Estimated Total Kitchen Renovation Cost (incl. VAT)
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Estimated project timeline: -
Kitchen Renovation Costs UK 2025: Budget, Mid-Range & Premium
A kitchen renovation is one of the most significant investments you can make in your home — and one of the most impactful for daily quality of life. Costs vary enormously based on kitchen size, the quality of units and worktops, whether plumbing or electrics need moving, and your location.
Budget Renovation
£5,000 – £10,000
IKEA / Howdens flat-pack units, laminate worktops, standard appliances, keeping existing layout. DIY-friendly — supply only from major retailers.
Mid-Range Renovation
£12,000 – £22,000
Premium rigid units (Wren, Magnet, Howdens premium), granite or quartz worktops, integrated appliances, minor plumbing move, professional installation.
Premium / High-End
£25,000 – £60,000+
Custom or semi-bespoke cabinetry, dekton or quartz waterfall island, all integrated premium appliances, full structural remodel, professional project management.
Kitchen Renovation Cost Breakdown by Component
Understanding where the money goes helps you make informed decisions about where to spend and where to save.
Units and Cabinetry (30-40% of total budget)
Cabinets are the biggest single cost in a kitchen renovation. The main options in the UK market:
IKEA: £1,500 – £4,000 for a full kitchen. Excellent value, modular, good quality for the price. Sales events (January, July) offer up to 20% off.
Howdens: Trade-only. Access through an installer. Good rigid-build quality, vast range. Mid-range pricing.
Wren Kitchens: £3,000 – £10,000 for units. Showroom experience, integrated quotes available. Competitive on price.
Magnet: Similar to Wren pricing. Good quality, frequent sales.
John Lewis / Neptune / deVOL: £8,000 – £30,000+ for semi-bespoke and bespoke units. Premium quality and design.
Fully bespoke: £15,000 – £50,000+ for cabinetry alone. Handmade to exact specifications.
Worktops (10-20% of total budget)
Material
Cost (approx.)
Durability
Laminate
£200 – £500
Good – susceptible to heat/moisture at edges
Solid Wood (Oak, Walnut)
£600 – £1,500
Excellent if oiled regularly
Granite
£1,000 – £2,500
Excellent – natural, heat-resistant
Quartz (engineered)
£1,500 – £4,000
Excellent – non-porous, very hard-wearing
Dekton / Sintered Stone
£2,500 – £6,000+
Outstanding – UV, heat and scratch resistant
Corian / Solid Surface
£1,500 – £3,500
Good – seamless joins, repairable
Appliances (15-25% of total budget)
A typical integrated appliance set for a mid-range kitchen:
Extractor / cooker hood: £200 – £1,500 (ceiling island £800+)
Integrated washing machine: £400 – £800 (if in kitchen)
Installation Labour (20-30% of total budget)
A kitchen fitter typically charges £150 – £280 per day. A full kitchen installation takes 3-7 days depending on size and complexity. Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas hob connections.
Moving Plumbing and Electrics
Keeping your existing kitchen layout is always the cheapest option. Moving the sink, hob, or oven location adds significant cost:
Moving sink within 1m: £500 – £1,000 (plumber)
Moving sink across the room: £1,000 – £2,000 (may require cutting floors)
New electrical circuits (oven, dishwasher): £300 – £600 per circuit
Underfloor heating: £800 – £2,500 depending on floor area
New consumer unit / fuseboard upgrade: £600 – £1,500
Tip: If you are considering a major layout change, consult an electrician and plumber at the design stage, before units are ordered. Discovering a drain location issue after ordering £8,000 of kitchens is an expensive lesson.
Does a New Kitchen Add Value?
A good kitchen renovation adds approximately 3-5% to property value. On a £400,000 home this is £12,000 – £20,000. However, the financial return is only one consideration — the daily quality-of-life improvement of a well-designed kitchen is equally significant.
Key points on ROI:
A dated kitchen is one of the most common reasons buyers discount a property — so replacing it removes a negative rather than just adding a positive
Mid-range kitchens (£15,000-£22,000) typically offer the best ROI — premium kitchens (£50,000+) rarely add proportionate value
A kitchen-diner with bi-fold or sliding doors to the garden is one of the most desirable features for family buyers
Budget around 5-7% of your home's value for a kitchen that will appeal to the widest range of buyers
Project Timeline
Budget kitchen (no structural changes): 1-2 weeks
Mid-range (minor plumbing moves): 2-3 weeks
Premium full remodel: 4-8 weeks
Allow 4-12 weeks lead time for kitchen delivery once ordered
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in the UK in 2026?
Kitchen renovation costs range from £5,000-£10,000 for a budget replacement with standard units to £25,000-£60,000+ for a high-end renovation with custom units, quartz worktops and premium appliances. A mid-range renovation typically costs £12,000-£22,000 all-in including installation, appliances and VAT. London costs are typically 25-40% higher than the national average.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
A typical kitchen renovation takes 2-4 weeks from start to finish. This includes: 1-2 days to remove the old kitchen, 2-3 days for any structural work (if moving plumbing/electrics), 3-5 days to install new units and worktops, and 1-2 days for final plumbing, electrical connections, tiling and decorating. Allow 4-12 weeks lead time for kitchen delivery after ordering — popular kitchens can take longer.
Is it worth getting an expensive kitchen?
A good kitchen renovation adds 3-5% to property value. On a £400,000 home, that is £12,000-£20,000 added value. The ROI is better on mid-range renovations than on ultra-high-end kitchens — buyers rarely pay proportionally more for a £60,000 kitchen than a £25,000 one. Budget around 5-7% of your home's value for a renovation that will appeal to buyers. Consider quality of daily life alongside financial return.
Should I use IKEA, Howdens, Wren or a bespoke kitchen company?
IKEA and Howdens offer the best value for money — IKEA especially when units are on sale (up to 20% off regularly). Howdens is trade-only but you can access through an installer. Wren and Magnet offer showroom experiences with integrated installation quotes. For premium quality without full bespoke prices, consider John Lewis, Neptune or deVOL. Fully bespoke companies offer superior quality and customisation at 3-5x flat-pack costs.
What are the most expensive parts of a kitchen renovation?
Units and cabinetry typically represent 30-40% of the total cost. Worktops are 10-20% (laminate from £200, solid wood £800+, granite/quartz £1,500-£4,000+). Appliances are 15-25%. Labour and installation is 20-30%. Moving plumbing or electrics adds £500-£3,500 to the total. Structural work (removing a wall to create a kitchen-diner) can add £3,000-£10,000.
Do I need planning permission for a kitchen renovation?
No — a kitchen renovation within the existing footprint does not require planning permission. If you are moving a gas appliance, a Gas Safe registered engineer must do the work. All electrical work (new circuits, consumer unit changes) must comply with Part P building regulations and may need to be notified to building control. Listed buildings and conservation area properties may have restrictions on visible external changes.
How do I find a good kitchen installer?
Always get at least 3 quotes for kitchen installation. Check that the installer is Gas Safe registered (if moving a gas hob/oven) and that electrical work will be done by a Part P registered electrician. Ask for references from recent kitchen installations. Read reviews on Checkatrade, Rated People or Trustpilot. Avoid paying more than 30% upfront. Get a written contract specifying the scope of work, timeline and payment schedule.