When you buy a kitchen from a big-box DIY store like Wickes, you’re paying for more than just the kitchen. You’re paying for their massive retail stores, their huge marketing budgets, and the inevitable middleman markup. Their business model is based on volume, not on providing the best possible value for a high-quality, lasting product. They often rely on “sale” prices that still don’t come close to genuine trade pricing.

I operate differently. By cutting out the expensive showrooms and focusing on a supply-only model, I can give you direct access to trade prices. This means you can save a genuine 30-50% on a like-for-like kitchen compared to what you’d pay at Wickes. There are no inflated RRPs or fake discounts here, just honest, transparent pricing on a superior product. You get a premium, rigid-built kitchen for what you might pay for their flat-pack alternative.

This is where the difference becomes crystal clear. Wickes kitchens are designed for the DIY market, which means they are almost exclusively flat-pack. You or your fitter will spend days assembling cabinets from a pile of panels, and the end result is never as strong or as square as a professionally built, rigid carcass. They typically use 16mm chipboard, which simply doesn’t have the strength and longevity of the materials we use.

At SJB, every single one of our kitchen carcasses is rigid-built in our workshop by skilled craftsmen. We use 18mm high-density Egger or Kronospan board for all our units, ensuring they are incredibly strong and built to last. We use industry-leading Blum soft-close hinges and drawers as standard. Your kitchen arrives as solid, pre-assembled units, saving you time, money, and hassle on installation, and guaranteeing a far superior finish.

Wickes, like most DIY stores, offers a limited range of standard-sized cabinets and a curated selection of door styles and colours. They have to cater to the mass market, which means your design is limited by what they keep in stock. If you have an awkward space, a non-standard requirement, or simply a desire for something unique, you’ll likely have to compromise.

I believe your kitchen should fit your home perfectly, not the other way around. Because we manufacture our own carcasses, we can build them to any height, width, or depth you require. We offer over 300 different MFC carcass finishes and a wide range of door styles, meaning you have virtually unlimited design freedom. We don’t do ‘off-the-shelf’; we do ‘made-for-you’.

When you deal with a national chain like Wickes, you’re a number in a corporate system. The staff you deal with are employees, not the business owner, and they may not be kitchen specialists. The process can feel impersonal, and if issues arise, getting them resolved can be a frustrating experience navigating a corporate hierarchy.

With SJB, the experience is completely different. You deal directly with me, Steve, the owner, from start to finish. I handle your design, answer your questions, and I’m personally invested in making sure you’re happy with your kitchen. It’s a personal, accountable service that you just don’t get from a DIY shed. Feel free to book a time to visit our showroom and we can discuss your project one-on-one.

Is a Wickes kitchen cheaper than SJB?

Initially, a Wickes ‘sale’ price might look appealing, but it’s often for a lower-quality, flat-pack product. When you compare the materials, construction, and hardware on a like-for-like basis, SJB offers a far superior kitchen for a genuine 30-50% less. We provide trade prices direct to you, without the retail markups and overheads of a DIY superstore.

What’s the main quality difference?

The biggest difference is in the construction. Wickes kitchens are flat-pack, meaning they are assembled on-site from panels. At SJB, we supply 18mm rigid-built carcasses, constructed in our workshop and delivered ready to install. This results in a stronger, more durable, and longer-lasting kitchen.

Why choose a kitchen specialist over a DIY store?

A kitchen is a major investment, and it pays to work with a specialist. At SJB, kitchens are all we do. I personally oversee every design and order, providing expert advice backed by 20 years of experience. At a DIY store, you’re often dealing with general staff who may not have in-depth kitchen knowledge.

Can I get a custom-sized kitchen from SJB?

Absolutely. Unlike the standard-sized units you’ll find at Wickes, we can manufacture our cabinets to any dimension you need. This allows us to create a truly bespoke kitchen that makes perfect use of your space, without the need for awkward filler panels.

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.