You might know the feeling. You walk into your kitchen one morning, put the kettle on, and something just feels off. The cupboards look tired, the layout slows you down, or the room no longer reflects how you cook or live.
That small moment often leads to a bigger question many homeowners ask: how much does a kitchen remodel cost? In the UK, many kitchen remodels land in the £10,000 to £20,000 range, depending on the layout changes, materials, and labour rates we cover below.
Before choosing tiles or debating cabinet colours, it helps to understand the factors that influence pricing, especially if you’re trying to get a realistic sense of how much it costs to remodel a kitchen in today’s market.
The real cost comes from the decisions you make behind the scenes, including layout, materials, and the amount of skilled labour your home needs.
The layout influences the cost more than any other factor. If you keep the sink, hob, and appliances where they are, your project stays far more affordable. Most of your budget goes into cabinets, worktops, and finishes.
Once you start moving plumbing, drainage, or gas lines, labour intensifies and the price climbs. Structural changes, such as removing walls or adding an island with power or plumbing, can lead to even higher costs and may require building control approval.
Cabinets, worktops, and flooring come in a wide range of prices. Flat-pack cabinets support smaller budgets, mid-range options offer stronger construction and more storage, and bespoke choices offer tailored craftsmanship at a higher cost.
Worktop prices vary even more. Laminate is the most affordable; wood brings warmth but requires maintenance; and materials like quartz or stone offer durability at a premium.
Flooring choices also influence the final bill. Vinyl and LVT suit everyday use at a reasonable cost, while tile or engineered wood increases both material and fitting expenses.
Appliances can account for a surprising amount of your budget. A standard set that includes a hob, oven, fridge, and dishwasher is usually manageable. Integrated units, induction hobs, multi-function ovens, and boiler water taps can significantly raise costs.
Bright lighting, Wi-Fi-enabled ovens, and app-controlled features also influence spending. Deciding what truly matters to your lifestyle helps you invest wisely.
Labour is often the highest single cost in a kitchen remodel. A typical project involves a fitter, plumber, electrician, tiler, plasterer, and decorator. Labour typically accounts for 20% to 40% of the final price. Rates rise when electrics need upgrading or when structural work is included.
Location matters as well. London and the South East generally carry higher labour rates than the Midlands, Wales, Scotland, or northern regions.
Most homeowners have a number in mind for how much they will spend on a kitchen renovation. Here’s how far that budget may take you.
A minor remodel of £5,000 to £10,000 focuses on refreshing the space rather than a complete rebuild. This may include new cabinet doors, a fresh worktop, updated lighting, and affordable flooring, all while keeping the existing layout.
Many mid-range projects cost between £10,000 and £20,000. This allows for mid-range cabinetry, composite worktops, improved lighting, upgraded appliances, and new flooring. There is also room for a minor layout adjustment, such as a breakfast bar or repositioning a fridge.
High-end remodels start at around £30,000 and may exceed £55,000. These projects include bespoke cabinetry, premium worktops, structural changes, high-specification appliances, and detailed lighting designs. Large open-plan spaces tend to fall in this category.
Some homeowners spread costs using savings or borrowing. If you’re considering kitchen remodel financing to fund higher-quality materials or layout improvements, compare total price and make sure it’s affordable.
Every remodel is built from a collection of costs. Cabinets, worktops, flooring, plumbing, and electrics each contribute differently to the overall budget. Let’s look at where your money goes and why.
Taking out the old kitchen typically costs a few hundred pounds, depending on the amount of waste and whether you need a skip. Homes with heavy tiles or old flooring may require additional labour.
Cabinet prices vary dramatically. A small kitchen with basic units may cost around £1,500. A larger kitchen with mid-range cabinets can fall between £3,000 and £8,000. Bespoke cabinetry often starts at £10,000 or more and can increase depending on materials and design complexity.
Laminate is the most affordable option and can work well in budget projects. Solid wood offers character but needs upkeep. Installing quartz and granite typically costs between £1,000 and £3,000 or more, depending on size, cut-outs, and thickness.
A standard package may cost between £1,500 and £3,000. Higher-end appliances such as induction hobs, built-in refrigeration, or multi-function ovens can push spending to £6,000 or more.
Simple reconnections are typically affordable. Costs rise when moving the sink, adding a dishwasher line, or adjusting gas positions. Homeowners usually spend between £300 and £1,500, depending on scale.
Most remodels require new lighting, additional sockets, and updates to meet current regulations. Rewiring or consumer unit upgrades raise the price further. Electrical work often ranges from £300 to £1,000 or more.
Vinyl and LVT are budget-friendly and practical. Tiling and engineered wood increase both material and installation costs. Painting is usually in the low hundreds. Plastering can run over a thousand if you’re skimming an entire room.
There are clever ways to control your spending without compromising the result. The key is knowing where savings matter most and where they may lead to issues later.
Avoiding plumbing, drainage, and gas line changes can save a significant amount of money. Keeping the sink, hob, and main appliances in place removes the need for major specialist labour.
You can balance style and cost by combining materials. For example, choose a premium worktop for the island and a more affordable one for the surrounding units. Apply the same approach to appliances: select one high-performance oven and pair it with mid-range options for the rest.
If your cabinet frames are still solid, replacing only the doors, handles, and worktops can update the room at a fraction of the cost. Adding new lighting and paint can also make a noticeable difference.
Clear quotes reveal where different contractors place their costs. This helps you compare fairly and avoid hidden charges. You can also see which tasks can be simplified to reduce labour time.
Successful kitchen projects rarely come together by chance. When the plan is clear and decisions are made early, the work flows more smoothly, and the budget stays on track.
Decide what matters most. If cooking is your hobby, invest more in appliances. If storage is the issue, allocate more toward cabinetry. This also helps you gauge how much a complete kitchen remodel realistically requires based on your priorities. Always include a contingency to protect your plans.
Finalising the layout, appliance list, lighting plan, and materials before work starts reduces delays and prevents expensive last-minute changes.
A Gas Safe-registered engineer must complete gas work. Electrical work in kitchens must meet Part P requirements. Keep all certificates for safety records and future property sales.
Like-for-like kitchen replacements rarely require permission. Structural work, drainage changes, or electrical upgrades may require building control approval. Clarifying this early ensures the project runs smoothly.
Kitchens are central to daily life, so that the work can feel disruptive. Setting up a temporary preparation area and protecting walkways makes the installation experience easier.
A well-planned kitchen remodel is one of the most rewarding home upgrades and may bring lasting value once the final details are in place. By understanding what shapes the cost and planning your choices early, you can create a space that suits both your lifestyle and your budget. Keeping the layout similar, mixing materials wisely, and refreshing what still works and comparing detailed quotes all help you stay in control of spending.
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