Planning a kitchen renovation is exciting, but one of the first questions most UK homeowners ask is: how much does a kitchen renovation cost?
The answer varies considerably. A simple kitchen makeover can cost a few thousand pounds, while a full renovation with new cabinetry, worktops, appliances, plumbing, electrics and structural changes can reach £25,000 or considerably more.
Current UK cost guides put a typical full kitchen renovation broadly in the £5,000–£25,000 range, although premium and bespoke projects can go well beyond this. Which? also notes that labour can account for around 20–30% of the final budget, while additional work such as plumbing, flooring and electrics can make a significant difference to the total.
The most important point is that the cost of renovating a kitchen is determined by what you change, not simply the size of the room.
Average Kitchen Renovation Cost in the UK
For a useful starting point, a typical 2026 budget might look like this:
| Kitchen renovation level | Approximate UK cost |
|---|---|
| Basic refresh | £2,000–£5,000 |
| Budget full renovation | £5,000–£8,000 |
| Mid-range renovation | £10,000–£16,000 |
| Premium renovation | £18,000–£30,000+ |
| Bespoke/high-end kitchen | £30,000–£60,000+ |
These are broad planning figures rather than fixed prices. A recent UK cost guide places fully fitted kitchen renovations at approximately £5,000–£25,000, with around £12,000 representing a typical mid-range project.
London and the South East can also be more expensive because labour rates tend to be higher.
Before comparing quotes, establish exactly what is included. A kitchen advertised at a particular price may exclude appliances, fitting, flooring, electrical work, plumbing, waste removal or decorating.
What Does a Kitchen Renovation Include?
The phrase kitchen renovation can mean very different things.
A cosmetic renovation might involve changing only the visible finishes, while a complete kitchen refurbishment could involve stripping the room back to the walls and rebuilding it.
A full renovation may include:
- Kitchen cabinets
- Kitchen doors
- Drawer fronts
- Worktops
- Sink and tap
- Appliances
- Flooring
- Wall finishes
- Splashbacks
- Lighting
- Electrical work
- Plumbing
- Extraction
- Decorating
- Removal of the existing kitchen
- Installation and labour
The more of these elements you change, the higher your overall kitchen renovation cost is likely to be.
Kitchen Cabinets and Doors
Cabinetry is usually one of the largest parts of a kitchen renovation budget.
The price depends on the number of units, construction, supplier, materials, finish and whether the kitchen is standard or bespoke.
However, you do not always need to replace the entire cabinet structure.
If your existing kitchen units are still sound and the layout works well, replacement kitchen doors can provide a much more affordable way to update the room.
Current UK cost information from Checkatrade puts replacement kitchen doors at approximately £131–£259 per door, including associated items and labour in its example pricing, with a whole-kitchen door replacement averaging around £1,300–£2,250.
This makes replacement doors worth considering if your kitchen is structurally sound but looks dated.
You could replace:
- Cabinet doors
- Drawer fronts
- End panels
- Plinths
- Appliance panels
- Handles
This approach can significantly change the appearance without the disruption and cost of replacing every cabinet carcass.
How Much Does It Cost to Fit a Kitchen?
Installation is another major consideration.
Checkatrade estimates the UK average cost for fitting a new kitchen at around £3,500, excluding the kitchen itself, although actual labour costs vary considerably depending on the size, specification and complexity of the project.
A straightforward kitchen with existing plumbing and electrical points will generally be easier to install than a design that requires:
- Moving the sink
- Relocating the cooker
- Installing new electrical circuits
- Moving radiators
- Removing walls
- Installing an island
- Changing doors or windows
The cheapest kitchen installation is usually the one that requires the fewest changes to the existing infrastructure.
How Much Do Kitchen Worktops Cost?
The worktop can have a surprisingly large effect on your budget.
Laminate
Usually one of the more economical options. Modern laminate worktops can imitate timber, stone and concrete while keeping costs under control.
Solid Wood
Oak and other timber worktops add warmth and natural character. They require more maintenance than some stone alternatives.
Quartz
Quartz is popular for premium kitchens because it offers a durable, low-maintenance surface with a wide range of colours and patterns.
Natural Stone
Granite and marble can create a high-end appearance, but material, fabrication, delivery and installation can significantly increase the cost.
If your budget is limited, spending more on a quality worktop while keeping the cabinet specification relatively straightforward can create a more premium-looking result without increasing every part of the renovation.
Kitchen Appliance Costs
Appliances can quickly push up the cost of a kitchen renovation.
A basic appliance package might include:
- Oven
- Hob
- Extractor
- Fridge-freezer
- Dishwasher
- Washing machine
Premium appliances can cost several times more than entry-level alternatives.
Before choosing appliances, decide whether they need to be integrated or freestanding. Integrated appliances can create a cleaner appearance but may require specific cabinet sizes and installation details.
If your existing appliances are relatively new and still suitable for the new design, keeping them can free up budget for other improvements.
Plumbing and Electrical Costs
One of the easiest ways to underestimate a kitchen renovation budget is to focus only on cabinets and worktops.
Changing the location of the sink, dishwasher, washing machine or cooker can require additional plumbing.
Likewise, modern kitchens often need substantial electrical provision for appliances, sockets, lighting and extraction.
Which? notes that plumbing, flooring, electrics and other expenses can represent a significant proportion of the overall renovation budget.
If possible, keep the major services in approximately the same locations.
This does not mean you should never change the layout, but moving services should be a deliberate decision based on the improvement it provides.
Does a Kitchen Island Increase Renovation Cost?
Yes.
A kitchen island requires additional cabinetry, a worktop and potentially electrical connections, lighting or plumbing.
However, an island can provide valuable:
- Preparation space
- Storage
- Seating
- Social space
- Appliance space
If you are working with a smaller kitchen, do not install an island simply because it looks attractive in photographs. It needs to leave enough space for doors, drawers and people to move comfortably.
For larger kitchens, an island can become the main focal point and justify allocating more of the budget to cabinetry and worktops.
Flooring, Tiling and Decorating
The kitchen itself is only part of the renovation.
You may also need to budget for:
- Floor tiles
- Vinyl or LVT flooring
- Timber flooring
- Wall tiling
- Splashbacks
- Plastering
- Painting
- Ceiling repairs
- Skirting boards
- Lighting
These smaller elements can add up quickly.
A useful approach is to create a separate finishing budget rather than assuming the kitchen supplier's quotation covers the entire room.
How to Renovate a Kitchen on a Budget
You do not necessarily need to spend £20,000 or more to create a dramatically improved kitchen.
The biggest savings often come from retaining what already works.
Keep the Existing Layout
Moving plumbing, electrical connections and appliances can increase labour costs.
Replace Kitchen Doors
If your cabinets are sound, replacement doors can give the room a completely different appearance without replacing the entire kitchen.
Reuse Appliances
Keep appliances that are still efficient, reliable and compatible with the new layout.
Choose Laminate Worktops
Modern laminate can provide attractive stone and timber effects at a lower cost.
Update the Hardware
New handles can make dated cabinets look considerably fresher.
Improve Lighting
Under-cabinet lighting, pendants and better ceiling lighting can dramatically improve the appearance of a kitchen.
Can You Renovate a Kitchen for £5,000?
Yes, but expectations need to be realistic.
A £5,000 kitchen renovation is more achievable when the existing layout is retained and you choose budget-conscious cabinetry, worktops and appliances.
You may need to:
- Keep existing appliances
- Avoid structural changes
- Use affordable worktops
- Retain the existing flooring
- Minimise plumbing changes
- Choose standard cabinet sizes
- Carry out some decorating yourself
A complete high-end kitchen with bespoke cabinetry, premium appliances and structural alterations is unlikely to fit within this budget.
How Much Should You Spend on a Kitchen Renovation?
A useful way to approach your budget is to consider the property and how long you expect to stay there.
For a long-term family home, investing in durable cabinetry, quality worktops and good storage can make sense.
For a rental property, the priorities may be different. Durability, easy maintenance and cost-effective replacement are likely to matter more than bespoke finishes.
If you are renovating before selling, avoid spending heavily on features that will not appeal to the wider market.
Which? reports a commonly cited guideline that a kitchen renovation should represent around 5–10% of the property's value, although this should be treated as a planning principle rather than a strict rule.
What Makes a Kitchen Renovation Expensive?
Several factors can cause the budget to increase significantly.
1. Changing the Layout
Moving walls, plumbing, electrical points or appliances adds labour and materials.
2. Bespoke Cabinetry
Handmade cabinets offer more flexibility but generally cost considerably more than standard units.
3. Premium Worktops
Natural stone and high-end engineered surfaces can add thousands of pounds.
4. Premium Appliances
Range cookers, integrated refrigeration and specialist appliances can quickly increase the budget.
5. Structural Changes
Removing walls, installing steel beams or enlarging openings can transform a simple renovation into a major building project.
6. Unexpected Problems
Old wiring, damp, uneven floors or damaged walls may only become apparent once the existing kitchen is removed.
Allow a Contingency for Unexpected Costs
Even a carefully planned kitchen renovation can uncover problems.
A sensible budget should therefore include a contingency rather than allocating every pound to cabinets and finishes.
Potential unexpected costs include:
- Damaged plumbing
- Old electrical wiring
- Uneven floors
- Damp
- Wall repairs
- Additional plastering
- Structural work
- Replacement pipework
- Waste disposal
Having money set aside for these issues makes it much easier to deal with problems without compromising the final specification.
Kitchen Renovation Cost: Example Budgets
Here is a simplified example of how different budgets might be allocated:
| Element | Budget renovation | Mid-range renovation | Premium renovation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinets/doors | £1,500–£3,000 | £3,000–£6,000 | £7,000+ |
| Worktops | £500–£1,000 | £1,000–£2,500 | £3,000+ |
| Appliances | £1,000–£2,000 | £2,000–£4,000 | £5,000+ |
| Installation | £1,500–£3,000 | £3,000–£5,000 | £5,000+ |
| Flooring/tiling | £500–£1,000 | £1,000–£2,000 | £2,000+ |
| Plumbing/electrics | £500–£1,500 | £1,000–£3,000 | £3,000+ |
These figures are planning ranges, not quotations. The total cost will depend on the size of the kitchen, location, specification and amount of work required.
Is Replacing Kitchen Doors Cheaper Than a New Kitchen?
In many cases, yes.
If the existing cabinets are structurally sound, replacement kitchen doors can provide one of the most cost-effective ways to transform the appearance of the room.
Instead of removing the entire kitchen, you retain the existing carcasses and replace the visible fronts.
This can allow you to change from:
- Old wood-effect doors to modern matt doors
- Dated laminate to Shaker doors
- Dark cabinetry to light doors
- Plain doors to oak-effect finishes
- Traditional handles to modern hardware
Checkatrade's current guide estimates an average whole-kitchen replacement-door project at around £1,300–£2,250, although the actual cost depends on the number, size and quality of doors required.
How to Get an Accurate Kitchen Renovation Quote
Before accepting a quotation, make sure you know exactly what is included.
Ask whether the price covers:
- Removal of the old kitchen
- Waste disposal
- Cabinets
- Doors and drawer fronts
- Worktops
- Appliances
- Sink and tap
- Plumbing
- Electrical work
- Flooring
- Tiling
- Decorating
- Installation
- VAT
Also ask about lead times and what happens if additional work is discovered once the existing kitchen is removed.
Getting multiple detailed quotations can make it easier to compare like for like.
Final Thoughts
So, how much does a kitchen renovation cost in the UK?
For 2026, a sensible broad planning range is around £5,000–£25,000 for a typical full renovation, with budget projects below this and premium or bespoke kitchens extending significantly higher.
The biggest factor is not simply the size of the kitchen. Your final kitchen renovation cost depends on the cabinetry, worktops, appliances, labour, layout changes and condition of the existing room.
If the kitchen layout already works and the cabinets are structurally sound, replacement kitchen doors can offer a particularly cost-effective alternative to a complete refit. If the room requires a new layout, structural work or major plumbing and electrical changes, a larger renovation budget is more realistic.
The best approach is to decide what genuinely needs changing before choosing products. Keep what works, invest where it matters and allow a contingency for unexpected work. That way, your kitchen renovation budget is more likely to deliver a room that looks good, functions properly and continues to work for years to come.
For more information about Bryan Turner Kitchen Furniture and accessories, give us a call at 01953 660762 and speak to a member of our expert team today or Email us at enquiries@bryanturnerkitchens.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
