Kitchens advice pls: Ikea vs Howdens vs TKC

whitelightning

Hi,

We've just moved and are looking to fit a new kitchen. After reading reviews and having a look at some kitchens we were very much decided that we were going for Ikea. The excitement didn't last very long. We have had 6 kitchen fitters come round to the house for a chat and all of them would rather not fit an Ikea kitchen based on the lack of service gap (could be a pain), flat pack (extra time therefore more cost to charge me) and not so great quality (better out there for the same money). A couple have even refused to fit one.

So far all fitters have recommended Howdens based on the quality being on par with Ikea if not slightly better and price can be matched. A couple of fitters have even said try TKC (TK Components of Denton http://www.tkcomponents.co.uk/) which I have never heard of. The key point I am told is the rigidity of cabinets from both these companies. The cabinets are per-assembled and aligned correctly etc.

I've read plenty of good review on Ikea kitchens, very mixed reviews on Howdens and nothing on TKC.

My questions are;
- Is it that hard to find someone to fit an Ikea kitchen? I'm based in Manchester. Don't want to use Ikea fitting service due to high fitting fees and additional fees to remove existing kitchen, rewire sockets etc. Any recommended fitters would be appreciated.
- Are the quality of Ikea not that great compared to Howdens and TKC? I've seen a few Ikea kitchens and personally think they are great especially for the price.
- Any experience of TKC kitchens?

I am more confused than ever now and really not sure what to do and which kitchen to go for. If a couple of fitters told me one story then could be based on experience but with 6 telling me a very similar story then it's really making me think.

As always appreciate any advice. Many thanks.

F_Bear

+1 for howdens, as long as u know a good fitter who will give you 'full' discount. heres ours....

before:
http://s846.photobucket.com/user/F_Bear/media/oldkitchen.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0#/user/F_Bear/media/newkitchen.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1&_suid=140358615057509182445316115864

after:
http://s846.photobucket.com/user/F_Bear/media/oldkitchen.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0#/user/F_Bear/media/newkitchen.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1&_suid=140358615057509182445316115864

we did a lot of research before u chose and to be fair the howdens man ikea was just as good. a few things to consider on top of what youve said is the lead time if anythings missing, cut wrong etc. howdens are from stock and you can get it straight away.

cddc

The Howdens pros are all listed above....the downside is the warranty which at 5 years on everything is far worse than Ikea and is also via the fitter, and the other downside is the complete lack of transparent pricing. Many fitters with accounts are not only pro Howdens because of the obvious reasons, but because they get a cut of the supply as well.

Most fitters protest too much when it comes to flat pack kitchens. Have seen fitting teams working with them who are familiar with them, normally it takes less than 5 minutes to build a cabinet. Drawer packs take a bit longer, but this idea that the poor loves have to spend a day or more putting units together is erroneous.

Nothing wrong with a Howdens kitchen if you pay the right price for it, but be aware that it is very often in the fitters best interest to promote them, not always the customers.

The lack of a service gap on Ikea kitchens can be a pain, particularly if you have wonky walls. There are pros and cons to everyone at this price point.

MissWhitehouse

TKC are predominately a door distributor, a lot of " kitchen manufacturers" make their own cabinets and fit TKC doors to them.
Howdens and Ikea are both budget kitchens and have a lot of limitations.
But my main argument with them is that their discounts are are false. It's like the the old 90% MFI sale that always ended next week.... I can't believe people are still stupid enough to believe it. In Manchester, check out Byles at Hyde & Bramhall, or Keller in Timperley, both good independents that will do you an honest product at an honest price, fitted & finished.

A good designer will ask you what you want to achieve, monetarily, and work work hard to create a fitted solution that sits within your budget. Be up front & tell them what they have to get to, to stay within your budget. Good luck Whitelightening.

Waterlily24

My hubby fitted our Ikea kitchen himself. He is a joiner and did mutter a bit about the sink cabinet but didn't take that long to sort it out.

whitelightning

Thanks for all the responses.

Still not any clearer on where to buy but I think I will speak to a few more fitters, certainly Byles at Hyde & Bramhall, and Keller in Timperley, just to get more advice. We know what our budget is and what we want. Just a matter of trying to get the best for our money.

rrtt

Have just had new kitchen fitted by Chantry Kitchens (of Harrogate, but I believe they have other branches too). Can't recommend them highly enough. Quality of cabinets far superior to anything I saw at Ikea, B&Q or Howdens for pretty much the same price - although that did include 25% off for the month of May. However, their fitting price was unbeatable - £800 + VAT for a large-ish kitchen which might well recoup you the extra. Cabinets easily strong enough to support granite work surfaces. Excellent customer service, superb fitting done in 2 days with very little lead-in time, I think it was approx 3 weeks from ordering to finishing, incl a lovely double butlers sink from Shaws, which they obtained for me at less than manufacturer's price! Tap and work surfaces were from elsewhere.

They have their own workshops near York so a bespoke service, sustainable sourcing, no delivery problems etc.

rrtt

F_Bear wrote: »

howdens are from stock and you can get it straight away.

Have to say I disagree with that as far as the Harrogate store's concerned - only one of their kitchens was off the shelf, everything else was a minimum 4-week lead time.

powerful_Rogue

Our fitter was an ex Howdens manager, so we got a very good discount. Cant fault the quality - all good sturdy cabinets.

HOMESWEETHOME

rrtt wrote: »

Have just had new kitchen fitted by Chantry Kitchens (of Harrogate, but I believe they have other branches too). Can't recommend them highly enough. Quality of cabinets far superior to anything I saw at Ikea, B&Q or Howdens for pretty much the same price - although that did include 25% off for the month of May. However, their fitting price was unbeatable - £800 + VAT for a large-ish kitchen which might well recoup you the extra. Cabinets easily strong enough to support granite work surfaces. Excellent customer service, superb fitting done in 2 days with very little lead-in time, I think it was approx 3 weeks from ordering to finishing, incl a lovely double butlers sink from Shaws, which they obtained for me at less than manufacturer's price! Tap and work surfaces were from elsewhere.

They have their own workshops near York so a bespoke service, sustainable sourcing, no delivery problems etc.

Just checked there website - Im based in rotherham and its good to be recommended a crowd but would i get much out of 6/7ish grand
Got a very small kitchen - 2.5 on rear wall, 3m or wall facing the garden and then a further 2m breakfast bar - so a U shaper kitchen

rrtt

HOMESWEETHOME wrote: »

Just checked there website - Im based in rotherham and its good to be recommended a crowd but would i get much out of 6/7ish grand
Got a very small kitchen - 2.5 on rear wall, 3m or wall facing the garden and then a further 2m breakfast bar - so a U shaper kitchen

No doubt depends what style you choose - I went for v. plain and simple, no pelmets eg, but with real wood doors, only 4 drawers, no carousel or other frills. If you did same I'm pretty sure you'd get a small kitchen for under £6-7K incl VAT. But you've nothing to lose by asking them for a quote, which will be free.