on the outskirts of London (have a look at the bottom of the website).

Howdens definitely do a cream, vinyl wrapped, gloss door:
http://www.howdens.com/product-range/kitchen-collection/kitchen-families/glendevon/glendevon-cream/

I suspect it's more expensive than IKEA's Abstrakt but the price would depend on who's buying it and how much of their discount they pass on to you.

Can't comment about whether it's more suitable to fit in your kitchen - depends on the design. It may just be that your carpenter prefers working with Howdens units - or there may be a genuine reason (such as the plan requiring 300 wide doors). IKEA are usually better than Howdens for hiding boilers - because they do 920 high wall units - but you may not need that extra height.

Fed_Up_Tradesman

I have the Feb 2012 Howdens Trade Price List right here in front of me.

The listed Trade Discount for all Howdens Bins is 30%

poundshillingpence_2

Thank you, I now have hard copy of the brochure (thanks also for the link) . Glendevon Cream certainly looks similar - although quite a lot more expensive than Ikea, even with the published 50% discount. It might be worth a trip to one of the London outlets to check it out.

It's now a question of working out whether to pay the extra for Howden or go for the cheaper, interest free, Ikea, but allowing more of the budget for carpentry. Decisions, decisions...

Fed_Up_Tradesman

Kitchen_DesignR wrote: »

What's the list price of a iKea 600 Highline base compared to the Howdens one?

Howdens Glendevon White / Cream 600mm Hi-Line Base Unit

Net List Price: 432.99 = 519.59 Inc VAT
Net Trade Price: 216.49 = 259.79 Inc VAT

IKEA 600mm Base Unit with Abstrakt White doors = 83.00 Inc VAT

ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/S39809029/#/S39809034

CKdesigner

Fed_Up_Tradesman wrote: »

Howdens Glendevon White / Cream 600mm Hi-Line Base Unit

Net List Price: 432.99 = 519.59 Inc VAT
Net Trade Price: 216.49 = 259.79 Inc VAT

IKEA 600mm Base Unit with Abstrakt White doors = 83.00 Inc VAT

ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/S39809029/#/S39809034

Ah, but does that Ikea price include the legs, hinges, handle, door, shelves, shelf supports, etc.

poundshillingpence_2

I've not looked too closely, but first impression of the Howdens base units is that they only seem to consist of a boring old shelf. Presumably, the desirable features like pull outs will add greatly to the cost.

Fed_Up_Tradesman

Kitchen_DesignR wrote: »

So with 80% discount brings it down to £103 inc.
And that does included, legs, hinges n handle

Who's getting 80% discount from Howdens ?

Fed_Up_Tradesman

Thinking about it, my last quote did contain a few heavily discounted items and iirc they were around this mark.

Not usual though, we were up against a B&Q flat pack quote.

Needless to say, we didn't get it.

Listed trade discount is 50% on these items.

But you know that don't you ...

majjie

CKdesigner wrote: »

Ah, but does that Ikea price include the legs, hinges, handle, door, shelves, shelf supports, etc.

Yes, that includes hinges, shelves and shelf supports (but not legs or handles) ... and two doors. The single door 600 base unit costs just £67: http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/S69852498/#/S29809398

A standard tall gloss end panel from IKEA - is £56. The list price of the same from Howdens (last year's price list): £396.99. That tells you all you need to know about Howdens list price! Even with 70% off (which is more likely than 80% - unless they've got a lot more desperate recently) - that's £119.

That's part of the reason why I prefer IKEA - they're honest about their prices.