How to Plan a Kitchen Refit Step-by-Step (2026 UK)
A new kitchen is one of the biggest jobs you’ll take on at home — and one of the easiest to get wrong without a clear plan. This guide walks you through the whole project in eight practical steps, from setting a realistic budget to snagging the finished room, so you know what to expect, where the costs hide and how to keep your fitters on track.
Planning a kitchen refit in a nutshell
- Budget £8,000–£20,000 for a typical UK fitted kitchen refit, with most mid-range projects landing at £12,000–£18,000.
- Decide early whether you’re keeping the existing layout or moving the sink, gas and electrics — relocating services is where costs climb fastest.
- Most work happens in a clear sequence: budget → layout → products → regs → quotes → contract → first fix → install & sign-off.
- Order long-lead items (units, worktops, appliances) 6–10 weeks ahead and expect 1–3 weeks of disruption on site.
- Get three fixed-price quotes on the same written spec and check Gas Safe, NICEIC and FMB credentials plus £2m public liability.
A well-planned refit is mostly about decisions made before anyone picks up a tool. Lock your budget, layout and product choices first, sort the regulations and permissions, then bring fitters in to price a fixed spec. The eight steps below take you through the whole journey in the order a good project actually runs.
The 8-step kitchen refit plan
1. Set your budget and scope
Start by deciding whether you want a straight refit or a full remodel, as that single choice drives everything else. A typical UK fitted kitchen refit runs £8,000–£20,000, with mid-range projects usually landing at £12,000–£18,000. Decide upfront whether you’ll keep the existing layout or move services such as the sink, gas and electrics — keeping things where they are is the single biggest way to control cost.
2. Plan the layout and services
Lock in your work triangle (sink, hob and fridge), the unit runs and exactly where each appliance will sit before you buy anything. Moving the sink, gas supply or soil pipe adds meaningful cost and time, so be realistic about whether a new layout is worth it. Flag every electrical and plumbing change early so your fitter can price first-fix work properly rather than discovering it mid-job.
3. Choose units, worktops and appliances
Decide between flat-pack, rigid (pre-assembled) and bespoke units, as build quality and price vary widely. Pick your worktop material — laminate is budget-friendly, quartz is durable and low-maintenance, and solid wood adds warmth but needs oiling. Order long-lead items 6–10 weeks ahead, because a delayed worktop or appliance can stall the whole install.
4. Check building regs and permissions
A like-for-like refit rarely needs planning permission, but several elements are notifiable. New electrical circuits must comply with Part P, any gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and removing a wall to open up the space brings structural and Building Regulations sign-off into play. Sort this out before work starts so certificates and inspections are booked in, not chased afterwards.
5. Get and compare fitter quotes
Get at least three fixed-price quotes against the same written spec so you’re comparing like with like. Ask each fitter to separate the cost of supplying units from the cost of fitting them — this makes the numbers far easier to read. Check credentials such as Gas Safe, NICEIC and FMB membership, and confirm they carry at least £2m public liability cover.
6. Agree a contract and schedule
Put everything in writing: a fixed price, milestone payments tied to stages of work, a clear process for handling variations, and firm start and finish dates. Avoid large upfront deposits and never pay in full before the job is signed off. Plan for a 1–3 week disruption window and set up a temporary kitchen — a microwave, kettle and sink elsewhere make the dust far easier to live with.
7. Strip-out and first fix
First the old kitchen comes out, then the first-fix trades go in — plumbing, electrics and plastering all happen before any new units are hung. This is the messy, structural phase where moved services and new circuits are run into position. Make sure inspections for notifiable electrical work are booked at this stage so nothing gets boxed in before it’s checked.
8. Install, snag and sign off
Now the kitchen takes shape: units go in, worktops are templated and fitted, appliances are connected, and second-fix electrics and plumbing are completed alongside tiling and decoration. Walk the finished room and write a snag list of anything that needs putting right before the final payment. Collect your electrical and gas safety certificates — you’ll want these for your records and for any future sale.
Four things that make or break a refit
Keep services where they are
Moving the sink, gas line or soil pipe is the fastest way to inflate a budget. If your existing layout works reasonably well, keeping plumbing and gas in place can save thousands and shave days off the schedule.
Build a realistic contingency
Older homes hide surprises — uneven floors, perished pipework and dodgy old wiring. Set aside roughly 10–15% of your budget as contingency so an unexpected find doesn’t force you to compromise on the finish.
Order long-lead items early
Worktops, ranges and bespoke units can take 6–10 weeks to arrive. Confirm every delivery date before the strip-out begins, because a single late item can leave your fitter (and your kitchen) stuck mid-project.
Insist on the right paperwork
Notifiable electrical work needs Part P sign-off and any gas work needs a Gas Safe certificate. Agree who is responsible for certificates in the contract so you’re not left chasing documents after the team has moved on.
Common Questions
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