Wren kitchens. Any good?

suzinabdn

I am in the process of trying to extricate myself from Wren. Design process - great. Fitter was good but the quality of the product is shocking. I have just taken delivery of 37 replacement pieces and am expecting an additional 3 later this week. This is 3 replacement units and at least one door/drawer/side decor panel on every single unit that has been installed. I am basically their QC department because they quite clearly do not have one in the factory. I was told that it is not their fitter's job to decide whether to install the product because of quality. So basically their fitters will fit any rubbish that gets delivered and not question it unless there is a blatant problem. It is then up to the customer to chase Wren for replacements. The only parts of the kitchen that are acceptable are the appliances and the sink - ie the things that Wren do not manufacture themselves. 

They should be riding a horse and wearing a stetson - bunch of cowboys!

aliviagreen

I had laundry worktops done with Wren and they did a decent (enough) job. The thing that annoyed me was the communication with the company was dismal and it felt like they just wanted to rush through the process without listening to what we really wanted to acheive. 

When we needed our kitchen re-done, we went with another company Paramount Stone Specialists after it was recommended by our neighbour. A completely different experience altogether, very professional company that listened to what we had to say. The quality was much better than my laundry, the finishes, just everything. And the price was reasonable. It's worth looking at these guys if you need worktops done and want to have a good experience.

FrankFalcon

Just a note on that Facebook group about Wren Kitchen disasters. There are a lot of people on there literally trying to bully Wren into pandering to their whims or they will bad mouth Wren in the group. There was one woman who admitted she chose the wrong worktops and asked Wren to replace for free. When Wren refused and told her it was her fault she absolutely slated them on that page. I was a member of the page because I was considering using Wren myself, but amazingly I was kicked from the group simply because I said that a lot of people were bullying and blackmailing Wren. Eventually, we didn’t use Wren ourselves because we found a small, reputable company local to us, but all I am saying is don’t take everything as gospel that is said in Wren disasters Facebook group. The administrators of that group will not allow any comments of praise or any defence of Wren. Wren literally cannot defend themselves on that group even when they have done nothing wrong. 

travis-powers

FrankFalcon said:

Just a note on that Facebook group about Wren Kitchen disasters. There are a lot of people on there literally trying to bully Wren into pandering to their whims or they will bad mouth Wren in the group. There was one woman who admitted she chose the wrong worktops and asked Wren to replace for free. When Wren refused and told her it was her fault she absolutely slated them on that page. I was a member of the page because I was considering using Wren myself, but amazingly I was kicked from the group simply because I said that a lot of people were bullying and blackmailing Wren. Eventually, we didn’t use Wren ourselves because we found a small, reputable company local to us, but all I am saying is don’t take everything as gospel that is said in Wren disasters Facebook group. The administrators of that group will not allow any comments of praise or any defence of Wren. Wren literally cannot defend themselves on that group even when they have done nothing wrong. 

I mentioned earlier on this thread that I was fitting my first Wren kitchen in September,  I’d always avoided them because of the bad press, it was an absolute dream to fit, everything was well packed I had one damaged door which was replaced in 2 days.
The only negative things I can say is you can get the same quality cheaper from other suppliers and don’t use there fitters, they are sub contractors and Wren put a large mark up on the price.

Sroberts13

LV_426 said:

Anyone used Wren to supply and fit their kitchen?
What was your experience of them?

We have an Infinity Plus range kitchen which is sold with a 25 year warranty. The kitchen is less than 4 years old. Unfortunately, one of our kitchen doors now has significant faded colour across the top/integrated handle part.
I have spoken to Wren customer services and sent photos. The response has been that this is 'fair wear and tear' and therefore not covered under the warranty. Whilst I appreciate the notion of wear and tear, it is difficult to accept in this case. This is the only door in the whole kitchen with an issue, and not a door that would be opened most regularly. The cutlery draw, which see more use, is perfectly fine. My assertion is that this door has a faulty paint issue, but Wren refuse to accept this. The only response from customer services is to sell a new door at cost. There is no criteria for how Wren assess 'fair wear and tear' which makes the outcome of any issues raised weighted in favour of Wren and is therefore not fair to the customer. I will ask the Ombudsman to review this situation.

outlaw118

Absolutely not. Measurements not taken correctly, only discovered by the very rude fitter, so a compromise was made, meaning we couldn't have some finishing touches we paid for. Over 3 months gone, still not been refunded. Also damaged the floor while taking out the old kitchen, still not repaired. Doing a Section 75 as nobody listening - oddly enough this has caused a minor flurry of activity, we've been assigned an account manager, one email so far, basically calling us a liar, saying a facia board was "additional works" despite us asking for it to begin with. Because they didn't include it in the original order - their mistake, and admittedly we should have picked up on it, apparently Wren won't fix the problem of our boiler filter being obstructed, because the panel is not on the plan. 

doningtonphil

We usually buy and fit our own Ikea kitchens - 3 so far.  Our current kitchen could wiht replacing.  Went to Ikea and nothign inspired us.  I did a scouting mission to Wren and was pleasantly supplied how I was left to wonder the store for a while, the range on display is massive.  Of course, no prices on display but big posters offering '60% off'.  Of course, you take that wiht a pinch of salt.
Anyway, took my wife back and she spotted the same kitchen as I had decided I liked best, so sat down for a theoretical pricing.  We told the sales lady we usually pay 3k for an Ikea kitchen and fit it ourselves.  She did tell us to expect to pay much more.  But we proceeded.  Anyway the intial quote was something like £22k (LoL) bu tthen she hit the magic button and all the dicount came off and we are paying a bout £8.5k (this includes top of the range neff and bosch hob and oven.  Tha handles we chose are listed as £13 each.  We could have gone for cheaper or sourced elsewhere if we wanted.
I priced up the same on diykitchens and ao.com for the appliances and couldnt match the price!
There is a youtube video where a guy (who mentioned he has a vested interest in diykitchens) bought a sample similar kithcen form the big 6 or 7 suppliers.  He rated Wren high on quality and how quickly they put a damaged panel right, and it wsant the most expensive.
The contact has been good, with the sales person being very adaptable to our changing whims (solid wood v laminate worktop for example).  They sent a surveyor out to check the kitchen we had designed actually fits (nice guy, self confessed geek). So now they will take liability if something doesnt fit.
Unfortuately he did recommend the two biggest units (fridge cabinet and ginat corner larder) come flat packed as ceiling in the room is very low and access is poor.  But all the others should come prebuilt.
They are due on 21st jan, so will keep you posted...
Apparently this is when the disasters start to happen....

Cheryl2912

Avoid at all costs:
The kitchen was mis sold to My Parents (Elderly 77 and 80 years), by Wrens designer/salesman, he sold this kitchen as a package of goods and services. They were told that the installation team would be provided by Wrens Kitchens, and it was included in the “package price”. They were told They had to pay up front, and sign straight away or the offer would not exist anymore, and they would not find one anywhere as good again, this directed their purchase choice. This goes against the consumer protection act. They were assured the installation would take less than a week to complete. My mother emptied the Kitchen for the arrival of Wren's fitter, only to have him call and say he wouldn’t be coming “he had other things to do”. When he did arrive, he did not arrive until after 10.30, and left before 14.00. He informed her he had another job on, and that was where he needed to be. He had by this time turned off their water supply and their kitchen was unusable. He would come back the next day. He did arrive. But again after 10.30 and left again before 16.00. This went on for 3 weeks, he was rude, dismissive and disrespectful of my Parents and their and home. He helped himself to things in the fridge, which had been left plugged in, without asking. He broke their Stopcock in the kitchen. He put my Mother in a terrible position when it came to signing off the job, She was pressurised into signing and paying him. She was 77-year-old disabled lady on her own. Once my Husband had inspected the kitchen, it was discovered that there were several issues with it. My Mother called the installer and asked him to return to rectify the issues. He assured her he would be back the next day, he did not appear, or answer her phone calls. She was extremely distressed; the whole thing was making her ill. Sadly, this was just the beginning. She contacted Wren's kitchens to complain, and the designer returned to view the kitchen. He took a multitude of photos and made notes of many errors. Eventually a representative from Wren's arranged a home visit Mid December to view the issues.
Please see initial list of problems identified and solutions offered:
1) Supply & install all worktops
2) Re install Sink base unit
3) Re install Tower unit
4) Supply & Install frontals on Tower unit
5) Supply & Install all pelmets
6) Remove and re install all wall units
7) Supply & Install Extractor unit Including Internal stays
8) Supply & Install base Filler panel right side of Dryer
9) Supply & Install all Cornice
10) Supply & Install sink unit
11) Supply & Install Beading around the flooring
12) Supply & Install Sink
13) Realign all doors where needed
14) Supply & Install all cover caps where needed
15) Supply Vent and fit to Exterior wall – this had been left open to the elements and potential infestation entrance
16) Refund £75.00 for waste collection
18) Supply & Install wall unit right of extractor
19) Supply & Install Plinths and seals
20) Supply & Install Base panel for under boiler
21) Supply & install Tile trim left of boiler and right of window

On top of this the electrical work done to move the tumble dryer, was left unsafe. The cables had been left hanging out of the wall and exposed. She had to employ an electrician to rectify this as Wren's would not resolve the issue.

The kitchen was reinstalled in February, and again this took weeks to complete as Wren's fitter had other jobs he was being pressurised to complete by Wren's. They broke a pipe in her house, and in order to stop the flooding, they opened the wall in her bathroom, which has been left as a hole, and She will need to pay for someone to come and mend this and re tile. She was already stressed and ill due to the situation crated by Wren's Kitchens and we all feel that her venerable state was taken advantage of all the way through my dealing with Wren's Kitchens.

In June 2024, it was discovered that the oven had been misfitted by wren's Kitchens, and that it was a fire hazard, as confirmed by the manufacturers of the oven. She was unable to use the oven to cook for many weeks. Overall, she was left feeling that although, her home should be her sanctuary, it has however, become her prison. Nothing works properly, and she lives in fear of what will go wrong next.
Do not buy from Wren's kitchens, they are appalling. I have heard of many other people who have had similar issues with this company.

Yazmina

Hi 

We bought a linea autograph in navy silk, August 23.  We used our own fitter.
Over all it was a positive experience with the sales and delivery teams.  However, almost a year later, some of the trim on the side of the units started peeling off. We contacted the showroom and they said HQ would send replacement frontals, but we'd have to arrange fitting ourselves.  The idea of paying a fitter again for a couple of frontals was worse than the peeling trims.  We just decided to live with it.  

kathill55

Yazmina said:

Hi 

We bought a linea autograph in navy silk, August 23.  We used our own fitter.
Over all it was a positive experience with the sales and delivery teams.  However, almost a year later, some of the trim on the side of the units started peeling off. We contacted the showroom and they said HQ would send replacement frontals, but we'd have to arrange fitting ourselves.  The idea of paying a fitter again for a couple of frontals was worse than the peeling trims.  We just decided to live with it.  

These are really easy to replace yourself, can you really not do it? I’m not a tradie by any means but have easily replaced the fronts to some of our units. You pretty much need a couple of tools.