Fitted kitchen costs: How much should you budget?

Finding good estimates for fitted kitchen costs will get you on the right track towards your dream kitchen — and crucially to the right budget. 

There are all kinds of routes towards the perfect kitchen design, from a bespoke design and build service which will take care of everything, including fittings, to a more flexible approach, be it using a designer and separate fitter, or taking on what you can DIY.  

Our industry experts have broken down how to work out the cost of fitting a kitchen, including hidden costs and things that can save you money. 

Fitted kitchen costs: What's involved?

There's more to fitting a kitchen than installing some units and a worktop. "If you’re renovating a property, you’ll probably need to rip out the existing kitchen and start again," advises serial renovator Katie Thomasson. "This not only includes the units and worktops, but also any existing flooring or tiling. Doing as much of this yourself will save you money, not only on labour but also disposal, which if often an added extra. 

"If your local council doesn’t allow disposal of kitchens for free, try placing an advert on social media. If your kitchen is in good enough condition, there’s a chance you could make some money selling it online. Some people are even happy to remove the kitchen themselves, saving you all the legwork." 

After that you should consider the costs of: 

• A skip
• Electrics (lighting and extraction) 
• Plumbing (new appliances and sinks)
• Replastering
• Repainting
• Flooring
• Units
• Worktops
• Day-rate for fitter or percentage to company

How much does it cost to install a full kitchen?

"The total cost for an average-sized kitchen installation is around £1,400 - £2,100. You can expect to pay a professional kitchen fitter around £120 - £240 per day to complete the work," advises Penelope Jacobs, kitchen expert at MyJobQuote. "However, these rates are higher in certain areas of the UK such as London and the Southeast."

To rewire electrics, including new lighting and an extractor unit, expect to pay £1,000 - £1,500 for one room, according to Household Costs, although Checkatrade estimates the average cost could be brought down to £600 for a simple job.

To replace plumbing in a kitchen (for instance, a dishwasher and sink), a plumber's day rate is around £250 - £350, but if you're moving the sink, or installing a hot water tap or new water-dispensing fridge, this will increase the price. 

Stone or tile flooring costs at least £90/m2 to be laid, while LVT (being quicker to install) will cost more like £45/m2. Both of these prices will be higher depending on material, complexity of laying pattern and size of kitchen. 

Answering 'how much does a new kitchen cost' will also depend on what material you choose for your units and worktop. Timber and laminate are fairly easy to install for fitters (or DIY) but for quartz, granite or other real stone it may get more costly. 

"Most fitting [for stone] is around £1,000 depending on where the job is and the complexity of getting the stones into the building and number of pieces," advises Oliver Webb, director of Cullifords. 

For bespoke, high-end kitchens many companies don't divide different costs and provide a single all-inclusive quote. 

If you're installing an ex-display or second hand kitchen, a professional kitchen fitter might be able to create a better finish, tailored to the individual room, so might be worth consulting with someone before you buy.

How much should you spend on a kitchen and installation?

The average total cost of a mid-range kitchen is between £10,000 and £20,000, but the cost of fitting every kitchen will depend on the types and amounts of kitchen units and the quality of the design.

"As a general rule, it is thought that a new kitchen could add between 5 and 10% to the overall value of your home," explains Katie Thomasson. "So a home thought to be worth £300,000 once the build project is complete would generally have a kitchen that costs no more than £15,000 - £30,000 to install. (This figure includes everything from fitting, to plumbing and electrics.)" 

How much is IKEA kitchen installation?

"IKEA installation is a complete à la carte service as such install is hugely dependent on the size of the kitchen and the complexity of the installation," advises of representative from IKEA. "Our in-store roomsets show the complete kitchen price and the cost to install it." 

IKEA's designs can also be installed on a DIY basis fairly easily. 

"Our flat pack heritage is also no different with kitchens, we do however recommend using professionals for plumbing and electrics," they conclude.  

How much does it cost to have a small kitchen installed? 

"It is cheaper to fit a smaller kitchen as it will take less time to complete the work. This means that you will pay less in labour costs due to the shorter timescales. You will also need less materials for a smaller kitchen," says Penelope Jacobs from MyJobQuote. 

Smaller kitchens might require more creative kitchen storage ideas however, which might have a different impact on costs. 

How do you fit a kitchen on a budget? 

To fit a kitchen on a budget, take a look at jobs that can be picked up on a DIY basis. While some plumbing jobs can be taken on by brave DIYers, electrics and gas connections must be done be qualified professionals. 

Cheap kitchen companies such as DIY Kitchens offer a service in which the customer designs, measures and orders the units and worktops which is a good way to save, while the units themselves arrive pre-assembled and easy to install. 

While pre-cut laminate worktops can be fitted DIY, it is rare that a DIYer has the tools to cut timber, quartz and stone at home. 

Alternatively, if you're just looking for a kitchen update and the units are in good order, painting kitchen cupboard doors or installing new ones is pretty straightforward and can be done on a budget. All you need to do is find out how to adjust kitchen cabinet doors like a pro.