Kitchen Cost Calculator
Work out what a new kitchen should really cost — then see exactly where you can cut the bill. Built from real UK trade and retail prices.
Tell us about your kitchen
A typical medium kitchen has around 12 units.
e.g. Howdens, Wren, Magnet
Adds dishwasher & integrated fridge
Rip-out, disposal & making good
A few sockets, connect sink & appliances
Estimates include VAT and are built line by line from typical UK trade and retail prices. Assumes roughly 5.4 m of worktop and 12 m² of floor for this spec. Regional pricing adjusts the labour share only — materials cost similar money nationwide. Always get at least three itemised quotes.
What does a new kitchen cost in 2026?
Fully fitted prices including cabinets, worktops, appliances, flooring and installation. Most UK households spend £8,000 to £15,000 on a mid-range kitchen — but the same footprint can cost three times that with premium finishes, or half with a smart budget spec.
| Kitchen size | Budget | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small kitchen (under 10 m²) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £7,500 – £12,000 | £14,000 – £22,000 |
| Medium kitchen (10–15 m²) | £5,500 – £9,500 | £10,500 – £17,000 | £19,000 – £32,000 |
| Large kitchen (15–25 m²) | £8,500 – £13,500 | £14,500 – £24,000 | £28,000 – £48,000 |
| Open-plan kitchen-diner (25 m²+) | £11,000 – £17,000 | £19,000 – £33,000 | £38,000 – £75,000+ |
Where the money goes
For a typical mid-range kitchen, the budget splits roughly like this. Cabinets dominate — which is why swapping doors or dropping a cabinet tier moves the total more than almost anything else.
- Cabinets, doors & handles30–40%
- Fitting & labour20–25%
- Appliances15–25%
- Worktops10–15%
- Plumbing & electrics5–10%
- Flooring, sink, tap & finishing5–10%
Hidden costs people forget
- Stone worktop extras. Quotes often exclude sink and hob cut-outs (£60–£300 each), drainer grooves, upstands and templating — check before comparing.
- Making good. Rip-out leaves damaged walls and floor voids. Plastering, tiling and decorating add £750–£2,000 if not in the quote.
- Compliance. New electrical circuits need a registered electrician who can self-certify under Part P; gas work needs a Gas Safe engineer.
- Living without a kitchen. Two weeks of microwave meals, takeaways and washing up in the bath has a real cost — budget for it.
Proven ways to pay less for a kitchen
The biggest savings come from decisions made before you buy — not haggling afterwards.
- 1
Keep the layout
Moving the sink, gas or electrics is the single biggest hidden cost — often £1,500 to £5,000 extra. Design around existing services wherever you can.
- 2
Refresh instead of replace
Sound carcasses plus new doors, handles and worktops can transform a kitchen for £1,500 to £4,000 instead of five figures.
- 3
Buy appliances in the sales
Sourcing appliances yourself during Black Friday or January sales typically saves 15–30% over buying through the kitchen supplier.
- 4
Consider ex-display kitchens
Showroom ex-display and end-of-line kitchens sell at 40–70% off RRP. Measure carefully — you usually buy the display as it stands.
- 5
Mix flat-pack with a good fitter
Budget carcasses from IKEA or B&Q fitted well can outperform a poorly installed premium kitchen. Spend on the fitter, save on the boxes.
- 6
Pick laminate or compact laminate worktops
Modern laminate and solid-core worktops mimic stone convincingly at a fifth of the quartz price — and stone adds templating fees on top.
- 7
Get three itemised quotes
Ask each fitter to price the identical spec, compare line by line, and book in quieter months (January–February, late summer) when trades are more negotiable.
- 8
Do the rip-out and decorating yourself
Removing the old kitchen and a skip costs around £250–£400 DIY versus £750–£2,000 for removal, making good and decorating on a fitter’s quote.
Kitchen cost FAQs
How much does a new kitchen cost in the UK?+
A typical new kitchen costs £8,000 to £15,000 fully fitted, including units, worktops, appliances and installation. A small budget refit can come in at £3,500 to £6,500, while a large premium kitchen with stone worktops, integrated appliances and an island can exceed £30,000.
How much should I budget for kitchen fitting labour?+
Expect £100 to £220 per unit for a fitter to install units and worktops, so roughly £1,500 to £3,000 for a 12-unit kitchen. Removing and disposing of the old kitchen adds £350 to £950, and plastering or making good adds another £400 to £1,200.
What is the cheapest way to get a new kitchen?+
Keep the existing layout so plumbing and electrics stay put, reuse sound carcasses and replace only doors and worktops, choose laminate worktops, buy appliances separately during sales, and compare at least three itemised fitter quotes.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?+
A like-for-like replacement takes 3 to 5 days of fitting. A full renovation with rip-out, new plumbing and electrics, flooring and stone worktops typically runs 2 to 3 weeks — stone worktops are templated after the units go in and take 7 to 10 days to be made.
Do kitchen prices include VAT?+
Big retailers such as Howdens, Wren, B&Q and IKEA quote including VAT. Independent tradespeople below the VAT threshold may not charge it at all, while VAT-registered firms add 20%. Always confirm whether a quote is inclusive before comparing prices.
Should I replace the whole kitchen or just the doors?+
If your carcasses are solid and square, replacing doors, drawer fronts and worktops costs £1,500 to £4,000 — a fraction of a full refit. Replace everything when the layout does not work, carcasses are damaged, or you are moving plumbing and appliances anyway.
This calculator provides estimates for budgeting purposes only and is not a quote. Prices are typical UK figures including VAT; your costs will depend on specification, room condition and the tradespeople you hire. Always obtain at least three itemised written quotes, and never pay more than around 25% up front.