Kitchen Fitting Cost

So, you’ve already done the hardest part, right? Buying the kitchen of your dreams has probably involved weeks of online and in-store research, figuring out how to squeeze out the maximum use of your space, and perhaps one too many conversations with friends about the pros and cons of a gloss finish. (we’ve all been there!).

Getting the kitchen installed is equally important, if not more, to get right. Even if you are a confident DIYer, a survey by Which? found that out of more than 3,840 people, only 6% undertook the kitchen installation themselves. While in some cases the kitchen fitter will be employed by the company that you’re purchasing the kitchen from, it can have many benefits to source your own independent fitter, not least to keep costs down.

Hiring professional and skilled tradespeople is so easy at Find a Craftsman. One simple click here gives you access to a choice of kitchen fitters, plumbers and electricians, amongst many other tradespeople local to you.

In this blog, we’ll look at questions including kitchen installation cost, the plus points of using an independent fitter, the timeframe to factor in and the extra tasks that may need to be undertaken. So let’s get cooking!

How much does kitchen fitting cost?

The size, complexity of the fitting, ie. are there tricky spaces to deal with, materials used and whether it is a ‘dry fit’ installation (not requiring electrics and plumbing), will all affect the budget. How many units, the number of appliances and the type of worktop used can also push up the price. You also need to factor in removal of the old kitchen, which can cost between £300 ­– £500 or you could consider hiring a skip if you are confident about doing the job yourself for an average cost of £225. If you’re replacing your old gas and electrical appliances, expect those figures to shift upwards. Here is a rough guide to kitchen installation cost using mid-range materials:

*Prices based on Wren kitchen installation cost (dry fit), 2022.

How much do kitchen fitters charge?

If you decide to use an independent tradesperson, you should budget around £35 per hour or agree on a fixed day rate, usually between £150 – £240. Below is a handy checklist outlining what you can expect your chosen kitchen fitter to do and what they won’t do.

Why use an independent kitchen fitter?

While all of our tradespeople at Find a Craftsmen have been through a Guild of Master Craftsmen rigorous approval process, it’s always a good rule of thumb to conduct your own research too. Make sure your kitchen fitter has accreditation with an organisation such as the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) or the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installers (BikBBI). This gives you extra peace of mind over the standards of conduct and an independent complaint resolution service, should there be any issues. There are several benefits of going down this route, compared to using one business to provide and fit the kitchen. These include:

• Accountability – you cut out the ‘middleman’, your selected tradespeople work directly for you.
• Control – in both terms of the timeline (there will usually be greater leeway), and in overseeing all aspects of the design and fit of the kitchen.
• Flexibility – by choosing an independent kitchen fitter, you don’t have to stick to one supplier. Mix and matching products from different retailers is therefore possible.

Top tip: Get at least three quotes to compare pros and cons for each tradesperson, and spend some time reading testimonials from previous clients and looking at examples of other installations they have completed.

How long does it take for a kitchen to be installed?

Good planning is needed to manage the process, especially if it is not a straightforward replacement of your existing kitchen. On average, it takes between 1–4 weeks to fit a kitchen, but if new electrics, plumbing, replastering, tiling, painting and decorating are required, it can be several weeks (see Kitchen fitting cost: extras).

You should also prepare yourself for the noise, mess and disruption as the work gets underway. Dust sheets should be used to cover up any exposed parts of the rest of the house, as particles from removed plasterwork and sawn wood will travel everywhere. Consider decamping to a friend’s house for a few days, especially if you have children and pets, to reduce stress levels, and returning for daily progress checks on the installation.

Kitchen fitting cost: extras

Each part of the installation can incur additional tasks and financial outlay. Now we’ll outline the key stages.

1. Ripping out the old kitchen (1–2 days). This is perhaps the scariest part because it may reveal unexpected ‘surprises’ such as dangerous electrics or damaged pipework. 
2. ‘First fix’ (1–3 days). Now you have an empty shell, making it easy for other key tradespeople (find them here) to put cables or pipes in place. For example, an electrician can install more sockets or prepare for an induction hob, a plumber can reconfigure water supply pipes and add or move waste pipes for a newly positioned dishwasher or sink, and gas engineer/fitter will be needed if you are installing new gas appliances. It’s also not uncommon to have a new fuse box fitted if it doesn’t meet current electrical regulations – according to Homeownercosts.co.uk, a replacement unit is between £100–£400, plus between £120–£320 for the the required EIC (Electrical Installation Condition) report. So, now’s the time to ask the electrician for their professional opinion and factor that into the overall kitchen installation cost. The tradespeople will return for a ‘Second fix’ after step 4, to finish up their work.
3. Plastering and flooring (up to 5 days, depending on drying time). Factors that will influence the level of plastering required include whether the removal of the kitchen caused significant wall damage, or if new electrics have been installed, requiring a complete replastering. You might also consider having the walls reskimmed, to create a smooth, flat base to install the kitchen on and for a better paint finish. Laying the floor is normally done at this stage because it creates a level surface for the kitchen fitter to work with, saving time and money further down the line. A budget of around £600–£700 is a safe estimate for this stage. Top tip: Once the plaster is dry, it’s a good idea to paint it with undercoat to create a seal.
4. Fitting the kitchen units and worktops (3–10 days, depending on kitchen size and materials used). Phew! Your kitchen will finally start to take shape as your kitchen fitter starts constructing the cabinets and fixing them in place.
5. Tiling and decorating (between 2–5 days). The ‘cosmetic’ part of the installation still requires professional workmanship. They will add touches a novice wouldn’t think about, such as caulking, running a sealant between any narrow gaps between units and walls.

Hopefully you now have more of an in-depth understanding of overall kitchen fitting cost. Why not head over to Find a Craftsman to get the ball rolling? As the UK’s most established trade association, The Guild of Master Craftsmen has been proudly representing tradespeople and artisans who have skill, integrity and expertise for over 40 years.

There are hundreds of reliable, trustworthy and experienced contractors at your fingertips at Find a Craftsman so wherever you are in the UK, we can connect you with the right tradespeople for the job.