The biggest difference is who you buy from. Howdens sells only to tradespeople, so you buy through your fitter at their price. Wren makes its own kitchens and sells them through its showrooms. Second Nature makes kitchens that independent retailers like us sell, with prices you can see before you talk to anyone.
Who you buy from
- Howdens: trade only. Homeowners can't buy directly; your builder or fitter buys the kitchen and fits it.
- Wren: direct from Wren, through a showroom, home or online design appointment. Units are made to order in its own factories in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
- Second Nature: through independent kitchen retailers. We sell all 31 of its kitchen ranges in 252 colours, alongside Kitchen Stori, Burbidge, TKC and Pronto by BA.
How prices work
- Howdens: trade pricing only. What you pay depends on your tradesperson's discount and mark-up, so it's hard to compare without their quote.
- Wren: no kitchen prices on its website; you get a price from a design appointment, and regular sales change it through the year.
- Second Nature from us: every unit is priced on our site, including VAT, and each range page shows a typical L-shaped kitchen price. Belsay starts at £2,015 for the units of a typical 13-unit L-shaped kitchen.
Design
All three offer free design. Howdens depot designers can help, usually alongside your fitter; with Wren, in a showroom, at home or online with a Wren designer. We design from your measurements and photos, and send back a floor plan, 3D images, elevations and an itemised quote, usually within 1 to 2 working days.
Guarantees
- Howdens: 25 years on cabinets and 5 years on doors.
- Wren: depends on the range: 15 years (Vogue), 20 years (Infinity) or 25 years (Infinity Plus).
- Second Nature from us: 25 years on every carcase. Cabinets come rigid in 18mm board with Blum or Hettich soft-close hinges and drawers.
Fitting
Howdens kitchens are always fitted by the tradesperson who buys them. Wren offers its own installation service or you can use your own fitter. We supply the kitchen and you choose your fitter, which lets you get two or three fitting quotes from the same plan.
How to compare quotes like for like
- Ask for an itemised quote: every unit, door, panel and plinth listed.
- Check whether prices include VAT.
- Compare the specification: board thickness, cabinet backs, hinges and drawers, and the guarantee on cabinets and doors.
- Check what delivery costs and how long it takes.
- Price fitting separately so you can see what the kitchen itself costs.