Kitchen renovation cost per m² in the UK
Kitchen renovation in the UK typically costs between £600 and £2,200 per m² supplied and fitted. Budget flat-pack refits sit at £600–£900 per m²; mid-range fitted kitchens land at £900–£1,500 per m²; premium kitchens with quartz worktops and integrated appliances run £1,500–£2,200 per m² and bespoke can exceed £3,000.
Homeowners researching this typically also price up kitchen renovation cost in the uk, kitchen fitting cost in the uk and kitchen worktop replacement cost in the uk. For wider context, browse our bathroom pricing, boiler & heating costs and trades day rates.
Cost table
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Budget kitchen (flat-pack, laminate) | £600–£900/m² |
Mid-range kitchen (rigid carcasses, mid appliances) | £900–£1,500/m² |
Premium kitchen (quartz, integrated) | £1,500–£2,200/m² |
Bespoke handmade | £2,200–£3,500/m² |
Small kitchen premium (under 8 m²) | £1,100–£2,500/m² |
Labour costs
Per-m² rates blend fitter, electrician, plumber, plasterer and tiler time. Smaller kitchens carry a higher per-m² rate because fixed costs don't scale down.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Fitter (per m²) | £150–£350/m² |
Electrician (per m²) | £50–£120/m² |
Plumber (per m²) | £35–£90/m² |
Plasterer (per m²) | £25–£75/m² |
Tiler / decorator (per m²) | £30–£90/m² |
Materials costs
Cabinets, worktops, appliances and flooring make up the bulk. Per-m² figures here are total project per-m², not per-m² of individual finishes.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Cabinets & doors (per m²) | £180–£700/m² |
Worktops (per m²) | £50–£350/m² |
Appliances (per m²) | £130–£450/m² |
Flooring (per m²) | £30–£120/m² |
Sink, tap, splashback (per m²) | £30–£120/m² |
Per-m² total ranges by tier
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Budget | £600–£900/m² |
Mid-range | £900–£1,500/m² |
Premium | £1,500–£2,200/m² |
Bespoke | £2,200–£3,500/m² |
Factors affecting cost in the UK
- ·Kitchen size — small kitchens cost more per m² due to fixed setup costs.
- ·Layout — islands and peninsulas add cost per m² because of extra cabinet runs.
- ·Worktop material — laminate vs quartz can shift £150–£300 per m².
- ·Appliance brand tier — integrated premium appliances add £130–£300 per m².
- ·Region — London adds 20–30%.
Ways to reduce cost
- ·Standardise on one tier rather than mixing premium worktops with budget cabinets — the budget cabinets will let the look down.
- ·Use a small kitchen as an opportunity to pick a mid-range tier — the per-m² premium gets you better doors without a large cash outlay.
- ·Skip the island in kitchens under 14 m² — it pushes per-m² cost up without proportionate benefit.
- ·Choose laminate or solid wood worktops in budget and lower mid-range kitchens.
- ·Get itemised quotes per trade so you can negotiate per square metre, not on a lump sum.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I calculate kitchen cost per m²?
- Total project cost divided by kitchen floor area in m². Include all trades, materials, appliances and worktops; exclude structural works.
- Why are small kitchens more expensive per m²?
- Fixed costs — call-out fees, day-rate minimums, consumer unit upgrades, templating fees — don't shrink with floor area.
- Does a premium kitchen always cost more per m²?
- Yes — appliance tier, worktop material and door range each add per-m² cost regardless of size.
- What's a reasonable mid-range per-m² target in 2026?
- £1,000–£1,300 per m² for a 10–14 m² kitchen with rigid carcasses, laminate or budget quartz worktops and mid-tier appliances.
- Are per-m² rates a fair way to budget?
- Yes for an initial estimate; always get an itemised quote before signing, because layout and finishes drive real-world variation.
- Does per-m² include VAT?
- Per-m² figures in this guide include 20% VAT on labour and materials from VAT-registered contractors.