How Much to Fit a Kitchen — Labour Only (2026 UK)
Buying your own units and hiring a fitter for the install is the cheapest way to get a new kitchen. In 2026, labour-only kitchen fitting costs £1,000–£5,000 depending on size — a typical medium kitchen is £1,800–£3,000 in labour, on top of the cabinets, worktops and appliances you supply. This guide breaks down day rates, a full cost table, the fitting process and how to avoid the common traps.
What Labour-Only Kitchen Fitting Costs in 2026
Labour-only means you supply the kitchen — units, worktops, sink, tap and appliances — and pay a fitter purely for the installation. A solo kitchen fitter charges roughly £180–£280 a day, and most kitchens take 3–5 working days, so the labour on an average kitchen lands around £1,800–£3,000. Small galley kitchens can come in under £1,500; large or bespoke kitchens with stone worktops run to £5,000 or more once the specialist trades are added.
What is included
Fitting base and wall units, hanging doors, cutting and fitting worktops, fitting the sink and tap, plinths, cornice and trims, and usually a basic like-for-like appliance connection.
What is usually extra
New electrical circuits, moving plumbing or waste, gas hob connection, tiling, plastering and flooring. These often need a separate electrician, plumber or Gas Safe engineer.
Day rate vs fixed price
A fixed price for the whole fit gives the most certainty. If you agree a day rate, always pin down an estimated number of days in writing so the cost cannot quietly drift.
Where the savings are
Supplying your own units and using a labour-only fitter typically beats a supply-and-fit package — but only if your measurements and design are right. One wrong worktop wipes out the saving.
Labour-only kitchen costs at a glance — 2026
Source: BestBuilders 2026 quote data · 519 UK towns. Labour only — excludes units, worktops and appliances.
Full 2026 labour rate card
| Item | Typical labour cost (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small kitchen fit (5–8 units), labour only | £1,000–£1,800 | Roughly 2–3 days |
| Medium kitchen fit (8–12 units), labour only | £1,800–£3,000 | Roughly 3–5 days |
| Large / bespoke kitchen (12–20 units) | £3,000–£5,000 | Roughly 5–8 days |
| Solo kitchen fitter day rate | £180–£280 per day | Varies by region |
| Two-fitter team day rate | £300–£450 per day | Faster on larger jobs |
| Laminate worktop fitting | £150–£300 | Templated and cut on site |
| Stone / quartz worktop fitting | £300–£600 | Usually a specialist templater |
| Integrated appliance install | £40–£80 each | Oven, hob, dishwasher, fridge |
| Sink & tap plumbing connection | £200–£400 | Add £150+ if moving the waste |
| Extra sockets / spurs (electrician) | £250–£500 | Part P notifiable work |
| Tiled splashback | £150–£400 | Depends on area and tile |
| Remove & dispose of old kitchen | £200–£500 | Including skip hire |
Regional price differences
Kitchen fitters charge more where wages and demand are highest. Use these bands to adjust the day rates above for your area.
| Region | Against UK average |
|---|---|
| London | +20–30% |
| South East & Southern | +10–20% |
| Midlands & Eastern | Around the average |
| North West, Yorkshire & North East | −5–15% |
| Wales & Scotland | −5–15% |
What changes the labour price
- Number of units — the biggest single driver. More cabinets means more levelling, fixing and door adjustment.
- Worktop material — laminate is cut on site; stone and quartz need a separate templating and fitting visit by a specialist.
- Moving services — relocating the sink, waste, gas or sockets adds plumber and electrician time and cost.
- Old kitchen removal — stripping out and disposing of the old units and worktops adds labour and skip hire.
- Access and condition — uneven walls and floors, upstairs flats and tight galley spaces all slow the fit down.
How a labour-only kitchen fit runs, step by step
- Strip-out & first fix (day 1). Remove the old kitchen, then rough-in any plumbing and electrical changes before the new units go up.
- Carcass installation (day 1–2). Base and wall units are levelled, joined and fixed to the wall — the part that makes or breaks the finish.
- Worktops (day 2–4). Laminate is templated and fitted straight away; stone or quartz is templated now and fitted on a later visit.
- Appliances & plumbing (day 3–5). The sink, tap, hob, oven and dishwasher are connected. Gas work is done by a Gas Safe engineer.
- Doors, handles & finishing (day 4–6). Doors are hung and aligned, plinths, cornice and end panels fitted.
- Tiling & snagging (final day). Splashback tiling, silicone sealing and a final walk-round to fix any snags.
Choosing a kitchen fitter: checklist
- Ask whether the price is truly labour-only and get a written list of what is excluded.
- Confirm who handles plumbing and electrics — new circuits need a Part P registered electrician.
- Any gas hob or oven connection must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Get an itemised quote, not a single lump sum, and check recent kitchen photos and references.
- Agree a stage payment schedule tied to progress — never a large deposit up front.
- Compare three quotes written to the same scope so you are comparing like for like.
Red flags
- A day rate quoted with no estimate of days — the cost can run away.
- No mention of Part P or Gas Safe for electrical or gas work.
- A large cash deposit demanded before any work starts.
- “We will sort the worktop later” with no template date.
- No written breakdown of what the labour-only price covers.
Common Questions
Related Guides
More on kitchen costs, fitters and planning.