Why you won't find a Howdens price list and what to do next
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If you’re looking for a Howdens’ price list, it’s probably because you’re at the stage of planning a kitchen, and you’d quite like to buy a Howdens kitchen… but only if the price is right.
Before I became an interior designer, Neil and I took on a kitchen renovation, opting for Howdens. It’s fair to say we found it quite frustrating not knowing prices - we really wanted to see a price list to avoid any surprises!
Turns out, we weren’t alone…
When we launched our Reno Club years later, other renovators had the same lack of clarity on Howdens’ kitchen prices…
Why You Won't Find a Howdens Kitchens Price List
Isn’t it frustrating that even though we live in the age of information, you can’t get your hands on Howdens’ kitchen prices?
Well, there are a few reasons why you can’t 👇🏻
Howdens, a trade supplier for kitchens, doesn't publish pricing lists for the general public.
Howdens don’t offer a price list because they only work directly with tradespeople.
That means, Howdens prices vary dependent on who you hire with regional price differences.
So, although it’s frustrating, don’t despair. Even if they displayed pricing on their website, it still wouldn’t give you exact kitchen pricing.
In short, only a tradesperson registered with Howdens can give you a price quote.
Are Howdens kitchens expensive? (How to estimate your Howdens kitchen price)
If you’re thinking “Argh this is annoying, how am I going to find out if I can afford a Howdens kitchen?” I know the feeling!
But it might help you to understand where Howdens sits in the market in terms of pricing. The price of a Howdens kitchen won’t be too dissimilar to other high street retailers with a mix of affordable and mid-range kitchen ranges.
But of course, your kitchen price will depend on which kitchen range you opt for, the number of units you require, and which bells and whistles you choose.
I have a few tips to help you estimate your kitchen pricing if you don’t have any designs or plans yet. So keep reading.
How to calculate your kitchen cost (supply only)
As I mentioned, you can’t access howdens kitchen units price lists publicly but you can estimate the average price your kitchen may amount to by using competitors pricing to form an estimate without any plans or design in place.
Here are the calculations I run for clients who don’t have any designs or plans in place but want a loose estimate of how much a high-street kitchen may cost them, for supply only.
First I need to understand how many units the kitchen could typically have on each wall (base units and wall units):
Length of kitchen wall (in mm) ÷ 600mm (The average unit width) = Average number of units required for base units
Run this calculation again if there will be wall units on the same wall and add the totals together for your total number of units required.
For example: My wall measures 3700mm. I divide this by 600mm (the average unit width) and I get a total of 6.1 base units required on that wall. I run this calculation again for wall units if I’m not having open shelving and do this whole calculation again for all other walls that will have units.
Then, I do some virtual shopping on high street sites to calculate costs – because you now know a rough average of units you require.
Which kitchen suppliers have similar Howdens prices
Howdens kitchen pricing is similar to DIY Kitchens, Wren, Wickes, and most other high-street kitchens. Most of these consumer-focused websites display their pricing.
So in short, don’t discount Howdens because they lack transparency with pricing. Gather several quotes when your designs are in place (more info on how to get a Howdens quote below).
Which other kitchen prices should you budget for
You’ve now got the average units you need. What about other kitchen costs?
Appliances
Sinks, taps, handles
Worktops
Joinery details
Labour
Flooring
Heating & Plumbing
Lighting & Electrics
Windows/Doors & installation
Decorating
Once you understand the forces at play, it makes a bit more sense why you can’t access the Howdens price list. Let’s take a look at how to get your hands on Howdens’ kitchen prices in the next chapter.
Howdens kitchen prices are provided by trades only
If you’re interested in a Howdens kitchen and you’re not a tradesperson, you will need to hire a tradesperson with a Howdens account to obtain a quote for your kitchen design.
For example, a builder, interior designer, or kitchen fitter. The Howdens kitchen you like doesn’t get sold to you. It gets sold to the trade professional. They then fit it and charge you for it.
Insider secret: You may be paying your trade a procurement fee
The price you’ll pay a tradesperson for fitting a Howdens kitchen will include the cost of the kitchen, fitting, and possibly a procurement fee added on top.
Occasionally, trades charge a % on top of the kitchen estimate as a procurement fee. Other times, they just want the ease of you shopping with their chosen supplier and won’t add a procurement fee.
Procurement fees aren’t necessarily profit
You might be wondering: “Why should I pay a tradesperson a % on top?”
It’s worth noting that if a trade charges procurement on top it’s because it takes time. Sometimes a lot of time. When there are problems with deliveries or the kitchen supplier has sent the wrong corner post.
Kitchen supply + Fitting + Procurement = Price you’ll pay
The tradesperson will then quote you how much the kitchen will cost in total.
How much you pay for your Howdens kitchen is dependent on who you work with, not Howdens. That’s one of the reasons why they don’t publish a price list for the general public.
Howden prices are affected by local variances
One of the main reasons you’re not going to find a Howdens’ price list is that there are huge local variances in the UK.
A kitchen is possibly one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make, and its affordability will be directly related to the region you live in. Howdens recognises that the UK has massive fluctuations across counties. For example, a kitchen fitting costs much more in London than in Durham - this is fair enough.
You can get Howdens to price match
If you have multiple quotes from different kitchen companies (I strongly encourage you to always gather multiple quotes and don’t settle for one supplier because your builder recommended them), your kitchen tradesperson will be able to ask Howdens to price match where it is ‘like for like’.
This means that all kitchen costings could come in at completely different prices depending on the price match.
Getting multiple quotes takes you time. But when you’re spending thousands of your hard-earned cash, it’s worth the extra legwork to try and get the price matched.
In my free kitchen guide I speak more about how to make the most of your kitchen layout to save on costs. I also show you how to select the right kitchen design that’s timeless and right for you.
Me getting stuck in on a client’s kitchen design
When calculating costs, make sure to remember every kitchen is different
As I mentioned to you earlier, even if you had access to a Howdens kitchen price list it wouldn’t help you much. There are too many variables when it comes to kitchens to accurately price them before they are planned.
The only time it would be of benefit to you is if you knew the exact design and exact placement. If you know this, send your plans to multiple suppliers to cost up.
It will take a while to even come up with a design & wish list, never mind calculating prices. Take a look at my Howdens kitchens review if you want to dive deep into some options Howdens offers.
How to design your kitchen & avoid design hiccups
You’ve got this exciting opportunity to create your dream kitchen, filled with everything you need for an easy life.
But the decision fatigue is real.
Which cupboard style is best?
Which colour will age well?
Which layout is best for optimal flow?
Will it be durable enough?
God forbid you spend thousands on your kitchen, dedicating weeks of your time to plan it, and you end up with regrets. Or it dates quickly 😭
In my work with students and clients I try to prevent this at all costs 🙏🏼 It got me thinking and I wanted to give you (my reader) free kitchen design help so that you can avoid any design regrets and ease your decisions. I poured my heart and soul into my free kitchen guide to help you.
How to get a Howdens kitchen price
Step 1 - Access this guide
If you haven’t accessed my kitchen guide on How to Design and Order a Kitchen, you should do that now so that you can start to design the layout you want a price for, avoid any annoying regrets and simplify your decisions.
Step 2 - Find someone in the trades
You’re going to need to find someone in the trades e.g. a builder, kitchen fitter, interior designer, architect etc, to help you access their Howdens account and uncover the Howdens pricing. Don’t rush this part of the process, and do your research. We actually have a post all about finding a trustworthy contractor.
Step 3 - Create your budgets
If you haven’t got a home renovation budget excel spreadsheet on the go for your renovation, then start this important step - you need to know a rough figure of what you can afford. You’ll find a lot of information on various websites that’ll help you to get a ‘finger-in-the-air’ budget for your kitchen components - it’s best to overestimate if possible.
Accurate budgeting will involve getting a Howdens designer to work with you and your trade professional to produce an overall cost for the project. They will also be able to suggest components that will fit your budget.
Step 4 - Receive a quote from your trade professional
If you’re dealing with a kitchen fitter for example, they will create a bill for you that includes the cost of the Howdens kitchen. Aside from the kitchen parts, this should also include any extra costs like fitting costs, transport, and commission.
Plan your dream kitchen with my free help
Hopefully, now that you understand that Howdens have many reasonable points to their argument for not publishing their prices online, you can move forward with your kitchen planning, not feeling quite as frustrated as before!
Our mission is your dream home. So whether you’re redecorating or renovating, we’re here to help you.
The best way to become part of our “Build your dream home” tribe is by starting with a free guide to tap into my interior design expertise. We run online courses too and will let you know when we’re opening next – but just being a part of our mailing list will help you move your project forward.
Best of luck with your kitchen planning - it’s such an exciting project - have fun with it!
Fi
