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Kitchens

Kitchen refurbishment estimate.

Kitchen refurbishments involve more services than any other room — gas, water, electrics, ventilation, and often structural changes. This guide covers the labour and fitting costs so you can price a kitchen installation accurately.

Authored by Alexandr Vreme & Maksym Vasylkov
Published July 2026 — Next review July 2027

Who this guide is for

This guide is for kitchen fitters, builders, and homeowners planning a kitchen refurbishment. The costs here focus on the installation labour and first-fix trades — not the kitchen units or appliances themselves, which vary enormously by specification.

Information needed

To price a kitchen refurbishment accurately, you will need:

• Existing kitchen layout and services positions
• New layout — is it the same footprint or are plumbing/gas positions changing?
• Are any structural changes involved (wall removals, new openings)?
• Unit specification — standard sizes or bespoke?
• Worktop material — laminate, solid surface, granite, quartz?
• Appliance list — integrated or freestanding, gas or induction hob?
• Extent of tiling — splashback only or full floor-to-ceiling?

Typical work breakdown

A kitchen refurbishment estimate includes these labour and fitting items:

• Strip-out and disposal of old kitchen and tiles
• Plumbing alterations — moving hot/cold water supplies, waste runs
• Electrical alterations — new sockets, appliance supplies, lighting points
• Plastering and making good — walls after strip-out and chasing
• Kitchen unit fitting — base and wall units
• Worktop installation — cutting, jointing, fitting
• Tiling — walls and/or floor
• Decoration — painting, caulking, trims
• Appliance connection — gas, water, electrics

Commonly missed costs

Even experienced kitchen fitters can miss these items when pricing:

• Gas pipe relocation — moving the gas supply for a new hob position
• Extractor fan ducting — routing to an outside wall or through the ceiling
• Underfloor heating provision — if tiling over existing floor, consider heating mats
• Waste pipe runs for relocated sink or dishwasher — long runs need correct fall
• Making good the floor where old units were removed — old tiles or vinyl may not match
• New consumer unit or additional circuits if the kitchen demands more power
• Building regulations notification for gas and electrical work

Miniature worked example

A 12 m² kitchen refurbishment with new layout and relocated services:

Strip-out and disposal	£600
Plumbing alterations	£1,200
Electrical alterations	£800
Plastering and making good	£1,000
Kitchen fitting (carcasses, doors, drawers)	£2,500
Worktop fitting	£800
Tiling	£1,200
Total labour & fitting	£8,100

Excluding kitchen units, worktop materials, appliances, and VAT. Unit and appliance costs typically add £5,000–£15,000+ depending on specification.

Questions to ask

• Is the new kitchen in the same position as the old one, or are services being relocated?
• Does the extractor hood need new ducting to an outside wall?
• Will the gas hob require a new gas supply run or can the existing supply be used?
• Is the existing floor finish staying or does it need to be removed and replaced?
• What tiling extent is planned — splashback only or full floor-to-ceiling?
• Are any structural changes required — removing a wall or enlarging an opening?