MFI versus Howdens, your thoughts please

Will_it_make_me_rich

We got these appliences:

http://www.appliance-city.co.uk/product.asp?mod=KENSINGTON90DFSATIN

http://www.appliance-city.co.uk/product.asp?mod=DI612CA

http://www.appliance-city.co.uk/product.asp?mod=DHD519X

For £1250 including free delivery, which we though was a good price considering you can pay near £1000 for the cooker alone on some sites.

Howdens high gloss cream is the same shade as MFI's. We're having howdens supply the fridge and freezer, people say the diplomat range is rubbish but we'll take that chance.

spider31

I don't think shades are exactly the same (with the space cream), the bits at the end are not the same thickness, I think this detail makes a difference.
Howdens do not sell the same cabinets, we really liked the style of the horizontal glass cabinets, howdens could not supply them.
I was a little sneaky, I took a plan of my kitchen to Howdons, got them to send a quote to my builder, I took that quote to MFI and they beat the price.
The cabinets were not exactly the same, but some matched, so what I said was. If the cabinets you can match (or are very close) are on average are 65% cheaper at Howdens I want 65% off ALL the cabinets.

Howdens quote £5400
MFI quote £5900

MFI was more, but not much and it had the bits we WANTED and LIKED.

That’s without solid wood worktops and ALL appliances, most are BOSH and approx 22 Cabinets and expensive things like wine racks.
The design was very good, but the person who did it for us had over 10 years exp. But I assume they are not always very good.

MFI’s full price would have been £16,000 but I don’t believe that, I recon we probs saved about 1k to 2k as MFI never seam to sell at the full price.
You have to play the system, MFI will be happy to make a few 1000 on a kitchen but they will try to take you for more if they can.
I am renovating a house at the moment, and I have got a massive discount on EVERYTHING just by asking with a smile (or getting my much better looking girl friend to ask )


We have heard bad things about fitting, but we got our own fitter

shopaholicjules

Hi Spider31
Can you tell me what you mean by the bits at the end and did you mean they looked better at MFI rather than Howdens.
I'm not looking at getting any of the glass cabinets but know that I would have to use MFI for the 1000mm pan drawers.
I am looking at getting a plan done by MFI and then taking to Howdens and getting a quote from them.
You have put that the quote is without solid wood worktops or appliances, is that what you meant as that seems expensive for just the units.
Are your appliances coming from MFI?
I know I am asking loads of questions, it's just that like you, once I get my keys in a couple of weeks I am going to have to renovate the whole of the new house. First the kitchen and bathroom and move on from there, so any ideas greatly appreciated.
I have my own fitter for the kitchen and for the price I am paying I want to be able to have the things I want and like, those little extras.
Jules

spider31

That price was with the Appliances but without the solid wood. (I will edit my post)

The appliances were not cheap, most of them are bosh and included double oven, integral fridge freezer, bosh hob, bosh dish washer etc.

The bits at the end, I think this was the vertical bits of wood, not 100% sure.

If you ask MFI what the differences are between there kitchens and howdens they will be more than happy to help. But remember they are selling, but they were really helpful.

moneysavingwannabe

Hi,

We had appointments with lots of different kitchen places. B&Q, Homebase, MFI, Magnet. We were not impressed with any of them.

We are buying a Second Nature kitchen which is like MFI space cream but the carcasses match the doors and are much sturdier. This is from a local supplier but they have a website with addresses of stockists.

I planned my own kitchen using a downloaded programme (search for ALNO) you can plan and then view in 3d and move around the kitchen. I used some of the ideas from the appointments but spent time perfecting it myself.

ryk

What you need to know is: Howdens is owned by MFI.

djohn2002uk

ryk wrote: »

What you need to know is: Howdens is owned by MFI.

What you need to know is: MFI stores have been sold off and are no longer connected with Howden. Apart from being supplied with kitchens for, I think, 12 months.

cuffie

Not sure if anyone can advise, but I have been into MFI to get a quote for the Kelmscott White kitchen (with long sleek handles). I have been quoted £10k, thats the sale price, without my granite worktops and without installation!!! Does anyone know if Howdens do that kitchen (and if so, what is it called?). I really didn't think it would be that much!!!!
Cheers

Liz1966

The Kelmscott White kitchen in MFI is the same or very similar to Howdens kitchen called Haworth White.

karen1876

Hi all

Was just quoted by MFI sales team on the woodbridge kitchen today. Is Howdens still cheaper via a trade card and does anyone know if / what their equivalent range name is ?

Cheers