Kitchen Advice From Someone Who Actually Knows

I’m Steve. I’ve spent over 20 years in the kitchen industry — starting on the shop floor in retail, moving into manufacturing, and now supplying rigid-built, made-to-order kitchens direct to homeowners from my base in Oldham. I’ve seen every corner of this industry, and I know exactly where homeowners get misled, overcharged, and left confused.

This advice library is my attempt to fix that. No sales spin, no jargon, no pushing you towards a particular product. Just honest, straight-talking guides on everything from how kitchen cabinets are actually built, to what separates a trade supplier from a high street showroom, to which door style is going to suit your home and your budget. Whether you’re planning your first kitchen renovation or you’ve been through it before and want to do it better this time — this is the resource I wish existed when I started out.

Use the categories below to find the guide you need. Each one is written from direct industry experience — not recycled content from a marketing team.

I’m not a blogger who’s done one kitchen renovation and decided to write about it. I’m not a content team at a retailer with a vested interest in what you buy. I’m Steve Ball — and I’ve been working in the kitchen industry since the early 2000s.

I started on the shop floor in retail kitchens, where I learned how homeowners actually think about their kitchens — what they worry about, what they get wrong, and what the sales teams never tell them. From there I moved into manufacturing, which is where I learned what separates a well-built cabinet from a poor one at a glance. I know what 18mm Egger board looks like compared to a cheap substitute. I know what a properly assembled Blum hinge feels like versus a budget alternative. I know which shortcuts manufacturers take when they’re trying to hit a price point.

Now I run SJB Trade Kitchens from our showroom at Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB. I supply rigid-built, made-to-order kitchens direct to homeowners — no trade card needed, no builder’s markup, no call centre. Every kitchen is built using premium 18mm Egger and Kronospan carcasses with solid 18mm back panels and Blum soft-close hardware as standard. And because I supply nationwide, from as little as 10 working days, I’ve dealt with homeowners across the UK — which means I’ve seen every kind of kitchen project, every kind of space, and every kind of budget.

The advice in this library is drawn from all of that. If you’ve got a question that isn’t covered here, call me on 0161 509 4221 — I’m happy to talk it through.

 
 
 
 
  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
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Fleetkleen UK 
 
26 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
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
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 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!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 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 !
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Scott 
 
1 April 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
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 ❤️