The True Cost of a Kitchen Renovation in the UK (2025)

Every great kitchen starts with a sketch and a cup of tea – then meets reality. Cabinets, worktops, electrics, plumbing, appliances, extraction, flooring and the thousand small decisions in between all add up. The sticker price on a door style or worktop is only part of the story. How you renovate drives cost as much as what you buy.

In 2025, with lead times, building regs and energy prices in the mix, a clear plan can save you money before the first unit arrives. For an end-to-end partner in design, spec and build, see how we approach every kitchen renovation project.

Kitchen renovation costs in 2025: what you’re really paying for

Ask five people ‘how much does a new kitchen cost?’ and you’ll get five answers.A simple door change with existing appliances is not the same project as a full strip-out with rewiring, plumbing moves and stone worktops.

The building matters too: a Victorian terrace with shallow floors and wonky walls behaves very differently to a new-build flat with tidy voids and service routes. Installation time – and the skills needed – follow the building, not the brochure.

Quiet cost drivers are always the same. Layout changes mean moving services and making-good. Solid-surface worktops need perfect cabinet installs before templating. Extraction needs real ducting, not a shiny box that recirculates steam onto your splashback.

Electrics need proper circuits for hobs, ovens and dishwashers, not a daisy-chain of extension leads behind kickboards. None of this is glamorous, but it’s the difference between a kitchen that works and one that frustrates.

Budget planning that doesn’t fall apart in week two

Good budgets are built in layers:

Design intent first – fix the layout on paper. Where the sink lives, how the fridge doors swing, whether the island clears circulation by more than a polite shrug.
Service reality second – confirm what the walls and floors will allow.
Product choices third – lock in finishes and appliances once you know the first two.

That order keeps scope creep under control. For a realistic figure before making big calls, try our UK renovation cost calculator.

A contingency isn’t pessimism; it’s insurance against hidden pipes, stubborn joists or an electrical board that belongs in a museum. Ten to fifteen per cent suits most kitchens. Older or quirkier homes might need more.

Appliances, power and the real install implications

Showrooms make appliances look interchangeable. Installation proves otherwise.

Induction – needs a dedicated circuit, an isolator within reach and RCD/RCBO protection.
Gas – needs a compliant pipe run and extraction that clears air, not just noise.

If you’re deciding between them, see our gas vs induction hobs comparison.

Other choices have knock-ons too. Double ovens and warming drawers change cabinet internals and electrical loads. American-style fridges want water feeds and enough swing space to avoid clashing with the island. Integrated dishwashers and bins work best next to the sink – so you’re not playing plate Tetris every night.

Sinks, taps and the wet zone (the place leaks are born)

Sinks shape both style and installation. Belfast fronts add depth and character but need sturdy cabinets and splash management. Undermounts look seamless under stone or quartz but rely on precise cut-outs and good sealing to stop water creeping under. If you’re torn, see our undermount vs Belfast sinks guide.

Taps matter too. Boiling-water taps need filtered feeds, vented tanks and thought about child safety. Pull-out sprays need space in the cabinet so hoses don’t snag. Plan the inside of the sink unit as carefully as the outside.

Lighting the kitchen so it actually works at night

Great kitchens layer light. You need clear, bright task lighting on worktops, softer ambient light for evenings and a way to make the island feel like a table when it’s time to eat. Downlights alone won’t do it. Pendants need the right height and spacing. Under-cabinet strips save your shadow from blocking the chopping board. For readers who want practical fixture guidance without going down a rabbit hole, chech out our kitchen ceiling lights guide.

Worktops, flooring and the “once the stone is booked” moment

Stone templating freezes dimensions; changes after that are expensive and slow. Get the cabinet install millimetre-true before you pick up the phone. Timber worktops need oiling. Laminates need carefully sealed cut edges around sinks and hobs. Porcelain and sintered surfaces offer exceptional heat and stain resistance but need experienced fabricators.

Flooring choices affect maintenance as much as style: matte porcelain hides marks, timber looks beautiful but needs protection near sinks, and LVT is warm, forgiving and low-maintenance.

Sequencing: the secret to saving money

Sequence is where budgets go to live or die. So get the order right:

First fix services first fix before before plaster and paint.
Cabinets before worktops
Appliances after stone
Sealants last, when the dust has gone.

Agree extraction ducting before ceilings close. Plan island power before the screed sets. None of this is hard – until it’s done in the wrong order.

Beams’ take: design the experience, cost the reality, deliver the room

We start with how you cook and gather – the Sunday batch-cook, the midweek sprint, the Friday glass of wine at the island. Then we design around it, scan the space so surprises come early, and write a scope the trades can price cleanly.

Our proposals bring clarity, and our vetted teams install like they drew the plan – because they did. If your kitchen needs to work hard and look effortless, that’s our brief.

If your kitchen is meant to work hard and look effortless, that’s the brief we live for. When you’re ready, explore our kitchen renovation services.

FAQs: Kitchen renovation costs & planning (UK 2025)

Is it cheaper to remodel my existing kitchen or extend for more space?

Remodelling within your current footprint avoids structural work and planning hurdles, so it’s usually more cost-effective. If you need dining space or a bigger island, some households do extend – see our cost of home extension guide.

How do I make a new kitchen more energy-efficient without wrecking the budget?

Choose induction over gas for efficiency and safety, pick A-rated appliances, duct extractors outside, and use LEDs. For more ideas, see our eco-friendly renovation tips.

Who should actually run my kitchen project—one contractor or lots of trades?

A single lead contractor reduces miscommunication and avoids the ‘not my job’ problem. If you’re unsure how contractor types differ, see our understanding different types of contractors guide.

Will changing the sink or hob style push my budget up much?

Sometimes. Belfast sinks need stronger cabinetry; undermounts demand perfect stone cut-outs. Switching hob type affects services and extraction. We’ve already linked to our sink comparison.

Is a new kitchen actually worth it if I might move soon?

If selling, keep layouts sensible, finishes durable and colours calm. Buyers value a kitchen that works and looks fresh. See 10 reasons to renovate for more on timing and motivation.

Where can I see more planning advice before I dive in?

We publish practical, UK-specific guides every week – see the Beams Renovation Blog.