Looking for a Howdens Alternative in Stockport?

Living in one of Stockport’s finer suburbs, you’ll know that a quality kitchen is a serious investment that adds real value to your home. You might have even visited the Howdens depot on Yew Street to see what’s on offer. But what you’ll find is a trade-only supplier with a standard range of flat-pack kitchens. For a property in areas like Heaton Moor or Bramhall, you need something a cut above the usual depot offerings, a kitchen that reflects the character and quality of your home. If you’ve been searching for the best alternative to Howdens kitchens, you’re in the right place.

That’s where I come in. I’m Steve, the owner of SJB Trade Kitchens. With over 20 years in the industry, I set up SJB to do things differently. I provide high-quality, rigid-built kitchens directly to homeowners like you, cutting out the middleman and the inflated prices. I believe everyone deserves a premium kitchen without paying a premium price, especially when you’re investing in a valuable property in Stockport.

You get a kitchen built to last, not just to sell. Many of the beautiful Victorian and Edwardian homes in Stockport were built over a century ago and are still standing strong. Your new kitchen should be just as durable. My cabinets are made from 18mm Egger and Kronospan board with solid 18mm backs, all expertly assembled into a rigid carcass. This is a world away from the flimsy hardboard backs and self-assembly flat-packs you’ll get from the depots, ensuring your kitchen will stand the test of time in a busy family home.

You get a personal service from a single point of contact. From the initial design to the final delivery, you’ll only ever deal with me, Steve. There are no salespeople, no depot staff who don’t know your project, and no passing the buck. I oversee every order myself, ensuring you get exactly what you want, when you want it. This direct relationship means a smoother, more accountable process for your Stockport home renovation.

You get transparent, honest pricing without the confusing trade discounts. Howdens operates on a trade-only basis with opaque pricing and “silly discounts” that depend on your builder’s relationship with the depot. I believe in straightforward, honest pricing for everyone. My prices are 30-50% lower than the depots because I don’t have their huge overheads, and the price I quote is the price you pay. It’s a simpler, fairer way to buy a kitchen.

You get a kitchen that’s genuinely made for your home. The character properties in Marple, Romiley, and the Heatons often have quirky layouts, awkward corners, and non-standard ceiling heights. A standard, off-the-shelf kitchen from a depot just won’t cut it. Because my kitchens are made to order, I can create custom-sized cabinets to fit your space perfectly, ensuring a seamless, high-end finish that looks like it was always meant to be there.

When you’re investing in a kitchen for a premium property, whether it’s a grand Victorian villa in Heaton Moor or a spacious Edwardian semi in Hazel Grove, quality is non-negotiable. The biggest difference between an SJB kitchen and a typical depot kitchen lies in the construction. My cabinets are rigid-built in the factory, meaning they are professionally assembled with glued and dowelled joints for maximum strength and squareness. This is a far cry from a flat-pack kitchen, which relies on the skill (or lack thereof) of the fitter assembling it on-site.

A key element of this quality is the materials I use. All my carcasses are constructed from high-density 18mm Egger or Kronospan board, which is renowned for its durability and stability. Crucially, this includes 18mm solid back panels. Howdens and other depot suppliers typically use a thin, flimsy sheet of hardboard for the back, which is notorious for bowing, sagging, or even popping out over time, especially when the cabinet is loaded with heavy crockery. My solid backs provide immense rigidity and ensure the cabinet will remain perfectly square and strong for decades.

Finally, the quality is in the details you use every single day. I fit all my kitchens with top-of-the-range Blum soft-close hinges and drawer runners as standard. This isn’t an expensive upgrade; it’s the baseline for an SJB kitchen. This premium Austrian hardware ensures a smooth, silent, and reliable action every time you open a door or drawer, providing that touch of luxury that a quality home in Stockport deserves. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference to the daily experience of using your kitchen.

Stockport’s housing stock is wonderfully diverse, but that variety can be a real headache when it comes to fitting a standard kitchen. The character properties in areas like Marple and Romiley, with their chimney breasts, alcoves, and sloping ceilings, simply weren’t designed for off-the-shelf cabinet sizes. Trying to force a standard depot kitchen into a non-standard space often results in a compromised design, with awkward gaps and unsightly filler panels.

This is where my made-to-order service comes into its own. Because I manufacture my kitchens to order, I’m not restricted to standard sizes. I can build cabinets to any height, width, or depth you require. This means we can create a truly bespoke design that makes the most of every inch of your room, scribing perfectly to uneven walls and fitting snugly into alcoves. For the grand Victorian villas in Heaton Moor with their high ceilings, I can build extra-tall wall units that provide more storage and a more elegant, proportionate look.

With over 300 different cabinet finishes and a wide range of door styles, from classic Shakers to modern handleless designs, you have complete creative control. My free design service will help you navigate these choices to create a kitchen that is not only a perfect fit for your space but also a perfect match for your personal style and the character of your Stockport home.

When you’re undertaking a big project like a new kitchen, the last thing you want is to be passed from pillar to post, dealing with a salesperson one day and a depot counter assistant the next. With SJB, you deal directly with me, Steve, from start to finish. I’m a kitchen expert with over two decades of experience, not a sales rep. I’ll give you honest advice, help you refine your design, and ensure your project runs smoothly.

I personally oversee every order to ensure the quality is up to my high standards before it leaves the workshop. This level of personal accountability is something you simply don’t get from the big national chains. I’m always just a phone call away if you have a question or need advice, providing a level of service that my customers in Stockport, Bramhall, Cheadle, and the surrounding areas really appreciate.

I always recommend seeing the product for yourself. My showroom is located at Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB, which is an easy drive of about 25 minutes from most parts of Stockport via the M60. You can see the quality of the rigid-built cabinets, feel the premium finishes, and we can have a proper chat about your project with no pressure or obligation.

Can homeowners buy from Howdens directly in Stockport?

No, Howdens operates a strict trade-only policy at their Stockport depot on Yew Street. You must have a trade account or go through a builder, who will typically add their own markup to 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. I can offer this value because I don’t have the massive overheads of a national depot network and I sell directly to you, the end user, with no hidden markups.

Can I visit a showroom near Stockport?

Yes, absolutely. My showroom in Oldham is about a 25-minute drive from Stockport via the M60. You can pop in any time to see the quality of my rigid-built cabinets and discuss your project directly with me, Steve.

Do you deliver to Stockport?

Yes, I deliver to all areas of Stockport and the surrounding suburbs, including Heaton Moor, Heaton Mersey, Hazel Grove, Marple, Romiley, Bramhall, and Cheadle. Your new kitchen will be delivered directly to your door, ready for installation.

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.