Howdens is the biggest kitchen supplier in the UK, with hundreds of depots across the country. If you're getting a new kitchen, there's a good chance your builder or fitter has suggested them. But is Howdens really the best option? I don't think so, and I'll explain why.

I'm Steve, owner of SJB Trade Kitchens. I've been in the kitchen industry for over 20 years. I started in retail kitchens, moved into manufacturing, and now supply direct to homeowners and trade. I know how Howdens works, I know what they charge, and I know where the gaps are in their offering. This is a straight comparison — no spin, just facts.

Howdens operates on a trade-only model. They don't sell directly to the public — you have to buy through a builder or fitter who has a Howdens account. The builder gets a trade discount, adds their margin, and passes the cost on to you. The problem is, you never see the original price, so you've got no way of knowing whether you're getting a good deal.

Howdens also uses artificially inflated list prices that are then heavily discounted. This makes their kitchens look like a bargain, but the “discount” is built into the business model. It's not a genuine saving.

At SJB, our pricing is transparent. Every quote is fully itemised, and the price you see is the price you pay. No trade cards, no hidden markups, no fake sales. Our kitchens are typically 30-50% cheaper than a comparable Howdens quote, and anyone can buy from us — homeowner, builder, or DIYer.

Carcasses: Howdens uses 18mm carcasses on some ranges, but many of their units have hardboard backs — thin, flimsy panels that can bow and warp over time, especially in wet areas like under the sink. At SJB, every carcass is 18mm Egger or Kronospan board with 18mm backs throughout. No hardboard, no exceptions.

Rigid vs Flat-Pack: Howdens supplies both rigid and flat-pack units depending on the range. SJB supplies rigid-built only. Every unit arrives fully assembled and ready to install.

Hardware: We use Blum soft-close hinges and drawer runners as standard on every unit. Howdens charges extra for soft-close on some ranges. We also use Hafele and Kessebohmer for internal storage solutions.

Howdens offers a wide range of doors, but the quality varies significantly between their budget and premium ranges. Many of their popular doors are vinyl-wrapped, which can peel and discolour over time.

At SJB, our gloss doors are MDF with an acrylic coating or lacquered — never vinyl. Our Painted Shaker doors are solid wood. We offer six core styles: Painted Shaker, Handleless Matt, Handleless Gloss, Slab Matt, Slab Gloss, and Shaker Foil. Every door is a quality product regardless of which style you choose.

Howdens operates on a stock model — your builder picks up the units from the local depot. This can be quick if everything is in stock, but if a particular unit or door colour is out of stock, you're waiting. And because they work in standard sizes, you're limited to what's available.

SJB builds everything to order. We deliver from as little as 10 working days, and because everything is custom-made, we can do non-standard sizes to fit your room perfectly. No filler panels, no compromises.

For a more detailed look at why people are switching from Howdens, read our full guide: Alternative to Howdens Kitchens.

Call us on 0161 509 4221 or visit our showroom in Oldham to see the difference for yourself.

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We offer a range of styles to suit any home — from solid wood Painted Shaker doors to sleek Handleless designs. All built on rigid 18mm carcasses with Blum soft-close as standard.