A Better Alternative to Magnet Kitchens in Edinburgh — 18mm Rigid Units, 10-Day Delivery, No Showroom Pressure.
Rigid Built
Nationwide Delivery
Blum Soft Close
SJB Trade Kitchens: The Smarter Choice for Edinburgh Homeowners Over Magnet
Edinburgh homeowners, are you dreaming of a kitchen renovation that truly reflects your home’s character and your personal style, without the headaches and inflated costs often associated with big-name retailers? If you’ve been considering Magnet Kitchens, it’s time to discover why SJB Trade Kitchens offers a refreshingly superior alternative, tailored specifically for the discerning Edinburgh property owner.
From the charming Georgian townhouses of New Town and the Victorian villas of Morningside to the contemporary flats in Leith and the traditional tenements of Marchmont, Edinburgh’s diverse housing stock demands a kitchen solution that is as unique as the city itself. Magnet, with its one-size-fits-all approach, often falls short. SJB Trade Kitchens, on the other hand, understands the nuances of Edinburgh homes and provides a bespoke, high-quality solution that respects your budget and your time.
The Magnet Showroom Experience: A Familiar Frustration for Edinburgh Residents
Many Edinburgh homeowners will have experienced the Magnet showroom. Perhaps you’ve driven out to their Fort Kinnaird or Straiton branches, hoping for inspiration and a straightforward quote. What you often encounter, however, can be a frustrating and high-pressure ordeal. The ‘was/now’ pricing strategy, with its seemingly incredible discounts, is a common tactic designed to create a sense of urgency rather than genuine value. You might find yourself being pushed towards specific ranges or pressured into making a decision on the spot, often with a ‘limited time offer’ that magically reappears days later.
Furthermore, Magnet often ties you into their network of approved fitters, limiting your choice and potentially adding hidden costs. And then there’s the lead time – a frustrating 6-10 weeks for delivery, leaving your Edinburgh home in disarray for far longer than necessary. For busy professionals in the city centre, families in Stockbridge, or those renovating a buy-to-let in Gorgie, such delays are simply impractical.
SJB Trade Kitchens: A Transparent, High-Quality Alternative
At SJB Trade Kitchens, we offer a fundamentally different experience. We believe in transparency, quality, and efficiency – values that resonate deeply with Edinburgh homeowners. Here’s why SJB is the smarter choice:
- Superior Construction: 18mm Solid Backs as Standard: Unlike many mass-produced kitchens that skimp on materials, every SJB kitchen unit boasts 18mm solid backs. This isn’t an upgrade; it’s our standard. This robust construction ensures unparalleled durability, stability, and longevity, crucial for the demands of a busy Edinburgh household.
- Bespoke Sizing Included, Not an Extra: Edinburgh’s properties are renowned for their unique dimensions, quirky alcoves, and period features. Trying to fit standard units into a Victorian tenement in Tollcross or a Georgian flat in Drummond Place can lead to awkward gaps and wasted space. With SJB, bespoke sizing is included as standard, allowing us to create a kitchen that perfectly integrates with your home’s architecture, maximising every inch of space without incurring additional ‘customisation’ fees.
- Transparent Pricing, No Gimmicks: We don’t believe in inflated ‘was/now’ pricing. Our quotes are clear, competitive, and reflect the true value of our high-quality kitchens. You’ll receive a straightforward price, allowing you to budget effectively and confidently for your renovation, whether you’re in Portobello or Corstorphine.
- Rapid Delivery: 10 Days, Not 10 Weeks: We understand that renovation timelines are critical. SJB Trade Kitchens offers an impressive 10-day delivery turnaround. This means less disruption to your Edinburgh home and a faster path to enjoying your beautiful new kitchen.
- Direct with Steve: Personal Service, Expert Advice: When you choose SJB, you’re not dealing with a rotating cast of salespeople. You’ll work directly with Steve, who brings years of experience and a personal touch to every project. He’s accessible, knowledgeable, and committed to ensuring your Edinburgh kitchen project runs smoothly from initial design to final delivery. While our showroom is in Oldham, Steve works directly with our manufacturer and is always available to discuss your specific needs via phone (0161 509 4221) or email (info@sjball.uk).
Renovating in Edinburgh: The SJB Advantage
Renovating in Edinburgh comes with its own set of challenges, from navigating planning permissions for listed buildings in the Old Town to optimising space in a compact New Town flat. SJB’s commitment to quality, bespoke solutions, and efficient delivery makes us the ideal partner for your project. We understand the need for kitchens that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also robust enough to withstand the rigours of daily life in a bustling city.
Don’t settle for the high-pressure sales and lengthy lead times of big-box retailers. Choose SJB Trade Kitchens for a superior quality, transparently priced, and efficiently delivered kitchen that truly enhances your Edinburgh home. Contact Steve today to discuss your vision.
Many national suppliers offer 18mm carcasses but use thinner back panels to reduce weight and cost. At SJB, that’s not a trade-off we’re willing to make. Every cabinet features full 18mm solid backs — your fitter will notice the difference the second they lift the unit. Magnet’s showroom kitchens look impressive in the display, but the back panel thickness is rarely discussed during the design appointment. SJB’s 18mm solid backs create a fully rigid box that resists racking and maintains structural integrity for decades — the same construction standard used in premium German kitchens, at a fraction of the price.
For Edinburgh homeowners investing in a new kitchen, this matters more than most people realise. Under the weight of stone worktops, heavy appliances, and daily use, thin-backed units can flex, go out of square, and cause doors and drawers to misalign over time. SJB’s 18mm backs eliminate this risk entirely.
| Feature | Magnet Kitchens | SJB Trade Kitchens |
|---|---|---|
| Carcass Thickness | 18mm | 18mm |
| Back Panel | Thinner backs (typical) | 18mm Solid |
| Drawer Boxes | Standard drawer boxes | Blum Antaro as standard; Legrabox or dovetail solid oak available as premium upgrades |
| Bespoke Widths | Limited bespoke sizing | Included as standard |
| Pricing Model | Showroom-based with inflated was/now pricing | Transparent, consistent pricing all year round |
| Support | Showroom sales team | Direct with Steve — 20 years experience |
| Delivery | 6-10 weeks | From 10 working days |
Got a Magnet Quote? We’ll Beat It.
Magnet kitchens are sold through a showroom model with inflated “was/now” pricing and permanent sale figures that rarely reflect the true market price. SJB Trade Kitchens offers transparent, consistent pricing all year round — no showroom markup, no high-pressure sales appointments, no being tied to their fitter network.
Send us your Magnet quote and we’ll come back with a like-for-like price. Most customers save hundreds — sometimes thousands.
Frequently Asked Questions
While our showroom is in Oldham, the beauty of SJB Trade Kitchens is our direct, personalised service with Steve, who works directly with our manufacturer. We handle everything remotely, from design consultations using your plans to transparent quoting, ensuring a seamless experience for our Edinburgh customers. You won’t need to travel; we bring the service to you.
We consistently find that our transparent pricing and superior quality often allow us to offer a significantly better value than Magnet, especially when comparing like-for-like specifications. We encourage Edinburgh homeowners to send us their Magnet quote; we’re confident we can provide a competitive, often more affordable, alternative without compromising on the robust 18mm solid-backed units and bespoke sizing that come standard with SJB.
Edinburgh’s older properties, from Georgian townhouses to Victorian tenements, often have uneven walls and floors. Our 18mm solid backs provide exceptional rigidity and stability, ensuring your units remain square and sturdy, even when fitted in challenging spaces. This superior construction means your kitchen will last longer and stand up better to the demands of a busy Edinburgh household.
Once your design is finalised and order placed, SJB Trade Kitchens prides itself on a rapid 10-day delivery timeframe for our rigid-built units. This significantly reduces the disruption to your Edinburgh home compared to the much longer lead times often quoted by larger retailers, allowing you to enjoy your new kitchen much sooner.
Absolutely. Edinburgh’s unique property types, especially flats in areas like Marchmont, Stockbridge, or the New Town, often have non-standard dimensions, alcoves, and period features. SJB Trade Kitchens includes bespoke sizing as standard, meaning we can tailor units to fit your exact space, maximising storage and ensuring a seamless, integrated look that standard units simply can’t achieve.
From Design to Reality: See the Difference
Every SJB kitchen starts with a detailed CAD design so you can see exactly how your finished kitchen will look before a single unit is ordered. Here is what that looks like in practice.

The CAD design produced by Steve before the kitchen was ordered

The finished kitchen installed by the customer – exactly as designed
“Steve is absolutely epic! Really nice guy. 100% genuine and to be trusted. Really easy to work with. Could not do enough and always on hand.
The kitchen was amazing quality and the kitchen looked exactly like the images he produced on his computer. The units came ready built which saved a lot of time! Even if you are not a joiner it was really easy to assemble and fit.
The kitchen is great quality and a VERY competitive price! 100% recommended! Thank you so much!”
— Scott, verified SJB Trade Kitchens customer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What Our Customers Say
Request Your Free Quote or Quote Comparison Below
Already have a Magnet quote? Upload it using the form below and Steve will come back with a like-for-like price comparison — usually within 24 hours.
Made to Order & Delivered in 10 Working Days
Rigid Built Cabinets with Blum Soft Close as Standard
Nationwide Delivery Available
SJB Trade Kitchens | Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB
Phone: 0161 509 4221 | Email: info@sjball.uk
SJB Trade Kitchens is an independent kitchen specialist. All competitor names are used for comparative purposes only based on publicly available specifications. SJB Trade Kitchens is not affiliated with Howdens, Wren Kitchens, Magnet, or DIY Kitchens.







