Howdens "paintable" range coming already painted???

last month

Can someone tell me if I'm getting the runaround or if this is a legitimate thing, please?

Coming to the final stages of ordering our kitchen, Howdens are almost certain to get the order due to a mix of price and quality. But they've thrown us a curveball. We've decided we don't like their paint finish, so we're going to get the fitting carpenter to paint the doors, decor panels etc. No problem - they've a "paintable" range, and I was led to believe (verbally!) that these items come ready-primed. Except now it comes to update the quote they're telling me they only supply painted doors so it'll be the same price and we just need to specify a neutral colour.

Their own website just says "ready to finish surface", which is a lovely loose phrase. And googling tells me nothing.

Has anyone else ordered this from Howdens (or worked for Howdens?), and can tell me how your kitchen arrived / whether this is true or not?

It feels like a bit of a joke, and worse, it makes me worry that our carpenter will have to re-prep the surface prior to painting (which we'd assumed wouldn't be necessary). This isn't the first bit of sharp practice from Howdens now they think they've got our business, but we don't have any other comparable options at the moment (DIY kitchens would require more time from me than I've got and can't do a couple of the design touches we'd like).

Thanks,

Martin.

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Comments (5)

Isla Cherry
last month
I have done a bit of research and cannot find a definitive answer either. I think you should speak to Howdens. Is the painted finish a primer or the finished article? We had a Howdens kitchen shaker style in dark blue in our rental flat and it definitely came finished. No additional painting required. May I ask what it is about their paint finish that you do not like? Be careful with their terms and conditions many tricks concealed in there. Glad you are reading the spec properly. Caveat Emptoir.
minnie101
last month
Hopefully someone who has one will comment but I found this

https://chrisgraham.co.uk/howdens-paintable-kitchens-berkhamsted-hertfordshire/

I looked at Howdens info pages too which would suggest they’re painted white. It sounds nuts?! Their interior doors are primed ready for painting so not sure why the kitchen units aren’t unless I’m missing something

As you mention DIY and lack of time have you come across OnePlan on here?

As part of Karen’s service she’ll provide you with a shopping list for DIY kitchens

https://www.houzz.co.uk/pro/oneplan/oneplan
Martin W thanked minnie101
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Isla Cherry
last month

We used the navy blue. We were quite happy with the finish. So far we are about 4 years in, currently rented out but no visible wear and tear.
Martin W
Original Author
last month
Isla, from the samples we've been sent (painted timber Chilcomb drawer-fronts in Marine Blue and Navy) the sheen is too high and the saturation too low - as soon as light hits it, it blows the colour out. In the showroom (artificial) lighting it didn't look a problem (and the foiled MDF interestingly isn't a problem, just the painted timber), but in natural light at home it just looks wrong. Could be the samples, but we can't take the chance.

Minnie - no, hadn't seen OnePlan...that's tonight's job then, thank you very much! :-D
Isla Cherry
last month
You might be interested in what this company has to offer. They do replacement Howdens doors so you might be able to find the colour or finish you like and then don't need to buy the doors from Howdens after all. Its a massive painting project to repaint them and as they would be new probably inefficient. Tried to copy the link but its giving me a load of rubbish. They are called Husk Kitchens in Bristol. Website looks good.

Howdens "paintable" range coming already painted???

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