Recommend me a kitchen supplier

[Nutty]

So, one month in at our new house, and I'm desperate to get rid of our 70's kitchen (I REFUSE to post pictures on here ), and I need some recommendations.

My brother in law is quite high up at Howdens, and has done a design, but I'd rather use a company that will project manage, and arrange the kitchen fitter, gas, electric, tiling, water etc.

We had a Magnet kitchen in our last house for 10 years which looked as good as the day it was installed, so I was inclined to go back to Magnet. However, their customer service is a shower of shite, and despite some major buying signs, they really don't seem interested in the business, which is putting us off.

On the other end of the scale, my cousin is a director of Poggen Pohl, but I refuse to spend north of £50k on a kitchen.

Can anyone recommend either a national company that will give good service, and a kitchen that will last 20 years, or a local company based in or near to Surrey, as this really shouldn't be such a challenge?

 

[Schtum]

I'd have thought you'd be a Smallbones of Devizes sort of chap....

 

[david a hall]

Small bones ain't cheap.... If you like magnet then who gives a fuck about customer service, they won't help you cook in it. I have to go to Howdens tomorrow but they are quite expensive for what they are but they have a kitchen sale on at the min ..

 

[Nutty]

I'd have thought you'd be a Smallbones of Devizes sort of chap....

That, on an IKEA budget, and I'm happy!

Small bones ain't cheap.... If you like magnet then who gives a fuck about customer service, they won't help you cook in it. I have to go to Howdens tomorrow but they are quite expensive for what they are but they have a kitchen sale on at the min ..

We have some friends with Howdens kitchens, and they really rate them, but for some reason I'm unsure whether they are built to last. I get the impression that they are aimed at property developers, and really don't know why. Are their kitchens any good?

 

[david a hall]

I don't know, I have bought stuff with them, if you go in there do it with a pencil behind your ear and open an account.. Much cheaper that way but still dear.

 

[Toddmeister]

Try McEvoy and Rowley - they're opposite Bahnstormer in Maidenhead so you can buy bits for the bikes whilst the wife is looking at kitchens

 

[Nutty]

Try McEvoy and Rowley - they're opposite Bahnstormer in Maidenhead so you can buy bits for the bikes whilst the wife is looking at kitchens

There will be no money for bikes once she's finished!

 

[Smug]

I can recommend Wren kitchens. I fitted a Wren kitchen myself but they can do it all for you.

 

[bikemad]

I fitted my own from howdens good quality it was double the price from b&q & homebase not the same quality upon looking cabinets are 18mm whereas flatpacks are 15mm howdens are built just fit doors makes life easy.

Lol I'd sooner fit my own seen how bodgers fit kitchens ! I also done a fantastic job on my bathroom last year

If you know someone in company even bigger discount their catalogue prices are not what howdens charges they always do money off so rrp's

 

[getalife]

Howdens bought a lot of old MFI plant and factories. (including main production based in Howden - coincidence ?) To be fair they went with the Schreiber production lines (solid pre-built cabinets, choice of doors) rather than Hygena flat pack lines.
You are suppose to go and get plans draw up and use local 'craftsman' to supply and fit - this does work well, they are fussy over who they use. (I'm sure someone has a horror story, but that's nothing new).

Wren is run by most of staff from old MFI plant (Howden) on the other side of M62, next to Ebuyer Computer retailer (who own then). Also very good by all accounts.

Been to both Companies as part of job and they do seem to be better than when I dealt with MFI.

So that's no help to anyone I suppose.

 

[flatdog]

Howdens for me too, units arrive in short time, already assembled which is a big plus.
Used them on all my houses in the past 9 years, they hold up well to abuse and when one of my tenants did a runner after stripping the house, Howdens replaced all the missing kitchen stuff FOC.

Prices...my comparisons at the time found them the better spec and better prices. (trade)

 

[Gonzo]

We're looking a kitchen now too. Howdens look good and we have a good builder but I'm not massively keen on their "we only quote through the trade" policy. It's not that in don't trust the builder, I just prefer transparency.

The suprise contender is Ikea. It'll be between there and Howdens I reckon.

Tried magnet, but from what I experienced their service and quality is not what it was.

 

[Nutty]

We're looking a kitchen now too. Howdens look good and we have a good builder but I'm not massively keen on their "we only quote through the trade" policy. It's not that in don't trust the builder, I just prefer transparency.

The suprise contender is Ikea. It'll be between there and Howdens I reckon.

Tried magnet, but from what I experienced their service and quality is not what it was.

IKEA is a surprise, as the latest Which report claims they are one of the best. But the more I read about Howdens, the more I like what I hear.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Have had Magnet before, and never again. Quality of kitchens was good though. That was over 10 yrs ago.

Used Wickes last year on a property I live in. Went for gloss white handle-less drawers & cupboards, and butchered top cabinets so could get a floor to ceiling installation. V pleased with it, and about to do the same on another property I own. To me Wickes is a good inexpensive brand.

 

[Shep]

Don't under estimate the pre assembled carcasses that Howdens offer, saves days on a big kitchen! Find a friend who's a builder get them to order the kitchen its much cheaper that way IME.

 

[Mech]

I can recommend Wren kitchens. I fitted a Wren kitchen myself but they can do it all for you.

I wouldn't fitted one for me daughter ok its all prebuild but it was put tougher shit gaps everywhere lot of stuff damaged not good at all.
Ikea much better bet get yourself a local tradesman who will do all the work like I do plumbing electrics tilling the whole package

 

[david a hall]

Ok just for you Rich I had a good look at the kitchens, slid out draws and opened cupboards and yes I think you could easily cook food in one. The bird in the Stroud shop is very fit. There proper technical report for you.... Open an account.

 

[Oilcracker]

I'd say use Lawrence Lyons but they are a couple of hundred miles West of you. I've purchased their services to install me a new kitchen, so far the service has been excellent, they have listened to our requirements and ideas, designed the kitchen we want and start install on Monday. They are managing all stages of the install. Time will tell if the standard of service so far continues. Costs are a bit more than the likes of Howdens, we are getting the service though. The kitchen is for SWMBO I've got my 2014 GSA.

 

[bikemad]

If you get howdens to do a free plan (in fact they all do this service) you can order it up but use someone else to fit it

 

[pmk]

I buy and have installed Howdens kitchens on a regular basis. They really are good quality. They were the the supplier for MFI. Builders and property developers use them because everything is always in stock. I normally finish of a Howdens kitchen with a granite work top. Not from Howdens but a supplier in Surrey. Nutty if you need any help advice, let me know .



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