A Better Alternative to Magnet Kitchens in Hampshire — 18mm Rigid Units, 10-Day Delivery, No Showroom Pressure.
Rigid Built
Nationwide Delivery
Blum Soft Close
SJB Trade Kitchens: The Smarter Choice for Hampshire Homeowners Over Magnet
For homeowners across Hampshire, from the bustling streets of Southampton to the tranquil villages of the New Forest, the dream of a new kitchen often begins with a visit to a well-known showroom. Magnet Kitchens, with its extensive network, might seem like an obvious first stop. However, a growing number of savvy homeowners in areas like Winchester, Romsey, Fareham, and even the coastal towns of Lymington and Emsworth, are discovering a superior alternative: SJB Trade Kitchens. We understand the unique demands of Hampshire properties, whether it’s a charming Georgian townhouse in Alresford, a modern new-build in Whiteley, or a period cottage in the Meon Valley. SJB offers a refreshing, transparent, and ultimately more rewarding path to your perfect kitchen.
Let’s face it, the traditional kitchen showroom experience, particularly with larger chains like Magnet, can be less about your needs and more about their sales targets. Many Hampshire residents have shared stories of high-pressure sales tactics, where a ‘design consultation’ quickly morphs into an aggressive push to sign on the dotted line. The infamous ‘was/now’ pricing strategy, where an inflated initial price is dramatically reduced to create a false sense of urgency and a ‘limited-time’ deal, is a common complaint. This approach not only feels disingenuous but also makes it incredibly difficult to assess true value.
Furthermore, Magnet often operates with a network of approved fitters, which can tie you into additional costs and limit your choice. While a professional fitting service is crucial, being restricted to a specific group can prevent you from using a trusted local tradesperson you’ve worked with before, or from sourcing more competitive quotes. Then there’s the lead time – typically 6-10 weeks for delivery, which can feel like an eternity when you’re eager to transform your home. For busy families in Andover or discerning couples in Stockbridge, such delays can be a significant inconvenience.
The SJB Difference: Built for Hampshire Homes, Delivered with Integrity
At SJB Trade Kitchens, we believe the process of buying a kitchen should be as enjoyable and straightforward as the end result. We work directly with our manufacturer, allowing us to offer a level of quality, flexibility, and transparency that larger chains simply can’t match. Here’s why Hampshire homeowners are increasingly choosing SJB:
Uncompromising Quality: 18mm Solid Backs as Standard
When investing in a new kitchen, durability is paramount. Many mass-market kitchens, even rigid-built ones, often compromise on the back panels, using thinner materials like 8mm or 10mm. Not at SJB. Every single one of our units, whether it’s a base cabinet for a family kitchen in Chandler’s Ford or a wall unit for a compact flat in Portsmouth, comes with robust 18mm solid backs. This isn’t an upgrade; it’s our standard. This superior construction significantly enhances the strength and longevity of your kitchen, preventing bowing, sagging, and ensuring your units stand the test of time, even in the busiest of Hampshire households.
Bespoke Sizing Included: Perfect Fit for Every Hampshire Property
Hampshire boasts an incredible diversity of properties, from charming period properties with quirky dimensions to modern homes requiring precise integration. Unlike the rigid, off-the-shelf sizes often found at Magnet, SJB offers bespoke sizing as standard. Need a unit that’s 530mm wide to perfectly fit an alcove in your Victorian terrace in Southsea? Or a shallower depth for a utility room in Petersfield? No problem. We don’t charge extra for these adjustments. This flexibility ensures a seamless, custom-fitted look that maximises space and functionality, a crucial advantage for the varied architectural styles found across Hampshire.
Transparent Pricing: No Gimmicks, Just Great Value
Forget the ‘was/now’ games and the opaque pricing structures. At SJB, we believe in complete transparency. Our pricing is straightforward and competitive, reflecting the true value of high-quality, rigid-built kitchens. We provide clear, itemised quotes, so you know exactly what you’re paying for. This honest approach allows you to budget effectively and compare like-for-like, without the pressure of artificial deadlines or hidden costs. We’re confident that when you compare our quality and features to Magnet’s, particularly after their ‘discounts’, you’ll find SJB offers significantly better value for your investment.
Rapid Delivery: Your Kitchen in Just 10 Days
Waiting weeks or even months for your new kitchen can be incredibly frustrating. SJB understands that once you’ve made your decision, you want your kitchen delivered promptly. That’s why we pride ourselves on a rapid 10-day delivery schedule. From the moment you confirm your order, your high-quality, rigid-built kitchen will be dispatched and on its way to your Hampshire home within just ten working days. This efficiency minimises disruption to your daily life and allows your chosen fitter to get started sooner, making your kitchen transformation a smooth and swift process.
Direct with Steve: Personal Service, Expert Advice
When you choose SJB Trade Kitchens, you’re not dealing with a faceless corporation or a rotating cast of salespeople. You’re dealing directly with Steve. This personal approach means you receive dedicated attention, expert advice, and consistent communication throughout your kitchen journey. Steve, based in Altrincham, ensures that every detail is handled with care, from your initial enquiry to the final delivery. This direct line of communication eliminates misunderstandings and ensures your specific requirements for your Hampshire home are met precisely.
The Local Hampshire Renovation Context
Hampshire homeowners are often discerning, valuing both quality and character. Whether you’re renovating a historic property in Wickham, updating a 1930s semi in Eastleigh, or designing a contemporary space in a new development near Basingstoke, the need for a kitchen that perfectly complements your home and lifestyle is paramount. Many local renovation projects involve working with established local builders and fitters who appreciate the quality and ease of installation that SJB’s rigid-built units with 18mm solid backs provide. Our bespoke sizing is particularly beneficial for older properties where standard unit sizes simply won’t do, allowing for seamless integration into existing architectural features or awkward spaces.
Consider a typical renovation in a village like Hambledon, where a homeowner might be looking to create an open-plan kitchen-diner, blending traditional aesthetics with modern functionality. SJB’s ability to provide custom-sized units ensures that every inch of space is utilised efficiently, without the need for unsightly filler panels or compromises on design. Similarly, for a developer working on a row of townhouses in Aldershot, the consistent quality, rapid delivery, and transparent pricing of SJB kitchens offer significant advantages in terms of project management and budget control.
Ready to Experience the SJB Difference?
Don’t settle for the high-pressure sales tactics, inflated pricing, and lengthy lead times often associated with larger kitchen retailers. For Hampshire homeowners seeking a high-quality, rigid-built kitchen with 18mm solid backs, bespoke sizing, transparent pricing, and rapid 10-day delivery, SJB Trade Kitchens is the clear choice. We work directly with our manufacturer to bring you exceptional value and a truly personalised service.
Discover why so many homeowners from Farnborough to Fordingbridge are choosing SJB for their kitchen transformations. Contact us today for a no-obligation quote and experience the refreshing difference of a truly customer-focused approach.
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 Hampshire 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
Our showroom is located in Oldham, which is a significant distance from Hampshire. However, we’ve perfected a remote design process that works exceptionally well for our Hampshire customers. We use detailed plans, photos, and virtual consultations to ensure your kitchen is designed perfectly, and you’ll be dealing directly with Steve for a truly personalised experience.
Absolutely. Many Hampshire homeowners, particularly in areas like Winchester where quality is paramount, find that our transparent pricing and superior specifications offer significantly better value than Magnet’s ‘discounted’ quotes. We encourage you to send us your Magnet quote; we’re confident we can provide a comparable or better design with our 18mm solid back units and bespoke sizing, often at a more competitive price.
Yes, absolutely! Our 18mm solid back units are not only incredibly robust but also come with bespoke sizing included as standard. Whether you have a quirky alcove in a New Forest cottage or need specific dimensions for a modern extension in Lymington, we can tailor units to fit perfectly without any additional charges, ensuring a seamless and custom look.
Once your order is confirmed, we pride ourselves on a rapid 10-day delivery schedule for all our rigid-built kitchens. This means your high-quality units will be dispatched and on their way to your Hampshire home, whether it’s in Fareham, Portsmouth, or any other town, within just ten working days, minimising disruption to your renovation project.
Yes, our kitchens are designed with versatility in mind, making them ideal for the diverse property types across Hampshire. Our robust 18mm solid back construction and bespoke sizing capabilities mean we can perfectly fit modern open-plan layouts in Whiteley, as well as seamlessly integrate into the unique dimensions and character of traditional period properties in Alresford, ensuring a high-quality finish for any home.
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.

The CAD design produced by Steve before the kitchen was ordered

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
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.
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.







