TL;DR — Kitchen Fitting At A Glance
- Kitchen fitting labour typically costs £1,700–£3,000 for a standard installation, on top of the units and worktops.
- A full supply-and-fit project runs £3,000–£8,000 for most homes, rising to £8,000–£25,000 for large or premium kitchens.
- Labour is only part of the bill — units, worktops, appliances, tiling and flooring often cost as much again, or more.
- Prices depend on the kitchen size, the quality of units, structural changes, and the plumbing, gas and electrical work involved.
- Trades such as electricians and gas engineers must be registered — notifiable work is not a job for a general fitter.
- The biggest savings come from keeping the existing layout, so pipes, wiring and waste stay where they are.
- Get a fixed price for kitchen fitting — check prices and book online or arrange a survey to plan the job around your budget.
How Much Does Kitchen Fitting Cost In 2026?
Fitting a kitchen in the UK costs £1,700–£3,000 in labour for a standard installation, and £3,000–£8,000 all-in once mid-range units and worktops are included. Larger homes and premium or bespoke kitchens push the total to £8,000–£25,000. In London and the South East, expect labour and the overall project to run roughly 20–30% higher.
It helps to separate the two big numbers. Labour is the fitter's time to strip out the old kitchen and install the new one — usually five to ten working days for an average room. Materials cover the units, worktops, sink, taps, appliances, splashback and flooring, and these vary enormously with the range you choose. A flat-pack kitchen from a budget retailer costs a fraction of a rigid, made-to-measure one, even though the fitting labour may be similar.
A full fit rarely involves one trade alone. Most kitchens need a plumber for the sink, taps and any appliance connections, an electrician for sockets, lights and the cooker circuit, and — where there is a gas hob or cooker — a Gas Safe engineer. Here is what kitchen fitting costs across the UK:
| Project | Rest of UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Fitting labour only (standard kitchen) | £1,700 – £3,000 | £2,100 – £3,900 |
| Small kitchen, supply and fit | £3,000 – £5,000 | £3,600 – £6,500 |
| Medium kitchen, supply and fit | £5,000 – £8,000 | £6,000 – £10,000 |
| Large or premium kitchen | £8,000 – £25,000+ | £10,000 – £30,000+ |
Figures include VAT where applicable and reflect 2026 market rates. Your exact price depends on the units, appliances and your postcode — get a fixed quote here.
Kitchen Fitting Cost By Job Component
Breaking the project into stages shows where the money goes and helps you compare quotes fairly. These are typical costs for the separate parts of a standard kitchen fit:
| Component | Typical cost (rest of UK) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rip-out and disposal of old kitchen | £200 – £600 | More if walls or flooring come up too |
| Fitting base and wall units | £70 – £120 per unit | The core of the labour bill |
| Worktop supply and fit | £250 – £3,000+ | Laminate cheapest; stone and quartz dearest |
| Plumbing (sink, taps, appliances) | £200 – £600 | More if pipework is moved |
| Electrics (sockets, lights, cooker point) | £300 – £1,000 | Registered electrician; notifiable work |
| Tiling / splashback | £30 – £45 per m² labour | See the tiling guide for full rates |
| Flooring | £20 – £60 per m² fitted | Vinyl, laminate or tile |
Moving the layout — relocating the sink, hob or a run of units — is where budgets overrun, because it means new pipe runs, waste, wiring and often making good the walls and floor.
What Affects The Cost Of Kitchen Fitting?
Several factors decide where your project lands in the ranges above.
1. Kitchen Size And Number Of Units
More units mean more fitting time and more worktop, so a large kitchen costs more than a galley. The unit count is the clearest predictor of the labour bill.
2. Quality Of Units And Worktops
Flat-pack, rigid and bespoke kitchens sit at very different price points, and worktops range from budget laminate to solid stone or quartz that costs thousands. This choice drives the materials half of the budget.
3. Layout Changes
Keeping the sink, hob and appliances where they are keeps costs down. Moving them means new plumbing, waste, gas or electrical runs, plus plastering and making good — often the single biggest add-on.
4. Plumbing, Gas And Electrical Work
Sockets, lighting circuits, a cooker point, sink plumbing and a gas hob each add specialist labour. Notifiable electrical work and any gas connection must be done by a registered engineer and certified.
5. Your Location
London and the South East run roughly 20–30% higher than the North of England, Wales and Scotland, reflecting higher labour rates. A £2,500 fitting job elsewhere can be £3,000–£3,300 in the capital.
6. Structural And Extra Work
Removing a wall, fitting an island, adding downlights or replacing the flooring all add trades and time. Older properties with uneven walls and floors also take longer to fit neatly.
What's Included — And What's Not
Typically included in a fitting quote:
- Removing and disposing of the old kitchen
- Assembling and installing base and wall units
- Cutting and fitting worktops, sink and taps
- Connecting appliances that do not need gas or notifiable electrical work
- Basic making good around the units
Usually charged separately:
- The units, worktops, appliances, sink and taps themselves
- Gas Safe hob or cooker connection and certification
- Notifiable electrical work and the electrical certificate
- Tiling, splashbacks, flooring and painting
- Plastering or structural work if the layout changes
Always get a detailed, itemised quote that shows labour, materials and each trade, so you can see exactly what the price covers.
Can You Do It Yourself?
A competent DIYer can take on parts of a kitchen fit — stripping out the old units, assembling flat-pack carcasses, or fitting a laminate worktop — and save a meaningful slice of the labour. If the layout stays the same and the work is limited to cabinets and a simple worktop, self-fitting is realistic with patience and the right tools.
The specialist connections are a different matter. Gas work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and notifiable electrical work by a registered electrician who can certify it — a DIY attempt is unsafe and can leave you unable to sell or insure the property. Worktop joins in stone, complex plumbing and levelling units on an uneven floor also reward professional experience. For most people, a full kitchen is best left to a fitter who coordinates the trades and guarantees the result.
How To Save Money On Kitchen Fitting
- Keep the existing layout so the sink, hob and appliances stay put and no new pipe or cable runs are needed.
- Choose flat-pack or rigid units from a mid-range range rather than bespoke, where the difference is largely the carcass, not the doors.
- Reuse what works — keeping a sound floor, or splashback tiles, trims the bill.
- Buy appliances in the sales and supply them yourself for the fitter to connect.
- Get 2–3 detailed quotes and compare the full scope, not just the headline figure.
- Book off-peak — trades are often keener in winter than the spring and summer rush.
How To Hire A Good Kitchen Fitter
Ask for examples of finished kitchens, check reviews and references, and get a written, itemised quote covering labour, materials and each trade. Confirm the fitter holds public liability insurance, and that any gas work goes to a Gas Safe engineer and electrical work to a registered electrician who provides certificates. Agree a payment schedule tied to stages rather than a large sum up front.
With Fantastic Services, you get vetted, insured tradespeople, transparent pricing and online booking — describe your kitchen and get a price built around your plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Fit A Kitchen In The UK?
Fitting labour is typically £1,700–£3,000 for a standard kitchen, and a full supply-and-fit project runs £3,000–£8,000 for most homes. Large or premium kitchens cost £8,000–£25,000 or more, and London adds around 20–30%.
How Long Does It Take To Fit A Kitchen?
An average kitchen takes five to ten working days to fit, depending on size and how many trades are involved. Layout changes, tiling and flooring can extend that, and a large or bespoke kitchen may run to two or three weeks.
Is Labour Or Materials The Bigger Cost In A Kitchen?
It varies with the range chosen. Fitting labour is usually £1,700–£3,000, while the units, worktops and appliances can cost anything from a similar amount to several times more. Premium worktops and appliances often tip the balance towards materials.
Do You Need A Gas Safe Engineer To Fit A Kitchen?
Only for gas work. Connecting a gas hob or cooker must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The rest of the fit — units, worktops and plumbing — does not need Gas Safe registration, though electrical work must go to a registered electrician.
Can You Save Money By Keeping The Same Kitchen Layout?
Yes, significantly. Keeping the sink, hob and appliances in place avoids new pipe runs, waste, wiring and the plastering that layout changes require. It is one of the most effective ways to control a kitchen budget.
What's The Cheapest Way To Fit A New Kitchen?
Combine a mid-range flat-pack kitchen, a laminate worktop and the existing layout, and supply your own appliances bought in the sales. Booking off-peak and getting several detailed quotes also helps keep the total down.
