Help please with kitchen quotes and haggling!

Hitomi_hoshi

Hi, I'm planning to get my kitchen (roughly 15 x 9 ft) redecorated - mainly to replace the units and worktops. I'm keeping my existing freestanding appliances (but replacing cooker hood). 

I got four quotes from different suppliers and so far narrowed it down to Howdens or Magnet. (Other options were Wren, who I said no to because I wasn't massively keen on their design and also found them far too aggressive in their sales approach! The other one was a local supplier who did a beautiful design but was miles out of my budget)

Howdens have so far quoted just over £5.5k for a mid-range kitchen (11 units, laminate worktop and backboard/upstands, sink, tap, canopy cooker hood). Magnet's quote is about a grand higher and I'm also slightly less keen on their design as they don't seem to have all the unit options/sizes and worktop style that I'm looking for. However I'm still keeping them in the running for now as I do really like door/unit style.

The estimate from Howdens is 'ok' but a little higher than what I had budgeted, and so am wondering the best ways to try and haggle down, as I would prefer to invest more in a decent fitter. I'm aware about flatpack being cheaper (and that this would add extra to my fitter's costs).

I sent the item breakdown to DIY Kitchens to request a like-for-like quote, and theirs has come out about £2,500 cheaper! So I'm thinking of trying to ask Howdens to do a price match, but not sure if trying to get them down by that much is an unrealistic ask...?? 

I've got a follow up appointment with Howdens and wondering whether to take the DIY quote to discuss with them in person, or just email it to them in advance of seeing them?

Am also wondering if others have had much success with getting Howdens to price match with DIY Kitchens, or have any other tips on other ways to try and get the price down please?! 

Thanks in advance :-)

travis-powers

I’ve fitted both Howdens and DIY kitchens and the quality is similar, will Howdens price match? It depends each branch have targets to hit so if they are behind probably yes and it’s worth a shot.
 Depending on how much work is involved and where you are based £2500 will go a long way towards the fitting cost.