How Much Does A New Kitchen Cost?

A new kitchen typically costs between £5,250 and £28,000 in the UK, depending on the size of the room, the number of units, the worktop material, and whether structural or building work is involved. At Smile Kitchens, our kitchens start from £1,738.

The range is wide because no two kitchens are alike.

A small, budget-friendly refresh and a full large-kitchen renovation with a kitchen island, integrated appliances, and quartz worktops sit at very different points on that scale.

Understanding what drives cost is the first step to planning a budget that works for your home.

At Smile Kitchens, we work with homeowners across all budget tiers.

Our bespoke kitchen designers can help you understand what is achievable for your specific budget and space before you commit to anything.

In this guide, we break down the average cost of a new kitchen in the UK by component, layout size, and budget tier, so you can plan with realistic numbers.

Average Cost of a New Kitchen UK: Quick Overview

The table below shows average kitchen costs by size and scope.

These figures are based on industry data and cover units, worktops, appliances, plumbing, and installation.

They do not include structural work such as removing walls or adding an extension.

These are starting-point estimates. Your actual cost depends on the specific components you choose, which we break down in the section below.

Most kitchen budgets are made up of six or seven core components. Breaking them down individually gives you a much clearer view of where your money goes and where there is flexibility.

Kitchen Units and Cabinets

Kitchen units are typically the largest single cost in a kitchen project. The price range is wide because it spans everything from flat-pack base units to fully custom bespoke cabinetry.

For most mid-range kitchen projects, cabinets account for between £3,000 and £6,000. The number of units, the door finish, the internal storage configuration, and the brand all affect this figure.

Handleless and in-frame kitchen styles tend to sit at a higher price point than standard shaker styles because of the additional precision required in the build.

At Smile Kitchens, our kitchen ranges start from £1,738, with most full kitchen designs sitting between £3,000 and £8,000 depending on size and specification.

Worktops

Worktop cost varies significantly by material.

Laminate is the most budget-friendly option and has improved significantly in quality in recent years. Compact Laminate is the most popular mid-range choice because it balances durability, low maintenance, and appearance.

Natural stone (granite, marble) and sintered stone sit at the premium end.

Appliances

Appliances are one of the more variable components. If you are reusing existing appliances, this cost drops to zero. If you are buying new integrated appliances, the cost can add up quickly. 

A basic appliance set (oven, hob, extractor) typically starts at £450 to £600. A mid-range integrated set (oven, induction hob, extractor, integrated fridge freezer, dishwasher) costs between £1,500 and £3,000.

‘Top of the line appliances can push the price up even further!’

Smile Kitchens partners with AO.com, giving you 10% off appliances when you buy through them.

Installation and Fitting

Installation covers the labour of removing your old kitchen, assembling and fitting the new units, and finishing the space. For most mid-size kitchens, installation costs between £2,200 and £3,500.

A larger or more complex kitchen with an island, specialist cabinetry, or difficult access can reach £4,600 or more.

It is worth noting that installation quotes vary significantly by region. Installation in London and the South East typically runs 20 to 30 percent higher than the UK average.

Plumbing and Electrics

If your new kitchen layout matches the existing plumbing and electrics, these costs are minimal.

If you are moving the sink, adding a dishwasher connection, relocating a boiler, or extending the circuit for induction hobs or a new cooker, plumbing and electrics can each add £200 to £1,500 to the budget.

Structural changes (such as moving a load-bearing wall to create an open-plan kitchen) are outside the scope of kitchen fitting and require a builder and potentially an architect. These costs are in addition to all kitchen component costs.

Budget Kitchen (£5,250 – £8,000)

A budget kitchen project typically involves a smaller space (under 10 square metres), flat-pack or semi-assembled units from the lower end of the price range, laminate or basic timber worktops, standard appliances (reusing existing where possible), and straightforward installation with no plumbing or electrical changes.

At this budget, the priority is a functional, clean kitchen rather than a design-led transformation. It is achievable for a galley or small L-shaped layout.

Mid-Range Kitchen (£8,000 – £18,000)

This is where many UK kitchen projects sit. A mid-range kitchen typically covers a medium-sized room (10 to 15 square metres), a named kitchen range in a painted or woodgrain finish, quartz or solid wood worktops, a new appliance set (oven, hob, extractor, integrated fridge freezer), professional installation, and minor plumbing adjustments.

For most homeowners, this budget delivers a well-designed kitchen that looks and functions significantly better than the one it replaces.

Luxury Kitchen (£18,000 – £28,000+)

A luxury kitchen project typically involves a larger space, an in-frame or fully bespoke kitchen range, natural stone or sintered stone worktops, a premium appliance set, a kitchen island, extensive storage configuration, and professional project management.

Design consultation with a dedicated kitchen designer is standard at this level.

At Smile Kitchens, we work with homeowners across all three budget tiers. Our bespoke kitchen designers can help you understand what is achievable for your specific budget and space before you commit to anything.

What Affects the Cost of a New Kitchen?

Kitchen Size and Number of Units

The size of the room is the most direct driver of kitchen cost.

A larger kitchen needs more units, more worktop, more installation time, and more materials. An extra metre of base units adds £400 to £1,000 to the cost depending on the finish and brand.

Structural Work

Moving walls, knocking through rooms to create an open-plan kitchen, or creating a new doorway all require a builder and may require planning permission or building regulations approval.

These costs sit outside the kitchen supply and fit quote and can add £3,000 to £15,000+ to a project.

Reusing Versus Replacing

One of the biggest ways to reduce cost is to keep what is already working. If your existing plumbing is in the right place, if your appliances are in good condition, or if your flooring is solid, designing the new kitchen around those constraints significantly reduces the total.

Worktop and Door Finish

Choosing laminate worktops over quartz saves £300 to £1,000. Choosing a standard painted door finish over an in-frame construction can save £1,000 to £3,000 on the cabinet cost alone. These are the two biggest material levers on overall cost.

Location

As noted above, labour costs vary significantly across the UK. Installation in London and the South East runs higher than the national average. Rural areas can sometimes see higher quotes if specialists need to travel.

Quote: The 4 components of a kitchen project impacting cost that WE can have an impact on are Cabinets, Worktops, Appliances and Installation. 

The Size of room is relatively immaterial, and though the building/structural work naturally has a cost we very rarely can impact upon it. Matt Taylor

Hidden Costs to Budget For

Many homeowners are surprised by costs that sit outside the headline kitchen quote. These are the most common ones to factor in from the start.

Removing and disposing of your old kitchen. This is sometimes included in the installation quote, but not always. If not included, skip hire or waste removal adds £200 to £500.

Plastering and replastering. When you remove old cabinets, the walls behind them are rarely in good condition. A plasterer to skim and repair typically costs £400 to £1,200 depending on the extent of work.

Decorating. New paint, tiling, or backsplash work is usually not included in a kitchen fit quote. Budget £300 to £800 for a basic repaint and tile above the worktops.

Flooring. Flooring under old units is often in poor condition once they are removed. New kitchen flooring typically adds £300 to £2,600 depending on material (vinyl, tile, or engineered wood) and room size.

Lighting. Recessed ceiling lighting, under-cabinet LED strips, or pendant lighting above an island are design elements that need to be factored in early. Budget £200 to £1,500 for kitchen lighting.

Building work uplift. If structural work turns out to be more complex than initially assessed (for example, discovering a load-bearing wall where none was expected, or finding old wiring that needs replacing), costs can increase materially.

It is worth budgeting a 10 to 15 percent contingency on any project involving structural changes.

How to Save Money on a New Kitchen

Reuse your appliances. If your oven, hob, and fridge are still in good condition, keeping them in the new design saves £1,000 to £3,000.

Most kitchen designers can work around existing appliances.

Keep plumbing in place. Designing your new kitchen with the sink and dishwasher in the same position as the existing layout avoids plumbing costs entirely. Even a small repositioning can add £300 to £600 to the project.

Choose your worktop material carefully. The jump from laminate to quartz is the single biggest cost lever after cabinets.

A good quality laminate worktop is significantly more durable than it was ten years ago and can look excellent in a well-designed kitchen.

Use finance. Spreading the cost over 12 to 120 months makes it possible to invest in a better-quality kitchen without compromising. A lower-specification kitchen bought to fit today’s budget may need replacing sooner than one built with better materials.

Book early. Kitchen designers and fitters are in high demand. Last-minute bookings or rushed timelines often carry a premium. Planning well in advance gives you more negotiating room and access to a wider range of tradespeople.

Finance Options for a New Kitchen

Smile Kitchens offers finance over up to 120 months, making it possible to spread the full cost of your kitchen design, units, and accessories. We are an FCA-authorised credit broker (FRN 951686).

Finance is available on all Smile Kitchens orders. You can explore finance options and check your eligibility during the design consultation process.

You can also use our kitchen pricing calculator to get an idea of what your kitchen might cost before booking a consultation.

For a broader look at the whole design process, our complete guide to planning a new kitchen is a useful starting point.

If you would like to talk through your kitchen budget and explore what is achievable at your price point, book a free 15-minute advice call with one of our kitchen designers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a new kitchen cost in the UK?

A new kitchen in the UK costs between £5,250 and £28,000 on average, depending on the size of the room, the kitchen range chosen, worktop material, appliances, and whether structural or building work is required.

In simpler terms, a new kitchen cost in the UK typically falls between £8,000 and £15,000 for a mid-range fitted kitchen in a standard-sized room, with budget projects starting around £5,000 and full luxury renovations exceeding £25,000.

What is the average cost of a new kitchen?

The average cost of a new kitchen in the UK is approximately £10,000 to £15,000 for a mid-range project covering units, worktops, appliances, and installation in a medium-sized room.

In simpler terms, the average new kitchen cost lands around £12,000 when you include everything, though this figure moves significantly depending on whether you are keeping existing appliances, moving plumbing, or choosing premium materials such as quartz or granite worktops.

How much does it cost to fit a small kitchen?

Fitting a small kitchen in the UK typically costs between £5,250 and £12,000, depending on specification.

In simpler terms, a small kitchen can be fitted at the lower end of this range if you keep the plumbing and electrics in place, reuse appliances, and choose laminate worktops; costs rise toward £12,000 if you opt for quartz worktops, new integrated appliances, and a design-led finish.

What is the most expensive part of a new kitchen?

The most expensive part of a new kitchen is typically the kitchen units and cabinets, which account for between £1,500 and £10,000 of the total budget, followed by worktops (up to £5,000) and appliances (up to £5,200).

In simpler terms, the cabinet cost is the single biggest lever in any kitchen budget, meaning the biggest savings come from choosing a less complex door style (for example, standard shaker over in-frame) or opting for fewer units by making smarter use of the storage you have.

How can I reduce the cost of a new kitchen?

The most effective ways to reduce the cost of a new kitchen are to keep plumbing and electrics in their existing positions (avoiding £200 to £1,500 in trade costs), reuse appliances that are still in good condition (saving up to £3,000), and choose laminate over stone worktops (saving £300 to £1,000).

In simpler terms, the three biggest savings in a kitchen project come from not moving the pipes, keeping the appliances, and choosing a durable laminate worktop over a premium stone one.

Does Smile Kitchens offer finance for kitchen purchases?

Yes, Smile Kitchens offers finance over up to 120 months through our FCA-authorised credit broking service (FRN 951686), making it possible to spread the full cost of your kitchen design, units, and accessories.

In simpler terms, you can break a kitchen costing £8,000 to £15,000 into monthly payments over up to 10 years, which makes it possible to invest in a higher-quality kitchen now without paying the full cost upfront.

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