How much does a new kitchen cost? In the UK, a completely new kitchen costs between £6,000 and £15,000 fully fitted. The units and worktops usually account for £3,000 to £7,000, while professional installation from a local fitter will cost between £2,000 and £4,000. Going with a national high-street retailer will typically push your installation costs up by at least 20%.
Replacing a kitchen is one of the most expensive and disruptive renovations a UK homeowner will face. Relying solely on the initial brochure price from a high-street retailer is a surefire way to blow your budget. They rarely account for hidden plastering, electrical upgrades, or waste disposal. Having fitted kitchens across the country for over 20 years, I know exactly where the hidden costs lie. This guide breaks down the true 2026 costs of supplying and fitting a kitchen so you can stick strictly to your budget and avoid nasty surprises.
Average UK Kitchen Fitting Costs (£)
To give you a realistic idea of what you will spend, I have broken down the average costs for a standard medium-sized UK kitchen.
A basic kitchen refit with laminate worktops and standard appliances will sit at the lower end of the spectrum. If you opt for solid quartz worktops, integrated appliances, and a kitchen island, your costs will easily double.
Removing Your Old Kitchen: How to Save £500
Often companies fitting your kitchen will charge a premium for removing the existing one. If you can, I highly recommend ripping the old kitchen out yourself. It is straightforward manual labour that can easily save you up to £500 on your fitter’s final bill.
You do need to consider disposal costs. You cannot just leave 15 old cabinets on your driveway. Hiring a standard 6-yard skip to safely dispose of the timber, old tiles, and worktops will cost roughly £250 to £300 depending on your local council. If you are throwing away old white goods, you can often arrange for the council to collect them for a small fee.
Unit and Worktop Prices: Laminate vs Quartz
This is where your price can vary massively. Depending on the amount of units and the quality, you can expect to pay around £2,500 for a basic level layout.
The Carcass vs Worktop Strategy: A secret of the trade is that budget units (the hidden carcasses) from places like Howdens or B&Q function identically to highly expensive ones. To maximise your budget, buy cheaper carcasses and invest your savings entirely into premium quartz worktops and high-quality soft-close hinges. This instantly elevates the look of the whole kitchen without the premium price tag.
Worktops are often the bulk of the material price. Standard laminate worktops will cost around £30 to £50 per metre. Upgrading to solid quartz or granite pushes this to £300 to £500 per metre, plus templating and fitting fees.
The Hidden Costs: Plastering, Plumbing and Electrics
A common mistake is assuming your new kitchen will simply slot into the exact same plumbing and electrical footprint as your old one. Once you rip out the old units, you will almost certainly uncover issues that need professional tradespeople to fix.
If you are changing the layout to include a dishwasher or moving the sink, you need to hire a local plumber. Upgrading to an induction hob or adding extra sockets requires a certified electrician. Finally, pulling off old wall tiles almost always brings the plaster down with it.
Here are the average UK day rates you need to factor into your budget:
| Trade Professional | Average UK Day Rate | Common Kitchen Tasks |
| Plumber | £200 – £300 | Moving sink pipework, fitting dishwashers |
| Electrician | £250 – £300 | Adding sockets, wiring electric ovens |
| Plasterer | £200 – £250 | Skimming damaged walls after tile removal |
Always ensure your electrician provides a Part P electrical safety certificate for any new circuits installed in your kitchen.
Kitchen Fitters: DIY vs Local Trades vs National Retailers
When looking at getting your kitchen fitted you typically have three different options.
DIY: This is the cheapest option and saves thousands on installation. Installing a kitchen is incredibly hard work though. Getting worktops perfectly level and scribing end panels requires specific carpentry skills. You will still need to hire trades for gas and electrics.
Local Fitter: A local independent fitter will likely be your cheapest professional option. Installation usually falls between £2,000 and £4,000. You have a lot more room to negotiate with local trades, and they are usually happy for you to keep costs down by ripping the kitchen out yourself.
National Retailer: The national fitters attached to big showrooms are the easiest option. They manage the entire project. There is a heavy premium for this service, often adding 20% to 30% to the total installation price compared to a local independent fitter.
What’s Next?
Getting your kitchen budget right is the first step to a successful renovation. Take the time to cross-reference appliance reliability using Which? consumer reviews before buying your ovens and fridges.
If you are upgrading your flooring at the same time, read my guide on how to install vinyl plank flooring for a cost-effective, water-resistant option. For more advice on budgeting and planning, explore our other inside your home renovation guides, and always do your research when finding reliable tradespeople for your plumbing and electrical work.
FAQs
How much does a Wickes kitchen cost to fit?
Fitting a standard Wickes kitchen through their approved installers typically costs between £2,000 and £4,000, depending on the number of units and complexity of the worktops. This price usually excludes major electrical or plumbing alterations.
Is it cheaper to buy a kitchen and get someone to fit it?
Yes. Buying your kitchen units and appliances separately and hiring a local independent carpenter to fit them is almost always cheaper than using a fully managed installation service from a national retailer.
