How do I compare fitted kitchen quotes fairly?

The trick is making every fitter price the same job. Kitchen quotes vary partly because firms include different things — one covers strip-out, plumbing, electrics and flooring, another quotes cabinetry and fitting only. So write a one-page spec first: layout (same positions or a reconfiguration), number of units, worktop material, appliances and who supplies them, flooring, and who handles the gas and electrical work — then give the identical spec to all three fitters.

Now compare line by line. A good quote itemises the scope rather than giving one lump sum, states VAT treatment in writing, lists exclusions, and ties stage payments to milestones rather than dates. Watch the specification detail: worktops alone can swing a quote by £1,000–£4,000+ over a typical 5m run depending on material, so “quartz” versus “laminate” matters more than the headline number. As a sanity check, fitting labour in 2026 typically runs £400–£600 per linear metre for a budget kitchen, £700–£1,200 mid-range, and £1,500–£3,000+ for bespoke — a typical semi has 6–10 linear metres of cabinets.

Two things protect you once you've chosen. Keep the deposit modest and pay by card or bank transfer for a paper trail — a fitter shouldn't need thousands up front, as units are usually ordered on trade account and delivered near fit day. And check who owns the design: showroom quotes are often built around one brand's cabinets, so ask whether the price still stands if you supply units yourself or switch range, and whether appliances are trade-supplied (often cheaper, but confirm the warranty is registered in your name).

Our guide on how to read a builder's quote covers the red flags, the kitchen renovation cost guide benchmarks prices, and you can get three like-for-like kitchen quotes briefed on the same scope.