Howden, doors only? can I buy?

1jim

Hi everyone
I have read a lot on here about Howdens and they seem to be very good and cheap, we only need to replace our doors/plinths/worktops etc but not the units as they are still sound, do Howdens supply doors only? and how strict are they on supplying to trade only, could I "pretend" that I am starting up as a property developer and the first job just hapens to be my house... do they need proof of business status etc
thanks
Jim

ukwoody

You may well find that buying just doors is as expensive as buying the comlete units! Stupid, but it's always been that way.

Most branches of Howdens are quite strict and will insist in proof of trade status usually two invoices fro other trade companies. You could try it on, but I'm really not sure you will get away with it.
If you know a local chippie or kitchen fitter whos got an account, a bottle of wine or two goes a long way;-)

woody

andrewmoorcroft

Some branches serve trade and public. They used to many common doors with MFI but now MFI are seperate and have gone with a new supplier which appears to be slightly better quality and they have kept many of the old door designs finishes.
Mfi do not advertise but they will sell doors at a fraction of the price of the complete unit. To get an idea just ring the online sales number and get a quote for a replacement door.
We just bought MFI sienna doors which were cheaper than the Howdens birkdale equivalents.

baldelectrician

Howdens are strictly trade only.

I had to provide 2 trade references when I wanted to open an account.

boogellyboo

You do need to prove that your in the trade for a Howdens account, Im a business admin for them and the first thing we do when we get an application form is checkup on the nature of business before we process them.
UKwoodys right too, it can be just as expensive to buy just doors. A lot of the time they wont be the right fit for your existing carcases, the hinge holes may need to be re-bored and draw boxes etc may not fit.

poet123

We bought our complete kitchen from there in October and had no need to pretend to be trade,they were quite happy to supply us,and even came out to design the kitchen for us. You can buy doors, or any item seperately, without a problem.

ukwoody

they will serve anyone - but the discounts are for trade. striclt adhered to in my experince at several branches.

woody

poet123

We got the trade discount(checked out by a friend who was in the trade) and then a dishwasher thrown in too.

bugail

I was in my local howdens last week trying to buy new Gloss Black doors for my kitchen. The people there offered to come measure and plan my kitchen no problem.

When i told them i only wanted the doors and had the measurements i needed, they told me they were trade only and i couldn't buy the doors, i'd have to find a trades man to buy them for me. Seems a little unfair that buying a full kitchen is no problem but ask for parts and they told me to go away!

B&Q or Jewsons sell kitchen doors and they don't require a special handshake to get them, but i guess you'll pay more.