Kitchen Renovation Cost UK 2026

How much does a new kitchen cost in the UK? Full refit pricing at budget, mid-range, and premium levels with a detailed breakdown of units, worktops, appliances, plumbing, electrics, and labour.

Last updated: April 2026

A kitchen renovation is consistently the most popular and highest-value home improvement project in the UK. Estate agents regularly cite a new kitchen as the single upgrade most likely to add measurable value to a property — typically returning 50–75% of the spend in added house value, and often more in competitive markets.

This guide provides realistic 2026 pricing for kitchen renovations across the UK, covering everything from a budget refresh with new doors and worktops through to a full structural remodel with premium units, stone worktops, and high-end appliances. Whether you are a homeowner planning a kitchen project or a kitchen fitter preparing a quote, these figures give you a reliable benchmark.

Summary Cost Table

Prices include labour and materials. London and the South East are typically 20–35% higher than the national average. The North of England, Wales, and Scotland tend to sit at the lower end of each range.

Detailed Cost Breakdown

Kitchen Units

Kitchen units are the largest single cost in most renovations. The price depends on the number of units, the material, and whether you choose a flat-pack, rigid, or bespoke option.

• Budget flat-pack (IKEA, Wickes, B&Q) — £1,500 – £3,500 for a typical 10–12 unit kitchen, supply only
• Mid-range rigid (Howdens, Wren, Magnet) — £3,000 – £7,000 supply only
• Premium bespoke (handmade, in-frame, Shaker) — £8,000 – £25,000+ supply only
• Fitting labour — £1,500 – £3,500 depending on kitchen size and complexity

Howdens is the UK's largest kitchen supplier to the trade and offers good value rigid units. Wren and Magnet compete at a similar price point. For budget projects, IKEA's METOD system is a popular choice — the units are sturdy and the modular design makes fitting straightforward. Bespoke kitchens from specialist joiners or brands like Devol, Neptune, or Tom Howley start from £15,000 for units alone.

Worktops

Worktops vary enormously in cost depending on the material. Here are the main options per linear metre, supply and fit:

Laminate worktops are the default choice for budget kitchens and have improved significantly in quality. Modern laminate can convincingly replicate stone and wood finishes. Quartz is the most popular upgrade — it is harder than granite, non-porous, and requires no sealing. Dekton and Neolith are the premium options, offering exceptional heat and scratch resistance but at a significant cost premium.

Appliances

Appliance costs depend heavily on brand and specification. Most kitchen fitters do not supply appliances — you buy them separately and the fitter installs them.

• Budget package (oven, hob, extractor, fridge-freezer, dishwasher) — £1,000 – £2,000
• Mid-range package (Bosch, Neff, AEG) — £2,500 – £5,000
• Premium package (Miele, Siemens iQ700, Sub-Zero) — £5,000 – £15,000+

Individual appliance costs for mid-range brands: single oven £350–£600, induction hob £300–£700, integrated fridge-freezer £500–£900, dishwasher £350–£600, extractor hood £200–£500. Boiling water taps (Quooker, Grohe Blue) add £800–£1,500 supply and fit.

Plumbing

If the sink stays in the same position, plumbing costs are minimal. Moving the sink or adding additional water points increases the cost significantly.

• Like-for-like sink swap — £150 – £300
• Moving sink to new position (new waste run) — £400 – £800
• Relocating boiler — £500 – £1,200 (gas safe registered engineer required)
• New radiator or underfloor heating connection — £300 – £600
• Washing machine / dishwasher plumbing — £100 – £200 per appliance

Electrical Work

Kitchen electrics must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. Any new circuits, consumer unit changes, or work near sinks requires sign-off by a registered electrician.

• Additional sockets (per double socket) — £80 – £150
• New lighting circuit (downlights, under-cabinet) — £300 – £600
• Cooker circuit (new or relocated) — £200 – £400
• Consumer unit upgrade — £350 – £500
• Full kitchen rewire — £500 – £1,500

Most mid-range kitchen renovations require at least some electrical work — typically additional sockets, a new lighting layout, and possibly a cooker circuit relocation. Budget £500–£1,000 for electrical work on a typical project.

Tiling and Splashbacks

Tiling is one of the final stages of a kitchen fit and covers the splashback area between worktop and wall units, and often the floor as well.

• Ceramic wall tiles (splashback only, per m²) — £30 – £60 supply and fit
• Porcelain wall tiles (per m²) — £40 – £80 supply and fit
• Glass splashback panel (per linear metre) — £150 – £300
• Full-height tiling (worktop to ceiling) — £400 – £1,000
• Floor tiling — porcelain (per m²) — £50 – £90 supply and fit
• Floor tiling — natural stone (per m²) — £70 – £140 supply and fit

A standard splashback in a medium kitchen (approximately 3–4 m²) costs £150–£350 for ceramic tiles including labour. Porcelain and natural stone are more expensive but significantly more durable. Glass splashbacks are a popular modern alternative and are easier to clean than grouted tiles.

Flooring

Kitchen flooring needs to be durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean. The most popular options in the UK are:

• Sheet vinyl — £15 – £30 per m² supply and fit
• Luxury vinyl tile (LVT — Karndean, Amtico) — £40 – £80 per m² supply and fit
• Porcelain floor tiles — £50 – £90 per m² supply and fit
• Engineered wood — £40 – £70 per m² supply and fit

LVT has become the most popular kitchen flooring choice in the UK due to its warmth underfoot, water resistance, and realistic stone or wood appearance. For a medium kitchen (12 m²), expect to pay £500–£1,000 for LVT supply and installation.

Plastering and Decoration

Once the kitchen is fitted, the surrounding walls and ceiling usually need making good — patching holes from old units, skimming rough areas, and painting.

• Patch plastering (making good after old kitchen removed) — £200 – £500
• Full skim coat (walls and ceiling) — £400 – £800
• Painting (walls, ceiling, woodwork) — £200 – £500

Structural Work

If your renovation involves removing a wall to create an open-plan kitchen-diner, structural work adds significant cost and complexity.

• Removing a load-bearing wall and installing RSJ — £1,500 – £4,000
• Structural engineer report and calculations — £300 – £600
• Building regulations application — £250 – £500
• Making good (plastering, flooring transition, decoration) — £500 – £1,500

Removing a load-bearing wall requires a structural engineer's calculations and building regulations approval. The RSJ (rolled steel joist) itself costs £200–£600 depending on span, but the labour to install it — including temporary props, cutting out the wall, lifting the beam, and making good — is the significant expense.

Factors That Affect Cost

• Kitchen size — a small galley kitchen needs fewer units, less worktop, and less flooring than a large open-plan space
• Layout changes — keeping the sink, cooker, and fridge in existing positions avoids expensive plumbing and electrical alterations
• Quality of units — flat-pack from B&Q costs a fraction of bespoke in-frame cabinetry from a specialist joiner
• Worktop material — laminate costs £200–£500 for a full kitchen; quartz or granite costs £1,200–£2,500
• Appliance specification — a budget appliance package costs £1,000; a premium package can exceed £10,000
• Structural work — removing walls to create open-plan layouts adds £2,000–£5,000 to the project
• Location — London and the South East are 20–35% above the national average for labour rates

How Long Does It Take?

These timescales cover the full project from strip-out to completion. A like-for-like replacement where the layout stays the same is the fastest option. Structural work involving wall removal, RSJ installation, and building control inspections adds significant time. Most kitchen fitters recommend allowing an extra week beyond the quoted timescale for snagging and final adjustments.

How to Save Money

• Keep the existing layout — moving the sink, cooker, or fridge means relocating plumbing and electrics. Keeping them in place saves £500–£1,500 in first-fix costs.
• Buy ex-display or end-of-line units — Howdens, Wren, and Magnet regularly discount discontinued ranges by 30–50%. Ex-display kitchens from showroom clearances can save thousands.
• DIY the demolition — removing your old kitchen yourself saves £300–£800 in labour. It is straightforward but messy work. Disconnect electrics and gas before starting (gas must be done by a Gas Safe engineer).
• Choose laminate worktops — modern laminate is durable, realistic, and costs a fraction of stone. You can always upgrade worktops later without replacing the entire kitchen.
• Supply your own appliances — buying appliances directly from retailers during sales (Black Friday, January sales) is almost always cheaper than buying through your kitchen supplier.
• Phase the work — if budget is tight, do the units and worktops first, then upgrade flooring, splashbacks, and appliances over the following months.

Common Questions