Howdens or Cooke and Lewis Kitchen??

mini-me66

I have had quotes for Howdens, and Cooke & Lewis (B&Q premuim range).

The quotes are similar ish however C&L will be all soft close as standard, but Howdens will be ready built. I am happy to build the units myself, so would be keen to know whether the C&L are as good as the Howdens kitchens, and therefore better value for money as soft close...or...whether to get Howdens for quality and try to add some soft close dampners (or change the hinges??)

Any advice or experience?

Thanks

leveller2911

I wouldn't go with either. If you know a tradesman who has a Howdens account he should be capable of working out what units etc you need so he can go online and order your kitchen from DIY Kitchens. You will get a better quality kitchen at a far lower price.

I make kitchens and also fit standard ones. Had a Howdens account for over 15 years and would choose DIY over Howdens any day. I've also fitted Wickes (ok , but poor aftersales),IKEA (yuk), B&Q (dire),Magnet (ok).

I recently fitted a new kitchen for my parents and Howdens quoted £4,950 foil wrapped door,only choice of 2 carcases and cheap and cheerful laminate worktops . DIY came in at £4,200 , solid Oak door, choice of 20 carcase finishes and Durapol quality Laminate worktops. All of the pan drawers,wire basket pullouts,doors and draw-fronts are all pre-fitted with DIY.

mini-me66

Thanks for the reply. Assuming neither of us have the time to go through everything online and wanted to choose between howdens and the Cooke and Lewis range, which is better quality.

I and friends have used their IT range for updating and I couldn't complain, my parents have C&L and can't complain but don't have experience of howdens.

Thanks

phill99

I fit kitchens.

A rigid csrcass is better quality over a flat pack. Flat pack always relies on dowels and screws which become the week points.

Realistically though, the biggest issue for me is availability of stock. Howdens is all held in stock, and worse case they will drag it in from another branch. When there is a damaged panel or door etc. (And there wil be), Howdens replace them instantly. Cooke and Lewis is a waiting game and if its a critical part will bring the fit to a grinding halt.

Ruski

C&L units are built in about 10 minutes so you're not 'saving' that much time, pan drawers etc also take about the same time.

I've just fitted a 15 unit C&L gloss cream for a customer and they're well happy with it.

Howdens units still need their legs screwed on and you still need to spend time putting on handles and hinges, so there's not much advantage getting pre-built. Biggest advantage is Howdens usually have everything in stock, B&Q C&L is order only - but if something is missing they will get parts to you next day delivery.

A decent fitter will make either brand look fab, so it's down to budget and timescales: Howdens will usually beat B&Q on both those points.

Oh, and if you're looking at a swing-out corner unit, Howdens latest is superior to the B&Q offering.

HTH a bit

Russ

manda1205

We have a Howdens kitchen, bought last year. We got in on the October sale they do and also got soft close hinges thrown in. With some other haggling I got them to round the figure down to £2500 too. Luckily I have a brother in building trade and got mostly 90% discount. Our local branch manager was certainly up for dealing with just me and for discounts too, so always worth asking.
*edit* I'm pleased with the quality too, we have the burford range and the worktop is square edged laminate and is very nice and taking some stick from my kitten too .

Doozergirl

I'm completely in agreement with Phil99, for exactly the same reasons, given the choice of those two companies.

cyclonebri1

There are an awful lot of recommendations;) for DIY kitchens, the company that Leveller recomends on here these days. I've not had cause to use them yet but if I were at your stage I'd certainly check them out

archieleyshon

DO NOT USE MAGNET...... We have been battling with them for a year to get our kitchen sorted, put right, etc. Battling with them now as we are refusing to pay the full price with them having had severe damage to our goods and home, delays, fitter was sacked on the job cos he was completely incompetent, leaks cos of poor plumbing works, a gas fitter who couldn't change a fuse in a plug, etc....etc..... I could go on forever and have endless images showing the hell we went through.....

DON'T TOUCH THEM! They are not cheap, but we thought by using them and in particular their fitter we would have some protection and confidence.

DREAM KITCHEN..... TURNED TO NIGHTMARE KITCHEN!

Ainsley1

Howdens normally only sell to trade customers and your price seems very high so maybe not getting the trade discount?

As a price comparison:
We had Howdens carcases (very strong) only and lots of bespoke/purpose made bits such as drawers and stone worktops fittings etc all soft close and real wood for not much more than your quotes. I bet it would knock spots off all the other 'off the shelf' units that I would only buy for much less.

am_bain

I had a kitchen from howdens fitted 2 years ago and happy with it the only thing I would say is do not buy your electrical items from them as they are rubbish I think they used to be ok but they changed supplier.