Kitchen Renovation Cost UK – 2026 Price Guide
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in the UK in 2026? This guide uses live pricing data across 519 UK towns to give you realistic figures for budget, mid-range and bespoke kitchens — with worked examples, cost factors and a free quote tool.
Do you need planning permission for this?
Most kitchen renovations don't need planning permission — internal works are usually exempt. But knock-throughs to load-bearing walls, listed buildings, and conservation areas have stricter rules. Quick check before you commit.
Read the kitchen renovation planning rules →Kitchen Renovation Cost at a Glance
Real cost ranges from BestBuilders data across 519 UK towns. The biggest variable is your specification — a budget kitchen and a bespoke kitchen can occupy the same room for a tenfold difference in cost.
Flat-pack or semi-custom units, laminate worktops, basic appliances and new flooring. Full strip-out, plumbing, electrics and fitting included.
Get quotes →Rigid-built cabinets, quartz or solid wood worktops, integrated appliances and quality flooring. The most popular spec for UK homeowners.
Get quotes →Fully bespoke cabinetry, premium stone worktops, high-end appliance brands and specialist finishes. Often includes structural work or underfloor heating.
Get quotes →The only accurate price for your kitchen comes from a fitter who has measured your space and seen your specification.
Get free quotes →Kitchen Cost Per Linear Metre (UK 2026)
| Specification | Labour per linear metre | Typical total (10 lin. m) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | £400 – £600 | £4,000 – £10,000 | Flat-pack, same layout, small kitchens |
| Mid-range | £700 – £1,200 | £10,000 – £25,000 | Rigid units, quality worktops, most homes |
| Premium / bespoke | £1,500 – £3,000+ | £20,000 – £50,000+ | Bespoke cabinetry, stone worktops, large kitchens |
Labour costs only — units, worktops and appliances are additional. Linear metrage = total run of cabinets along all walls. A typical semi-detached kitchen has 6–10 linear metres.
Kitchen Renovation Cost by Type (2026)
Budget Kitchen Renovation
A budget kitchen renovation typically uses flat-pack or semi-custom units from retailers like IKEA or B&Q, paired with laminate or solid-surface worktops. The focus is maximising functionality and fresh appearance without premium materials. Works well for rental properties, starter homes and kitchens where the layout stays the same.
Mid-Range Kitchen Renovation
The most popular specification for UK homeowners — rigid-built cabinets from suppliers like Howdens, Magnet or Wren, paired with quartz or solid wood worktops and integrated appliances. Rigid units have better build quality, door hardware and longevity than flat-pack. Suitable for most family kitchens and delivers a genuinely high-quality finish.
Premium / Bespoke Kitchen
Fully bespoke cabinetry made to measure, premium stone worktops (granite, quartz or marble), high-end appliance brands (Miele, Siemens, Wolf) and specialist finishes. Often includes structural changes — removing a wall, adding a kitchen island or underfloor heating. Projects at this level typically involve an interior designer or kitchen designer alongside the fitter.
Supply-Only Fitting (Customer-Supplied Kitchen)
If you've already purchased your kitchen from a showroom, online retailer or directly from a manufacturer, you can hire a fitter separately. This is a popular approach — it avoids the fitter's markup on units and lets you control the specification precisely. Fitters experienced with specific brands (IKEA, Howdens, bespoke ranges) are matched through BestBuilders based on your kitchen type.
Worked Cost Examples (2026)
Full project budgets separating units, worktops, fitting and additional works — not a single blended figure.
Example 1: Mid-Range Kitchen, 8 Linear Metres
Same layout, no structural changes. London/SE add 20–30%.
Example 2: Premium Kitchen with Layout Change, 12 Linear Metres
Premium finish, full reconfiguration. London/SE add 20–30%.
What Affects Kitchen Renovation Cost?
Kitchen quotes can vary enormously for the same room. Here are the six factors that move the budget most significantly.
📐 Kitchen size
More cabinets, more worktop, more time. A galley kitchen under 6 linear metres costs significantly less than a large L-shaped or U-shaped layout. Measure your total linear metrage before requesting quotes so fitters are pricing the same scope.
🏭 Kitchen supplier
The range is enormous — flat-pack (IKEA, B&Q) to rigid mid-range (Howdens, Magnet) to bespoke (Roundhouse, deVOL). Unit cost varies 10x+ across this spectrum. Labour costs vary less dramatically — experienced fitters charge similar rates regardless of which brand they're fitting.
🪨 Worktop material
Laminate: £100–£200/m² installed. Solid wood: £200–£400/m². Quartz: £300–£600/m². Natural stone (granite, marble): £400–£800+/m². For a 5m run of worktops, this difference alone is £1,000–£4,000+. Worktop choice is one of the highest-impact budget decisions.
⚡ Services complexity
Moving the sink, adding circuits or relocating a boiler significantly increases cost. Like-for-like (same positions, same layout) is the most cost-effective approach. Full layout reconfiguration requiring new soil pipe routes and rewiring adds £1,500–£5,000 to the project.
🪟 Structural changes
Wall removal (to create an open-plan kitchen-diner) requires a structural engineer and steel beam installation — typically £3,000–£8,000 on top of the kitchen itself. Many homeowners combine this with the kitchen renovation as a single project to minimise disruption.
📍 Location
London and South East labour rates run 20–30% above national averages. Access constraints — no parking, upper-floor kitchens, tight stairways — also add time and cost. Use our town cost guides or enter your postcode above for local ranges.
Kitchen Renovation Cost by Region (2026)
| Region | Relative cost | Budget kitchen | Mid-range kitchen |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | Highest | £6,000 – £18,000 | £12,000 – £38,000 |
| South East & Home Counties | High | £5,000 – £16,000 | £10,000 – £32,000 |
| South West & Midlands | Medium | £4,500 – £14,000 | £8,000 – £27,000 |
| North of England | Medium-low | £4,000 – £13,000 | £7,000 – £24,000 |
| Scotland, Wales & NI | Medium-low | £4,000 – £12,000 | £7,000 – £23,000 |
Ranges include fitting labour, basic plumbing and electrics (like-for-like). Units, worktops and appliances are additional. Structural changes, layout reconfigurations and premium finishes are on top.
How to Control Your Kitchen Budget
Kitchen renovations have more cost variables than almost any other home improvement. These five choices make the biggest difference between a project that runs over and one that delivers great value.
Every moved socket, pipe or drain adds cost. A like-for-like layout with the same positions is far cheaper to fit than a full reconfiguration.
Ask for labour-only quotes if you're supplying your own kitchen — you can then control the unit cost separately and avoid the fitter's markup.
Rigid units are more expensive to buy but have significantly better hardware (hinges, runners) and structural integrity. In a kitchen used daily, this matters.
Many kitchen manufacturers have 6–14 week lead times. Confirm your order before committing a fitter start date to avoid costly delays.
Fitting quotes can vary by 30%+ for the same kitchen. BestBuilders provides up to 3 matched quotes — free, within 24 hours.
Full Kitchen Budget Checklist
Get Accurate Quotes for Your Kitchen
Online guides give you a benchmark — accurate pricing requires a fitter who has measured your kitchen, seen your chosen units and understood your specification. BestBuilders matches you with up to 3 vetted local kitchen fitters for free.
Kitchen Renovation Cost FAQs
Kitchen Renovation Costs by Town
Each town page shows local kitchen fitters, town-specific cost ranges, recent project examples and nearby areas. Compare 3 free quotes from vetted local specialists.