Howdens or Wickes?

takay9

Hi - would really appreciate anyones experience of either company to help us decide. We have very similar plans for both and similar prices for the Chelford (Howdens) and Chester (Wickes) ranges. We are keen on the Wickes range including the walk in corner larder, soft close etc - but conflicted as Howdens seem to be far more reputable. Wickes also have more flexible payment options which is appealing and would be helpful
but not essential. Can anyone give any insight or just share what you think you would do?

Doozergirl

There's no real difference in quality.  The main advantage of Howdens is that they have stock, so there's never any waiting around for weeks/months for any missing parts to show up and changes can be made very quickly.  It's a huge practical
advantage as you know that your trades can just get on with job.  Of course everyone does soft close, so Wickes has no edge on that one.  

Benchmarx is very similar to Howdens in that respect as a trade supplier with stock.  IIRC, they were linked to Wickes as part of the same group, so that might be your sweet spot...
 

YellowCarBlueCar

I spoke to a number of developers for a bungalow renovation that I have at the planning stage, and 2 out of 3 said that they would advise against Wickes on the basis that they are a lot more work to make fit well.  Neither had any issue with B&Q, Wren, or others, so don't think they had an agenda.

No personal experience, but after hearing the same message from 2 independent sources I struck Wickes off my list.

Ballymoney

I couldn’t fault the service from Howdens. Whether the kitchen holds up to the test of time, who knows, I’ve only had it for 2 months but Howdens were very easy to deal with.

cattie

My current kitchen is from Benchmarx who for the most part have the same kitchens that Wickes do, all being part of Travis Perkins group. Benchmarx is cheaper when buying via trades person. Benchmarx came out top on price for pretty much the same kitchen from Howdens & Magnet, neither of whom were willing to price match.

I'd definitely buy from Benchmarx again. My previous Howden's top end kitchen cabinets didn't stand up to day to day wear & tear as they really should have, so I was disapointed with them.

badger09

We compared Howdens & Wickes for our utility room (similar size to a small kitchen). Our builder recommended Howdens as he fits them when renovating rental properties & has one himself. Plumber (his son) has Wickes kitchen & recommended them.

We went for Howdens Allendale as it blended really well with existing kitchen (bespoke, installed by previous owners). Very pleased with it.

gatra_2

Have never had any trouble with Howdens their stuff is good quality but Wickes Customer Service is rotten to the core.

ThisIsWeird

YellowCarBlueCar said:

...they would advise against Wickes on the basis that they are a lot more work to make fit well.

I wonder what they meant by that? Struggling to understand.

plumb1_2

ThisIsWeird said:

YellowCarBlueCar said:

...they would advise against Wickes on the basis that they are a lot more work to make fit well.

I wonder what they meant by that? Struggling to understand.

Maybe because they’ve had true life experience of installing Wicks kitchen a pain to build.
Missing parts, bad customer service etc

ThisIsWeird

plumb1_2 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

YellowCarBlueCar said:

...they would advise against Wickes on the basis that they are a lot more work to make fit well.

I wonder what they meant by that? Struggling to understand.

Maybe because they’ve had true life experience of installing Wicks kitchen a pain to build.
Missing parts, bad customer service etc

Possibly. But just reading the expression - "to make fit well" - I cannot see how there can be any difference between them. And that includes pretty much all kitchens - they are all pretty much the same to 'fit', and all should do so 'well'.

Early exceptions to this were IKEA, with their shallow back-spaces, for example. But I cannot see how Wickes' kitchens are any different in this respect to all the other makes.

MrsStepford

Howdens is a Royal Warrant holder and husband bought black plinths from them when refurbishing our kitchen and got a great price. Three years later, they still look brand new. We bought IKEA top cupboards and they stand up to wear.