Howdens - Highbury Avis 

You always have a good approach to the clients.
If something is not right, you can always return the product.

I have mixed feelings about Howdens.

For a company that pride themselves for working with builders and would not supply directly to the costumers I felt very much like a project manager who most of the details and specifics were obscure to. I felt I was falling short from both ends a little bit. Making the whole process quite frustrating and with a lot of back and force.

The kitchen designer who I worked with directly was absolutely lovely, and was really trying to be as accommodating as possible. Yet, very challenging to communicate properly when most of the decisions are made with out understanding the implications /pricing. Choices are made in a vacuum and in a rush. And the email communication was a bit messy and disorganised.

Most importantly, they didn't stuck to the budget we highlighted and were very messy in the communication style when we had to go back and change most of the design to stick to our budget, as their initial design (which of course was directed by us but without guidance on pricing) had to be modified significantly. Which is not a bad thing if it's own, but was frustrating and just a messy process.

The quote we recieved was basiclly only presented with top categories (e.g., kitchen appliances) and not a clear list of items and measurements that we could review and make sure this is what we want to move forward with. Which, again, made the process stressful, unorganised and obscure.

However, positive aspects Howdens definitely deserve to be recognized for; they were very very quick to deliver. Once the purchase order was in, and a proff of payment gone through they offered to deliver so so quickly. And when things didn't arrive or the odd bits and bobs that we needed they to send (as a few items were missing - do check that inventory list once arrived!!), they done that on the day!

Generally, regarding the quality and style I am a bit apprehensive to review upon as it is just been fitted. And only time would tell...

Generally we went for the Witney (the budget range) and of course appreciate the limitation it imposes. Nevertheless, it's not a cheap playground and even for the most basic range, for the price, I would hope it would last nicely. Only time would tell.

Tatiana at your Highbury depot is extremely knowledgeable and helpful

This depot is loyal and very helpful polite and understanding for is the best store to Darla with.

They are the best branch, they always help and care about their customers, they help with the design, measurements, have everything in stock and if there is any problem they will do their best to get it sorted, thank you guys keep the amazing work.

To say I am thrilled with my kitchen- supplied by Howdens Highbury and built by the fabulous Arkadius Construction of Camberley - is an understatement. From the first visit Howdens was accommodating and helpful. It is quite a small space and the designer Michael took my ideas on board, span them and added more, resulting in the wonderful space I now have. There was a small discrepancy between the measurements of the designer and builder, but even that resulted in an improvement to the original design.

I have a great level of service and a brilliant design for my property created by Leena at the Highbury Branch. Listened to all my requests for changes and got me a great deal. My tenants will be delighted with their new kitchen. Thanks Leena

Leena and the team treated me like a queen!

A day or so into the installation, I arrived at Howdens Highbury, on foot, before the 7.30am opening, armed with only a shopping trolley, for some silicone and angle trim, for my carpenter to finish off the backer board to my beautiful brand new, Elmbridge kitchen, for my rental property, only to be greeted by a man, whom I had never met before, racing down on a motorcycle, to tell me, as he opened the depot, that a wine rack, which I had seen after the original design and quote, on the Howdens video, which had not come on the original delivery, would be arriving on my site later that day!

Leena arrived soon afterwards, telling me that a sales rep had picked up the wine rack from elsewhere. Then she personally collected the 2.2m angle trim and organised Ryan, a trainee electrician, on the front desk, to cut it to the required lengths.

I know Leena gets very busy, often doing the work of two designers, but she is always very pleasant, friendly and was willing to jump off her desk, very rapidly, to do me a site survey and measure, up at short notice, when my carpenter’s Cheltenham job, had been delayed by two weeks, to start after the August Bank Holiday 2021.

I even heard Leena, on the telephone, willing to jump to it, for another customer, who’s builders were on site, demanding her presence!

Leena has great design ideas, which look pleasing to the eye and are much more practical than working on a bend.

She will work with you, to get the best value for money and actually put me off buying a more expensive quartz work surface, saying it would not be fitted that week and it wasn’t necessary for a rental property.

She was also very quick to produce the design and deliver the goods just in time.

All in all a great team effort, from people, like Leena and Ryan, whom you count as friends.

Thank you. I’ll keep coming back.

Quality company, my preferred branch is in Highbury, helpful staff always willing to help get all projects to a quality finish

Highly recommend