KITCHEN RENOVATION COSTS · LONDON
How Much Does a Kitchen Renovation Cost in London?
For a reference 16 – unit kitchen in London, allow approximately £12,000 – £17,000 including VAT for a supplied like-for-like replacement, or £17,000 – £24,000 including VAT for a complete standard room renovation.
A mid-range complete renovation is typically £24,000 – £35,000 including VAT. Projects involving significant structural or layout alterations may require £32,000 – £50,000+ including VAT, depending on the property, specification and work included.
Published ranges are owner-confirmed planning guidance for a reference London kitchen and include VAT. Final pricing depends on the property, selected products, existing conditions, required trades and agreed written scope. Structural-engineer, approval and other professional costs must be confirmed as included or separate.
KITCHEN RENOVATION COSTS AT A GLANCE
What should you budget for a London kitchen?
For the reference kitchen below, a supplied like-for-like replacement is approximately £12,000 – £17,000 including VAT. A complete standard room renovation is approximately £17,000 – £24,000 including VAT.
Product specification, service alterations, existing room condition and structural work can move the final budget beyond these ranges.
Approximately 10 base or tall units plus 6 wall units, 4 – 5 linear metres of worktop and an average kitchen of roughly 10 – 15 m². The reference includes a sink, tap and integrated appliances where stated.
Final price and programme depend on the inspected property, selected products, existing conditions, required trades and agreed written scope.
For structural work, the quotation should state whether structural-engineer, calculations, drawings, Building Control and other professional or approval costs are included or priced separately.
COMPLETE KITCHEN-RENOVATION BUDGET
What should your kitchen budget include?
Kitchen prices can be difficult to compare because different quotations may describe very different scopes. One figure may cover units and fitting, while another includes the preparation, services and finishing required around them.
A useful budget separates the products being purchased from the building and installation work needed to deliver the complete renovation.
Planning and preparation
Surveys, measurements, layout development, product selection, drawings and any specialist information needed before work begins.
Building and enabling work
Removal of the existing kitchen, room preparation, approved layout alterations and other building work required before the new installation.
Units and fitted furniture
Cabinets, doors, drawer systems, panels, plinths, handles and specialist storage selected for the proposed kitchen.
Worktops and surfaces
Worktops, upstands, splashbacks, templates, fabrication, delivery and installation appropriate to the selected material.
Services and specialist trades
Electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation and other specialist work required for the agreed layout and selected appliances.
Finishing and completion
Flooring, wall finishes, decorating, final connections, testing, waste removal and the agreed completion standard for the surrounding room.
KITCHEN RENOVATION COST FACTORS
What changes the final kitchen cost?
The published ranges use a reference kitchen of approximately 16 units and 10 – 15 m². A smaller, simpler kitchen may cost less, while a larger room, higher specification or more extensive renovation may cost more.
Kitchen size matters, but it does not determine the budget on its own. The final figure reflects the property, proposed layout, product specification, existing conditions and complete agreed scope .
Kitchen size and layout
The number of units, worktop length, storage requirements and complexity of the proposed arrangement affect products, fitting time and connected trades.
Scope impactCabinet specification
Standard, customised and fully bespoke cabinetry can differ significantly in construction, finishes, internal storage, lead times and installation requirements.
Product impactWorktop material
Laminate, timber, compact surfaces, quartz and other materials involve different fabrication, templating, delivery and installation processes.
Material impactAppliances and connections
Appliance selection can affect electrical capacity, plumbing, ventilation, cabinetry preparation and the specialist connections required during installation.
Services impactLayout alterations
Moving sinks, cooking equipment or major appliances may require new service routes, floor or wall alterations and additional coordination between trades.
Building-work impactExisting room condition
Damaged walls, unsuitable floors, older wiring, concealed pipework or previous alterations may require additional preparation after the old kitchen is removed.
Preparation impactAccess and property type
Flats, restricted entrances, limited parking, occupied homes and long carrying routes can affect delivery, protection, waste removal and working time.
Site impactFinishing specification
Flooring, wall finishes, splashbacks, decorating, lighting and matching adjacent rooms affect the work required after the main kitchen installation.
Finish impactCOMPARE THE SAME SCOPE
Kitchen fitting price or complete renovation budget?
For the reference 16 – unit kitchen, installation-only guidance is approximately £5,000 – £7,500 including VAT when the client supplies the kitchen. This is not directly comparable with a supplied complete-renovation price.
The quotation must identify whether it covers fitting alone, a like-for-like replacement or the preparation, services, products and finishing required for the whole room.
Installing a client-supplied kitchen
Reference guidance for fitting a client-supplied 16-unit kitchen after the room, service positions and product responsibilities have been defined.
- Cabinet assembly and installation Fitting the specified base, wall and tall units.
- Panels, plinths and handles Installing the selected finishing components.
- Worktop fitting where applicable Included only where the selected material and agreed fitting scope allow it.
- Appliance positioning Positioning appliances where suitable connections have already been prepared.
Supplying, preparing and finishing the room
Reference guidance covering a complete standard to mid-range renovation. The final figure depends on the products, room condition, services and agreed finish.
- Removal and room preparation Existing kitchen removal, protection and agreed preparation of walls, floors and ceilings.
- Electrical and plumbing alterations Preparing services for the approved layout and selected appliances.
- Kitchen and product installation Units, worktops, appliances and selected components supplied and fitted to the agreed specification.
- Finishing and completion Agreed flooring, wall finishes, decorating, testing, waste removal and room completion.
PRODUCT AND FINISH SPECIFICATION
The same layout can produce very different budgets.
For the reference 16 – unit kitchen, a complete standard renovation is approximately £17,000 – £24,000 including VAT, while a mid-range specification is approximately £24,000 – £35,000 including VAT.
These are not fixed packages. Cabinet construction, internal storage, worktops, appliances, fittings and finishes can change the cost even when the room and layout remain the same.
Practical products and complete-room work
£17,000 – £24,000 including VATThis reference combines a functional standard kitchen with the preparation, service alterations, flooring, splashback or tiling, decorating and making good needed for a complete room renovation.
- + Standard cabinet sizes and configurations
- + Controlled door and finish selection
- + Practical worktop and appliance choices
- + Complete standard preparation and finishing
Upgraded products and detailed finishing
£24,000 – £35,000 including VATThis reference moves the specification towards better-quality rigid cabinetry, engineered-stone worktops, upgraded integrated appliances, improved lighting, flooring and a higher overall finish.
- + Better-quality rigid cabinetry and doors
- + Quartz or engineered-stone worktop
- + Integrated mid-range appliances
- + Improved lighting, flooring and finishing
Designed around individual requirements
Project – specificCustom cabinetry, specialist materials, premium appliances, non-standard detailing and individually designed joinery require a project-specific product and installation budget.
- + Custom-sized or individually made cabinetry
- + Specialist finishes and material combinations
- + Integrated architectural and joinery details
- + Longer design and manufacturing requirements
BUDGET BEYOND THE KITCHEN UNITS
Kitchen costs that are easily overlooked.
The published ranges assume a defined renovation scope, but some work may remain uncertain until the existing kitchen has been removed. Older services, damaged surfaces and concealed conditions can affect the final cost.
Not every item applies to every kitchen. The quotation should identify what is included, excluded, provisional or still awaiting inspection .
Removal and disposal
Existing units, worktops, appliances, flooring and other agreed materials may need to be disconnected, removed and disposed of. Confirm whether labour, transport and waste charges are included.
Electrical upgrades
New appliance circuits, sockets, lighting, consumer-unit work or replacement of unsuitable existing wiring may be required for the proposed kitchen.
Plumbing alterations
Moving the sink, dishwasher, washing machine or heating equipment can require new supply, waste and drainage routes. Older concealed pipework may also need attention once exposed.
Ventilation and extraction
Extractor selection, duct routes, external openings and electrical connections should be included where required by the agreed kitchen design.
Wall and ceiling repairs
Removing old units and finishes can expose damaged plaster, redundant fixings, uneven walls or areas requiring further preparation before installation.
Floor preparation
Existing flooring may conceal uneven substrates, different floor levels, damaged sections or areas requiring repair before the selected finish can be installed.
Temporary arrangements
Longer projects may require temporary cooking, water or storage arrangements, particularly when the property remains occupied during the work.
Delivery and access
Parking restrictions, stairs, narrow entrances, protected communal areas and multiple deliveries can affect handling, protection and working time in London properties.
CONNECTED BUILDING WORK
What if the kitchen layout also needs to change?
For the reference kitchen, a renovation involving significant structural or layout alterations may require approximately £32,000 – £50,000+ including VAT. The final figure depends on the type of alteration, structural solution, services, products and finishing.
This is project-specific kitchen-renovation guidance—not a universal price for wall removal or an extension.
Internal wall removal
Removing or changing a non-load-bearing partition can connect the kitchen with an adjoining dining or living space. The assessment, affected services and local making good must still be included in the project scope.
- + Wall assessment before removal
- + Electrical or plumbing alterations
- + Floor, wall and ceiling making good
Structural wall opening
Altering a load-bearing wall requires project-specific structural design, controlled support and the applicable Building Regulations process before the new opening is formed.
- + Structural assessment and calculations
- + Temporary and permanent support
- + Building Control and agreed finishing
Kitchen extension
Extending the property can create space for a larger kitchen and dining arrangement. The extension construction and the kitchen products, services and internal finishes must be budgeted as connected but identifiable parts of the project.
- + Design and applicable approvals
- + Structure, envelope and building services
- + Kitchen installation and room finishes
VERIFIED KITCHEN AND STRUCTURAL PROJECT
Open-plan kitchen renovation in Deptford.
This completed Growchance project shows why a kitchen budget may need to include structural work, connected trades and room finishes—not only kitchen products and fitting.
It is relevant to the structural/layout renovation scenario, but its actual project price is not being presented as the standard cost of another kitchen.
Structural alteration and kitchen work delivered together.
The project involved removing the load-bearing wall between the existing kitchen and dining room and installing the specified permanent steel support.
After the structural work and Building Control inspection, the connected space progressed through plastering, floor tiling and kitchen installation to create one open-plan kitchen, dining and living area.
For budgeting purposes, this type of project requires the kitchen products and installation to be considered alongside structural work, affected services, approvals and the finishing required across the connected rooms.
- + Temporary structural support
- + Load-bearing brickwork removed
- + Steel beam and padstones installed
- + Building Control inspection
- + Plastering and floor tiling
- + Kitchen installation and finishing
FROM EARLY RANGE TO USEFUL QUOTATION
How to prepare a more accurate kitchen budget.
The published ranges provide an early reference, but an accurate quotation needs information about your particular room, products, existing conditions and required work.
Provide the same information when comparing contractors so each quotation can be assessed on a consistent scope, VAT basis and completion standard.
Record the existing room
Provide photographs, room dimensions, approximate unit count, worktop length, property type, access information and details of the existing kitchen, flooring and visible services.
Define the proposed arrangement
Explain whether the layout remains substantially unchanged, which appliances are required and whether sinks, services, walls, openings or room boundaries will move.
Identify the specification
Record the cabinet range, construction and finish, worktop material, appliances, sink, tap, internal storage, flooring, lighting and other selected products where known.
List the connected trades
Include removal, electrical work, plumbing, heating, ventilation, flooring, plastering, decorating and any wall removal, structural alteration or wider building work.
Confirm who supplies each item
Distinguish products supplied by the homeowner, kitchen retailer, Growchance or a specialist trade. Include delivery, storage, damage, replacement, fitting and connection responsibilities.
Request comparable inclusions
Ask for labour, products, allowances, VAT, exclusions, provisional items, payment stages, expected programme and the agreed completion standard to be stated clearly.
Use the Kitchen Installation Calculator
Use the calculator for the narrower fitting and estimate journey. It does not replace a complete renovation quotation covering products, preparation and finishing.
Plan the complete kitchen project
Review the layout, building work, products, connected trades, target programme and finish required for the complete renovation.
Calculator results, published ranges and early discussions support initial planning. Final price, programme and availability follow review of the property, selected products, required trades and agreed written scope.
PRACTICAL BUDGET DECISIONS
Where can you simplify — and where should you be careful?
A controlled kitchen budget comes from deciding where specification adds genuine value and where simpler choices will still deliver a practical, durable room.
Retaining a workable layout and selecting products carefully may help keep the project closer to the lower end of the relevant cost range. Essential preparation, safe service connections and installation quality should still be protected.
Control choices without undermining the room.
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01
Retain a practical layout
Keeping the sink, appliances and plumbing close to suitable existing service positions may reduce unnecessary alteration work.
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02
Use standard cabinet sizes
A well-planned arrangement using suitable standard units can reduce custom joinery while still providing practical storage.
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03
Prioritise selected finishes
Invest in the worktops, appliances or visible features that matter most instead of choosing the highest specification in every category.
Do not hide essential work behind a lower price.
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01
Electrical and plumbing safety
Required alterations, testing and specialist connections should suit the proposed layout, selected appliances and applicable requirements.
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02
Preparation and installation quality
Unsuitable walls, floors and service positions should be addressed before cabinets, worktops and finishes conceal them.
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03
Clear scope and responsibility
Product supply, delivery, storage, connections, waste removal, making good and responsibility for defects should be defined before work begins.
KITCHEN RENOVATION COST QUESTIONS
Useful answers before setting your budget.
These answers use Growchance’s current London guidance for an approximately 16 – unit kitchen. Every quotation must still be based on the property, products, layout and complete scope.
View Kitchen Renovation ServiceFor the reference 16-unit kitchen used in this guide, Growchance’s current guidance is £12,000 – £17,000 including VAT for a supplied like-for-like replacement and £17,000 – £24,000 including VAT for a complete standard kitchen renovation.
A complete mid-range renovation may be approximately £24,000 – £35,000 including VAT. Renovations involving structural or major layout changes may be approximately £32,000 – £50,000+ including VAT, depending on the property and scope.
A complete kitchen-renovation budget may cover removal of the existing kitchen, waste disposal, cabinetry, worktops, appliances, fitting, plumbing and electrical alterations, wall preparation, flooring, splashbacks, decorating and making good.
Structural engineering, Building Control, party-wall matters, planning requirements, steelwork and extension work are not automatically included. The written quotation must identify the exact inclusions, exclusions and allowances.
No. Installation-only work generally means the client supplies the kitchen and Growchance installs it. For the reference kitchen, current installation-only guidance is approximately £5,000 – £7,500 including VAT.
A complete renovation can also cover removal, preparation, products, altered services, flooring, tiling, decorating and wider making good.
Not automatically. The reference supplied-kitchen ranges in this guide allow for appropriate standard or mid-range appliances, but every quotation must identify the actual products and allowances included.
It should also define responsibility for ordering, delivery, storage, installation and specialist connections.
It can. Moving the sink, cooking appliances, extraction or major electrical equipment may require new plumbing, waste, ventilation, electrical routes and additional making good.
A substantially retained layout is one reason a like-for-like replacement can cost less than a complete layout renovation.
A separate contingency may be sensible where the condition of existing wiring, plumbing, walls, floors or concealed areas cannot be confirmed before the old kitchen is removed.
Known work and provisional items should be identified separately rather than treating every possible issue as a confirmed cost.
Only when it is expressly included. An internal wall alteration requires its own assessment, construction scope and making-good allowance.
Learn more about internal wall removal and load-bearing wall removal . Structural work should not be assumed to form part of an ordinary kitchen-fitting price.
A like-for-like replacement may take approximately 2 – 3 weeks. A complete standard renovation may take approximately 3 – 5 weeks, while a mid-range renovation with more service or finishing work may take approximately 4 – 6 weeks.
Structural alterations, approvals, specialist products, access restrictions and unexpected conditions can extend the programme.
Provide room measurements, photographs, the proposed layout, cabinet and worktop information, appliance requirements and details of any building, electrical, plumbing, flooring, tiling or decorating work required.
Access, parking, delivery arrangements, property type and preferred programme can also affect the quotation.
Use the calculator for an early fitting-cost estimate. It does not replace a project-specific quotation for a complete renovation covering products, preparation, building work, altered services and finishes.
You can access the Kitchen Installation Calculator separately.
PLAN YOUR KITCHEN RENOVATION
Move from an early budget to a defined project.
Gather the information already available about your property, proposed layout, products and required finish. Growchance can review the intended renovation and identify what is needed to establish an appropriate construction scope.
You do not need to have every product selected before making an enquiry. Clear photographs, measurements and layout information will make the initial discussion more useful.
- Property London postcode, property type and access information.
- Kitchen Room photographs, measurements and proposed layout.
- Products Cabinet, worktop and appliance information where known.
- Wider work Required services, flooring, decorating or building alterations.
Discuss the complete kitchen project
Review the proposed layout, kitchen products, building work, services and finishes as one coordinated renovation scope.
Use the Kitchen Installation Calculator
Use the narrower calculator journey when you need an early fitting-cost indication rather than a quotation for the complete renovation.
The cost ranges in this guide include VAT and support early planning only. Calculator results are also indicative. Final cost, inclusions, availability and programme can be confirmed only after the property, selected products, required trades and complete written scope have been reviewed.
DISCUSS YOUR KITCHEN RENOVATION
Tell us about your kitchen and the work you are planning.
Share the information already available about your property, existing kitchen, proposed layout and preferred specification. Growchance can review the project and discuss the appropriate next step.
You do not need to have every product selected before contacting us. Plans, photographs, kitchen designs or supplier quotations can all help define the intended scope.
- Property London postcode, property type, access and whether the home is currently occupied.
- Existing room Photographs, approximate dimensions and details of the current kitchen and visible services.
- Proposed layout Kitchen design, unit arrangement, appliances and any walls or service positions you want to change.
- Required scope Tell us whether you need installation only, a like-for-like supplied replacement, a complete room renovation or connected structural and layout work.
The cost ranges in this guide include VAT and support early planning only. An enquiry, calculator result or initial discussion is not a final quotation. Final scope, product responsibilities, availability, programme and price are confirmed separately in writing.