How long does a UK kitchen refit take?

Typically 2–4 weeks from strip-out to snagging. Bespoke kitchens with stone worktops add 2–3 weeks for templating and fabrication.

Do I need planning permission?

Not for like-for-like refits. Removing internal walls needs Building Regulations sign-off and structural calculations.

What's the cheapest way to update a kitchen?

Replacing only doors, handles and worktops on existing carcasses runs £1,200–£3,500 and refreshes the kitchen at a fraction of full refit cost.

Are quartz worktops worth the cost?

For mid- to long-term ownership, yes — quartz lasts 25+ years, resists staining and adds resale appeal in homes valued over £350,000.

Do kitchen fitters supply appliances?

Some do, with a small margin; most homeowners save 10–20% by sourcing appliances directly from John Lewis, AO or trade outlets.

What does a kitchen fitter charge per day?

£200–£320 per day in most of the UK, £280–£420 in London. A typical kitchen takes 6–10 fitter-days.

Kitchens · Last updated 19 October 2026

Kitchen renovation cost in the UK

Typical range£6,000–£25,000· 10–14 m² kitchen

A new fitted kitchen in the UK typically costs between £6,000 and £25,000, with the average mid-range kitchen refit landing around £10,000–£14,000 for a 10–14 m² family kitchen. Budget flat-pack ranges start near £4,000 supplied-and-fitted; bespoke in-frame kitchens with stone worktops routinely exceed £30,000.

Quick answer: Kitchen renovation cost in the UK in the UK typically costs between £6,000 and £25,000 (10–14 m² kitchen). London and the South East run 20–35% above this range; the North, Wales and most of Scotland sit 5–15% below.

Homeowners researching this typically also price up bathroom renovation cost in the uk, house extension cost in the uk and electrician hourly rate in the uk. For wider context, browse our bathroom pricing, boiler & heating costs and trades day rates.

Cost table

Indicative price ranges (UK, GBP)

Item	Typical range (GBP)
Budget flat-pack (Howdens / IKEA equivalent)	£4,000–£7,500
Mid-range fitted (rigid carcasses, laminate worktop)	£8,000–£14,000
Premium fitted (quartz worktop, integrated appliances)	£14,000–£25,000
Bespoke handmade kitchen	£25,000–£60,000
Small galley kitchen (under 8 m²)	£4,500–£9,000

Labour costs

Fitting labour is usually 25–35% of the total. A typical refit needs a kitchen fitter, plumber, electrician, plasterer, tiler and gas engineer for any hob relocation.

Labour line items

Item	Typical range (GBP)
Kitchen fitter (units, worktop, splashback)	£1,500–£4,000
Electrician (Part P, sockets, lighting circuit)	£450–£1,200
Plumber (sink, dishwasher, washing machine)	£350–£900
Gas Safe engineer (hob relocation)	£200–£600
Plasterer	£350–£800
Tiler / splashback fitter	£250–£700

Materials costs

Cabinets, worktops and appliances make up the bulk of the spend. Worktop choice alone can swing the budget by £2,000–£5,000.

Materials & fittings

Item	Typical range (GBP)
Cabinets (8–10 units)	£1,800–£7,500
Worktop — laminate	£250–£600
Worktop — quartz / granite	£1,500–£4,500
Appliances (oven, hob, hood, dishwasher, fridge)	£1,500–£5,000
Sink & tap	£150–£700
Flooring (LVT or tile, per m²)	£30–£90/m²

Cost per linear metre of units

Item	Typical range (GBP)
Budget	£350–£600/linear m
Mid-range	£600–£1,100/linear m
Premium	£1,100–£2,000/linear m

Factors affecting cost in the UK

·Kitchen size — pricing scales roughly per linear metre of run.
·Layout changes — moving sink, hob or removing walls add £1,500–£8,000.
·Worktop material — laminate vs quartz can double the worktop spend.
·Appliance brand tier — integrated premium brands add £1,500–£3,500.
·Region — London adds 20–30% over national mid-range pricing.

Hidden & unexpected costs

·Replacing rotten subfloor or uneven screed before flooring goes down.
·Re-wiring kitchen circuits to current 18th edition standards.
·Worktop joining bars, end caps and templating fees for stone.
·Skip hire, waste removal and disposal of old appliances.
·Making good adjacent rooms after wall removal.

Ways to reduce cost

·Use trade-brand carcasses (Howdens, Magnet trade) with off-the-shelf doors.
·Keep the existing footprint — same locations for sink, hob and waste.
·Choose laminate worktops in budget kitchens; they last 10+ years comfortably.
·Buy appliances in January and Black Friday sales — discounts of 20–35% are common.
·Get three itemised quotes covering identical scope to compare like-for-like.

Kitchen fitting cost in the UK

Kitchen fitting labour in the UK typically costs between £1,500 and £4,000 for a standard 10–14 m² kitchen, with most homeowners paying around £2,200–£3,200 for a mid-range fit. This covers units, worktop, splashback and connecting appliances — but excludes electrical, plumbing and gas trades, which are usually itemised separately.

Typical range: £1,500–£4,000 (10–14 m² kitchen, fitter labour only).

Kitchen fitting cost in the UK — indicative prices

Item	Typical range (GBP)
Small kitchen (under 8 m²) — labour only	£900–£1,800
Standard kitchen (10–14 m²) — labour only	£1,500–£3,200
Large kitchen (over 16 m²) — labour only	£2,800–£5,500
Bespoke kitchen install (per linear metre)	£250–£450/linear m

UK kitchen fitters charge per day or per linear metre of units. Most include unit assembly, install, worktop fit and splashback. Electrics, gas and plumbing are extra.

·Flat-pack vs rigid carcasses — flat-pack adds half a day to a day of assembly.
·Worktop choice — stone needs templating and a second visit.
·Layout complexity — islands, corner units and curved runs add labour.
·Order rigid carcasses — saves a day of assembly vs flat-pack.
·Group fitter, electrician and plumber into a single project plan to avoid waiting days.

IKEA kitchen installation cost in the UK

An IKEA kitchen installation in the UK typically costs between £1,800 and £4,500 in fitting labour for a standard 10–14 m² METOD kitchen. The flat-pack nature of METOD adds 1–2 days of assembly compared with rigid trade carcasses, so most independent fitters charge slightly more than for Howdens or Magnet equivalents.

Typical range: £1,800–£4,500 (10–14 m² METOD kitchen, fitting only).

IKEA kitchen installation cost in the UK — indicative prices

Item	Typical range (GBP)
Small IKEA kitchen (under 8 m²)	£1,200–£2,200
Standard METOD kitchen (10–14 m²)	£1,800–£3,500
Large open-plan IKEA kitchen (16 m²+)	£3,000–£5,500
IKEA installation via IKEA's own service	£2,500–£4,500

Independent fitters typically charge per linear metre or per day, with an assembly premium for METOD flat-pack. IKEA's own service is fixed-priced via a third-party partner.

·METOD flat-pack adds 1–2 days vs rigid carcasses.
·Door range — SEKTION/ENHET and high-gloss doors take longer to align.
·Worktop choice — IKEA's quartz needs templating after carcass install.
·Use IKEA's free 3D kitchen planner to lock the design before ordering — changes after delivery are slow.
·Order one extra of common screws and hinges to absorb pack errors.

Cheap kitchen renovation in the UK

A cheap kitchen renovation in the UK typically costs between £1,200 and £5,500 depending on whether you replace just doors and worktops or fit an entirely new budget kitchen. A simple door-and-handle swap can come in under £1,500; a full budget fitted kitchen from a flat-pack retailer usually lands at £4,000–£5,500 supplied and fitted.

Typical range: £1,200–£5,500 (10–12 m² kitchen on a budget).

Cheap kitchen renovation in the UK — indicative prices

Item	Typical range (GBP)
Door & handle swap only	£600–£1,500
Door swap + new worktop (laminate)	£1,200–£2,500
Painting cabinets + new handles	£350–£900
Budget flat-pack kitchen (IKEA / Wickes basic)	£2,500–£4,500
Budget kitchen supplied & fitted	£4,000–£5,500
Second-hand / ex-display kitchen	£1,500–£3,500

Cheap renovations rely on keeping carcasses, plumbing and electrics in place. Most labour goes on fitter time for doors and worktops.

·Whether the existing carcasses are sound and square.
·Worktop material — laminate is by far the cheapest.
·DIY vs trade — painting cabinets yourself saves £250–£600.
·Paint existing doors and replace only the worktop and handles.
·Shop January and Black Friday sales at Howdens, Wickes and B&Q.

Kitchen renovation timeline in the UK

A UK kitchen renovation typically takes 2–4 weeks from strip-out to snagging. Budget flat-pack installations can finish in 7–10 working days; bespoke kitchens with quartz worktops stretch to 5–6 weeks because of templating and fabrication lead times.

Typical range: £7–£30 (working days).

Kitchen renovation timeline in the UK — indicative prices

Item	Typical range (GBP)
Strip-out & disposal	£1–£2days
Electrics first fix	£1–£2days
Plumbing first fix	£1–£2days
Plastering / making good	£1–£2days
Unit installation	£2–£4days
Worktop templating (stone)	£1–£2days
Worktop fabrication wait	£7–£14days
Worktop installation	£1–£2days
Tiling / splashback	£1–£2days
Appliance connection	£1–£2days
Decoration & snagging	£1–£2days

Kitchen fitting labour is the longest single trade, typically 6–10 days. Stone worktops add a separate templating and install visit.

·Worktop material — stone needs templating; laminate is same-day.
·Cabinet type — flat-pack is faster than bespoke in-frame.
·Layout changes — removing walls, moving gas or plumbing adds days.
·Order cabinets and appliances 6–8 weeks before start date.
·Choose laminate or compact worktops to skip templating delays.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a UK kitchen refit take?: Typically 2–4 weeks from strip-out to snagging. Bespoke kitchens with stone worktops add 2–3 weeks for templating and fabrication.
Do I need planning permission?: Not for like-for-like refits. Removing internal walls needs Building Regulations sign-off and structural calculations.
What's the cheapest way to update a kitchen?: Replacing only doors, handles and worktops on existing carcasses runs £1,200–£3,500 and refreshes the kitchen at a fraction of full refit cost.
Are quartz worktops worth the cost?: For mid- to long-term ownership, yes — quartz lasts 25+ years, resists staining and adds resale appeal in homes valued over £350,000.
Do kitchen fitters supply appliances?: Some do, with a small margin; most homeowners save 10–20% by sourcing appliances directly from John Lewis, AO or trade outlets.
What does a kitchen fitter charge per day?: £200–£320 per day in most of the UK, £280–£420 in London. A typical kitchen takes 6–10 fitter-days.
How long does a kitchen fit take?: Most UK kitchens take 5–10 fitter-days. Templated stone worktops add a second visit 7–14 days after first install.
Do kitchen fitters supply units?: Some do, with a small mark-up. Most homeowners buy from Howdens, Magnet or IKEA directly and pay fitting labour only.
Are flat-pack kitchens worth it?: IKEA and similar flat-pack kitchens are good value but add 1–2 days of fitter time vs rigid trade carcasses.
Who connects the appliances?: Fitters connect plumbed appliances and gas-safe-relevant trades handle gas hobs and ovens. Hard-wired ovens and hobs need a Part P electrician.
Do I need to be in during the fit?: Day one (strip-out and access) and final day (snagging) are useful. Mid-week the kitchen will be a building site and you can leave the fitter to work.
How much should I keep back for snagging?: Hold back 5–10% of the fitting fee until any worktop joins, door alignment and silicone work has cured and been inspected.
Does IKEA install kitchens in the UK?: Yes — IKEA partners with a third-party fitting service. Independent fitters typically cost 15–25% less for equivalent scope.
How long does an IKEA kitchen install take?: Typically 5–10 working days including assembly. Plan a second visit 7–14 days later for IKEA quartz worktop templating and install.
Are IKEA kitchens good quality?: METOD carcasses use 18 mm board with adjustable feet and have a 25-year warranty. Doors and worktops vary by range.
Can I install an IKEA kitchen myself?: Yes for assembly and basic install. Gas, hard-wired oven and hob and plumbed appliances should still go to qualified trades.
Why does my fitter charge more for METOD?: Flat-pack carcasses add roughly a day of assembly time vs rigid trade carcasses from Howdens or Magnet.
Do IKEA worktops fit METOD carcasses precisely?: Yes — IKEA's laminate worktops are made to standard depths. Quartz is templated to the installed carcasses for a precise fit.
What's the cheapest way to renovate a kitchen?: Paint the doors, swap the handles and replace the worktop. Total spend can be under £1,500 for a transformed look.
Can I paint kitchen doors and get a professional finish?: Yes — degrease, sand, prime with adhesion primer and apply two coats of trade-grade satin or eggshell paint. A respray by a pro lasts 5–8 years.
Is a flat-pack kitchen worth it?: Yes for tight budgets. IKEA and Wickes Lifestyle ranges are durable for 10–15 years if fitted properly.
Where can I find ex-display kitchens?: Showroom clearances at Wren, Magnet and Howdens, plus eBay and Facebook Marketplace. Inspect carcasses and doors carefully for damage.
How long does a budget kitchen refit take?: 2–5 days for door and worktop swaps. 1–2 weeks for a full budget fitted kitchen.
Will a cheap kitchen reduce my home's value?: Not if it looks neat and clean. Tired kitchens reduce offers; a well-presented budget kitchen recovers most of its cost in resale terms.
How long before I can cook in the new kitchen?: Usually by day 10–14 for flat-pack; day 18–25 for stone worktop kitchens. Appliance connection is the last step.
Why do stone worktops take so long?: The fitter templates after cabinets are in; the fabricator cuts off-site; then a second visit installs. This loop takes 10–18 days.
Can I live in the house during a kitchen renovation?: Yes, but it is inconvenient. Most families set up a temporary kitchen in the dining room or garage.
What is the shortest possible timeline?: 7 working days for a simple flat-pack swap with no layout changes and laminate worktops.
Do kitchen fitters work weekends?: Some do at premium rates, but most prefer Monday–Friday. Weekend noise may also bother neighbours.

Sources & how we estimate

Prices are typical UK ranges compiled by ModernExpert.AI from published trade rates and supplier price lists, and are estimates — always get at least three written quotes. Rules on permissions, safety and certification come from the official sources below. Last reviewed 19 October 2026.

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