Looking for a Howdens Alternative in Heywood?

If you’re in Heywood and considering a new kitchen, you might think your only option is to go through a builder who uses the Howdens depot over in Rochdale. But what if you could get a better quality, custom-built kitchen for a lower price, all by dealing directly with the owner? In a town like Heywood, where a good reputation is everything, that’s exactly what I offer. If you’ve been searching for the best alternative to Howdens kitchens, you’re in the right place.

I’m Steve, the owner of SJB Trade Kitchens. I’ve spent over 20 years in this industry, and I set up my business to do things differently. I believe homeowners deserve transparent pricing and a personal service, without the hidden markups and trade-counter hassle. I build my reputation on happy customers, and many of my clients in the Heywood area come to me through word-of-mouth recommendations from their friends and neighbours.

You get a direct, honest price without any hidden markups. Because I sell directly to the public, you avoid the significant markup that builders have to add to a Howdens price. In a small town like Heywood, word gets around if you’re not offering genuine value, which is why I pride myself on transparent pricing that is often 30-50% less than what you’d end up paying for a depot kitchen.

You get a kitchen that’s genuinely built to last. Many Heywood homes, from the family semis on Bury New Road to the older terraces, are built with solid, traditional methods. Your kitchen should be too. My cabinets are rigid-built in our workshop with 18mm solid backs, a huge step up from the flimsy hardboard used in most depot flat-packs. This means they are stronger, more durable, and will stand up to years of family life.

You get a personal service from someone who cares about their reputation. I’m not a massive, faceless company; I’m a local business owner. I handle your project personally, from the first chat to the final delivery. My reputation in towns like Heywood is my most important asset, so I ensure every customer is completely satisfied.

You get a kitchen that fits your home perfectly. Standard-sized cabinets from a depot often don’t work well in older properties with their unique dimensions. Because my kitchens are made-to-order, I can build cabinets to any width, height, or depth, ensuring a perfect fit for your space without the need for ugly filler panels.

The first thing you’ll notice about an SJB kitchen is how solid it is. Unlike the flat-pack units from depots, which often rely on flimsy hardboard backs, my cabinets are built with 18mm solid back panels as standard. This is the same high-density material we use for the sides, top and bottom, creating a truly rigid and robust carcass that won’t bow or sag over time, even when filled with heavy plates and pans.

This level of construction is vital for the varied housing in Heywood. Whether you’re renovating a 1970s family semi in Hopwood or a traditional stone terrace, you need a kitchen that’s built for the long haul. We use premium Egger and Kronospan boards for all our carcasses, ensuring exceptional durability and a quality finish that lasts.

It’s the details that make the difference. Every single one of our kitchens comes fitted with top-of-the-range Blum soft-close hinges and drawer runners. This isn’t an expensive upgrade; it’s our standard. It means your doors and drawers will always close smoothly and silently, adding a touch of quality you’ll appreciate every single day.

Many of the older stone terraces in Heywood have their own unique quirks – chimney breasts, awkward alcoves, and non-standard ceiling heights. Trying to make a standard, off-the-shelf kitchen fit into these spaces often leads to compromises, with large filler panels and wasted space. This is where our made-to-order service really shines. Because we build your kitchen from scratch, we aren’t limited by standard catalogue sizes.

We can create cabinets in custom widths, depths, and heights to work around any architectural challenges your Heywood home presents. This means a perfect, wall-to-wall fit that maximises your storage and looks truly bespoke. With over 300 different cabinet finishes and a wide range of door styles, from classic Shakers to modern handleless designs, we can create a look that perfectly complements your property’s character. My free design service will help you visualise exactly how a custom-fit kitchen can transform your space.

When you deal with SJB, you deal directly with me, Steve. There are no salespeople or depot counter staff in the middle. I personally oversee every project, from the initial design chat to the final delivery, ensuring you get expert advice and a single point of contact throughout. This is the kind of accountability you just don’t get from a national chain.

My showroom is located at Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB, which is a simple drive of about 20 minutes from the centre of Heywood. You’re welcome to visit any time to see our products first-hand and discuss your ideas without any obligation. It’s a world away from the trade-only environment of a depot.

I regularly work with homeowners across the region, delivering beautiful, long-lasting kitchens to customers not just in Heywood, but also in nearby areas like Hopwood, Bamford, Birch, and Hooley Bridge. My business is built on the trust of local people, and I’m proud of the reputation I’ve earned.

Can homeowners buy from Howdens directly in Heywood?

No, Howdens operates on a trade-only basis, meaning you can’t buy directly from their nearest depot in Rochdale. You have to go through a builder who will add their own markup to the final price. At SJB, I sell directly to Heywood homeowners at a transparent trade price.

How do your prices compare to Howdens?

You’ll find my prices are typically 30-50% lower than a Howdens kitchen supplied via a builder. By cutting out the middleman and avoiding the high overheads of a depot network, I can pass those significant savings directly on to my Heywood customers.

Can I visit a showroom near Heywood?

Absolutely. My showroom is in Oldham, just a straightforward 20-minute drive from Heywood. You can pop in any time to see the quality of our rigid-built cabinets for yourself and we can have a chat about your project without any pressure or sales talk.

Do you deliver to Heywood?

Yes, we deliver our fully assembled, rigid-built kitchens directly to homes across Heywood and the surrounding areas, including Hopwood, Bamford, and Birch. Your new kitchen will arrive ready to install, saving you time and hassle.

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.