Kitchen Renovation Cost Guide UK 2026
Summary
Budget: £5,000-£10,000 (flat-pack cabinets, laminate worktops). Mid-range: £10,000-£18,000 (rigid cabinets, quartz worktops, integrated appliances). High-end: £18,000-£30,000+ (bespoke cabinetry, natural stone, premium appliances). Timeline: 2-4 weeks.
Kitchen renovation costs depend on cabinet quality, worktop material, appliances, and fitting complexity. A straight galley kitchen costs less to fit than an L-shape or U-shape with an island. Most homeowners spend £10k-£18k for a mid-range kitchen in a medium-sized room (10-12 sq m).
Cabinet costs
Cabinets are 40-50% of total kitchen cost. Flat-pack cabinets (IKEA, Howdens, Wren) cost £2,000-£5,000 for a small kitchen, £4,000-£8,000 for a medium kitchen. Rigid pre-assembled cabinets cost 30-50% more. Bespoke made-to-measure cabinets cost £8,000-£20,000.
Worktop costs
Laminate worktops cost £100-£300 for a 3-metre run. Solid wood costs £400-£800. Quartz costs £800-£2,000. Granite and marble cost £1,000-£3,000. Large islands need thicker worktops (40mm instead of 30mm), which adds 30-40% to the cost.
Appliances
Budget package (oven, hob, extractor, fridge, dishwasher): £1,500-£3,000. Mid-range integrated appliances: £3,000-£6,000. Premium brands (Miele, Neff, AEG): £6,000-£12,000. Range cookers add £2,000-£8,000 on top of a standard oven and hob.
Fitting costs
Kitchen fitters charge £150-£250/day. A small galley kitchen takes 3-5 days to fit (£600-£1,200 labour). A medium L-shape kitchen takes 5-8 days (£1,000-£2,000). A large U-shape kitchen with an island takes 8-12 days (£1,500-£3,000). Fitting includes cabinets, worktops, sink, and appliance installation. Plumbing and electrics are extra.
Plumbing and electrics
Reconnecting existing plumbing and electrics (no layout changes) costs £400-£800. Moving the sink or hob adds £500-£1,500. Adding a kitchen island with sink or hob adds £800-£2,000 (new waste pipes and electrical circuits under the floor).
Timeline
Design and ordering: 2-4 weeks. Delivery: 4-8 weeks (bespoke kitchens take longer). Fitting: 1-3 weeks depending on size. You won't have a usable kitchen during fitting, so plan temporary cooking arrangements.
Sources: Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association, RICS Building Cost Information Service, Which? consumer research.