How Much Does a Kitchen Renovation Cost in 2026? – UK Price Guide
A full kitchen renovation in the UK costs between £8,000 and £45,000+ in 2026, depending on size, spec and whether structural work is involved. This guide uses BestBuilders’ 2026 regional cost model across 519 UK towns to show realistic 2026 pricing — so you can plan a budget, compare options, and avoid common cost overruns.
Planning the work? Check what it usually costs, or work out your own estimate. The free quote form is at the top of this page.
Kitchen Renovation Cost at a Glance
Three realistic 2026 price tiers based on actual UK quotes. Cabinet quality, worktop choice and appliance spec drive 70% of the variance — labour the rest.
Flat-pack or trade units, laminate worktop, mid-range integrated appliances, basic tiling. 2-3 weeks on-site.
Get quotes →Rigid-built units, quartz or solid-surface worktop, branded appliances, induction hob, splashback, LVT or porcelain floor. 3-5 weeks.
Get quotes →In-frame or bespoke joinery, marble or Dekton tops, Wolf/Sub-Zero/Miele appliances, wine fridge, boiling tap, full design service.
Get quotes →A kitchen fitter will measure, design and price based on your actual kitchen.
Get free quotes →Kitchen Renovation Cost by Component (UK 2026)
| Element | Budget | Mid-range | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinets (10-12 units) | £1,800 – £3,500 | £4,000 – £8,500 | £10,000 – £22,000 |
| Worktop (6-8m run) | £400 – £900 (laminate) | £1,500 – £3,200 (quartz) | £3,500 – £6,500 (Dekton/marble) |
| Appliances | £1,200 – £2,500 | £2,800 – £5,500 | £6,000 – £14,000 |
| Sink & tap | £200 – £450 | £500 – £1,200 | £1,400 – £3,000 (boiling tap) |
| Flooring (12-16m²) | £500 – £900 (LVT) | £1,200 – £2,400 (porcelain) | £2,800 – £5,500 (engineered/stone) |
| Tiling/splashback | £300 – £600 | £700 – £1,400 | £1,500 – £3,500 |
| Fitting labour | £1,800 – £3,200 | £3,500 – £6,000 | £6,500 – £12,000 |
| Plumbing/electrics | £800 – £1,500 | £1,500 – £2,800 | £2,800 – £5,500 |
| Plastering & painting | £600 – £1,100 | £1,100 – £1,900 | £1,900 – £3,500 |
Figures include materials, labour and 20% VAT. Removing walls or extending the footprint adds £8,000–£25,000 (Building Regs sign-off via Part A).
What Pushes a Kitchen Renovation Up (or Down)
Pushes cost UP
- Bespoke cabinetry — in-frame, painted hardwood, Blum soft-close hardware
- Stone worktops — quartz/Dekton/marble vs laminate (3-5x premium)
- Premium appliances — Wolf, Sub-Zero, Miele, integrated coffee, wine fridge
- Layout changes — moving sink, hob or services adds £1,500-£4,000
- Structural work — knock-through, RSJ, kitchen extension
- London / South East labour rates — +20-30% vs national average
Pulls cost DOWN
- Keeping the same layout — services stay in place
- Trade-only suppliers — Howdens/Magnet/DIY Kitchens vs retail
- Laminate worktops in stone-look finish — saves £1,500-£3,000
- Mid-range appliances from a single brand — Bosch, Neff, Smeg packages
- Painting existing units — £400-£900 vs £4,000+ replacement
- Sourcing the kitchen yourself, paying a fitter separately
How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation Take?
Allow 8-14 weeks end-to-end including design and lead times. Actual on-site work is 2-5 weeks for most renovations; longer if structural work is involved.
- Weeks 1-3 — Design & quotes. Site visit, plans, 2-3 quotes, choose fitter.
- Weeks 4-7 — Order & lead time. Cabinet manufacture (3-6 weeks), worktop template after install.
- Week 8 — Strip-out. Old kitchen removed, services capped, walls prepped.
- Weeks 9-10 — First fix. Plumbing, electrics, plastering, flooring base.
- Weeks 11-12 — Cabinet install. Carcasses, doors, drawers, plinths, integrated appliances.
- Week 13 — Worktops & tiling. Templated and fitted; splashback installed.
- Week 14 — Snagging & sign-off. Final electrics, decoration, defects fixed.
Get 3 Free Kitchen Renovation Quotes
Online price ranges are useful — but a real quote from a kitchen fitter who has measured your kitchen is the only way to plan a budget that holds. BestBuilders matches you with up to 3 vetted local kitchen fitters in under 24 hours.
Common Questions About Kitchen Renovation Cost
An average mid-range UK kitchen renovation costs £15,000–£28,000 in 2026 for a 3.5×4m kitchen with rigid cabinets, quartz worktop, branded appliances and full installation. Budget refits start around £8,000; high-end bespoke kitchens run £28,000–£45,000+.
Replacing doors and worktops only — keeping the carcasses — costs £3,000–£6,000 vs £15,000+ for a full replacement. If carcasses are sound and the layout works, refacing saves 60-70%. Replacement is better value if units are damaged or you want to change layout.
Budget £1,200–£2,500 for entry-level appliance bundles (Bosch Serie 2, Beko), £2,800–£5,500 for mid-range (Bosch Serie 6, Neff, Siemens) and £6,000–£14,000+ for premium (Miele, Wolf, Sub-Zero). Boiling taps add £900–£2,000.
No planning permission is needed for a like-for-like kitchen renovation. Building Regs apply if you move drainage, fit new electrical circuits (Part P) or remove load-bearing walls (Part A). A Competent Person Scheme electrician self-certifies Part P. Removing walls needs structural sign-off.
Howdens (trade only, via your fitter) and DIY Kitchens (direct online) are the cheapest sources for rigid units in 2026. Wickes and Magnet sit mid-range. IKEA is cheapest flat-pack but the carcass is thinner and door range narrower.
On-site installation runs 2–5 weeks for most kitchens (3-4 weeks typical) plus 8-12 weeks of design and lead time. A simple swap-out can be done in 10-14 working days. Add 2-3 weeks for layout changes or structural alterations.
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