Quick answer: new kitchen cost UK 2026
£3,000–£30,000+
New Kitchen Cost UK 2026: Complete Price Guide
Planning a new kitchen and wondering what it will actually cost in 2026? This guide breaks down realistic UK prices from budget flat-pack to high-end bespoke — covering units, worktops, appliances, fitting labour and the hidden extras that catch homeowners out. Whether you're buying from Howdens, Wren, IKEA or Magnet, this is the pricing context you need before getting quotes.
What your budget needs to cover
- Kitchen units — base, wall and tall cabinets
- Worktops — laminate, solid wood, quartz or granite
- Appliances — oven, hob, extractor, fridge, dishwasher
- Sink, taps and splashback or tiles
- Kitchen fitter labour (day rate basis)
- Plumber — sink connection, dishwasher, gas hob
- Electrician — sockets, lighting, cooker circuits
- Flooring, plastering and making good
- Waste removal and skip or man-and-van costs
1) Budget, mid-range and high-end kitchens: what you get at each price point
The new kitchen cost UK 2026 varies enormously depending on where you buy your units, what worktop material you choose, and how much structural or trades work is needed. A like-for-like swap of units in an existing kitchen is dramatically cheaper than reconfiguring the layout, moving the sink or adding a kitchen island. Understanding the price tiers helps you plan a realistic budget before approaching suppliers.
| Project level | Typical total cost | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | £3,000–£6,000 | Flat-pack units (IKEA, Wickes, B&Q), laminate worktops, basic integrated appliances, like-for-like layout. Simple tiling. Fitter 3–4 days. |
| Mid-range | £8,000–£15,000 | Rigid units from Howdens, Magnet or Wren, quartz or solid wood worktop, quality appliances (Bosch, AEG, Smeg), new layout, under-unit lighting, tiled splashback. Multiple trades. |
| High-end | £15,000–£30,000+ | Bespoke or semi-bespoke units (Benchmarx premium, Smallbone, Neptune), granite or quartz worktops, integrated Neff or Miele appliances, custom island, feature lighting, specialist fitting team. |
Trade tip: Howdens and Benchmarx sell exclusively to trade. Your kitchen fitter buys from them on your behalf — this is how many mid-range kitchens are supplied at better-than-showroom prices. Ask your fitter what supplier they use and compare specs before agreeing a supply-and-fit quote.
2) Unit and cabinet costs
Kitchen units are typically priced per linear metre of run, though individual unit prices vary widely between suppliers. The figures below represent supply-only costs for a typical 3–4 metre run of base units with matching wall units, excluding worktops, appliances and handles.
| Supplier / range | Typical cost per linear metre (supply only) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA SEKTION or METOD | £150–£280/m | Flat-pack, wide colour options. Quality is solid at the price. Popular with budget-conscious homeowners. |
| Wickes / B&Q | £180–£350/m | Good value flat-pack with decent door fronts. Regular sales bring costs down further. |
| Magnet / Wren | £280–£600/m | Rigid or semi-rigid construction. Magnet has a strong trade-facing offer. Wren is retail-focused with regular promotions. |
| Howdens (trade) | £350–£700/m | Trade-only. Rigid carcase, excellent build quality. Supplied through your kitchen fitter — this is how most mid-range kitchens are fitted. |
| Benchmarx (trade) | £300–£650/m | Travis Perkins trade brand. Good quality at competitive prices. Increasingly popular with kitchen fitters. |
| Bespoke / semi-bespoke | £800–£2,000+/m | Hand-painted in-frame kitchens, solid wood doors, custom sizes. Lead times of 6–16 weeks typically. |
For a typical 10-unit kitchen (5 base, 5 wall), expect to spend £2,000–£5,000 on units alone at the mid-range, before worktops, appliances or fitting. Tall larder units, corner carousels and integrated waste bins add cost but significantly improve kitchen functionality.
3) Worktop costs: laminate to granite
The worktop is often where homeowners under-budget. A 4-metre run of worktop including cut-outs for the sink and hob, plus end caps and any breakfast bar extensions, can easily cost more than the units themselves if you choose quartz or granite. Material prices below are supply-only per linear metre for a standard 600mm depth worktop.
| Worktop material | Supply cost per linear metre | Installation cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate (e.g. Formica, Duropal) | £40–£120/m | £80–£150 total | Most budget-friendly. Improved modern designs mimic stone and wood convincingly. Vulnerable to water ingress at cut edges. |
| Solid wood (oak, beech, walnut) | £120–£300/m | £150–£300 total | Warm, natural look. Needs oiling every 6–12 months. Not ideal near sinks without careful sealing. |
| Engineered quartz (Silestone, Caesarstone) | £300–£600/m | £300–£600 (template + fit) | Most popular premium choice. Non-porous, heat and scratch resistant. Must be templated and fitted by a stone fabricator. |
| Granite (natural stone) | £250–£600/m | £300–£600 (template + fit) | Each slab is unique. Heavy — cabinets must be structurally sound. Requires periodic sealing. |
| Dekton / sintered stone | £400–£800/m | £400–£700 (template + fit) | Ultra-durable, heat and UV resistant. Increasingly popular in high-end kitchen renovations. |
| Compact laminate (e.g. Fenix) | £200–£400/m | £100–£200 | Matte, soft-touch finish. Much more durable than standard laminate. Growing in popularity for contemporary kitchens. |
Important: quartz, granite and Dekton worktops must be templated after units are fitted and then fabricated off-site. This adds 1–2 weeks to the project timeline and the kitchen cannot be fully used during this period. Factor this into your scheduling.
4) Appliance costs for a new kitchen
Appliances are a significant part of the total new kitchen cost UK 2026. You can equip a functional kitchen with basic appliances for around £800–£1,200, or spend £5,000–£8,000+ on premium integrated brands. The table below shows supply-only ranges for common appliances.
| Appliance | Budget range | Mid-range | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single oven | £200–£350 (Hotpoint, Indesit) | £350–£700 (Bosch, AEG, Samsung) | £700–£2,000+ (Neff, Siemens, Miele) |
| Induction hob | £200–£350 | £350–£600 | £600–£1,500+ (Bora, AEG, Neff) |
| Gas hob (4-burner) | £150–£280 | £280–£500 | £500–£1,200 (Smeg, Bertazzoni) |
| Cooker hood / extractor | £100–£200 | £200–£500 | £500–£1,500+ (Elica, BORA) |
| Integrated dishwasher | £280–£400 | £400–£700 | £700–£1,500 (Miele, Bosch Series 8) |
| American fridge-freezer | £400–£700 | £700–£1,200 | £1,200–£3,000+ (Samsung, LG, Fisher & Paykel) |
| Integrated fridge-freezer | £350–£550 | £550–£900 | £900–£2,000 (Liebherr, Miele) |
| Microwave / combi oven | £80–£150 | £150–£350 | £350–£800 (Neff, Miele) |
For a complete mid-range appliance package (single oven, induction hob, extractor, dishwasher, integrated fridge-freezer) budget £2,000–£4,000 supply only. Installation costs for appliances are usually included within the kitchen fitter's day rate if they are being fitted alongside the kitchen — but plumbing connections and gas hob installation require their respective trades.
5) Splashback and tiling costs
The area behind the hob and above the worktop — the splashback — is both a practical and aesthetic element of any kitchen. Options range from basic metro tiles to statement glass panels, and the cost difference is significant.
| Splashback / tile option | Material cost per m² | Labour (tiler) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard metro tile (75×150mm) | £8–£20/m² | £30–£50/m² | Classic, easy to clean, widely available at Topps Tiles and Tile Giant. |
| Large-format porcelain tile | £25–£70/m² | £40–£70/m² | Fewer grout lines, premium look. Popular in contemporary kitchens. |
| Glass splashback (toughened, coloured) | £80–£200/m² | £100–£200 to supply & fit | Hygienic, seamless. Cut to measure. Lead time 1–2 weeks. Difficult to repair if cracked. |
| Mirror or bronze glass splashback | £100–£250/m² | Included in supply & fit | High-end look. Popular in galley kitchens to create a sense of space. |
| Brushed steel / stainless panel | £50–£150/m² | Low — DIY or fitter can fit | Practical and industrial. Easy to clean. Common in professional-style kitchens. |
Tiling a typical kitchen splashback area of 2–3 m² costs around £150–£400 in labour plus materials. Full wall tiling around the entire kitchen is more involved — see our bathroom renovation cost guide for tiler day rates which apply equally to kitchen tiling.
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6) Labour costs: kitchen fitter, plumber and electrician day rates 2026
Labour typically accounts for 30–50 per cent of the total new kitchen cost UK 2026, depending on how complex the project is. A straightforward like-for-like kitchen swap on a well-maintained kitchen can be fitted in 3 days by one fitter. A full reconfiguration involving multiple trades can take 10–15 days of cumulative labour across a 2–3 week project window.
Kitchen fitter day rates
| Region | Kitchen fitter day rate | Typical days for full kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| London | £200–£280/day | 4–6 days |
| Kent & South East | £160–£240/day | 3–5 days |
| Midlands | £140–£200/day | 3–5 days |
| North England | £130–£190/day | 3–5 days |
| Scotland | £130–£180/day | 3–5 days |
Plumber costs for kitchen
A plumber is needed to connect the kitchen sink, dishwasher, any filtered water tap, and a gas hob (if applicable). For a straightforward connection with no pipework rerouting, allow 4–6 hours. If the sink position is changing or new supply pipes need running, allow a full day at £280–£480 depending on region.
Electrician costs for kitchen
An electrician is typically needed for new or additional double sockets, under-unit LED lighting, an extractor fan circuit, and a dedicated cooker circuit if the oven exceeds 3kW (which most do). Allow £200–£500 for a half-day to full day of electrical work depending on what is required. New circuits must be notified under Part P of the Building Regulations — use a registered electrician who can self-certify.
Tiler costs
A tiler charges £150–£250 per day in Kent and the South East. A kitchen splashback takes half a day; floor tiling a standard kitchen (8–12 m²) takes 1–2 days depending on tile size and floor prep needed.
7) Hidden costs in a new kitchen installation
The headline cost of a kitchen rarely tells the whole story. These are the items most homeowners wish they had budgeted for upfront.
Floor levelling and subfloor preparation
Kitchen units must be installed perfectly level, but many UK homes have uneven floors — especially in older properties. Self-levelling compound and floor prep can add £100–£400 to the project before a single unit goes in. If the existing flooring needs lifting and the subfloor has any rot or damage, this rises substantially.
Plastering after removal
Removing old tiled or textured kitchen walls often exposes damaged plasterboard or bare masonry. Light replastering costs £200–£400. Full replastering of kitchen walls before retiling adds £400–£700 and 2–3 days to the timeline.
Waste removal
Old kitchen units, worktops, tiles and appliances need removing. A half-load skip costs £120–£200; a full skip runs £200–£350. Some kitchen fitters include waste removal in their quote — check before signing.
Decorating after installation
Painting the kitchen after units are in — ceiling, walls and any visible woodwork — is rarely included in a kitchen fitter's quote. Budget £200–£500 for a painter to finish the room properly.
New flooring
Many homeowners use the kitchen installation as an opportunity to update the floor. Vinyl or LVT flooring for a medium kitchen (8–12 m²) costs £300–£800 supply and fit. Porcelain floor tiles cost more — £500–£1,200 including adhesive, grout and labour.
Rule of thumb: add 10–15 per cent to your kitchen quote as a contingency for unexpected structural findings, additional trades work and small extras. On a £10,000 kitchen, that is £1,000–£1,500 held in reserve — most homeowners use most of it.
8) How to save money on a new kitchen without cutting corners
- Keep the same layout: Moving the sink to the opposite wall means rerouting waste pipes and potentially supply pipework — easily adding £500–£1,500 in plumbing costs alone.
- Buy appliances yourself: Purchasing appliances directly from John Lewis, AO.com or Currys — then having the fitter install them — is often cheaper than buying through the kitchen company, which marks up appliances significantly.
- Choose quartz wisely: Quartz ranges enormously in price. Mid-range engineered quartz (Silestone, Quarella) at £350/m can look as good as premium options at £600/m. Shop around for stone fabricators.
- Flat-pack vs rigid units: For a budget kitchen, flat-pack from IKEA with a quality door front (Semihandmade, Reform) delivers a high-end look at a fraction of bespoke cost.
- Get three detailed quotes: Kitchen quotes vary enormously. Always compare scope — ensure each quote covers the same units, worktops, appliances and trades work.
- Haggle at the end of the month: Kitchen showrooms (Magnet, Wren, Howdens) often have monthly sales targets. Visiting at month-end and being ready to commit can get you 20–30 per cent off the headline price.
9) Smart kitchen gadgets worth considering
Once your new kitchen is fitted, smart technology can add real daily value. The items below are available on Amazon UK and work well alongside a modern kitchen installation.
- Smart kitchen display screens — voice-controlled hub for recipes, timers and grocery lists. Amazon Echo Show models sit neatly on a kitchen worktop.
- Smart under-cabinet LED lighting — Philips Hue and LIFX make dimmable, colour-adjustable strips that transform under-unit kitchen lighting and can be automated with sunrise/sunset routines.
- Smart plugs for kitchen appliances — put kettles, toasters or coffee machines on a schedule. Works with Alexa and Google Home. Useful for auto-shutdown if left on.
- Smart kitchen scales with recipe integration — scales that sync with recipe apps for precision cooking. Popular for baking and meal prep.
- Smart fridge and freezer thermometer sensors — alert you on your phone if your fridge or freezer temperature goes out of range. Useful peace of mind, especially with expensive food stocks.
10) Frequently asked questions
How much does a new kitchen cost in the UK in 2026?
A budget new kitchen (flat-pack units, laminate worktops, basic appliances, like-for-like layout) costs around £3,000 to £6,000 fully fitted. A mid-range kitchen with rigid units from Howdens or Wren, quartz worktops and Bosch appliances runs £8,000 to £15,000. A high-end bespoke kitchen with Neff or Miele appliances and granite or Dekton worktops costs £15,000 to £30,000 or more.
How long does a new kitchen installation take?
A simple like-for-like kitchen replacement with no layout changes typically takes 3 to 5 days for one fitter, plus separate visits from a plumber and electrician. Kitchens involving new plumbing routes, electrical circuits, plastering or layout changes take 1 to 3 weeks. If you are choosing a stone worktop (quartz or granite), add 1–2 weeks after unit installation for templating and fabrication.
Do I need a plumber and electrician for a new kitchen?
Yes in most cases. A plumber is needed to connect the sink (and dishwasher if you have one) and to run gas supply to a gas hob. A Gas Safe registered engineer is legally required for any gas connections. An electrician is required for new sockets, under-unit lighting, cooker circuits and any changes to the fuse board. Any new circuits must be certified under Part P of the Building Regulations.
What is the cheapest way to get a new kitchen?
The most cost-effective route is buying flat-pack units from IKEA, Wickes or B&Q, keeping the same layout to avoid plumbing and electrical changes, choosing laminate worktops and basic freestanding or semi-integrated appliances. Paying a local kitchen fitter day rate (rather than a package installer) to fit these units is typically cheaper than a showroom supply-and-fit deal.
How much do kitchen fitters charge per day in the UK?
Kitchen fitters typically charge £150 to £250 per day in 2026. London and the South East rates sit towards the higher end at £200 to £280 per day. A full kitchen installation from stripping out the old kitchen to completing the new one usually takes one fitter 3 to 5 days depending on complexity. Some fitters quote per kitchen rather than per day — compare both when gathering quotes.
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