For many homeowners in Sussex, from the coastal apartments in Brighton to the charming village houses in the South Downs, Wickes is a familiar name for kitchen renovations. As a prominent high street retailer, they offer a convenient, one-stop-shop solution. However, discerning property owners are increasingly discovering the significant limitations that come with this convenience. Wickes kitchens often rely on 15mm thick carcasses, a noticeable step down from the more robust 18mm standard. Their back panels are typically flimsy 3-6mm hardboard, a far cry from a solid, structural back. This compromise in material quality, combined with a business model that includes substantial retail markups and often confusing promotional pricing, means customers aren’t always getting the best value for their investment.

In contrast, SJB Trade Kitchens presents a compelling alternative for those undertaking kitchen projects across Sussex. We provide a superior quality product without the high street price tag. Our kitchens are built using 18mm Egger or Kronospan board for all carcasses, including solid 18mm back panels as standard. This ensures a far more durable and long-lasting installation, ready to withstand the demands of a busy family home, whether it’s a modern townhouse in Crawley or a period property in Chichester. Furthermore, our pricing is transparent and consistently 30-50% cheaper than trade outlets like Howdens, offering exceptional value compared to the fluctuating retail prices at Wickes. This allows homeowners to allocate more of their budget towards other elements of their renovation, such as high-quality appliances or flooring.

One of the most significant advantages of choosing SJB is the dramatically reduced lead time. While Wickes often quotes delivery times of 6-8 weeks, we can deliver a fully rigid-built, made-to-order kitchen to any address in Sussex within just 10 working days. This speed is a game-changer for renovation timelines, minimizing disruption for families and allowing projects to move forward swiftly. For property developers in areas like Horsham or Worthing, this rapid turnaround can be the difference between a project finishing on schedule and facing costly delays. Every kitchen is built to order, meaning we are not restricted to standard sizes, offering a truly bespoke solution for any space.

The level of customisation available with SJB is simply unmatched by high street retailers. If you have an awkward space, a sloping ceiling in a Lewes cottage, or a specific design vision for your Hove apartment, our fully bespoke sizing is the answer. We can manufacture units to any height, width, or depth required, ensuring a perfect fit without the need for unsightly filler panels. This bespoke approach extends to our premium components, with high-quality Blum Antaro soft-close drawers supplied as standard, a significant upgrade from the own-brand systems typically found in Wickes kitchens. This attention to detail and commitment to quality components ensures a superior user experience for years to come.

Behind every SJB kitchen is the personal service of owner Steve, who brings over 20 years of industry experience to every project. Unlike the often impersonal service at a large national chain, Steve works directly with each customer, offering expert advice and ensuring every detail is correct. This direct line of communication provides peace of mind and a level of accountability that is simply not possible when dealing with a large corporation. From initial design to final delivery, you are dealing with an expert who is invested in the success of your project, a valuable asset for anyone navigating the complexities of a kitchen renovation in Sussex.

For homeowners across East and West Sussex, the choice is becoming clearer. While Wickes offers a familiar path, SJB Trade Kitchens provides a superior alternative in almost every measurable way. From the fundamental build quality of the carcasses and the premium hardware to the transparent trade pricing and rapid delivery, the advantages are substantial. By choosing SJB, you are not just buying a kitchen; you are investing in a higher quality, better value, and more personalised solution that is built to last, delivered faster, and tailored perfectly to your home.

When planning a new kitchen in Sussex, it pays to look beyond the obvious high street names. While Wickes is a well-known option, SJB Trade Kitchens offers a demonstrably superior product and service. The core of any kitchen is the carcass, and ours are constructed from 18mm Egger or Kronospan board, including robust 18mm solid back panels. This is a significant upgrade from the typical 15mm carcasses and flimsy 3-6mm hardboard backs found in many Wickes kitchens, ensuring your investment stands the test of time. This superior construction means your kitchen units will be stronger, more rigid, and less prone to damage or warping over the years.

Beyond the core construction, the quality is evident in the details. We fit premium Blum Antaro drawer boxes with soft-close mechanisms as standard in every kitchen. This is a world away from the own-brand hardware systems often supplied by large retail chains. The smooth, reliable action of Blum hardware enhances the daily experience of using your kitchen. Combined with our fully bespoke sizing capabilities, which allow for custom heights, depths, and widths at no extra cost, you get a kitchen that is not only better built but also perfectly tailored to your unique space in Sussex, eliminating the need for awkward filler panels that compromise both aesthetics and storage.

Perhaps the most compelling reasons to choose SJB are the price and the speed of delivery. Our transparent trade pricing is consistently 30-50% more affordable than other trade suppliers like Howdens, representing a significant saving over Wickes’ retail prices. We achieve this without compromising on quality. Furthermore, while you might wait 6-8 weeks for a Wickes kitchen, SJB delivers your made-to-order, rigid-built kitchen to your door in Sussex from just 10 working days. Faster delivery, better quality, bespoke sizing, and a lower price make SJB the clear choice for savvy homeowners.

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.

“Steve is absolutely epic! Really nice guy. 100% genuine and to be trusted. Really easy to work with. Couldn’t 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’re 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

Frequently Asked Questions

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Already have a Wickes quote? Upload it using the form below and Steve will come back with a like-for-like price comparison — usually within 24 hours. Call 0161 509 4221 or 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 Wickes, Howdens, Wren Kitchens, Magnet, or DIY Kitchens.