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Howdens Joinery kitchens review
We put Howdens kitchens through our rigorous lab tests and surveyed Which? members with their kitchens to see how they stacked up.
Howdens have three kitchen ranges (Handleless, Ready Assembled and Flatpack) and we assessed all of them in our lab.
The Handleless and Ready Assembled ranges come pre-assembled. The Flatpack range offers a more affordable price point.
To see how Howdens compares with other leading brands, discover the best and worst kitchen brands according to our analysis
Howdens kitchens overall scores
Our overall scores combine expert lab assessment results and customer survey data from real owners.
Log in now or join Which? to reveal the results for Howdens
| Unit | Overall score | Lab assessment score | Customer score | Customer service | How well the kitchen lasted | View retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handleless | Howdens Handleless kitchens | |||||
| Ready Assembled | Howdens Ready Assembled kitchens | |||||
| Flatpack | Howdens Flatpack kitchens |
Table notes: The overall score is based on the lab assessment of the units (60% weighting) and feedback from our customer survey (40% weighting), which incorporates the customer score, plus ratings for the level of customer service and how well the kitchen lasted. The customer survey was conducted online in February 2023 among 4,378 Which? members who have bought a new kitchen in the past 10 years. Howdens sample size: 983.
We tested 19 kitchen ranges from various brands, giving them an overall score based on their performance in the lab and customer ratings.
Two of Howdens' kitchens scored identically, while the other lost marks in our lab assessment.
The best kitchen we assessed achieved an overall score of 81%. Our five best kitchen suppliers all scored over 75%.
At the bottom end of the table, our lowest-scoring kitchen earned 59%. In fact, eight kitchens from four brands all got scores of less than 70%.
For advice on creating a stylish, functional kitchen, read our guide to kitchen planning
Howdens kitchens lab assessment scores
Our expert lab tests are specially designed to test how kitchens will stand up to everyday use.
Log in now or join Which? to reveal the results
| Unit | Lab assessment score | Quality of units | Loading shelves | Drawers and runners | Hinges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handleless | |||||
| Ready Assembled | |||||
| Flatpack |
Table notes: Lab assessment scores are calculated based on a kitchen’s performance in 19 tests across four key areas - quality of units, loading shelves, drawers and runners and hinges. Ratings are combined to create an overall assessment score.
One of Howdens' ranges lost some marks for quality of units and hinges.
Find out how we test kitchens in our lab
Howdens kitchens customer survey score
We spoke to 983 Which? members with a Howdens kitchen to find out how real owners rate their kitchens.
Log in now to or join Which? find out how Howdens is rated by its customers
| Customer survey category | Scores and ratings |
|---|---|
| Customer score | |
| Customer service | |
| Quality of cupboards, doors, drawers and worktops | |
| Quality of finish | |
| How well cupboards, doors, drawers and worktops lasted | |
| Value for money |
Table notes: Based on the responses of 983 Howdens Joinery customers in an online survey of 4,378 Which? members conducted in January and February 2023. Customer score is a combined score based on customer ratings of satisfaction with their kitchen and likelihood of recommending to a friend.
Our top overall scorer achieved an outstanding score of 86% in our customer survey.
At the other end of the table, some of the brands we assessed scored less than 65% overall - including some two-star ratings.
We also used our reader survey to find the 7 things people regret most about their kitchen design
How to buy a Howdens kitchen
Howdens Joinery is a trade kitchen supplier, which means it sells to tradespeople only.
That means you need to find a builder before you start on the Howdens buying journey. The process in full is as follows:
- Find a builder - Howdens won't sell to non-professionals, so you need to find an installer before starting work on your new kitchen.
- Choose your kitchen - Get to know Howdens’ ranges and the type of kitchen you want, so you have an idea of what your interested in before your appointment. Either browse online at howdens.com or find your nearest depot.
- Design your kitchen - Book a design appointment with Howdens to decide on your new kitchen.
- Installation - The kitchen will be delivered to your house and can be installed by your trader.
Howdens design services
Howdens has a free personal design service online to help you plan your kitchen. Book online at howdens.com to consult a designer for expert advice on planning, layout and style, either via video chat or at a Howdens depot.
Howdens' designers can also carry out at-home assessments during which they will measure your kitchen. You can choose to have a 3D plan of your kitchen to help you visualise the final look.
Howdens kitchen installation
Does Howdens fit kitchens?
Howdens doesn’t install kitchens and you can’t install them yourself.
Howdens can guide you through the process of finding a trader if you need help.
Alternatively, you can use our free Which? Trusted Traders service to find a reliable trader.
How much does it cost to fit a Howdens kitchen?
To find out how much the average kitchen installation costs in 2024, we consulted the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) database.
They estimate labour rates based on the current Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council wage agreement and a model of the average kitchen.
They told us that the total cost of labour should be 20-30% of your total spend. Fitting a bespoke kitchen costs 20-35% more than fitting a standard kitchen.
Log in now to or join Which? find out how much you can expect to spend on labour when renovating your kitchen
House type (floor size) | Number of units | Standard kitchen | Bespoke kitchen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terraced (8sqm) | 8 | ||
| Semi-detached (15sqm) | 12 | ||
| Detached (24sqm) | 16 |
Table notes: Prices includes the cost of stripping your old kitchen, fitting your cabinets and finishing the kitchen. Prices also include VAT. Data copyright RICS 2023, reproduced with permission. Data is correct as of December 2023.
We recommend that you always get at least three quotes from different traders before you start any job, and get a fixed price contract if possible (this means the prices can not go up expect in pre-agreed circumstances).
Which? members can see a full breakdown of how much a new kitchen costs in 2024, including for labour, kitchen islands and worktops.
See our guide to how to work with your trader to find out more money-saving tips
Howdens kitchen ranges
Howdens makes 10 ranges of kitchen, based on three types of unit (or kitchen carcasses): Flatpack, Handleless and Ready Assembled.
These types of unit all come in traditional Shaker and modern slab designs.
The Flatpack kitchen is the cheapest option. Howdens also recommends these units if your kitchen is difficult to access or you are short on space.
The Ready Assembled or Handleless units achieved identical scores in our lab tests, so if you're looking for a more premium range, you can choose based on whether or not you want handles or a sleek finish.
Howdens’ kitchens come in a range of colours. Some are even available in 24 paint-to-order colours.
You can also customise the finish of your cabinets with one of seven choices, including gloss, ultra gloss, matt and textured finishes.
Howdens kitchen unit sizes
All of Howdens kitchens come in a huge range of sizes, including half-height and highline options.
They make standard widths (including 500mm and 600mm) and in-between sizes (like 350mm and 450mm) for a custom fit. However, you should note that their flatpack units are less customisable.
Howdens kitchen guarantees
Howdens offers a 25-year guarantee on its kitchen cabinets, a five-year guarantee for doors and a one-year guarantee for worktops.
The guarantee mostly covers defects in the manufacturing process or raw materials.
Make sure you keep your proof of purchase, as you'll need it to make a claim. Even if the kitchen was bought by a Howdens' account holder, you can contact Howdens direct.
Find out more at howdens.com
This article uses insights from the Which? Connect panel, collected from research activities with our members. Find out how to get involved