A Better Alternative to Magnet Kitchens in Berkshire — 18mm Rigid Units, 10-Day Delivery, No Showroom Pressure.


📋 Data Accuracy Notice — All specifications on this page are based on publicly available information as of 2026. We welcome manufacturers to submit updated specifications directly to info@sjball.uk — we’ll update our data within 48 hours. We’re committed to accuracy, and we’re happy to be checked.

Made to Order

Rigid Built

Nationwide Delivery

Blum Soft Close

Explore Our Kitchen Styles

Not sure which style is right for you? Browse all six of our kitchen ranges below.

Handleless Matt Kitchens - Trade Kitchens Manchester

Handleless – Matt

modern matt slab kitchens - Trade Kitchen Supplier Manchester

Slab – Matt

Shaker Kitchens - Trade Kitchen Supplier Manchester

Shaker – Foil

Handleless Gloss Kitchens - Trade Kitchens Altrincham

Handleless – Gloss

Modern Gloss Kitchens Manchester - SJB Trade Kitchens

Slab – Gloss

Painted Shaker Kitchens Altrincham - Trade Kitchen Supplier

Shaker – Painted

Berkshire Homeowners: Discover Why SJB Trade Kitchens Outshines Magnet for Your Dream Kitchen

For homeowners across Berkshire, from the historic charm of Windsor to the bustling heart of Reading, the picturesque villages of Pangbourne and Cookham, or the modern developments in Bracknell and Newbury, the kitchen isn’t just a room; it’s the heart of your home. It’s where memories are made, meals are shared, and daily life unfolds. When it comes to renovating this crucial space, you deserve a partner who understands your vision, respects your budget, and delivers exceptional quality without the typical industry pitfalls. That’s where SJB Trade Kitchens comes in – a refreshing alternative to the well-trodden, often frustrating path of national retailers like Magnet Kitchens.

You’ve likely considered Magnet. Their showrooms are ubiquitous, their advertising pervasive. But for many Berkshire residents, particularly those embarking on ambitious renovations in Victorian terraces in Caversham, Georgian townhouses in Maidenhead, or contemporary new builds in Ascot, the Magnet experience often falls short of expectations. It’s time to explore why SJB Trade Kitchens, with its commitment to transparency, quality, and personalised service, is fast becoming the preferred choice for discerning homeowners throughout the Royal County.

The Magnet Maze: Why Berkshire Homeowners Are Seeking Alternatives

Let’s be frank about the Magnet experience, as reported by countless homeowners across Berkshire. It often begins with an enticing offer, drawing you into a showroom that feels more like a sales arena than a design studio. Here’s a breakdown of common frustrations:

  • High-Pressure Sales Tactics: Many Berkshire residents describe feeling cornered, pushed towards immediate decisions, and subjected to relentless upselling. The focus often seems to be on closing a deal, rather than genuinely understanding your needs for your property, be it a charming cottage in Sonning or a spacious family home in Wokingham.
  • Inflated ‘Was/Now’ Pricing: The notorious ‘was/now’ pricing strategy is a frequent complaint. You’re presented with an artificially high original price, only to be offered a significant discount that feels like a bargain but is often just the true market value. This lack of transparency erodes trust from the outset.
  • Tied to a Fitter Network: While Magnet offers installation, you’re often tied into their network of fitters. This can mean less control over the installation process, potential delays, and a lack of direct communication with the person responsible for bringing your kitchen to life in your property, whether it’s a period conversion in Abingdon or a modern apartment in Slough.
  • Protracted Lead Times: The typical 6-10 week lead time for delivery from Magnet can be a significant hurdle for Berkshire homeowners planning a renovation. When you’re managing other trades, coordinating schedules, and living in a disrupted home, such delays can be incredibly stressful and costly.
  • Design Limitations: While Magnet offers a range of styles, true bespoke sizing is often an expensive add-on, if available at all. This can be a major issue for properties with unique dimensions, such as those found in older Berkshire homes with quirky alcoves or non-standard ceiling heights.

SJB Trade Kitchens: A Breath of Fresh Air for Berkshire Renovations

At SJB Trade Kitchens, we believe the process of buying a new kitchen should be exciting, transparent, and tailored to your specific requirements. We understand the unique architectural styles and renovation challenges faced by homeowners in Berkshire, from the sprawling estates of Sunningdale to the compact urban dwellings of Reading town centre. Here’s why SJB stands out as the superior choice:

Uncompromising Quality: 18mm Solid Backs, Built to Last

Unlike many mass-market kitchens that compromise on carcass quality, every SJB kitchen unit boasts 18mm solid backs. This isn’t just a minor detail; it’s a fundamental difference that ensures superior strength, stability, and longevity. For homes in areas prone to movement or those requiring robust storage solutions, such as busy family kitchens in Tilehurst or large country homes in Lambourn, this level of construction is paramount. These aren’t flimsy units; they’re built to withstand the rigours of daily life for decades.

Bespoke Sizing Included: Perfect Fit for Every Berkshire Home

One of the most significant advantages of choosing SJB is that bespoke sizing is included as standard. Whether you have an awkward corner in a Victorian semi in West Reading, a unique ceiling height in a barn conversion near Hungerford, or need to maximise space in a compact flat in central Reading, we can tailor units to fit your exact dimensions. No more unsightly filler panels or wasted space – just a perfectly integrated kitchen that looks and functions flawlessly. This is particularly valuable for the diverse property types across Berkshire, where standard sizes often simply don’t cut it.

Transparent Pricing: No Gimmicks, Just Honest Value

Forget the ‘was/now’ games. At SJB Trade Kitchens, we believe in transparent, honest pricing from the very first quote. You’ll receive a clear breakdown of costs, allowing you to make informed decisions without feeling pressured or misled. We focus on delivering exceptional value for money, ensuring you get a high-quality kitchen that fits your budget without compromising on design or durability. This straightforward approach resonates deeply with Berkshire homeowners who value integrity and clarity.

Rapid Delivery: Your Kitchen in Just 10 Days

We understand that time is of the essence during a renovation. That’s why SJB Trade Kitchens offers an impressive 10-day delivery timeframe for most orders. Imagine – from finalising your design to having your new kitchen units delivered to your doorstep in Berkshire in under two weeks! This significantly reduces disruption, allows for more efficient project management, and gets you back to enjoying your home much faster. This is a game-changer for anyone coordinating multiple trades for a renovation in areas like Crowthorne or Binfield.

Direct with Steve: Personalised Service You Can Trust

When you choose SJB Trade Kitchens, you’re not just another customer in a vast corporate machine. You’ll work directly with Steve, the owner of SJB. This means personalised attention, direct communication, and a single point of contact who is genuinely invested in the success of your project. Steve, based in Altrincham, brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to customer satisfaction that larger retailers simply cannot replicate. He understands the nuances of kitchen design and installation and will guide you through every step, ensuring your vision for your Berkshire home is realised.

Local Renovation Context: Tailored for Berkshire Homes

Berkshire’s property landscape is incredibly diverse, from historic listed buildings requiring sensitive renovations to modern family homes demanding contemporary solutions. Whether you’re upgrading a 1930s semi in Woodley, extending a detached house in Winnersh, or revitalising a riverside property in Henley-on-Thames, SJB Trade Kitchens offers the flexibility and quality needed to meet these varied demands. Our understanding of the need for durable, adaptable kitchens that complement the unique character of Berkshire properties sets us apart. We work directly with our manufacturer to ensure the highest quality components are supplied direct to your project.

Don’t settle for the compromises and frustrations often associated with national kitchen retailers. For your next kitchen renovation in Berkshire, choose the transparent, quality-driven, and customer-focused approach of SJB Trade Kitchens. Experience the difference that personalised service, superior construction, and rapid delivery can make to your project.

Ready to discuss your Berkshire kitchen project? Contact Steve today:

Phone: 0161 509 4221
Email: info@sjball.uk

Many national suppliers offer 18mm carcasses but use thinner back panels to reduce weight and cost. At SJB, that’s not a trade-off we’re willing to make. Every cabinet features full 18mm solid backs — your fitter will notice the difference the second they lift the unit. Magnet’s showroom kitchens look impressive in the display, but the back panel thickness is rarely discussed during the design appointment. SJB’s 18mm solid backs create a fully rigid box that resists racking and maintains structural integrity for decades — the same construction standard used in premium German kitchens, at a fraction of the price.

For Berkshire homeowners investing in a new kitchen, this matters more than most people realise. Under the weight of stone worktops, heavy appliances, and daily use, thin-backed units can flex, go out of square, and cause doors and drawers to misalign over time. SJB’s 18mm backs eliminate this risk entirely.

Feature Magnet Kitchens SJB Trade Kitchens
Carcass Thickness 18mm 18mm
Back Panel Thinner backs (typical) 18mm Solid
Drawer Boxes Standard drawer boxes Blum Antaro as standard; Legrabox or dovetail solid oak available as premium upgrades
Bespoke Widths Limited bespoke sizing Included as standard
Pricing Model Showroom-based with inflated was/now pricing Transparent, consistent pricing all year round
Support Showroom sales team Direct with Steve — 20 years experience
Delivery 6-10 weeks From 10 working days

Got a Magnet Quote? We’ll Beat It.

Magnet kitchens are sold through a showroom model with inflated “was/now” pricing and permanent sale figures that rarely reflect the true market price. SJB Trade Kitchens offers transparent, consistent pricing all year round — no showroom markup, no high-pressure sales appointments, no being tied to their fitter network.

Send us your Magnet quote and we’ll come back with a like-for-like price. Most customers save hundreds — sometimes thousands.

Frequently Asked Questions

While our main showroom is in Oldham, we primarily operate by providing detailed designs and samples directly to our Berkshire clients. This allows us to keep overheads low and pass those savings onto you, rather than maintaining expensive local showrooms. We can often arrange for sample doors and finishes to be sent to your Berkshire home for you to experience the quality firsthand.

We are confident in our competitive pricing and often find that our transparent, value-driven approach allows us to offer superior quality kitchens at a more attractive price point than national retailers like Magnet. We encourage you to share your Magnet quote with us, and we will provide a like-for-like comparison, highlighting the benefits of SJB’s 18mm solid-backed units and bespoke sizing.

For properties like your Victorian terrace in Caversham, where walls might not be perfectly straight or unit stability is crucial, 18mm solid backs provide significantly greater structural integrity and durability. They prevent units from racking, ensure doors hang true, and offer robust support for heavy items, making your kitchen more resilient and long-lasting than those with thinner or flimsy backs.

For most orders, SJB Trade Kitchens offers an impressive 10-day delivery timeframe to your home in Maidenhead. This rapid turnaround significantly reduces the disruption of a kitchen renovation, allowing you to coordinate other trades more efficiently and enjoy your new kitchen much sooner than with typical industry lead times.

Absolutely. One of SJB’s key advantages is that bespoke sizing is included as standard, making us ideal for unique properties like your barn conversion near Hungerford. We can tailor units to fit awkward alcoves, non-standard ceiling heights, or any other specific dimensions, ensuring a perfectly integrated and functional kitchen without wasted space or unsightly filler panels.

From Design to Reality: See the Difference

Every SJB kitchen starts with a detailed CAD design so you can see exactly how your finished kitchen will look before a single unit is ordered. Here is what that looks like in practice.

SJB Trade Kitchens CAD design render - Scott kitchen view 1

The CAD design produced by Steve before the kitchen was ordered

Finished SJB Trade Kitchens installation - Scott kitchen photo 5

The finished kitchen installed by the customer — exactly as designed

“Steve is absolutely epic! Really nice guy. 100% genuine and 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!”

— Scott, verified SJB Trade Kitchens customer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What Our Customers Say

Posted on Google Google
Ameer Latif profile picture
Ameer Latif
30 August 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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 Google
Fleetkleen UK profile picture
Fleetkleen UK
26 July 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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 Google
Naz K profile picture
Naz K
25 June 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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 Google
Emma Bradshaw profile picture
Emma Bradshaw
13 May 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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 Google
Elizabeth Orbell profile picture
Elizabeth Orbell
21 April 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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 Google
Scott profile picture
Scott
1 April 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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 Google
Natasha Conway profile picture
Natasha Conway
25 March 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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 Google
Tina Walsall profile picture
Tina Walsall
12 January 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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 Google
James Hunter profile picture
James Hunter
23 December 2025
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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 Google
Alison Gregory profile picture
Alison Gregory
13 November 2025
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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 ❤️

Request Your Free Quote or Quote Comparison Below

Already have a Magnet quote? Upload it using the form below and Steve will come back with a like-for-like price comparison — usually within 24 hours.

Not sure where to start? Just drop your details below or upload a rough sketch or floor plan. I’ll give you a ring to talk through the best layout for your home — no sales pressure, just honest trade advice from someone who’s been in kitchens for 20 years.

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 10 files.

Made to Order & Delivered in 10 Working Days

Rigid Built Cabinets with Blum Soft Close as Standard

Nationwide Delivery Available

SJB Trade Kitchens | Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB

Phone: 0161 509 4221 | Email: info@sjball.uk

SJB Trade Kitchens is an independent kitchen specialist. All competitor names are used for comparative purposes only based on publicly available specifications. SJB Trade Kitchens is not affiliated with Howdens, Wren Kitchens, Magnet, or DIY Kitchens.