Howdens vs DIY-Kitchens.com - Quality

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asnoop20

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Hallo all,

First kitchen install about to happen, I'm doing my research.

Due to location likely going with one of the above. I haven't had prices but I'm a tight northerner and will haggle Howdens to something reasonable (or they can bog off).

Knowing modern day companies I'm sure the 25 year warranties are *******s, they'd just claim they got wet. I'm particularly interested in avoiding delamination and wondering which has the better build on the doors and carcess edges? From what I can tell diy-kitchens uses 2mm plastic on the carcass edges which maybe is as good as it gets for chipboard?

The doors will be slab, both companies are 18mm. Can't tell on the wrap though.

Cheers, Andrew
 
Hi there

I have a DIYK, it was half of Howdens quote.

One thing I liked was the door fronts don't have caps covering the hinge cutouts like other kitchen companies, DIYK ones are hinged for the opening only. Looks a lot cleaner on the inside.

Build quality is good, the backs are decent thickness of chipboard.
Order more shelves at the time of ordering, as you can get them in the same interior colour i.e Oak etc..

I had a damaged cupboard on delivery, contacted them, they made me a new one, that was with me a week later.
I went for solid wood (ash) fronts painted, paint finish is also very good.
 
The only thing that put me off is if you need to order any spares you have to spare a £99 delivery charge?
 
Fair point, you have to think ahead a little more.
If you are short hinges or need small extras, they will send them out.

I'd never heard of them before a neighbour had mentioned them. I wouldn't fit anything else now.
 
The kessebohmer soft close on my DIYK pull out larder failed about about 6 years. They posted me another one for nothing

They use off-shelf standard, quality components from the likes of Blum; you don't have to get spares from DIYK - they're well enough reputed brands that they're available many places
 
I've speced a design using their online tool and can't see any drawbacks, and it's £800 more for solid wood doors.
 
Howdens got back to me, they're a grand more with their 'sale price' about 40% more. They won't give the detailed quote unless you go in though as they don't want comparing. F**k 'em!
 
They work well for trades, who just pass the cost through and rely on them for consistent service and stock of items, but perhaps less useful for DIY/one-offs.
The only major stress with DIYK is getting it right/getting everything you need first time as delivery of top up components is a bit of a punch on the nose
 
Got mine at DIY kitchens, few door finishes failed , they sent out independent paint assessor who confirmed fault and all affected doors were replaced .
Had no trouble getting order correct but have fitted a few so knew what I needed.
 
How they fail?

It's £800 for solid wood upgrade, unsure if it's worth it, deliberating...
 
I don't think the doors i was looking at were as they had 2mm abs edging. When I choose one which does say it's painted the difference is only £300 + vat.

I think you forgot moisture bulging?
 
Devil might be in the detail.

So I need a small end panel made from 2.5mm mdf (diy-kitchen end panels are 18mm). I enquired about paint and have been told...

You get 50ml touch up paint, that's it. No further paint can be ordered. The paint doesn't use RAL codes so having more to match would be a local job using some guessing. Personally I think this is a bit ****.
 
asnoop20 said:
Devil might be in the detail.

So I need a small end panel made from 2.5mm mdf (diy-kitchen end panels are 18mm). I enquired about paint and have been told...

You get 50ml touch up paint, that's it. No further paint can be ordered. The paint doesn't use RAL codes so having more to match would be a local job using some guessing. Personally I think this is a bit ****.
Click to expand...
Pantry doors on right are from DIY kitchen , made a mdf frame up and used B&Q colour match service to paint them . Hard to tell slight colour difference .
 

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