Howdens or Benchmarx kitchen?

TranceNRG

BaileySJ wrote: »

Not to throw another spanner in, but I recently used Wren and they were very good - they also come preassembled and offer delayed payment / 0% if needed.

I believe Howden's are generally considered to be of excellent quality but then it comes down to price usually.

Hope this helps!

Thank you but we really like the looks of Howdens and Benchmarx kitchens and to be honest, I've got a lot of things on my plate and I don't want to go to another supplier.

If another Howdens store could do a better deal and get close to the Benchmarx quote, I could go with them.

leveller2911

TranceNRG wrote: »

Thank you but we really like the looks of Howdens and Benchmarx kitchens and to be honest, I've got a lot of things on my plate and I don't want to go to another supplier.

If another Howdens store could do a better deal and get close to the Benchmarx quote, I could go with them.

Davesnave is correct , DIY Kitchens online are far better quality and cheaper than both Benchmarx and Howdens.. Howdens and Benchmarx carcases are edged with 0.8mm edgebandings which will not put up with knocks whereas DIY's are 2.7mm thick ABS plastic. The doors, worktops etc on DIY ones are far superior the either Howdens or BM... The only downside is you have to order each item from the website (not difficult) and plan the kitchen but there is free software to help you on their website.

If you want to save money and have a better quality kitchen don't go to Howdens, Benchmark or Wickes.. This is a money saving site ,afterall....

I make bespoke kitchens and also fit standard kitchens from Howdens etc and there is no comparison between them.. I had a quote from Howdens for one recently , small kitchen ,total cost from them was £4,100 and DIY came in at £2,900 , better quality kitchen and cheaper.. I had another one last week from Wickes that came in at £6,600 and DIY was £3,400 and far better quality.The "sheds" as we in the trade call them rely on people like you not researching or shopping around at places other than the high street.

john_white

Howdens beat DIY Kitchens for me. They were cheaper, DIY also required 5 weeks for delivery and to have a named delivery day added £175 to the bill.


The main issue I think though is you need to know exactly what to order, fine for units but end panels trim etc can be an issue, especially if you are changing a layout.


The units though do look very good.

TranceNRG

DIY kitchens is out of the question. I need to be able to buy the kitchen within a few days of ordering and to be able to source any damaged items very quickly. Also anything that requires me to order the individual componets.

Would different Howdens stores will compete with each other? If I go to a different Howdens store and give my builder's details and ask them to design the same kitchen and price match Benchmarx, will they know that I had the same kitchen designed by another Howdens store?

dirty_magic

Will the Howdens branch you've already used not beat the Benchmarx price? We found that they were desperate to beat each other! Suppose it's worth trying another branch if they won't but they might have a base price they won't go below. £300 isn't much to them in the scheme of things!

TranceNRG

Nah that Howdens branch (the guy wasn't that all helpful to be honest and Benchmarx guy was much more accommodating) wouldn't match Benchmarx and wouldn't go down any further than £3000 and he kept going on about how Howdens were of much better quality.
As far as I know both carcasses have chipboards and htey are very similar but Benchmarx has a thicker backboard.

£300 is not a lot normally but I had a lot of unexpected things come up (need to damp proof the building and also need to replace a leaking flat roof) so any money saved = less debt

So that's why I'm wondering if it's worth going to a different Howdens branch and getting them to price match Benchmarx quote. But will they know that I'd been to another Howdens branch?

WannaBLoaded

How are you getting your prices from howdens and benchmarx, through your fitter? Is he giving you the paperwork?

I am surprised howdens aren't trying to compete and losing interest, although this may be to do with you not being the fitter because this is a trade only company as i think is benchmarx.

We fit howdens and never fitted a benchmarx, we've been meaning to open an account but howdens are more local.

The backs being thicker in benchmarx is interesting although howdens are thick enough.

I certainly wouldn't entertain wren, we went there to see what their set up was - 5 weeks for delivery. Missing item? 2 weeks to get that :rotfl:

Howdens is good because they come out same day if you are missing stuff which it sounds like benchmarx do too.

Sometimes you can get better prices on howdens stuff if you let a period of time pass and the end of the months is approaching.

If you go to antoher howdens branch they'll know, but i have read that branches try to compete with each other. But they may just not be interested.

TranceNRG

No they asked for my builders details (and also rang him) but I'm the one buying it. I think that's how it normally works.

I'm tempted to make another appointment with the other Howdens store but I'm worried if they find out I had a design with another Howdens store, they'll notify them and I might jeapordise the whole thing.
When I rang the other Howdens store ( didn't give them my name or builders details) I told them I had a design done with another Howdens store and asked if they could do a better deal but the person answered the phone said they don't compete with other stores. But I've read the opposite on various forums so I dunno

WannaBLoaded

TranceNRG wrote: »

No they asked for my builders details (and also rang him) but I'm the one buying it. I think that's how it normally works.

Not how it normally works, you pay the company you are using to do your work usually and they pay Howdens because Howdens are meant to be trade only and you don't have an account with them.

I'm tempted to make another appointment with the other Howdens store but I'm worried if they find out I had a design with another Howdens store, they'll notify them and I might jeapordise the whole thing.
When I rang the other Howdens store ( didn't give them my name or builders details) I told them I had a design done with another Howdens store and asked if they could do a better deal but the person answered the phone said they don't compete with other stores. But I've read the opposite on various forums so I dunno

I reckon their rules have changed then because he lost interest once you said that. They will know who you are as soon as you give your name and address because your builders quote will be on their system and it will probably have your name and address on it too.

Are you the one dealing with howdens or is it your builder? as i said earlier, they may be less interested in dealing with you even on comparative pricing with another company because your builder is really their customer and he gives the green light or the red light for price reduction and quote acceptance.

TranceNRG

WannaBLoaded wrote: »

Not how it normally works, you pay the company you are using to do your work usually and they pay Howdens because Howdens are meant to be trade only and you don't have an account with them.



I reckon their rules have changed then because he lost interest once you said that. They will know who you are as soon as you give your name and address because your builders quote will be on their system and it will probably have your name and address on it too.

Are you the one dealing with howdens or is it your builder? as i said earlier, they may be less interested in dealing with you even on comparative pricing with another company because your builder is really their customer and he gives the green light or the red light for price reduction and quote acceptance.

I'm the one buying the kitchen in this case. Both Howdens and Benchmarx have rung my builder and got his details but the design consultants are dealing with me.