Compensation from Howdens

secla

Id say technically you didn't buy the kitchen your builder did as howdens only sell to trade and as i think you have said it was done through your builders account. Your builder would have been given all the terms and conditions when the signed up for an account.

As you say they have accepted responsibility (which is odd as i have never heard of them sending out people to measure up) so just ask them for whatever you think your losses are and see what they say. The fact you cant have the kitchen you wanted is neither here no there as even if they had the right measurements it would have had to have been different.

Alderbank

Brumgum12 said:

I'm struggling with this whole thing, the person has said he was relying on professionals, they have admitted they should of measured, 
Go to Trading Standards they will help, I feel for you I really do, I'm in a horrible situation with fitter and this company, 

Are you sure about that advice? What help will they give?

TS can prosecute for criminal offences but they have no powers to help consumers with civil claims.

searchlight123

Having very recently had a Howdens kitchen fitted I can confirm that Howden's designer came out to view and measure my kitchen before we then went to his branch and viewed his plans, when he also supplied computer graphic print outs of the finished design.

Our assigned fitter also visited before the installation started to check that the design fitted our space correctly. Also the assigned company that supplied our quartz worktops also visited once the base units had been fitted to template the worktops. I was impressed with the level of preparation of the install and needless to say it all went in, in a week (worktops a week after that), with no hitches other than one slightly damaged cabinet door that was replaced the next day.

Would highly recommend their service. This was Harlow in Essex branch.

EnPointe

Ren90 said:

Hi all
We had a kitchen supplied from Howdens as part of a renovation (where we converted a garage into the kitchen). They never came out at any point to complete a survey or take any measuremets, they did it based on our architects approx measurements and a measurement from our electrician. The kitchen got delivered on Monday, Tuesday the fitters came and our kitchen space was too small for the kitchen designed. We'd lost one cupboard following the electrician's re-measure of one wall, and due to the kitchen then not fitting, we've now lost cutlery drawers, carousels in two corner cupboards, and have less cupboard space than we initially should've had (sorry I know this is first world problems). We are basically not getting the kitchen we planned or paid for. The installation is taking longer than planned also now. Howdens have said they will refund the difference between the old carousel units and the new smaller ones, but after complaining to them, have basically asked us to give them a figure to try and resolve it for us. We are upset that their service has been bad, we don't have the kitchen we actually wanted, the fitters are here for more time, so we may also have to pay them extra too. 
Can anyone offer any advice on how much we should ask for? We paid approx £8500 overall. 
Many thanks
Ren

given Howdens supply only to the trade this is B2B transaction 

EnPointe

turnitround said:

Im not sure how you think Howdens are responsible for any of this.

By your own admission you let them design the kitchen on your architects approx measurements. A kitchen needs measuring accurately and there is rarely room for error.

Then you say your electricians measurements were incorrect as you lost a unit because he had to remeasure.

Did you book an appointment with Howdens for them to supply the kitchen, if so then were they aware the measurements were approx? I cant see them agreeing to supply based n approx measurements.

If you did get them to design the kitchen then I expect you or your builder will have signed something to say measurements are correct and to approve the design.

I would say this is a combination of fault on the architect/electrician/builders part.

Unless Howdens had the exact measurements to work to I cannot see how they are at fault. Saying they should have come out, did you make an appointment for them to come out? If not then you have gone ahead and allowed your builder to purchase units based on an approximation.

additionally Howdens' are a trade supplier and are VERY clear  aobut this in all their materials