www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Which kitchen range is to be avoided at Howdens. Sure it started with an 'L' but can't see it in the catalogue.

Lamona appliances aren't the best. The units are all the same every range tho unless you get the flat pack ones they maybe still do.
As far as I'm aware the rigid units are all the same tho.

The cheap Howdens ranges are Technik & Contract

Avoid them all!!

I'm trying to get her on to DIY kitchens but she's already contacted Howdens who will probably pester the life out of her now.

I have recently fitted a new Howdens Kitchen and I am sorry to say didn't have any problems other that one long door having four hinge holes and the cabinet 3 ! The other cupboards for this size door all had 3 holes and the doors 3 . Just poped into the local Howdens and swapped the door , apparently they have just changed to the 4 hinge arrangement on the extra tall upper doors for full height units.

I used the integrated 22 mm doors in white and dark grey. 4 months of use no issues other than the J groove attracts dust ! But that would go for all doors of a similar Style I suppose.

I didn't have any problems with the units that are glue and do welled being out of square as some warn about. I did think the legs were a touch flimsy but they were ok in the end. They were easy to trim for height where I needed more adjustment than norm.

I am no kitchen fitter , but the key surely with all mass produced stuff is to get the carcasses in straight and plumb , taking lots of care and time setting out. Which are processes I am well versed in. I did measure a unit but forget to use this actual measurement gained with my tape for setting out , silly me , and was careful to use the same tape throughout.

I also,made my own corner post for specific size reasons and this was a doodle cutting a door with 45s so,the j profile run around the corner post , used a a nearly new blade 80 tpi, in my Dewalt 743. No,splintering of the gloss finish etc.

Price was ok but haggle like mad , at the time Howdens were some what cheaper,than DIY and not being experienced I just thought the ability to visit and return , get more or change almost on the same day won the race . I didn't bother ordering any plinths which I also used for cornice and side trims until I actually needed them which meant I had what I needed when I needed it without waste.

Being wise after the event , I wish on my full wall of units, I had cut 50mm of the rear of the service duct , just didn't need the gap only had a few T & E s to run and had the option of using the gap behind the dot and dab would have made the interface with a door frame a tad nicer.

When I set this wall out I should have accurately measured the widths of the carcasses , my centre line landed up about 4mm out across the 3.6metre run of full height units.

Used all Neff appliances lots of bad reviews on Lamona .

Steer well clear of L for Lamona, we've binned one dishwasher, one microwave, one fridge, had repairs to one oven and a free standing gas cooker in 5 years of normal use. Basically the whole lot gave up. The units are still ok, but Howdens really should stop supplying appliances.

Handyman in Sussex wrote:Steer well clear of L for Lamona, we've binned one dishwasher, one microwave, one fridge, had repairs to one oven and a free standing gas cooker in 5 years of normal use. Basically the whole lot gave up. The units are still ok, but Howdens really should stop supplying appliances.

Having said that if you're paying 150 quid for an oven,hob and extractor which howdens always seem to have on offer as a package every other month you know you ain't getting quality goods....

Argyll wrote:I'm trying to get her on to DIY kitchens but she's already contacted Howdens who will probably pester the life out of her now.

Tell her that if she goes with DIY she can have the doors any colour she likes from the Farrow and Ball paint palette.

Well pleased with mine from them and everyone that's seen it thinks it looks great.