| Choice | Broad, independent choice across multiple suppliers, kitchens, products and finishes, with recommendations based on your project rather than one fixed range. | Choice is usually centred on the retailer’s own kitchen ranges, finishes and approved partner brands. | Often offers broader choice than a national retailer, but the breadth depends on the individual designer’s supplier network. | Usually a very wide visible catalogue online, but choice is limited to the ranges, brands and specifications listed by that retailer. |
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| Sourcing | Fully independent sourcing. Beau Bijou can recommend the right kitchen, products and finishes from different suppliers and pass on trade discounts where available. | Products are sourced through the retailer’s own supply chain, keeping the process simple but limiting access to alternatives outside its range. | Can source from selected suppliers and brands, with flexibility depending on the designer’s relationships, buying power and service model. | Primarily direct-to-consumer sourcing from the retailer’s own range. Customers may need to coordinate worktops, appliances, trades or specialist items separately. |
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| Pricing & value | Clear £299 design fee, refunded when ordering through selected recommended suppliers. Trade discounts are passed on where available, with stated average customer savings of £2,000–£3,000. | Design is often presented as free, with its cost recovered through the kitchen sale. Promotions and discounts are controlled by the retailer. | Design fees, supplier discounts and pricing structures vary. Value depends on scope, supplier access, buying power and how much support is included. | Often highly competitive and transparent on unit prices, with frequent promotions. Best value usually depends on the customer being comfortable managing more of the planning and coordination. |
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| Accountability & aftercare | Detailed plan checks, itemised product lists, ordering support and an accuracy guarantee help reduce mistakes. Support can continue through sourcing, ordering, delivery coordination and project management. | The retailer manages its own products, orders and usually installation/aftercare where these are purchased through the retailer, but responsibility is generally limited to its own scope. | Ranges from design-only to full project management. Ordering help, installation coordination and aftercare depend on the designer’s contract and agreed scope. | Support is mainly remote and varies by retailer. Measurement, specification and installer coordination often sit more heavily with the customer, with aftercare handled by phone, email or online service teams. |
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| Best suited to | Homeowners who want expert independent design, broad supplier choice, transparent value and one knowledgeable designer firmly on their side. | Customers who are happy to buy from one brand and prefer a retailer-led, end-to-end purchasing process. | Customers who value a local, personal service and find an independent designer whose suppliers and level of support fit their needs. | Confident self-planners who prioritise price and convenience, are comfortable ordering remotely and can manage measurements, specification, trades and installation. |
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