Looking for a Howdens Alternative in Irlam?

Irlam has a wonderful community feel, and it’s a place where people put down roots and invest in their homes for the long term. When you’re planning a new kitchen – often the biggest investment you’ll make in your property – you deserve a service that respects that commitment. Driving to a massive, impersonal trade depot in Salford or Trafford Park and dealing with a system that isn’t designed for you just doesn’t feel right. It often means paying more for a standard product that doesn’t quite fit your vision. If you’ve been searching for the best alternative to Howdens kitchens, you’re in the right place.

I’m Steve, and I run SJB Trade Kitchens differently. I’ve spent over 20 years in this industry, and I set up my own business to offer a better, more personal, and more honest way to buy a quality kitchen. I deal with you directly, providing expert advice and a truly bespoke product without the trade-only hassle or inflated prices. It’s a local, personal service for the heart of your Irlam home.

You get to speak directly with the expert. Unlike the trade-counter experience at Howdens, where you’re dealing with salespeople, you’ll be talking directly to me, Steve. With over 20 years in the industry, I can give you practical, honest advice that’s tailored to your home in Irlam, whether it’s a new-build near the station or a 1920s terrace with quirky dimensions.

You get a kitchen that’s genuinely built to last. Howdens kitchens are flat-pack and use thin hardboard backs. I build my kitchens properly, with 18mm rigid carcasses and 18mm solid back panels. For a family home in Irlam that will see years of use, this robust, pre-assembled construction makes a huge difference in the longevity and durability of your investment.

You get transparent, better value pricing. The Howdens pricing model, with its trade accounts and secret discounts, is confusing for homeowners. My pricing is simple: because I don’t have a network of expensive depots to run, I can provide a higher quality kitchen for 30-50% less than a comparable Howdens one. It’s just honest, straightforward value.

You get a kitchen that’s made to measure for your home. Many properties in Irlam have unique spaces that standard-sized cabinets just can’t fill properly. I build my kitchens to order, meaning we can create custom-sized units to fit perfectly, giving you a seamless, bespoke finish that you simply can’t get off the shelf from a trade depot.

A kitchen in a busy Irlam family home needs to be more than just stylish; it needs to be tough. That’s why I build my kitchen cabinets to last, using methods and materials that far surpass what you get from typical flat-pack suppliers. The foundation of this quality is the 18mm solid back panel in all our base and wall units. While depots like Howdens use a thin, flimsy piece of hardboard that can bow or warp over time, our solid backs provide immense strength and rigidity, ensuring your cabinets stay square and strong for decades.

This rigid-built construction is a core part of my promise to you. Your kitchen units are delivered to your home in Irlam fully assembled, with the doors and drawers fitted. This isn’t just for convenience; it’s a mark of quality. Assembling the units in a controlled workshop environment ensures a perfect, square build every time – something that’s much harder to achieve with a flat-pack kitchen built on an uneven floor.

Finally, I only use hardware that I trust to perform, day in, day out. That means using Blum soft-close hinges and drawer runners as standard. This isn’t an expensive upgrade; it’s the baseline for an SJB kitchen. For homeowners in Irlam who are investing for the long term, this attention to detail ensures your kitchen feels like a quality product every single time you open a door or a drawer.

For many homes in Irlam, particularly the 1920s terraces or the family semis along Liverpool Road, standard off-the-shelf kitchen units just don’t make the most of the space. That’s where our made-to-order approach comes in. Because I manufacture the cabinets myself, I’m not restricted to standard sizes. We can build units to any height, width, or depth you need, ensuring a perfect fit that maximises every inch of your kitchen.

This flexibility is a game-changer for creating a truly functional and beautiful space. With over 300 different carcass finishes available, we can match your internal cabinets to your chosen doors for a seamless, high-end look. And it all starts with our free design service, where we’ll work with you to create a layout that’s perfectly tailored to your Irlam home and your family’s lifestyle.

When you deal with SJB, you deal directly with me, Steve. There are no salespeople or depot staff who don’t know the product inside-out. I provide a single point of contact from the initial design chat right through to the delivery of your new kitchen in Irlam. This simple, direct approach avoids miscommunication and ensures you always get a straight answer.

I believe seeing the quality for yourself is crucial. That’s why I invite you to visit my showroom at Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB. It’s a straightforward drive of about 25 minutes from Irlam, and it’s the best way to understand the difference a rigid-built cabinet and premium hardware can make. You can feel the quality and we can discuss your project in a relaxed, no-pressure environment.

My focus is on providing a high-quality, personal service to homeowners across the region. I regularly deliver to customers not just in Irlam, but also in the nearby areas of Cadishead, Partington, Glazebrook, Hollins Green, and Rixton, offering a trusted local alternative to the big national chains.

Can homeowners buy from Howdens directly in Irlam?

No, Howdens operates on a trade-only basis, so you can’t purchase from their depots in Salford or Trafford Park directly. You have to go through a builder who will add their own markup. At SJB, I sell directly to homeowners in Irlam, giving you a better kitchen for a better price.

How do your prices compare to Howdens?

My kitchens are typically 30-50% cheaper than a like-for-like Howdens kitchen. I don’t have the huge overheads of a national depot network, so I can pass those savings directly on to my Irlam customers, offering genuine value without the confusing trade discounts.

Can I visit a showroom near Irlam?

Absolutely. My showroom is in Oldham, which is an easy 25-minute drive from Irlam. You can see the quality of our rigid-built cabinets and Blum hardware for yourself and we can discuss your project face-to-face. Just head to Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB.

Do you deliver to Irlam?

Yes, I deliver our pre-assembled, rigid-built kitchens directly to homes across Irlam and the surrounding areas, including Cadishead, Partington, and Hollins Green. 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.

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 47 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 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 
 
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 
 
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 
 
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 
 
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 
 
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!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 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 
 
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 
 
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.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Alison Gregory 
 
13 November 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
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 ❤️