Kitchen Renovation Guide UK — Costs 2026
The kitchen is where you spend the most money and get the most back. A new kitchen adds 5-10% to property value and is the number one thing buyers look at. But costs can spiral fast. This guide helps you plan a kitchen renovation that looks great without bankrupting you.
Kitchen Renovation Costs 2026
| Budget Level | Total Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | £5,000-8,000 | Flat-pack units (IKEA/Wickes), laminate worktops, basic appliances |
| Mid-range | £10,000-18,000 | Rigid units, quartz worktops, integrated appliances, splash back |
| Premium | £20,000-35,000 | Bespoke units, granite/dekton, premium appliances, island |
| Luxury | £35,000-60,000+ | Handmade, high-end everything, structural changes, utility room |
Where the Money Goes
A typical mid-range kitchen breaks down roughly as: units 30-35%, worktops 10-15%, appliances 15-20%, labour 25-30%, and everything else (tiling, flooring, lighting, plumbing) 10-15%. Labour is the hardest to cut — a good fitter charges £200-300 per day and a full kitchen takes 2-3 weeks.
Units — Where to Buy
IKEA METOD is the budget champion. Properly fitted, IKEA kitchens look excellent and last well. The trick is using aftermarket doors from companies like Plykea, Husk, or Superfront to get a custom look at IKEA prices. A full IKEA kitchen with upgraded doors can look like it cost £15,000 for half that.
Howdens (trade only, buy through your fitter) offers excellent rigid units at competitive prices. They are the most popular kitchen supplier in the UK for a reason. Wren and Magnet are the high-street alternatives with regular sales. DIY Kitchens (online) offers outstanding value with rigid units delivered flat.
Worktops
| Material | Cost per m | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate | £40-100 | Cheap, huge range | Can chip, not heat-resistant |
| Solid wood | £100-200 | Warm, repairable | Needs oiling, water damage risk |
| Quartz | £200-400 | Durable, low maintenance | Expensive, not heat-proof |
| Granite | £250-450 | Heat-proof, unique | Needs sealing, heavy |
| Dekton/Neolith | £350-600 | Indestructible, heat-proof | Very expensive |
For the best value, quartz is the sweet spot. It looks premium, requires zero maintenance, and lasts a lifetime. Silestone, Caesarstone, and Compac are the leading brands.
Layout
The "work triangle" (sink, hob, fridge) still matters. Keep these three points close but not cramped. The most common UK layouts are galley (two parallel runs), L-shape, and U-shape. Islands are aspirational but you need at least 1m clearance on all sides — in a small kitchen, an island makes the space worse, not better.
Appliances
Integrated appliances (hidden behind unit doors) give a cleaner look. Budget for: oven (£300-800), hob (£200-600), extractor (£150-500), dishwasher (£300-600), fridge-freezer (£400-1,200). Bosch, Neff, and AEG dominate the mid-range. Buy during Black Friday or Boxing Day sales for 20-40% off.
Saving Money
- Keep the layout the same — moving plumbing and gas adds £1,000-3,000
- Paint existing units and replace doors/handles — a fraction of the cost of new units
- Fit laminate worktops now, upgrade to quartz later when budget allows
- Do your own demolition and waste disposal to save £500-1,000
- Buy ex-display kitchens from showrooms (50-70% off)
Timeline
From ordering units to completion, expect 6-10 weeks. Units typically take 2-4 weeks to arrive (IKEA is faster, bespoke is slower). Fitting takes 2-3 weeks for a full kitchen. Factor in 1-2 days without a working kitchen at the start (strip out) and end (connecting appliances). Plan meals accordingly or set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the house.