📋 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.
A Better Alternative to Wren Kitchens in Liverpool - 18mm Rigid Units, 10-Day Delivery, No Showroom Pressure.
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 – click any image to see the full range and individual product options.
Handleless – Matt
Slab – Matt
Shaker – Foil
Handleless – Gloss
Slab – Gloss
Shaker – Painted
Why Liverpool Homeowners Are Choosing SJB Over Wren Kitchens
Liverpool is a city rich in architectural diversity, from the grandeur of Georgian townhouses in the Georgian Quarter to the characterful Victorian terraces in Allerton and Mossley Hill. The city’s vibrant waterfront regeneration and developments in areas like the Baltic Triangle have breathed new life into modern apartments and new-build housing. Meanwhile, the suburban charm of areas such as Woolton, Formby, and West Derby caters to families looking for spacious semis and detached homes. With this eclectic mix, Liverpool homeowners have a thriving renovation culture, where updating kitchens is a crucial part of restoring property value and enhancing living spaces. However, choosing the right kitchen supplier in such a varied market can be challenging, especially when balancing quality, price, and flexibility.
When it comes to kitchen showrooms in the Merseyside area, Wren Kitchens is a frequent first stop for many homeowners. Their showrooms offer the allure of hands-on displays, wide ranges of styles, and the promise of an all-in-one solution. However, the Wren showroom experience can be high-pressure, with sales consultants often pushing for quick decisions and tying customers into packages that include their fitter network. The pricing structure, which features ‘was/now’ discounts, can be misleading. While their prices often hover around Howdens pricing levels or even higher, the advertised discounts rarely translate into genuine savings. Liverpool homeowners frequently find themselves paying a premium for the convenience and showroom experience, sometimes with less flexibility in design and longer lead times ranging from six to ten weeks.
In contrast, SJB Trade Kitchens, run by kitchen specialist Steve Ball, offers a refreshingly different supply-only model that appeals to the practical and cost-conscious homeowner in Liverpool. Based in Altrincham with a showroom in Oldham, SJB provides rigid-built, made-to-order cabinets supplied direct to customers who then use their own fitters. Customers start by obtaining a detailed quote, often tailored to the unique dimensions of their Liverpool property. After confirming the order, the cabinets are built to specification and delivered within an impressive timeframe of 10 working days nationwide, including to Liverpool addresses. This model streamlines the process, cuts out showroom pressure, and puts control firmly in the hands of the homeowner.
The quality of SJB kitchens is a significant factor for Liverpool properties that often feature varied and sometimes challenging layouts. Unlike many suppliers, SJB includes 18mm carcasses with full 18mm solid backs as standard, providing superior strength and durability. Additionally, all kitchens come with Blum Antaro soft-close drawer systems as a baseline, ensuring a premium feel and reliable performance. Perhaps most importantly for Liverpool’s range of older homes – be it the offset walls of a Georgian townhouse in the Georgian Quarter or the irregular dimensions of a 1930s semi in Wavertree – SJB offers bespoke sizing as part of their standard service. This means cabinets can be precisely crafted to fit unique spaces, maximising storage and visual harmony, something that many big brands like Wren, with their more limited sizing options, cannot match.
Transparency in pricing is an area where SJB Trade Kitchens really shines against the backdrop of Wren’s showroom approach. Whereas Wren relies heavily on the ‘was/now’ pricing model, which can confuse buyers and sometimes inflate perceived discounts, SJB offers straightforward quotes that accurately reflect the true cost of the product. For Liverpool homeowners, this clarity means no unexpected mark-ups or hidden fees. Typically, SJB kitchens are 30 to 50 per cent cheaper than comparable Howdens kitchens and offer genuine savings when compared to Wren’s prices. This transparent pricing allows homeowners, especially those managing renovations within a tight budget, to make more informed decisions and get better value from their investment.
Another key consideration for Liverpool renovators is delivery time. In the context of Liverpool’s fast-moving property market and renovation culture, delays can be costly. Wren’s lead times of six to ten weeks can stall entire projects, particularly problematic for those working with builders or managing multiple trades in areas like Crosby or Toxteth where project coordination is key. SJB Trade Kitchens’ commitment to delivering kitchens within 10 working days is a game-changer for local homeowners. It means kitchens arrive sooner, allowing renovations to proceed smoothly and enabling quicker project completion, which is particularly valuable in booming neighbourhoods like the Baltic Triangle where time is money.
The personal service offered by Steve Ball and his team at SJB differentiates them further. With over 20 years of experience in the kitchen industry, Steve provides knowledgeable, straightforward advice tailored to each Liverpool customer’s needs. Unlike showroom sales teams who rotate frequently and often prioritise sales targets, Steve’s hands-on approach ensures continuity and a genuine understanding of the products and installation challenges. This level of personal service resonates strongly with Liverpool homeowners who appreciate dealing directly with an expert rather than navigating impersonal, high-pressure retail environments.
Liverpool’s distinctive architectural styles and property quirks also make the bespoke sizing component of SJB’s service particularly beneficial. Whether it is aligning cabinets beneath the bay windows of Victorian terraces in Childwall or fitting around the chimney breasts common in Georgian townhouses near the Georgian Quarter, a made-to-order kitchen avoids the compromises often forced by standard-sized cabinet ranges. This flexibility can dramatically improve both the functionality and aesthetics of a kitchen space in Liverpool homes, ensuring that despite the building’s age or unusual layout, the kitchen fits perfectly and works efficiently.
Using a trusted local fitter is another advantage valued by Liverpool homeowners opting for SJB Trade Kitchens. Unlike Wren, which often ties customers into their preferred fitter networks, SJB’s supply-only model allows homeowners to choose their own fitter – often someone with experience working within the Liverpool area’s specific architectural context. Local fitters understand the challenges posed by older builds, such as uneven floors and awkward wall angles, and can adapt installation techniques accordingly. This freedom to select a trusted professional ensures quality installation and a smoother renovation process, while also often reducing overall project costs.
In conclusion, Liverpool homeowners are increasingly turning to SJB Trade Kitchens over Wren for several compelling reasons. From the flexibility of bespoke cabinet sizing and the superior build quality with Blum Antaro fittings, to the transparency in pricing and rapid 10-day delivery, SJB offers a kitchen solution perfectly suited to the city’s unique property landscape. The personalised service from seasoned expert Steve Ball and the ability to work with trusted local fitters provide further reassurance and control. For Liverpool residents renovating Georgian townhouses in the Georgian Quarter, Victorian terraces in Allerton, or new builds in emerging areas like the Baltic Triangle, SJB Trade Kitchens represents a smarter, more economical, and ultimately more satisfying choice than the showroom-based sales experience offered by Wren.
Why 18mm Backs Matter - The Detail Most People Miss
In Liverpool, homes vary from classic Victorian terraces to modern apartments, each demanding durable and reliable kitchen units. The 18mm carcasses used by SJB Trade Kitchens ensure robust cabinet construction that stands the test of time and daily use in busy households. This thickness provides superior strength compared to thinner alternatives, helping maintain cabinet integrity across different property types.
Many national suppliers offer 18mm carcasses but use thinner 8mm back panels to reduce weight and cost. At SJB, that is not a trade-off we are willing to make. Every cabinet features full 18mm solid backs – your fitter will notice the difference the second they lift the unit. This added solidity is particularly important in older Liverpool homes where walls may not always be perfectly even, giving installers a much stronger surface to work with.
Using full 18mm backs also improves the overall stability of your kitchen units, reducing the chance of warping or damage over time, especially in the variable humidity conditions common in Liverpool. Homeowners can expect a premium finish that looks great and functions perfectly for years. For those investing in quality kitchen renovations, this attention to detail makes a significant difference.
SJB vs Wren Kitchens - Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Wren Kitchens | SJB Trade Kitchens |
|---|---|---|
| Carcass Thickness | 18mm | 18mm |
| Back Panel | Thinner backs (typical) | 18mm Solid |
| Hardware | Blum hinges | 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 | Typically 6-10 weeks | From 10 working days |
Got a Wren Quote? We will Beat It.
Wren Kitchens has recently adjusted their pricing strategy, including inflated ‘was’ prices that make their current offers seem less transparent and more expensive than expected. This approach can leave Liverpool homeowners paying more than necessary for kitchens that may not offer the same build quality as competitors.
At SJB Trade Kitchens, we pride ourselves on clear and honest pricing. Send us your Wren quote and we will come back with a like-for-like price. Most customers save hundreds – sometimes thousands. Our competitive rates combined with high-quality components mean you get more value for your investment without sacrificing standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Liverpool is very close to our base in Greater Manchester, so delivery is fast and straightforward. We deliver within our standard 10 working day timeframe, and many Merseyside customers receive their kitchens even sooner.
Yes, we encourage it. Upload your Wren quote using the form below and Steve will provide a detailed like-for-like price comparison. Liverpool customers are often surprised by how much they can save on the same specification.
Our made-to-order service is ideal for Liverpool’s older properties, from Georgian townhouses to Victorian terraces. We can build units to non-standard sizes and offer door styles that complement period features perfectly.
With SJB, you get 18mm rigid built units with Blum soft-close as standard, a personal service from Steve rather than a rotating sales team, and consistently lower prices. Our Oldham showroom is also just a short trip across the M62.
We offer six distinct ranges including Handleless Matt, Handleless Gloss, Slab Matt, Slab Gloss, Shaker Foil, and Shaker Painted. Each is available in a wide selection of colours, and you can view them all on our website or at the Oldham showroom.
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 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Request Your Free Quote or Quote Comparison Below
Already have a Wren 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.
