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Academy Kitchens vs Trade-Supply Kitchens

 

We are often asked how Academy Kitchens compares to trade-supply kitchen providers such as Howdens. While both supply kitchens, the service structure, responsibility, and level of control are fundamentally different.

 

This page explains that difference clearly.

 

At a glance

 

Trade-supply kitchens focus on product availability.


Academy Kitchens operates as a design-led manufacturer, offering clearly defined service levels depending on how much responsibility and support a client requires.

 

Design & Specification

 

Trade-supply kitchens

  • Builder-led or self-led design

  • Off-the-shelf ranges

  • Limited integration checks

  • Responsibility for suitability sits with the buyer

 

Academy Kitchens

  • Academy-led design and specification (Silver and above)

  • Technical plans and elevations included

  • Appliance, sink, tap, lighting and accessory integration checked

  • Specification locked prior to manufacture

 

Result: reduced design risk and fewer issues during installation.

 

Manufacturing Quality

 

Trade-supply kitchens

  • Mass-produced cabinetry

  • Standardised sizes

  • Flat-pack or semi-assembled formats

  • Quality varies significantly by range

 

Academy Kitchens

  • UK-manufactured, made-to-order cabinetry

  • Precise CNC machining, edging and drilling

  • Cabinets supplied rigid with doors hung

  • Quality controlled prior to delivery

 

Result: greater consistency, better fit, and a more refined finished product.

 

Responsibility & Risk

 

Trade-supply kitchens

  • Responsibility largely ends at the trade counter

  • Coordination, errors and corrections sit with the buyer

  • Replacements and delays are managed independently

 

Academy Kitchens

  • Clearly defined responsibility aligned to the chosen service level

  • Design and manufacturing correctness guaranteed

  • Transparent boundaries between supply, installation and site responsibility

 

Result: accountability is contractual, clear, and understood from the outset.

 

Delivery & Programme Control

 

Trade-supply kitchens

  • Collection or flexible delivery windows

  • Programme coordination sits entirely with the builder

 

Academy Kitchens

  • Professionally scheduled deliveries

  • Defined delivery structures (single or staged, depending on service level

  • Protective packaging designed to safeguard finished cabinetry

 

Result: predictable delivery aligned with build programmes.

 

Cost & Value

 

Trade-supply kitchens are often perceived as cheaper.
 

In practice, when comparing equivalent quality, specification and finish, the difference is frequently far smaller than expected.

 

In many cases:

  • Academy kitchens are comparable in price

  • Materials, hardware and finishes are of a higher standard

  • Design, specification and manufacturing are included rather than implied

 

Value is measured in outcome quality and reduced design risk — not headline price alone.

 

A note on trade pricing and Bronze supply

 

For clients whose primary focus is cost and who prefer to manage design, coordination and installation independently, Academy Kitchens also offers a Bronze supply route.

 

Bronze provides:

  • Access to Academy’s product ranges and pricing

  • Clearly defined supply-only terms

  • No design development, site responsibility or project coordination

  • Pricing structured to be competitive with trade-supply kitchens

 

A downloadable Bronze price list is available immediately via email on request. An online ordering platform will be introduced later this year.

 

Bronze is intentionally separated from our Silver, Gold and Platinum services to ensure each service level remains clear, controlled and appropriately priced.

 

Which approach is right for you?

 

A trade-supply or Bronze route may be suitable if:

  • You want to self-design or specify independently

  • You are comfortable managing all coordination and site risk

  • Price is the primary driver

 

Academy Kitchens’ Silver, Gold or Platinum services are the right choice if:

  • You want a professionally designed and specified kitchen

  • You value manufacturing quality and consistency

  • You want clarity around responsibility and scope

  • You want a kitchen that performs as well as it looks

 

Our approach

 

Academy Kitchens is not positioned as a trade counter or volume supplier.
We operate as a design-led manufacturer, offering structured service levels so clients can choose the balance of responsibility, involvement and support that best suits their project.

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