Cost of a New Kitchen in the UK 2026: Units, Worktops, Fitting and Where to Save

Cost of a New Kitchen in the UK 2026: Units, Worktops, Fitting and Where to Save

A new kitchen is the most popular major home improvement in the UK — and also one of the easiest to overspend on. The price range is enormous: a basic refresh using flat-pack units, a laminate worktop and budget appliances can be done for £5,000, while a bespoke kitchen in a large period property with stone worktops and premium integrated appliances routinely exceeds £30,000.

Understanding where the money goes at each price tier — and which upgrades genuinely add value versus those that simply add cost — makes the difference between a kitchen that works for your budget and one that works against it.

What You Get at Each Price Point

The table below shows typical all-in costs for a medium-sized kitchen (roughly 12–15 square metres) in 2026, including units, worktops, sink and tap, appliances, flooring, tiling or splashback, and professional fitting.

These are for a kitchen that is being replaced like-for-like without structural work. Moving walls, relocating plumbing or gas points, adding new windows or bi-fold doors, or rewiring adds £2,000–£8,000 depending on the scope.

The Cost Breakdown: Where the Money Goes

For a typical mid-range fitted kitchen costing £14,000, the split is roughly:

The Worktop Decision

Worktops are the single item where spend varies most dramatically. A laminate worktop costs £30–£80 per linear metre and is durable, easy to clean and available in a huge range of finishes. Solid wood (oak, beech, walnut) runs £100–£200 per linear metre but requires regular oiling and is susceptible to water damage around the sink. Quartz, granite and composite stone run £250–£500 per linear metre and are virtually indestructible, heat-resistant and low-maintenance — but on a kitchen with six metres of worktop, choosing quartz over laminate adds roughly £1,500–£2,500 to the bill.

The same principle applies to appliances: a mid-range integrated oven and hob from a brand such as Bosch or AEG costs £600–£900, while a premium Miele or Gaggenau equivalent can cost £2,000–£4,000. The performance difference is real but marginal for most home cooks; the price difference is not.

Fitting Costs and the DIY Trade-Off

Professional kitchen fitting typically costs £2,000–£4,000 for a straightforward replacement, more if the room needs plastering, new pipework or electrical upgrades. The fitting cost includes: removing and disposing of the old kitchen, assembling and installing units, cutting and fitting worktops, connecting the sink and appliances, tiling splashbacks, and fitting flooring.

Fitting a kitchen yourself — or hiring a local handyman or kitchen fitter rather than using the retailer's installation service — can save £1,500–£3,000. The critical constraints are: gas connections must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer (legal requirement), electrical work in a kitchen is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations, and cutting worktops — especially mitring corners in laminate or cutting sink apertures in stone — is skilled work that is easy to get wrong.

Does a New Kitchen Add Value?

A well-executed kitchen renovation in the right price bracket for the property typically adds 5–10% to the resale value, according to estate-agent surveys. But the return is not linear: spending £30,000 on a kitchen in a £200,000 terrace house is unlikely to be recovered on sale, while a £15,000 kitchen in a £500,000 home may well pay for itself. The rule of thumb is to spend roughly 3–5% of the property's value on the kitchen if resale is a consideration.

One area where it is genuinely worth spending more is on the fitting. A poorly fitted kitchen — units not level, worktop joints visible, drawer runners sticking — undermines the look and function of even the most expensive cabinetry. A good independent kitchen fitter, found through personal recommendation or a trusted trade directory such as Checkatrade or Which? Trusted Traders, is worth every pound. Ask to see photographs of previous work and speak to a recent customer before booking. The difference between a fitter who rushes the job in three days and one who takes five days to get every detail right is visible for years.

A new kitchen is a significant investment, but it does not need to be a financial leap of faith. Getting three like-for-like quotes, understanding the worktop and appliance trade-offs, and deciding early whether you are renovating for yourself or for resale keeps the project anchored to a number you can live with.