We’ll recommend local showrooms whose kitchens cost similar to places like Howdens, Wickes & Wren, but are higher quality & will last much longer. This even applies when the chain store units are in the sale.
These showrooms are also better value than the chains for their optional fitting. Their average fitting price is just £1,300 which is much less than the chains & similar to what builders charge.
Plus, their prices for worktops & appliances are usually similar to online.
“We’ve been very impressed with the service they gave and the value for money compared to B&Q”
Karen Wilkins, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire
Here are some examples of the kitchens these showrooms offer:
How can a small showroom be better value than the chains?
It’s all down to overheads. Small showrooms have tiny overheads compared to the chains. Unlike the chains, they don’t have huge superstores to run or multi million pound TV adverts to pay for. Therefore, they can afford to offer you a much higher quality kitchen than the chains, for a similar price.
Surely the chains will be cheaper if their units are in the sale?
No – because their sales are fake. The chains try to mislead consumers into thinking they’re getting a bargain by inflating their prices so they can then knock 50% off.
Isn’t the cheapest way to buy a kitchen via a builder?
No – because their discounts are also fake. Although builders will tell you they’ll save you a fortune because of the 75% discounts they get from places like Howdens & Benchmarx, this is the same trick the chains use – designed to mislead you into thinking you’re getting a bargain. Howdens & Benchmarx inflate their prices so builders can then tell consumers they get 75% off.
In reality, the prices builders quote for a Howdens or Benchmarx kitchen is usually similar to the chains. In fact, sometimes they’ll quote more than the chains, especially if you live in a nice area.
Why are these units higher quality than places like Howdens, Wickes & Wren?
Cabinet backs:
Showroom base units have solid 18mm backs for strength & durability. In contrast, the base units places like Howdens & the chains sell have much thinner 3 or 6mm backs which soon bow under the weight of the worktops.
Door material:
The doors are mostly the high quality painted/lacquered type. In contrast, places like Howdens, Wickes & Wren mainly sell the low quality foil, PVC, PET or vinyl wrapped types. The problem with these are they peel. Unfortunately once a door has started to peel it can’t be repaired – replacement is the only option.
Cabinet edging:
Showroom cabinets have impact resistant PVC or ABS edging to protect the delicate front edges from chips & damage. In contrast, places like Howdens, Wickes & Wren come with melamine edging which offers little or no protection.
Density of the chipboard used to make the cabinets:
The denser the chipboard, the more durable the cabinet is. Showroom cabinets tend to be made from high density chipboard. In contrast, places like Howdens, Wickes & Wren tend to use cheaper, low density chipboard. The problem with low density chipboard is it bowes under the weight of the worktops.
