A Better Alternative to Magnet Kitchens in Sunderland — 18mm Rigid Units, 10-Day Delivery, No Showroom Pressure.
Rigid Built
Nationwide Delivery
Blum Soft Close
SJB Trade Kitchens: The Smarter Choice for Sunderland Homeowners Over Magnet
Are you a Sunderland homeowner dreaming of a kitchen renovation? Whether you’re in a charming terraced house in Hendon, a semi-detached in Barnes, a new build in Doxford Park, or a spacious detached property in Cleadon Village, the kitchen is often the heart of your home. When it comes to choosing a supplier, many naturally consider big names like Magnet. However, for those in Sunderland seeking quality, value, and a truly personal service, SJB Trade Kitchens offers a refreshingly superior alternative.
We understand the unique character of Sunderland homes. From the Victorian and Edwardian properties around Ashbrooke and Roker, often requiring custom-sized units to fit their unique alcoves and layouts, to the more modern estates in Ryhope and Silksworth where efficient space planning is key. SJB Trade Kitchens is perfectly positioned to meet these diverse needs, providing bespoke solutions that Magnet often struggles to match without significant upcharges.
The Magnet Showroom Experience: A Familiar Frustration for Sunderland
Many Sunderland residents have walked into a Magnet showroom, perhaps at the Sunderland Retail Park, hopeful for a straightforward experience. What they often encounter, however, can be disheartening. The high-pressure sales tactics, the seemingly endless ‘was/now’ pricing games that make you question the true value, and the feeling of being funnelled into their preferred network of fitters can be overwhelming. Then there’s the lead time – often 6-10 weeks, which can put a significant dent in your renovation schedule, especially if you’re managing other trades for a full home overhaul in areas like Fulwell or Grangetown.
Furthermore, while Magnet does offer rigid built units, their standard offering often comes with limitations. Customisation, if available, can be prohibitively expensive, pushing your budget far beyond what you initially planned. This is where SJB Trade Kitchens truly shines as a better alternative for Sunderland homeowners.
SJB Trade Kitchens: Quality, Transparency, and a Personal Touch
At SJB Trade Kitchens, we operate differently. Our focus is on providing exceptional quality kitchens with unparalleled service and transparent pricing, all without the showroom theatrics. Here’s why Sunderland homeowners are increasingly choosing SJB:
- Superior Construction: 18mm Solid Backs as Standard. Unlike many standard offerings that use thinner backs, every SJB kitchen unit comes with robust 18mm solid backs. This isn’t an upgrade; it’s our standard. This commitment to quality ensures a stronger, more durable cabinet that will stand the test of time, crucial for busy family homes in areas like Tunstall or South Hylton.
- Bespoke Sizing Included, Not an Extra. Have an awkward space in your Victorian terrace in Barnes? Need a specific depth for an island in your new build in Doxford Park? SJB Trade Kitchens offers bespoke sizing as part of our standard service. You won’t pay extra for units that perfectly fit your unique Sunderland home, ensuring a truly tailored look and maximum functionality.
- Transparent & Honest Pricing. Say goodbye to inflated ‘was/now’ pricing. With SJB, what you see is what you get. We provide clear, competitive quotes upfront, allowing you to budget effectively and confidently for your kitchen renovation, whether it’s a compact galley kitchen in Hendon or a large open-plan space in Cleadon.
- Rapid Delivery: Your Kitchen in Just 10 Days. We understand that time is of the essence. While Magnet quotes 6-10 weeks, SJB Trade Kitchens typically delivers your complete kitchen within 10 working days. This significantly reduces project timelines, allowing your Sunderland renovation to progress smoothly and efficiently.
- Direct with Steve: Personalised Service. When you choose SJB, you’re not dealing with a rotating cast of sales assistants. You’re dealing directly with Steve. This personal approach ensures clear communication, a deep understanding of your needs, and a dedicated point of contact throughout your entire kitchen journey. Steve, based in Altrincham, works directly with our manufacturer to ensure your kitchen meets the highest standards.
Local Renovation Context: Why SJB is Perfect for Sunderland
Sunderland’s housing stock is diverse, and so are its renovation challenges and opportunities. From extending older properties in Roker to modernising interiors in newer estates, homeowners need flexibility and reliability. SJB’s ability to provide custom sizes without a premium is invaluable for properties with non-standard dimensions, a common feature in older Sunderland homes. Our 10-day delivery means less disruption to your household, a significant benefit for families juggling work and school runs in areas like Grindon or Pennywell.
Furthermore, by avoiding the high overheads of multiple showrooms, we can pass those savings directly to you, the Sunderland homeowner. This means you get a higher quality kitchen for a more competitive price, allowing you to invest more in other aspects of your home, or simply save money.
Don’t settle for the compromises and frustrations often associated with large national chains. For a kitchen that truly fits your Sunderland home, your budget, and your timeline, choose SJB Trade Kitchens. Experience the difference that quality construction, bespoke service, and transparent pricing can make. Contact Steve today to discuss your project. 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 Sunderland 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 SJB’s operations are based in Altrincham, our service is designed to be entirely remote for your convenience. You won’t need to travel to a showroom; all design consultations, quotes, and communication happen directly with Steve via phone and email. This means you save time and travel costs, getting a personalised kitchen design for your Sunderland home from the comfort of your own living room.
Many Sunderland homeowners find that SJB Trade Kitchens can offer a superior quality kitchen at a more competitive price than Magnet. We achieve this through transparent pricing, avoiding showroom overheads, and including features like bespoke sizing and 18mm solid backs as standard, which often cost extra elsewhere. Send us your Magnet quote, and let’s see how we can provide better value for your Sunderland kitchen project.
18mm solid backs provide significantly more strength and stability to your kitchen units, which is particularly beneficial for older Sunderland properties. They help prevent racking, ensure the cabinets hold their shape better over time, and provide a much more secure fixing point for wall-mounted units, giving you peace of mind whether you’re in a Victorian terrace or a modern semi-detached.
SJB Trade Kitchens offers a rapid delivery service, with most kitchens arriving at your Sunderland address within 10 working days of order confirmation. We work with reliable logistics partners to ensure your kitchen is delivered safely and efficiently to your doorstep, whether you’re in a busy city centre location or a quieter residential area like Cleadon Village.
Absolutely. SJB Trade Kitchens specialises in bespoke sizing as standard, making us ideal for all types of Sunderland properties. Whether you have an awkward alcove in a Victorian terrace in Ashbrooke, need specific dimensions for a utility room in a 1930s semi in Barnes, or want to maximise space in a new build in Doxford Park, we can supply units tailored to your exact requirements without additional cost.
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.







