Kitchen renovation cost in the UK
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.
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
| 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.
| 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.
| 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.
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.
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.