Kitchen Renovation Costs UK 2026: Budget, Mid-Range & Premium

The average UK kitchen renovation costs between £8,000 and £15,000 for a mid-range refit. Budget kitchens start from around £5,000, while premium bespoke kitchens regularly exceed £25,000–£40,000.

Costs vary significantly based on kitchen size, the quality of units and worktops you choose, and whether structural or utility work is required. London and the South East typically add 20–30% to labour costs compared to the North.

Budget kitchen (£4,500–£7,000)

• Flat-pack or semi-assembled units from IKEA, Wickes, or B&Q
• Laminate worktops
• Basic integrated appliances (oven, hob, extractor)
• Standard tap and sink
• Suitable for: small kitchens under 8m², rental properties, quick refreshes

Mid-range kitchen (£10,000–£18,000)

• Rigid units from suppliers such as Howdens, Magnet, or Symphony
• Solid wood, quartz composite, or granite worktops
• Integrated dishwasher, fridge-freezer, and quality oven
• Porcelain or ceramic tiled splashback
• Suitable for: family homes, 10–15m² kitchens

Premium kitchen (£20,000–£45,000+)

• Bespoke or semi-bespoke cabinetry (Second Nature, Smallbone, Tom Howley)
• Solid quartz, granite, or marble worktops
• High-spec appliances: Siemens, Neff, Bosch, or Miele
• Underfloor heating, wine cooler, boiling water tap
• Suitable for: open-plan extensions, period properties, high-end refurbishments

Labour typically accounts for 30–50% of a kitchen renovation budget. Key tradespeople and day rates:

• Kitchen fitter: £150–£250/day (fitting takes 3–7 days for a standard kitchen)
• Plumber (to move/connect water supply, waste): £150–£300/day
• Electrician (new circuits, sockets, extractor wiring): £150–£300/day
• Plasterer (re-skim walls after tiling removal): £150–£250/day
• Tiler (floor and splashback): £40–£70/m²

Many kitchen fitters work as a package, subcontracting the plumbing and electrical work and managing the whole job. This is often the most cost-effective approach.

Several factors can significantly increase your kitchen renovation cost:

• Moving the sink or gas hob: Re-routing pipework adds £500–£2,000
• Removing a wall: Structural work, including an RSJ steel beam, typically costs £1,500–£4,000
• Adding an island: Requires new electrical and plumbing runs, plus the cost of the island unit itself (£500–£5,000+)
• Underfloor heating: Electric matting costs £50–£70/m² installed; wet systems cost more
• New windows or skylights: Adds natural light but costs £600–£2,500 per unit installed
• Rewiring: If the kitchen electrics are old or non-compliant, a partial rewire is often recommended

A standard kitchen renovation takes 1–3 weeks depending on scope:

• Strip-out and preparation: 1–2 days
• Structural work (if applicable): 2–5 days
• Plumbing and electrics first fix: 1–2 days
• Fitting units and worktops: 3–7 days
• Tiling and finishing: 2–3 days
• Second fix plumbing and electrics: 1–2 days

You'll be without a functioning kitchen for most of this period — plan for temporary cooking arrangements.

• Get at least 3 quotes from local kitchen fitters before committing. Prices can vary by 40% for the same scope of work.
• Separate supply from fitting: You don't have to buy your kitchen from the same company that installs it. Buying units direct from a manufacturer and hiring an independent fitter often saves 10–20%.
• Keep plumbing in the same location where possible — moving the sink is one of the most expensive things you can do.
• Choose rigid units over flat-pack if budget allows — they take less fitting time and are more durable.
• Plan for contingency: Budget 10–15% above your quoted price for unexpected issues (e.g. rotten floorboards, outdated electrics).