For a straightforward full kitchen renovation, the average cost in the UK is about £11,500, according to Checkatrade’s kitchen price guide, which was updated in October 2026. Most budget jobs fall somewhere between £6,200 and £16,800. A bespoke, fully custom kitchen usually costs much more, with averages around £35,000 and a range of £15,000 to £50,000. Your final price depends mainly on the size of the room, the units you choose, and whether the plumbing, gas or electrics need moving.

Typical costs at a glance

The table below uses the ranges from Checkatrade’s October 2026 guide. The figures include both materials and labour, unless the row says otherwise.

Item	Low	High	Average
Budget full renovation	£6,200	£16,800	£11,500
Bespoke full renovation	£15,000	£50,000	£35,000
Fitting only (labour and installation)	£3,700	£9,300	£5,200
Kitchen units, supply only	£1,500	£10,000	£3,000
Kitchen fitter, per day	£250	£350	n/a

Remember that these are averages across the country. Prices in a busy city or a high-demand area can be higher, so use the table as a guide and get written quotes for your own home.

What cabinets cost on their own

Cabinets are the part of the job most people look at first. Which? collected prices for a 12-unit kitchen in May 2025, including VAT and any sales discounts. These figures exclude worktops, sinks, taps and appliances:

Ikea: £1,500 to £2,500 with no discount
Benchmarx: £2,500 to £4,500
Wickes: £2,500 to £7,500, with discounts of 25 to 50 per cent
B&Q: £4,000 to £5,000
Magnet: £7,000 to £9,000, with discounts of 72 to 78 per cent

The discounts make a big difference. A kitchen that looks expensive at list price can cost far less once a sale is applied. Because the data is from May 2025, expect prices to have moved since then, and check the current price before you plan around any figure.

Labour and fitting

Labour is a large part of the bill, but sources do not agree on how large. Which? says labour usually makes up around 20 to 30 per cent of the total if you do none of the installation yourself. Labour costs tend to be higher for bespoke kitchens. A trade blog from Victorian Plumbing puts labour and installation at 30 to 40 per cent. The honest answer is that it depends on the job, so ask each firm to show labour as a separate line on the quote.

A fitter’s day rate is typically between £250 and £350 according to Checkatrade. Fitting only, for a straightforward room, is often quoted at a few thousand pounds, but the cost rises quickly if the layout changes.

What pushes the price up

Most surprise costs come from the same few things:

Moving services. Relocating a sink, cooker, plumbing, gas or electrics adds cost quickly.
Changing the layout. New sockets, extra lighting or better ventilation all add to the bill.
Problems hidden behind the walls. Damp, uneven walls, damaged plaster and old wiring often show up only after the old kitchen comes out. This is more common in older homes.
Worktops. Stone worktops such as quartz or granite cost more than laminate, and complicated cut-outs add to the fitting time.
Appliances. Which? notes that keeping working appliances can save close to £1,000 on a new kitchen.
Bespoke design. Custom units and made-to-measure pieces cost more than standard ranges.

VAT on kitchen work

Building work in a home is normally standard-rated for VAT, according to HMRC’s construction guidance (VAT Notice 708). That means you should expect the standard rate of 20 per cent on fitting work, unless a specific relief applies to your job. Ask the firm to show VAT separately on every quote so you can compare like with like.

How to get a fair quote

Get at least three written quotes for the same specification.
Ask for the supply of units, worktops and appliances as separate lines from the fitting.
Check whether waste removal is included. Trade guides often say it may not be.
Ask what happens if hidden problems turn up, and how extra work will be priced.
Ask for a written programme that shows when the trades start and finish.
Ask whether the fitter carries public liability insurance and what guarantee they give on the work.

How much should you keep as a buffer?

Trade guides commonly suggest keeping 10 to 15 per cent of the budget spare for surprises, and up to 20 per cent in an older home. This is not a rule, but it is a sensible way to avoid stopping halfway through a kitchen because the money has run out.

Key points

A budget full renovation averages about £11,500, with a typical range of £6,200 to £16,800 (Checkatrade, October 2026).
Cabinets alone can start from about £1,500 at budget retailers, though prices in Which?’s May 2025 survey have likely moved.
Fitter day rates are commonly £250 to £350.
Labour is roughly 20 to 30 per cent of the total according to Which?, though some trade guides put it higher.
Expect 20 per cent VAT on most fitting work and ask for it to be shown separately.
Keep 10 to 15 per cent of your budget spare.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a kitchen fitter charge per day? Checkatrade gives a typical range of £250 to £350 per day. Rates vary by region and by the complexity of the job.

Is a new kitchen cheaper if I fit it myself? You would save the labour cost, which Which? puts at around 20 to 30 per cent of the total. Mistakes with plumbing or electrics can cost far more to put right, so only do the parts you are confident and qualified to do.

Does a new kitchen need VAT? Fitting work is normally standard-rated at 20 per cent. Check each quote for how VAT is applied.

What is the biggest hidden cost? Moving services such as plumbing, gas and electrics is the most common extra. Problems found behind the walls in older homes come a close second.

Should I buy the units or the fitting first? Confirm the layout and fitting plan before you choose units. Firms that design and fit the kitchen can usually quote both together, which makes comparisons easier.

Next steps

Start by measuring the room and listing what you want to change. Decide whether you need services moved, then ask for quotes that cover the same units, worktops, appliances and fitting. If you live in or around Exmouth, Homes by Design designs and fits kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms from a showroom on the Dinan Way Trading Estate. The business offers a free planning and design visit, where staff come to your home, and it says it uses its own fitters rather than subcontracting. Their showroom is a practical place to see door styles and worktops in person before you commit.

Prices are as published in October 2026 and will change. This guide is general information, not a quote for your home.

How Much Does a New Kitchen Cost in the UK in 2026?