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Kitchen Renovation Costs UK 2026: Budget to Luxury Breakdown

· 10 min read

TL;DR: A kitchen renovation in the UK costs £5,000-£10,000 (budget), £10,000-£20,000 (mid-range), or £20,000-£50,000+ (luxury). The average spend is around £12,000-£15,000. Units and cabinetry are the biggest cost at 30-40% of the total. Labour adds 20-35%. A new kitchen can add 5-10% to your property value.

Last updated: April 2026

Kitchen Renovation Costs at a Glance

Budget LevelTotal CostUnitsWorktopsAppliances
Budget£5,000 - £10,000Flatpack / basic rigidLaminateStandard freestanding
Mid-Range£10,000 - £20,000Quality rigidSolid wood or quartzIntegrated mid-range
High-End£20,000 - £35,000Bespoke / handlelessQuartz or granitePremium integrated
Luxury£35,000 - £50,000+Custom handmadeDekton, marble, or CorianSub-Zero, Miele, Gaggenau

Itemised Cost Breakdown

Units and Cabinetry (30-40% of budget)

TypeCost (10-unit kitchen)
Flatpack (IKEA, Wickes)£1,500 - £3,000
Rigid units (Howdens, Magnet)£3,000 - £6,000
Premium rigid (Wren, Sigma 3)£5,000 - £10,000
Bespoke / handmade£10,000 - £25,000+

Worktops (10-20% of budget)

MaterialCost per linear metrePros
Laminate£20 - £50Cheapest, huge range of finishes
Solid wood (oak, walnut)£100 - £200Warm, natural look; can be sanded
Quartz composite£200 - £400Durable, low-maintenance, non-porous
Granite£250 - £400Heat-resistant, unique natural patterns
Dekton / Corian£300 - £500Ultra-durable, seamless joins (Corian)

Appliances (15-25% of budget)

Appliance SetCost
Basic (oven, hob, hood, fridge-freezer, dishwasher)£1,500 - £3,000
Mid-range (integrated)£3,000 - £6,000
Premium (Bosch, Neff, Samsung)£5,000 - £10,000
Luxury (Miele, Gaggenau, Sub-Zero)£10,000 - £25,000+

Labour Costs (20-35% of budget)

TradeCost
Kitchen fitter (installation)£1,500 - £3,500
Plumber£400 - £1,000
Electrician (Part P certified)£500 - £1,500
Tiler (splashback / floor)£500 - £2,000
Plasterer£300 - £800
Decorator£300 - £600
Skip hire / waste removal£200 - £400

What Affects Kitchen Renovation Costs?

Layout Changes

Moving the sink, cooker, or boiler adds significant cost. Relocating plumbing adds £500-£1,500. Moving gas appliances requires a Gas Safe registered engineer (£300-£800). If possible, keep the existing layout to save money.

Structural Work

Removing a wall to create an open-plan kitchen-diner costs £1,000-£3,000 for a non-load-bearing wall, or £2,500-£5,000 for a load-bearing wall requiring a steel beam (RSJ). Structural engineer fees add £300-£500.

Flooring

Kitchen flooring costs £20-£80/m² installed. Vinyl is cheapest (£20-£35/m²), tiles cost £30-£60/m², and engineered wood costs £40-£80/m². A typical 15m² kitchen floor costs £300-£1,200.

How to Save Money on a Kitchen Renovation

  1. Keep the existing layout — avoid moving plumbing and electrics
  2. Replace doors only — if carcasses are sound, new doors and handles can transform the look for £1,000-£3,000
  3. Choose laminate worktops — modern laminates look excellent and cost a fraction of stone
  4. Buy ex-display kitchens — kitchen showrooms sell display models at 50-70% off
  5. Install yourself where possible — flatpack kitchens can save £1,500-£3,000 in fitting costs
  6. Time your purchase — kitchen retailers run major sales in January and September

Building Regulations

A standard kitchen refit does not need Building Regulations approval. However, you will need sign-off if:

Next Steps

Ready to get quotes for your kitchen renovation? Get free, no-obligation quotes from experienced kitchen fitters through Better Home Hub. Tell us about your project and budget, and we'll connect you with trusted specialists in your area.