Looking for a Howdens Alternative in Altrincham?

If you’re a homeowner in Altrincham, you appreciate quality and understand the value of a good investment. So, when you see the trade vans lined up outside the Howdens depot on Atlantic Street, it’s worth asking: is a standard, trade-focused kitchen really the right fit for your home? For those who live in some of Greater Manchester’s most desirable properties, the answer is often no. You need a higher standard of product and a more personal service. If you’ve been searching for the best alternative to Howdens kitchens, you’re in the right place.

My name is Steve, and I’m the owner of SJB Trade Kitchens. With over 20 years in the industry, I set up my business to offer a better alternative. By cutting out the middleman and the massive overheads of a depot network, I provide genuinely superior, rigid-built kitchens directly to homeowners like you, for a price that the big sheds simply can’t match.


📋 Data Accuracy Notice — All specifications on this page are based on publicly available information as of 2026. We welcome manufacturers to submit updated specifications directly to info@sjball.uk — we’ll update our data within 48 hours. We’re committed to accuracy, and we’re happy to be checked.

The Superior Kitchen Choice for Altrincham's Finest Homes

As an Altrincham homeowner, you’re a savvy investor. You know that true value isn’t just about the initial price, but the long-term quality of your investment. By selling direct and avoiding the huge costs of a depot network, I can provide a superior quality kitchen for 30-50% less than you’d pay for a marked-up Howdens equivalent. That’s a significant saving you can reinvest elsewhere in your property.

You get to deal directly with an expert, not a depot counter. When you have a question, you speak to me – the person who owns the business and makes the kitchens. This direct line of communication is invaluable. It ensures your specific needs are understood and met, a stark contrast to the often impersonal and trade-focused service you receive from large national chains.

My pricing is honest and transparent, all year round. I don’t believe in the confusing ‘silly season’ discounts you see at Howdens. I offer one fair, consistent price to every customer, so you know you’re getting the best possible value without having to navigate opaque sales tactics or wonder if your builder is passing on the full discount.

Your kitchen will be made to measure for your home. The beautiful period homes in Hale and the unique executive properties in Bowdon often have non-standard room dimensions. A standard, off-the-shelf depot kitchen simply won’t cut it. My made-to-order approach means we can create a kitchen that fits your space perfectly, maximising storage and creating a truly bespoke finish.


PWS Porter Gloss Handleless
PWS Remo Gloss Regiment, SJB DIY Kitchen Supplier

Lucente Gloss Handleless Kitchens
Phoenix Acrylic Gloss Handleless Kitchen

An Investment in Quality for Your Altrincham Property

A key reason Altrincham homeowners choose us is the fundamental difference in our cabinet construction. Unlike the flat-pack units you’ll find at depots, which are assembled on-site from a pile of components, every SJB kitchen cabinet is a rigid-built unit, precision-made in my workshop. This means it arrives at your home square, strong, and ready to install, providing a far more robust and long-lasting foundation for your kitchen.

A crucial detail is the back panel. Howdens and other depot suppliers use a thin, flimsy piece of hardboard, which is notorious for bowing and sagging over time, especially in units under a heavy sink. I use 18mm solid back panels – the same high-density material as the rest of the carcass. This makes the entire unit incredibly strong and durable, ensuring it will last for decades, not just a few years.

This commitment to quality extends to every component. We use premium Egger and Kronospan boards for all our carcasses and fit world-class Blum soft-close hinges and drawer runners as standard, not as a costly upgrade. For a home in Bowdon or Hale, where quality is paramount, these details matter. It’s an investment in your property that pays dividends in longevity and daily satisfaction.


Bespoke Kitchens for Altrincham's Unique Properties

Many of the beautiful period homes in areas like Hale and the grand Edwardian semis in Timperley have quirks and character that off-the-shelf kitchens simply can’t accommodate. Whether it’s a chimney breast, an awkward corner, or a desire for extra-tall units to suit high ceilings, a standard 8-foot kitchen from a depot catalogue just won’t do. This is where our made-to-order service comes in.

Because I manufacture the carcasses myself, I’m not restricted to standard sizes. We can build units to any height, width, or depth you need, ensuring a perfect, seamless fit that makes the most of your space. With over 300 different finishes to choose from and a free design service to bring it all together, we can create a kitchen that is genuinely unique to you and your Altrincham home.


A Personal, Expert Service from the Owner

When you deal with SJB, you deal with me, Steve, directly. There are no salespeople, no depot counter staff, and no passing the buck. I personally oversee every project from the initial design consultation to the final delivery, ensuring you get expert advice and a single point of contact throughout the entire process. This is a level of personal service that you simply won’t find at a national trade supplier.

I’d be delighted to welcome you to my showroom at Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB. It’s a straightforward journey, typically around 25 minutes from Altrincham via the M60, and it’s the best way to see and feel the quality of our kitchens for yourself. You can compare our rigid-built carcasses with the depot alternatives and we can have a proper chat about your plans.

We regularly work with homeowners across the area, delivering beautiful kitchens not just to Altrincham, but also to surrounding areas like Hale, Bowdon, Timperley, and Broadheath. I’m always on the end of the phone if you have a question, providing the kind of accountability and direct access that makes all the difference.


FAQ – SJB Trade Kitchens vs Howdens in Altrincham

Can homeowners buy from Howdens directly in Altrincham?

No, Howdens operates on a trade-only basis, meaning you can’t buy from their Altrincham depot directly. You have to go through a builder who will add their own markup, increasing the final price you pay.

How do your prices compare to Howdens?

My kitchens are typically 30-50% cheaper than a like-for-like Howdens kitchen. By selling direct from my Oldham workshop and not having the huge overheads of a depot network, I pass those significant savings directly on to my Altrincham customers.

Can I visit a showroom near Altrincham?

Absolutely. My showroom is in Oldham, just a straightforward 25-minute drive from Altrincham via the M60. You can see the quality of our rigid-built cabinets for yourself and we can discuss your project in a relaxed, no-pressure environment.

Do you deliver to Altrincham?

Yes, I deliver to Altrincham, Hale, Bowdon, and all surrounding areas. Your new kitchen will be delivered directly to your door, ready for your fitter to install.


Explore Our Kitchen Styles

Not sure which style is right for you? Browse all six of our kitchen ranges below — click any image to see the full range and individual product options.

Handleless Matt Kitchens - Trade Kitchens Manchester

Handleless – Matt

modern matt slab kitchens - Trade Kitchen Supplier Manchester

Slab – Matt

Shaker Kitchens - Trade Kitchen Supplier Manchester

Shaker – Foil


Handleless Gloss Kitchens - Trade Kitchens Altrincham

Handleless – Gloss

Modern Gloss Kitchens Manchester - SJB Trade Kitchens

Slab – Gloss

Painted Shaker Kitchens Altrincham - Trade Kitchen Supplier

Shaker – Painted

What Our Customers Say

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Ameer Latif profile picture
Ameer Latif
30 August 2026
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We will get back with a quote within 24 hours they say, 10 days, 3 emails with pictures, sizes and plans and not one reply.. Not even a we cant help you
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Fleetkleen UK profile picture
Fleetkleen UK
26 July 2026
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Top service fantastic quality kitchen supplied with fully built units at an amazing price that I’ve not found anywhere else, would highly recommend giving Steve a call, will need his services again very soon.
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Naz K profile picture
Naz K
25 June 2026
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Fantastic experience with Steve from start to finish. He designed an amazing kitchen in a small space and truly went above and beyond what I expected. He took the time to listen carefully to my ideas and requirements, and was never pushy throughout the process. His knowledge, creativity, and attention to detail really stood out at every stage. Everything was planned and executed with care, and he made sure even the smallest details were perfect. The end result is a beautifully designed, highly functional kitchen that I’m absolutely thrilled with. I couldn’t recommend him highly enough ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Emma Bradshaw profile picture
Emma Bradshaw
13 May 2026
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After visiting a few "big brand" kitchen places & being absolutely gob smacked at the prices, the pushy salesmen & the amazing "discounts" they claimed were on for "1 week only".... I went searching for a small local business. I found SJB on eBay initially & then popped along to his Instagram account to have a nosey at his products etc. I dropped him a message & got a reply pretty much straight away. I sent our measurements, needs & ideas & Steve got to work & brought our design to life! He worked fast & was extremely helpful. He made changes if we wanted them, he went hunting for a particular handle I wanted (a lot cheaper too as 1 company wanted £12 a handle, Steve found them for just £4) We visited his show room to make sure because we weren't being charged the earth, we weren't getting a cheap / flimsy product. Well we absolutely weren't! We had a slight issue with one of the cabinets being damaged upon arrival, spoke to Steve, who immediately ordered a replacement to be sent. Steve was contactable throughout, nothing was too much trouble, & he's just a genuine nice guy, who runs a fantastic small business. 100% recommend using SJB Trade Kitchens especially over the giant money grabbing companies!
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Elizabeth Orbell profile picture
Elizabeth Orbell
21 April 2026
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Steve designed and provided all the quality parts necessary for my fitter to make up this beautiful kitchen. All arrived promptly and any queries were responded to immediately and efficiently. Steve is highly professional and easy to get along with which makes a huge difference in our busy world! I would definitely recommend Steve and will use him on my next build. Thank you !
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Scott profile picture
Scott
1 April 2026
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Steve is absolutely epic! Really nice guy. 100% genuine & 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!
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Natasha Conway profile picture
Natasha Conway
25 March 2026
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I cannot stress how happy I am with my kitchen from SJB. We didn’t had a great experience with our builder during the renovation of our house however the final kitchen made up for it. SJB offered high quality finishes at quick turnarounds and even made a custom made island which is better than I ever expected. I will be returning soon to SJB for my bedroom wardrobes!
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Tina Walsall profile picture
Tina Walsall
12 January 2026
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I came across SJB on Ebay, and contacted Steve. He was very helpful in inviting us to his kitchen showroom to look at the various kitchens. This helped a lot as he was on site to talk us through ideas and suggestions. We chose, what we thought, a relatively priced kitchen as it was for a rental property, but the finished result has been just amazing! It looks so expensive, even the fitter said it was very good quality for a fraction of what other places charge. Steve kindly designed the kitchen, gave us good ideas and was always available on the phone if we ever needed advice. I have never purchased a kitchen without the company providing a fitter as I have always doubted if the kitchen would fit how it should, but this has completely changed my perception. It has been flawless and friends and family have compared it to their much more expensive ones, saying this looks amazing and better than theirs! If you need a kitchen, with a gentleman that goes over and above, SJB is the place to go. You will not be disappointed, the whole process has been stress free thanks to Steve, I honestly cannot thank him enough for all his efforts and kindness. We hope to come back very soon!
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James Hunter profile picture
James Hunter
23 December 2025
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I've worked in the building trade for over 20 years, the kitchen supplied by Steven was a better quality then a Howdens or magnet kitchen and also a good bit cheaper. Steven's easy to deal with, everything arrived as quoted no problems no damaged items and on the exact day specified. Would highly recommend.
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Alison Gregory profile picture
Alison Gregory
13 November 2025
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I first came across Steve on Ebay last year when I moved into my bungalow and kept hold of his details. Fast forward a year, I checked Google reviews and finally contacted him sending measurements/photos and went to meet him when on holiday nearby. Steve was so helpful and came up with the exact kitchen plan I had in my head, two other companies couldn't do this, despite visiting my home and meeting with them. Took me a while to find a joiner and after lots of emails, Whatsapp messages and calls, I could actually place the order. All delivered to North East Scotland, a few doors followed on as were out of stock, a couple of damaged items replaced and when I needed a corner post and dishwasher door replacement due to longer screws being used in error, Steve was only too happy to send them. It's a very good quality kitchen at a great price and I'm not planning on needing another, but if I did, I wouldn't hesitate on contacting SJB again. We got there in the end Steve, with hard work from my plasterer, joiner, plumber, electrician and flooring guys and I love my new kitchen, so thank you, hard to believe it's the same room ❤️

REQUEST A FREE DESIGN & QUOTE

Not sure where to start? Just drop your details below or upload a rough sketch or floor plan. I’ll give you a ring to talk through the best layout for your home — no sales pressure, just honest trade advice from someone who’s been in kitchens for 20 years.

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Rigid Built Cabinets with Blum Soft Close as Standard

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info@sjball.uk

0161 509 4221