Howdens Kitchen Fitting in Leverstock Green, Hemel Hempstead

Howdens kitchens arrive rigid - already built - which saves time on site and gives a solid carcass. In Leverstock Green a lot of homeowners buy through a trade account or a fitter, and the quality of the finished kitchen then comes down entirely to how it is installed.

Rigid units still need setting to a level line, because the floor in most Leverstock Green houses is not level, and the worktop will only sit flat if the units under it are. Wall units hang on Howdens' own rail system, fixed into solid wall.

Howdens ranges come with a lot of finishing pieces - end panels, plinths, cornice, pelmet and decor panels - and those are what make a kitchen look fitted rather than assembled. They are cut and scribed to the walls so there are no gaps at the ends of the runs.

Doors and drawers are adjusted once everything is in, so the gaps are even and every door closes softly. Handles are positioned consistently across the whole kitchen.

Deliveries from Howdens are checked against the order before fitting starts, so a missing panel is found on day one rather than day four.

Appliances go into their housings, with gas and electrical connections made by the appropriate qualified trades. Doors that no longer close square, a worktop lifting at a joint, or water marks under the sink are worth looking at before a new kitchen goes in.