Costs · Updated July 2026

Average Cost of a Kitchen Refit Per m² in 2026 (UK)

A full UK kitchen refit in 2026 typically works out at £1,000–£4,500 per m², or around £8,000–£45,000 for a complete job depending on kitchen size and spec. Budget refits land near £1,000/m², mid-range around £2,000/m², and high-end designs push past £3,500/m². The biggest cost drivers are units and worktops, appliances, and whether you move plumbing or electrics.

3 specs priced per m² Regional pricing Updated July 2026
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Quick Answer

How much is a kitchen refit per m² in 2026?

Typical 2026 UK kitchen refit costs per m²:

  • Budget / flat-pack refit — £900–£1,300 per m²
  • Mid-range rigid units — £1,600–£2,600 per m²
  • High-end / bespoke — £3,000–£4,800 per m²
  • Whole-job total (typical 10–12 m² kitchen) — £12,000–£28,000

Most UK homeowners spend between £12,000 and £20,000 on a mid-range refit of an average-sized kitchen — roughly £1,800–£2,200 per m² once units, worktops, appliances, fitting and finishing trades are all counted.

Price Ladder

Kitchen Refit Cost by Spec (Per m² and Total)

Per-m² pricing is the fairest way to compare kitchens of different sizes. The three specs below assume a like-for-like layout with no structural changes. A typical UK kitchen is 10–12 m²; a galley may be 6–8 m² and a large open-plan kitchen 16–20 m².

Budget refit — flat-pack units, laminate worktop

Flat-pack or entry-level rigid units, laminate worktops, standard integrated appliances and vinyl or laminate flooring. Ideal for rentals, first homes or a quick refresh where the layout stays the same.

Per m²
£900–£1,300
Typical breakdown (10 m²): units £2,500 · laminate worktop £600 · appliances £1,800 · fitting £2,500 · tiling & flooring £1,200 · Total ≈ £9,000–£12,000

Mid-range refit — rigid units, quartz or solid worktop

Pre-assembled rigid units, a quartz or solid-surface worktop, mid-tier branded appliances, an induction hob and some new plumbing or electrics. The most popular choice for family homes.

Per m²
£1,600–£2,600
Typical breakdown (11 m²): units £6,500 · quartz worktop £3,000 · appliances £3,500 · fitting £4,500 · electrics/plumbing £1,500 · tiling & flooring £2,000 · Total ≈ £18,000–£24,000

High-end / bespoke refit — handmade units, natural stone

Bespoke or in-frame cabinetry, natural stone or premium composite worktops, high-end appliances (e.g. Miele, Neff, Bora), a kitchen island and often layout changes or a knock-through. Design and project management add cost.

Per m²
£3,000–£4,800
Typical breakdown (14 m²): bespoke units £18,000 · stone worktop £6,000 · premium appliances £9,000 · fitting £8,000 · electrics/plumbing/plastering £4,000 · flooring £3,000 · Total ≈ £45,000–£60,000
Cost Drivers

What Actually Drives Your Per-m² Cost

Two kitchens of the same size can differ by £15,000 or more. These are the factors that move the needle most.

1. Units & carcasses

Flat-pack vs rigid vs handmade is the single biggest variable — often 30–40% of the bill. Bespoke in-frame cabinetry can cost 3–4× the flat-pack equivalent.

2. Worktop material

Laminate runs £40–£80/m; quartz £250–£450/m²; granite £300–£500/m²; and marble or porcelain slabs more again. Worktops alone can swing £3,000+.

3. Appliances

A budget appliance pack is £1,500–£2,000; premium ovens, induction hobs, boiling taps and integrated fridge-freezers push £8,000–£12,000.

4. Moving services

Relocating the sink, hob or waste adds £800–£2,500 for plumbing, gas and electrical first-fix. Keeping the layout keeps costs down.

5. Structural changes

A knock-through, RSJ or removing a wall to go open-plan adds £2,500–£6,000+ plus building control fees — a common hidden cost.

6. Finishing trades & region

Plastering, tiling, flooring, decorating and waste removal add up. Labour rates in London and the South East run 20–40% above the UK average.

Regional Pricing

Kitchen Refit Cost by UK Region

Figures below are for a typical mid-range 11 m² kitchen refit, fully fitted, including units, worktop, appliances and trades.

RegionTypical costvs UK avg
London£22,000–£30,000+32%
South East£19,000–£26,000+15%
South West£17,000–£23,000+2%
Midlands£16,000–£21,000−5%
North West£15,500–£20,500−7%
Yorkshire & Humber£15,000–£20,000−9%
North East£14,500–£19,000−12%
Scotland£15,000–£20,500−8%
Worked Example

Real Project: 11 m² mid-range kitchen, Bristol

A 1930s semi where the owners kept the existing layout, chose rigid shaker units and a 20mm quartz worktop, and upgraded to induction cooking.

Brief
11 m² refit, same layout, rigid shaker units, quartz worktop, mid-tier appliances, new spot lighting and porcelain floor tiles.
Final cost
£21,450
≈ £1,950/m² inc. VAT
Rigid shaker units & handles£6,800
Quartz worktop & upstand£3,100
Appliances (oven, induction hob, dishwasher, fridge-freezer)£3,400
Fitting labour (10 days)£4,500
Electrics, plumbing & lighting£1,650
Tiling, flooring & decorating£2,000
Total£21,450
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Frequently Asked

Common Questions

Expect roughly £900–£1,300 per m² for a budget flat-pack refit, £1,600–£2,600 per m² for mid-range rigid units, and £3,000–£4,800 per m² for a bespoke high-end kitchen. Most homeowners land around £1,800–£2,200 per m² for a mid-range job once trades are included.
For a typical 10–12 m² kitchen, a full refit usually costs £12,000–£28,000. Budget refits can be done from around £9,000, while high-end or open-plan projects with structural work often exceed £45,000.
Units and worktops are usually the largest single cost, often 40–50% of the total. Appliances and fitting labour are the next biggest. Moving the sink or hob, or opening up the room, adds significant extra cost.
Yes. Keeping the sink, hob and appliances in their existing positions avoids re-routing plumbing, gas and electrics, which can save £800–£2,500. A like-for-like swap is always the cheapest refit.
A straightforward like-for-like refit typically takes 1–2 weeks. Add structural work, plastering or bespoke units and it can run to 3–5 weeks. Getting quotes early helps you book a slot with a reliable fitter.
A cosmetic refit doesn't usually need building regs, but new electrical circuits, moving gas, structural changes and some drainage work do. Your fitter or a registered electrician should notify the relevant work and provide certificates.
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Reviewed by the BestBuilders editorial team on 23 July 2026 · Next scheduled review: October 2026 · See our editorial standards.
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