homebase kitchens - any good?

Tinpot_2

I bought my previous kitchen from B&Q and it was a nightmare from start to finish (some 4 months later). I was about to buy this one from Homebase but my fitter convinced me to go to an independent called K2GO, in Dunstable. They apparently manufacture for high-end kitchens for studios where you would pay at leaset double the price. The quality and service was not something you get from the 'sheds' and I would recommend them to anyone. The only downside is they would not do my sister's kitchen, as she lived outside their 30-mile radius.

latecomer

I dont think there is much to choose between them to be honest. In my first flat I spent approx £2000 on an MFI kitchen (inc appliances). My OH spent approx £1000 on a B&Q one to fit the exact same kitchen but exluding appliances (we bought the flats in the same development) and they were both cheap and cheerful. There were issues with both but nothing that wasn't expected. If you want a cheap kitchen then go for it but dont except miracles with the quality.

One thing I would say is avoid Diplomat appliances like the plague. My cooker was crap from day 1, it worked but only just. And while I thought it was just a bad one, I later found out someone else had the same make/model and also the same issues.

thebeautifulsouth

The kitchens are supplied by a company called "IS" who I am told also supply Magnet! The thing for me is quality and service. We had a Homebase kitchen installed recently and are very happy overall. Whilst they are not cheap (I don't understand or care about the carcase size - chipboard is chipboard!!) it was good value and I got the kitchen I wanted. The difference from the beginning was thier people, unlike the other "sheds" Homebase are not pushy like BaQ or ignor you like mfi - which annoyed my husband. The lady who came to the house from Homebase to check the layout was lovely as was the fitter who overcame any problems. You also get the "Trustmark" guarantee (Government standard) which the others don't give. We used the 15% off voucher in the National Trust Magazine which I understand is in other mags - well worth hunting down!

Airwolf1

"Ask yourself the question "why do Howdens only supply to trade" answer so the builder can put his cut into the price so you lose." - posted higher up.

Not really. You'll find that some tradesmen don't add anything on, in fact some of them bring their customer in with them to see the kitchens. Also, Howdens' carcases are 22mm thick, and do last.

I used to work there.

Doozergirl

Airwolf1 wrote: »

"Ask yourself the question "why do Howdens only supply to trade" answer so the builder can put his cut into the price so you lose." - posted higher up.

Not really. You'll find that some tradesmen don't add anything on, in fact some of them bring their customer in with them to see the kitchens. Also, Howdens' carcases are 22mm thick, and do last.

I used to work there.

You should see the crap my H came home with the other week, they certainly aren't 22mm thick. Convenient because you can buy off the shelf but we'd have got the same stuff cheaper in B&Q as it goes, even with Howdens mickey mouse discounting policy. Something like £2500 for the full price of a 500 larder unit, a high-line 600 unit, doors to match, three end panels and three lengths of plinth. I was spitting at the £500 he did pay for it. Howdens buy their carcasses in at about £3 a pop.

Who, exactly, pays the full price if Howdens are trade only??

They're very good for some stuff but people make quite a big deal out of the good deal Howdens offer on their ktichens which simply isn't true. Of the dozens of kitchens we've bought, Howdens have never been truly competitive.

Haggle well with any of the sheds or MFI and you will get the same for cheaper without having to find a tradesperson to buy from Howdens for you.

Airwolf1

Howdens will price match, even try to beat a price if you take a quote in with you.

Who pays the full price? Unsure. As I explained, some builders merely charge their customer what they were charged. Some add on, as they do with materials bought from anywhere.

And Howdens are competitive, I've reduced estimates a few times for people for different reasons.

Mutton_Geoff

markrhewitt's first post here and it reads like some nasty promo leaflet. Shouldn't you declare your interest in Homebase?

Doozergirl

Airwolf1 wrote: »

Howdens will price match, even try to beat a price if you take a quote in with you.

Who pays the full price? Unsure. As I explained, some builders merely charge their customer what they were charged. Some add on, as they do with materials bought from anywhere.

And Howdens are competitive, I've reduced estimates a few times for people for different reasons.

So nobody pays the "full" price.

And a trade outlet will price match those that supply to the general public.

My point made I think. Howdens is not what it's often made out to be. Nothing personal!

majjie

I think it's a bit worrying that an employee (ex- or not) doesn't know what thickness the Howden's carcasses are ... but it seems to be the trend at the moment not to supply technical info. You won't find the technical spec of Howdens kitchens in their latest brochure or price list.

MFI's latest Schreiber carcasses have novel Titusonic 'Woodwelding' joints - instead of the more common glue and dowel system - which apparently gives them extra strength and good reproducible quality. I haven't seen any promotion of that though ... only those silly "We've changed" adverts. And again there's no technical spec in the brochure or price list.

Do they all think their customers are idiots who won't understand technical stuff? Or is it, perhaps, that there aren't any significant differences between the carcasse qualities of all the multiples.

I'd agree with Doozergirl about the "retail" price list of Howdens being ridiculous - but I think they make their own carcasses rather than buy them in (unless you mean what they pay for them within the Galiform group). They're called a trade supplier because their target market is fitters and builders who supply kitchens. The trade price list shows the "retail" price - then a "trade" price ... but in fact the real trade price is less than that ... so that if the customers pay the "trade" price they think they're getting a bargain - whilst the fitter/builder still makes a profit. It probably works quite well ... but some fitters/builders will give you the real trade price.

If you paid £500 for units with a "retail" price of £2,500 then I'd say that was probably a good deal - even if the £2,500 was a myth in the first place.

We're all such suckers for a "bargain" that suppliers go to enormous lengths to make customers think they're getting a bargain - even when they're not. That's the way all direct sales outfits work. Mind you, I perhaps shouldn't be saying that on here ......

Talfie

Having shopped around I chose Homebase against advice due to the interest free credit i could get upon purchase.

I regret this decision.

The cabinets aren't sturdy compared to other suppliers and the instructions to fit the kitchen are poor.

My biggest grievance is that they ommitted door handles from my order even though i had picked a style from the showroom. I checked the itemised quote and they were in there but the final order (which unfortunately i didnt deem necessary to double check) was void of door handles. This means my order shouldve been a couple hundred pounds more expensive and so higher than other quotes from other suppliers.

The store manager refuses to accept this was an error on his part and is insisting i pay the defecit to acquire what i deem to be a relatively key part to any kitchen. On a personal note his manner is harsh and had i dealt with him in purchasing the kitchen i wouldve re-considered.

Store used: Branksome, Bournemouth