Cost guide
How much does kitchen fitting cost?
Kitchen fitting labour costs £1,500 to £5,000 for a standard UK kitchen, separate from the units and appliances. Most quotes for a ten to fifteen unit kitchen land between £2,000 and £3,500.
Typical prices
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Fitting only, 10 to 15 units | £1,500 to £3,000 |
| Fitting only, 20+ units | £3,000 to £5,000 |
| Removing and disposing of an old kitchen | £300 to £600 |
| Laminate worktop, cut and jointed on site | £150 to £350 per run |
| Stone worktop, templated and fitted | £1,500 to £4,000 supplied |
Ask whether the quote is labour only or supply and fit. The two are commonly confused and the difference is most of the budget.
What moves the price
- Unit count. Most fitters price per unit or per day; twenty units is roughly double the labour of ten.
- Worktop. Laminate is cut on site and included. Stone is templated and fitted by the supplier, adding cost and a week's gap.
- Removing the old kitchen, and making good behind it.
- Whether walls and floors are square and level. An old house adds packing and scribing time.
- Plumbing and electrical work, usually separate trades.
What the job involves
A fitter works to the floor and the wall, neither of which is straight. Base units are levelled off the highest point of the floor and packed down from there, because a run levelled off the lowest point leaves a unit unsupported. Wall units hang from a rail or from batten, set from the worktop height rather than from the ceiling. Doors and drawer fronts are adjusted last, and this is the part that shows: consistent shadow gaps between fronts is the single clearest sign of a good fit.
Questions about kitchen fitting
How long does a kitchen take to fit?
Five to ten working days for a standard kitchen, plus a break of a week if stone worktops are being templated. Old kitchen removal and any plastering add to that.
Should I use the retailer's fitter or find my own?
Both work. An independent fitter is usually cheaper and easier to hold to a date; a retailer's fitter is simpler if something arrives damaged, because the supply and the fit sit with one company.
Does the fitter do plumbing and electrics?
Usually not. Most kitchen fitters are carpenters who work alongside a plumber and an electrician. Ask early who is booking them.