Looking for a Howdens Alternative in Rochdale?

If you’ve been looking into a new kitchen in Rochdale, you’ve probably come across the Howdens depot on Oldham Road. But you might also have realised that as a homeowner, you can’t just walk in and buy one. Their trade-only model means you have to go through a builder, which adds extra cost and complexity. I believe Rochdale homeowners deserve a more straightforward, honest approach – better quality, direct-from-the-manufacturer pricing, and no messing about. If you’ve been searching for the best alternative to Howdens kitchens, you’re in the right place.

My name is Steve, and I run SJB Trade Kitchens. With over 20 years in the industry, I set up my business to do things differently. I provide high-spec, rigid-built kitchens directly to homeowners and tradespeople alike, cutting out the middlemen and the inflated prices. It’s a no-nonsense way of doing business that I think people in Rochdale appreciate.

You get a straight, honest price from day one. I don’t believe in the confusing sales tactics used by trade depots, with their inflated list prices and mystery discounts that depend on your builder’s relationship with the sales rep. At SJB, I offer one fair, transparent price to everyone – homeowner or tradesperson. This direct approach means you can save 30-50% on a like-for-like kitchen, because you’re not paying for a massive depot network and sales teams.

You are in control of the purchase. As a Rochdale homeowner, you shouldn’t have to rely on a tradesperson to buy your kitchen for you. With SJB, you buy directly from the manufacturer – me. This cuts out the middleman and the risk of hidden markups, giving you full control over the budget and the final specification. It’s a simpler, more transparent way to get the kitchen you want.

You get a kitchen that’s genuinely built to last. Many of the stone-fronted terraces and family homes in Rochdale were built to stand the test of time, and your new kitchen should be no different. Our cabinets are rigid-built in our workshop from high-density 18mm board with solid 18mm back panels. This is a world away from the flimsy, hardboard-backed flat-pack units supplied by depots, ensuring your investment lasts for decades.

You get a personal service from an expert. When you call or visit SJB, you speak to me, Steve. I handle the design, the quote, and any questions you have. This isn’t an anonymous trade counter; it’s a local business where accountability and customer satisfaction are everything. I provide the kind of straightforward, reliable service that Rochdale people value.

The biggest difference between an SJB kitchen and a typical trade depot kitchen comes down to how it’s built. We supply our kitchens as 18mm rigid-built carcasses, not as a pile of flat-pack boards that need to be assembled on site. This means your units are constructed by experts in our workshop, ensuring they are perfectly square and incredibly strong before they even arrive at your home.

A key detail is the back panel. Howdens and other depot suppliers use a flimsy sheet of 3mm hardboard, which is notorious for bowing and letting in dust over time. We use a solid 18mm MDF back panel on all our wall and base units. This makes the entire cabinet vastly more durable and robust, ensuring it will last for decades, not just a few years. For the hard-working family homes in areas like Bamford, this level of durability is essential.

We also fit premium hardware as standard. Every kitchen comes with Blum soft-close hinges and drawer runners – the best in the business. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference to the daily use of your kitchen, providing that smooth, quality feel that you simply don’t get with standard trade-grade components.

Many of the homes in and around Rochdale, from the lovely stone-fronted terraces in Norden to the modern family homes in Bamford, have their own unique character and dimensions. Trying to force a standard, off-the-shelf kitchen into these spaces often leads to compromises, awkward gaps, and wasted potential. This is where our made-to-order approach makes a real difference. We don’t work from a limited catalogue of standard sizes; we build your kitchen specifically for your room.

Whether you need a shallower cabinet to fit a narrow chimney breast in a Victorian property or a specific height to work around existing features, we can build it. This flexibility means you get a truly integrated, high-end look without the bespoke price tag. With over 300 different cabinet finishes available, we can match your doors perfectly for a seamless design.

It all starts with our free design service. I’ll help you plan the layout, choose the right finishes, and make sure every inch of your space is used effectively. We’ll create a kitchen that not only looks fantastic but is perfectly tailored to the way you live.

When you work with SJB, you deal directly with me, Steve. I’m not just a salesperson; I’m the owner of the business, and I oversee every project from the initial design to the final delivery. You get one point of contact who understands your project inside-out and is personally invested in getting it right. There are no call centres and no passing the buck – just honest advice from someone with two decades of experience.

I always encourage customers to come and see the product for themselves. My showroom is at Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB. It’s an easy, direct drive from anywhere in Rochdale – just 15 minutes down the A627. You can see our rigid-built cabinets, feel the quality of the materials, and we can have a proper chat about your plans with no pressure or sales patter.

We’re proud to serve the entire Rochdale area, delivering to homeowners in Norden, Bamford, Littleborough, Milnrow, Castleton, Heywood, and beyond. My goal is to make the process of getting a high-quality new kitchen as simple and transparent as possible.

Can homeowners buy from Howdens directly in Rochdale?

No, homeowners cannot buy directly from the Howdens depot on Oldham Road in Rochdale. Howdens operates on a trade-only basis, meaning you need an account holder, like a builder, to purchase on your behalf, which often includes a markup on the price you pay.

How do your prices compare to Howdens?

Our prices are typically 30-50% more affordable than Howdens for a kitchen of a far superior specification. We achieve this by manufacturing our own units and selling directly to you, avoiding the significant overheads of running a national depot network like the one in Rochdale.

Can I visit a showroom near Rochdale?

Absolutely. Our showroom is located in Oldham, which is just a straightforward 15-minute drive from Rochdale town centre via the A627(M). You can pop in any time to see the quality of our rigid-built cabinets and chat with me directly about your project.

Do you deliver to Rochdale?

Yes, we deliver our rigid-built kitchens across the entire Rochdale borough, including Norden, Bamford, Littleborough, Milnrow, and Heywood. Your new kitchen will arrive fully assembled and ready to install, typically within 10 working days of placing your order.

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
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
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.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 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
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
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
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
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
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
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!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Tina Walsall 
 
12 January 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
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!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 James Hunter 
 
23 December 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
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 ❤️