Kitchen and Howdens

Sandiyan

I had a read about Howdens on your forums and did a visit to the local branch in Southgate to get our kichen re-done. Even though I said I am doing a renovation, they asked for account details which I didn't have. They are quite happy to help us if I provide account details. Also, they do not recommend any fitters as well!
So couple of Qs,
1. I am in need of a trader or a kitchen fitter that I could use to get the kitchen ordered via Howdens and fitted.
I live in Barnet(North London)...What are my options?

2. I had a look at their catalogue, and there isn't much options for Kitchen...?
e.g. I wanted a burgandy/cream glossy kitchen(hygena) and an extractor(low noise ~54db and high in ~670/hr but couldn't find one...

Appreciate you help on this...

Sandiyan

Doozergirl

Appliances should be bought elsewhere. I never buy my appliances from the same place as the kitchen as you can almost certainly get better deals by using shopbots etc.

Once you find your kitchen fitter/carpenter, they will no doubt have a Howdens account. You can even ask in Howdens if they can recommend you a kitchen fitter. EDIT: Just seen that they won't - I think they're a bit funny in the London ones. Have you asked how you open an account? A bit of BS about how you buy and sell property, have let your chippy do the buying so far etc.... you don't need to own a company, lord knows how many fitters and chippies out there are sole traders. We've had a genuine trade credit account for yonks now but I can bet that when my H first opened the cash account he didn't provide any paperwork because he wouldn't be able to find it without me, lol!

Appliances will be limited because their business is mainly selling stuff made of wood. They have a special kitchens catalogue which is very large and there's lots of pics online on their website now aswell. They do lots of gloss colours - lime even (not nice!)

Hygena kitchens are flatpack - Howdens are solid carcass. MFI and Howdens are not linked at all anymore.

Also, I wouldn't just go to Howdens, it important to shop around and play them all off against each other until you get the cheapest deal you can.

phill99

I buy a lot from Howdens and have a Trade accounnt with them. I started with a cash account ie you pay as yopu go and then upgraded to a full credit account. They won't recommend fitters as they would then have liability if something went wrong. Most branches usually have an area wher fitters leave their cards / details. Its worth getting 2 / 3 of these to quote. They will get the kitchen heavily discounted - I get upto 85% on some bits. The appliances are cheap and cheerful. If you want a brand name then go elsewhere. I've always found teh units to be of a good quality ie 18mm carcasses and pre construcred which is a real benefit.

rl1

Having just had a Howdens kitchen fitted I just want to say be aware that their cabinets are made in such a way as to make it very difficult to shop around for worktops and appliances. We bought integrated dishwasher and washing machine elsewhere due to Howdens inflated prices and have a gap under the dishwasher door and exposed (?whatever the inside of vinyl units is made of, mdf? plywood?) on the top of the plinth. This is on both the dishwasher and washing machine.

I mentioned this to the builder who is overseeing the fitting as I am sure it will swell if it gets wet but he just said it's our fault for not buying Howdens apliances as they are the only ones that fit properly.

The worksurfaces are 616 deep so if you buy the normal 600 from anywhere else they don't fit properly.

The units seem to be good quality and we are quite happy with them but just be aware that you will be restricted to their limited choice of work surfaces and overpriced appliances.

woodbutcher_2

That sounds like hogwash to me.Appliances are standard sizes and should fit any kitchen cabinet.In his defence,you have to cut the plinth down with some makes of dishwasher as the door wont open otherwise.There's nothing to stop him covering/sealing the raw edge though.616 mm worktops are available from other places if you shop around.

ic

woodbutcher wrote: »

616 mm worktops are available from other places if you shop around.

Any pointers as to where? I've an Ikea kitchen coming soon, but opted not to buy their worktops, not realising they were a none-standard size of 620mm. 616mm would be close enough!

woodbutcher_2

All the leading brands,Axiom,prima,duropal make worktops in 665 widths which can easily be cut to any width.Have bought these from my local timber merchant and they even cut them to width for me.I'm sure if you shop around there are other companies than Howdens who make them at 616,otherwise the above is an option.

Howdens

rl1 wrote: »

The worksurfaces are 616 deep so if you buy the normal 600 from anywhere else they don't fit properly.

The units seem to be good quality and we are quite happy with them but just be aware that you will be restricted to their limited choice of work surfaces

All kitchen units are 600 deep, Howdens provide a 616mm worktop so it overlaps the frontal and therefore doesn't show the top leading edge on the base unit carcases. (go in a Magnet showroom to see how bad it can look)
If you wish to have Howdens base units and supply worktops from another company, you can trim part of the service void on the back of the unit away to gain the same overhang. (Howdens base units come with a 75mm void on the back of the unit to allow for pipework to run behind rather than through)

As for the gap under the dishwasher door. I'm afraid that even happens on Howdens dishwashers. Its unfortunate as it needs to be there to allow the door to open fully. Design error I'm afraid.

Doozergirl wrote: »

A bit of BS about how you buy and sell property, have let your chippy do the buying so far etc.... you don't need to own a company, lord knows how many fitters and chippies out there are sole traders.

Becareful with that one, We ask for a few more details than just your name and what business you do.
Over the years we've tightened our security on the account database. Its easy to weed the retail before they get to the counter nowdays.

Doozergirl

Howdens wrote: »

Becareful with that one, We ask for a few more details than just your name and what business you do.
Over the years we've tightened our security on the account database. Its easy to weed the retail before they get to the counter nowdays.

What are you asking for then these days so that we don't send people wasting your time