New Kitchen - your experience needed

[LV0210]

Hi,

I am looking to buy a new kitchen with the choice being Howdens or John Lewis.

Is a John Lewis kitchen worth the additional expense? I've also heard that you can order a JL kitchen direct from their supplier. Has anyone done that?

I would be grateful if you could share your experience of a new kitchen with me.

Many thanks.

[MissWiggy]

I got a Howdens kitchen installed just over a year ago and I'm thrilled with it.

Two friends who have since had new kitchens fitted have also gone for Howdens (having seen ours) and they too have been very pleased!

I would definitely recommend them.

[stephen509]

I went with Howdens a few years ago.

Very pleased with it, but I would recommend Bosch appliances instead of the Lamona ones I went for!

[jimbo1964]

Bosch appliances are very reliable.

[MissWiggy]

Yes I'd also agree re the appliances. I bought the Lamona fridge freezer and microwave but bought other brands for the white goods that suffer more wear and tear!

[pinkpalmer]

We went to John Lewis' for a quote - it was reasonable at the top end of what we wanted to pay, good appliances and wide choice, plus they were very good at looking at the different options for the budget we had. But saying that after getting a few quotes in, we went to Bells on Lordship Lane, very cost comparable, great service and our kitchen looks brilliant.

[LV0210]

Thank you very much for your responses.

Can I ask those that went with a Howden's kitchen what the process is? It says on their website they are a trade only business.

Thanks pinkpalmer I will check out Bells on Lordship Lane.

[MissWiggy]

Howdens don't sell to individuals but are trade only so you need to ask the person fitting your kitchen to buy it from there for you.

You can of course go to their showroom and have a look at the kitchens but you need to be a business to buy from there.

[monica]

Bells have some lovely Kitchens, The staff in bells are very helpful. I used Howdens via my builder for my front door, and thought they were very reasonable.

Good Luck

[Al&Em]

We had a Mereway kitchen fitted last year (they are the manufacturer behind JL's kitchens) and are very pleased - whilst we didn't actually get a quote from JL I believe it was quite a bit cheaper that way. Bells stock Mereway so you can get it from there - we got our worktop from there and really pleased with it.