In 2026, most kitchens in the UK land somewhere between £6,000 and £25,000. That is a wide bracket, and where you sit within it comes down mainly to two things: how big the room is, and what finish you choose. With material prices and labour rates adjusting over the past few years, understanding current market costs before requesting quotes is more important than ever.
This guide breaks both down properly, plus what fitters actually charge in 2026, so you walk into a quote conversation already knowing the real numbers.
If you are comparing retailer pricing with a more tailored approach, it also helps to understand the difference between a bespoke kitchen and a ready-made option before setting your budget.
The Quick Answer: New Kitchen Cost by Size
Size moves the budget more than almost anything else. More floor space means more units, more worktop, and more days on site for whoever is fitting it.
| Kitchen size | Price range | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 8m²) | £6,000–£12,000 | 3–7 days |
| Medium (8–15m²) | £10,000–£20,000 | 7–12 days |
| Large (15m²+) | £18,000–£35,000+ | 12–20 days |
Small kitchens (under 8m²)
Think galley layouts or compact city flats. Fewer units, less worktop, lower cost. £6,000–£12,000 covers most of these jobs. If space is tight, these small kitchen design ideas show how layout tweaks can make a big difference without increasing spend.
Medium kitchens (8–15m²)
This is where most UK households actually fall. An L-shape or U-shape with room for a breakfast bar usually costs £10,000–£20,000.
Large kitchens (15m²+)
Open-plan and extended kitchens push past 15m² fast, and an island adds units, worktop, and plumbing all at once. Expect £18,000 upwards, often well upwards. Many larger projects lean toward fully designer kitchens to maximise layout, finish, and long-term value.
How Kitchen Finish Affects the Total Price
Size sets the scale. Finish decides where you actually land inside it. A budget and a luxury kitchen can be the exact same square metres and ten thousand pounds apart.
The gap comes down to what the cabinets are made from, what the worktop is, and how the doors are finished and hinged. If you’re unsure about surface choices, this guide to choosing the best kitchen worktop explains how materials affect both cost and durability.
Budget kitchens (£2,000–£5,000)
Laminate worktops, melamine-faced units, often supply-only with the fitter sourced separately. It does the job. It will not last twenty years.
Mid-range kitchens (£5,000–£15,000)
Quartz or solid wood worktops become realistic here, along with soft-close hinges and proper integrated appliances. This is where most supply-and-fit quotes from mainstream retailers sit.
Luxury kitchens (£15,000+)
Bespoke cabinetry built to the room’s exact dimensions, premium stone, high-end integrated appliances. Top-end projects clear £40,000 once the detailing goes in. You can explore examples of fully tailored projects in our kitchen portfolio to see how finishes influence final investment.
Kitchen Installation and Labour Costs UK
Quotes get vague here on purpose, sometimes. “Fitting included” can mean one trade or three, and it is worth knowing which.
| Trade | Day rate | Typical days needed |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen fitter | £180–£300 | 3–10 days |
| Plumber | £200–£350 | 0.5–1 day |
| Electrician | £250–£400 | 1–2 days |
What a kitchen fitter charges per day
A fitter in the UK runs £180–£300 a day, more in London. A like-for-like swap might only need three days. Reconfigure the layout and you are looking at ten-plus fitting days spread over a two to three week project.
If you are planning a full renovation rather than a straight replacement, this detailed kitchen remodelling guide explains how timelines and trades typically stack up.
Hidden costs not included in most quotes
Move the sink and you need a plumber. Add a circuit for the oven and you need an electrician. Pull up the old flooring and find the subfloor is uneven, and that is another day nobody quoted for. Layout changes are where budgets actually go wrong.
Understanding the hidden costs of a bespoke kitchen can prevent surprises once work begins.
Signs Your Kitchen Quote Is Too High (Or Too Low)
A few gaps in a quote tend to give the game away, whatever direction the price is wrong in.
- No breakdown between supply cost and labour cost.
- No mention of plumbing or electrical work anywhere in the document.
- The total sits well below what similar projects typically cost.
No breakdown of supply vs labour costs
One lump sum tells you nothing. You cannot compare it against another quote or work out where the money is actually going.
No mention of plumbing or electrical work
Almost no kitchen avoids both entirely. If neither appears, the quote is either incomplete or quietly assuming you will sort it yourself.
Price is well below UK average
Cheap usually means something is missing: trade qualifications, material quality, or the aftercare that comes with a proper job. Choosing an experienced team that clearly explains their kitchen design and installation process reduces that risk considerably.
Not Sure What Your New Kitchen Will Cost? Get a Free Quote
Every home is different. Room size, structure, finish, and layout all matter. At Kandi Kitchens, we provide itemised quotes built around your actual space, not a national average.
Get a free quote and speak to a designer about your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a new kitchen cost in the UK?
Most projects fall between £6,000 and £25,000. Small budget kitchens sit at the bottom, large bespoke ones well above the top, and everything else depends on how much plumbing and electrical work the layout demands.
What is the cheapest way to get a new kitchen?
Keep the layout exactly as it is. That alone avoids most plumbing and electrical costs, since nothing needs moving. Pair that with flat-pack units and laminate worktops and the spend drops considerably.
How long does a kitchen installation take?
A simple swap, three to seven days. Anything involving a layout change, new plumbing runs, or structural work stretches to two or three weeks once every trade has had their turn.
What is included in a kitchen installation quote?
A proper one separates units, worktops, and appliances from labour, and names every trade involved, fitter, plumber, electrician, whichever apply. If a quote does not specify this, ask before signing anything.
Do I need planning permission for a new kitchen?
Usually not. Swapping units and appliances within the existing footprint counts as permitted development. Knock through a load-bearing wall or extend the room, and that changes, so check with your local authority first.
Does a new kitchen add value to my home?
It can, particularly when the layout genuinely improves rather than just looking nicer. Spend far beyond what comparable local properties would support, though, and the return starts shrinking fast.
Is it cheaper to buy a flat-pack kitchen or get one fitted?
Upfront, flat-pack wins easily, since you are cutting out labour entirely. Factor in mistakes during a DIY fit, particularly around plumbing and electrics, and that gap closes more than people expect.
How do I find a reliable kitchen fitter near me?
Check for verified reviews, proof of public liability insurance, and recent jobs of a similar size to yours. Ask for an itemised quote. A fitter who is upfront about a realistic timeline, rather than promising an unusually fast one, is generally the safer bet.