What Is the Average Cost of a New Kitchen in 2026? (UK)
The average new kitchen costs roughly £10,000–£20,000 supplied and fitted in 2026 for a mid-range specification. Budget kitchens start around £5,000–£10,000, while a premium design with solid worktops and integrated appliances runs £20,000–£40,000+. “Average” hides a wide spread — the figure you pay turns on kitchen size, unit quality, worktop material, appliances and how much of the layout changes. For a full supply-and-labour breakdown see our new kitchen cost guide, or the kitchens hub for every related page.
Average new kitchen cost by tier — 2026
Supplied and fitted, mid specification. Source: BestBuilders 2026 quote data · 519 UK towns.
The headline average, and why it is only a starting point
Across our 2026 quote data, a typical mid-range new kitchen lands at about £12,000–£15,000 supplied and fitted for an average-sized UK kitchen of 10–13m². That single “average” is useful for a first budget, but it blends together a £6,000 flat-pack refresh and a £35,000 bespoke design, so very few real kitchens actually cost the average. Treat it as the middle of a wide band rather than a price.
The honest way to budget is to place your project in a tier — budget, mid-range or premium — then adjust for your region and how much of the layout you are changing. A like-for-like replacement in the same footprint sits near the bottom of a tier; moving the sink, knocking through a wall or upgrading to stone worktops moves you toward the top. For a personalised figure, try the kitchen cost calculator.
Average by tier and region
| Tier | Typical supplied & fitted (2026) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget / flat-pack | £5,000–£10,000 | Off-the-shelf units, laminate worktops, freestanding appliances |
| Mid-range | £10,000–£20,000 | Rigid units, quartz or solid-laminate tops, some integrated appliances |
| Premium | £20,000–£40,000 | Quality units, stone worktops, full integrated appliance package |
| Luxury / bespoke | £40,000–£70,000+ | Made-to-measure cabinetry, premium appliances, island and lighting design |
Region shifts the same kitchen up or down. The table below is the typical adjustment applied to any tier above:
| Region | Typical adjustment vs UK average |
|---|---|
| London & South-East | +10% to +20% |
| South-West & East of England | Around the UK average |
| Midlands, North & Wales | −5% to −15% |
| Scotland & Northern Ireland | −5% to −10% |
Adjustments are mainly labour and overheads. Appliance and unit prices are broadly national.
What moves the average up or down
- Kitchen size and unit count — more cabinets and worktop runs cost more; a galley uses far less than an open-plan island layout.
- Worktop material — laminate is cheapest; quartz, granite and solid surface add £1,500–£5,000+.
- Appliances — a budget freestanding set versus an integrated premium package can differ by £3,000–£8,000.
- Layout changes — moving the sink or hob, or knocking through a wall, brings in plumbing, electrics and structural work.
- Finishes — flooring, tiling, lighting and decoration are easy to forget but add up quickly.
What the price includes — supply versus labour
As a rough split of a typical fitted kitchen: units and worktops are 55–70%, appliances 10–20%, and fitting labour 15–25%. Where you change the layout, the labour share climbs because plumbing, electrical and sometimes structural trades are involved. Delivery, waste removal and the disposal of your old kitchen usually sit inside the fitting quote, but confirm this in writing.
We keep the full itemised supply-and-labour breakdown on one page so the numbers stay consistent. For the detailed table — including day rates, appliance allowances and extras — see the new kitchen cost guide. For labour-only fitting prices, see what it costs to fit a kitchen (labour only).
How long a new kitchen takes
- Like-for-like replacement — about 1–2 weeks on site once units arrive.
- Full redesign, same room — 3–4 weeks with new plastering, flooring, electrics and plumbing.
- Knock-through or extension kitchen — 5–8 weeks including the building work before the kitchen goes in.
Lead time on units and appliances (often 4–8 weeks) is separate from the on-site fit — order early.
How long a new kitchen lasts
A quality fitted kitchen lasts 15–20 years before it looks dated or the carcasses give out; budget flat-pack units tend to tire at 8–12 years. Worktops and doors usually fail first — laminate edges lift and hinges wear — while a good carcass and a solid worktop can outlast two sets of doors. Replacing doors and worktops alone is a common mid-life refresh at a fraction of a full kitchen. See how long a fitted kitchen lasts.
Planning permission and building regulations
A new kitchen in the same room does not need planning permission — it is a like-for-like internal fit-out. You only enter planning territory if you extend, convert a garage or alter the external walls. See planning permission for a kitchen renovation.
Building regulations do apply to the trades inside the job: new electrical circuits are notifiable (Part P), any gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and new drainage, ventilation and structural openings each have their own rules. Your fitter or a registered electrician certifies their own work — ask for the certificates before you pay the final instalment.
Choosing a kitchen fitter: what to check
- Ask to see two recent kitchens of a similar spec you can visit or phone about.
- Check their public liability insurance yourself and confirm the cover is current.
- Confirm who certifies the electrics and gas — a Part P electrician and a Gas Safe engineer — and that you will get the certificates.
- Get a written, itemised quote separating units, appliances and labour, on the same plan for every fitter.
- Agree a stage-payment schedule — never more than a modest deposit up front.
Comparing three like-for-like quotes on the same design is the single best way to see a fair price. Get 3 free kitchen quotes.
Calculators and related guides
- Kitchen cost calculator — a personalised figure in a minute.
- New kitchen cost guide — the full supply-and-labour breakdown.
- Kitchen renovation cost — when the room changes too.
- Is a new kitchen worth it?
- Kitchens hub — every kitchen cost, guide and calculator.
FAQs
Still weighing it up? Ask a kitchen expert a question and get a straight answer.
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