Kitchen Fitting Cost: How Much Does It Really Cost to Fit a Kitchen?

Kitchen fitting costs can be all over the place. Got a tiny galley kitchen in need of a quick facelift? You might spend barely a grand getting it sorted, but if you want that Instagram-worthy kitchen island and fancy LED strip lighting, things can spiral fast. The price isn’t just about the size of your kitchen, though. It’s what you want done, where you live, who you hire, and what materials you pick.

Fitters usually charge two ways: a flat rate for the whole job or a daily rate if it’s likely to drag out. In 2025, daily rates sit anywhere from £150 to £250 in most parts of the UK. But here's the catch—actual kitchen fitting quotes almost always depend on the fitter looking at your kitchen in person. No two quotes are ever quite the same.

If you’re thinking, “Can I just pay for the units and skip the fitting?”—not really. Even the best flat-pack kitchen goes south if it’s put together on the wonk. Quality fitters make everything line up and look slick, hiding ugly pipework and giving your kitchen that showroom feel. Lots of people end up surprised when they find out the fitting costs sometimes add up to just as much as the units themselves.

• What Impacts Kitchen Fitting Costs?
• What Do Kitchen Fitters Actually Charge?
• Hidden Extras and How to Spot Them
• Tips for Saving Money on Your Kitchen Fit

What Impacts Kitchen Fitting Costs?

Wondering why there’s such a big gap in what people pay to fit a kitchen? It comes down to a bunch of factors, from the obvious to a few sneaky ones that catch folks off guard. Let’s break it down so you know where your money actually goes.

• Size of the kitchen: More cabinets and longer worktops mean higher costs. A massive kitchen with an island needs a lot more labor than a tiny L-shape setup.
• Complexity: If you’ve got built-in appliances, clever storage units, or weird angles, expect the job to cost more. Anything that strays from a standard layout is going to take more time (and skill).
• Removal of the old kitchen: Ripping out your old kitchen isn’t always included. If you need the fitter to haul away old units—even more if there are ancient tiles or tricky flooring—it’ll show up as an extra charge.
• Location: Prices change a lot depending on where you live. Big cities like London charge way more for labor compared to smaller towns or rural areas. That’s just how the market works in 2025.
• Materials and extras: Got your eye on quartz or granite worktops? Those need more careful fitting and usually take longer compared to basic laminate. Heavy appliances or weird-shaped sinks are in the same boat.
• Plumbing and electrics: Sometimes, you need pipes or wiring moved. If the fitting job touches gas hobs or wiring for ovens, registered experts have to step in, ramping up costs.

Keep in mind, those are just ballpark numbers. It’s easy to get drawn in by cheap unit deals, but labor and hidden extras often make up half the total bill. If you want a really tidy finish, it’s usually worth stretching for a fitter who charges more but has solid experience and reviews. A quick scan of rated tradespeople in your area (Checkatrade or TrustATrader) gives you a feel for what’s reasonable nearby.

What Do Kitchen Fitters Actually Charge?

When it comes to kitchen fitting cost, it’s usually less straightforward than folks hope. Fitters price things based on the size of your kitchen, the tricky bits, and even how old your house is. In 2025, most kitchen fitters in the UK charge in one of two ways: either by project or by day. The project rate means you get a set cost for the whole job up front. The daily rate means you pay for every day the fitter spends onsite. Bigger cities like London? Expect everything to lean higher.

For a basic kitchen swap (rip out old units, install ready-made new ones, reconnect plumbing but keep stuff in the same place) you're usually looking at:

• Small kitchen (6-8 units): £1,200–£2,200 total
• Medium kitchen (9–12 units): £2,000–£3,500 total
• Large kitchen (13+ units): £3,500–£6,000 or more

If the job's more complicated—maybe you want custom cabinetry, moving plumbing or electrics, or installing fancy bits like an integrated coffee machine—prices climb fast. For this sort of work, fitters may charge £250–£350 per day, and a big project might run for two weeks.

Here’s a table with a quick look at the ballpark figures you could encounter as of June 2025:

Sometimes you’ll see separate charges for things like tiling, floor fitting, or plastering. That could add anywhere from £200–£800 depending on what you pick. Gas and electrical work have to be done by certified folks, and you’re usually looking at £40–£70 an hour for these trades.

Always get at least three quotes, and don’t just go with the cheapest. Look for someone with solid reviews or recommendations. Ask them for a breakdown in the quote, so you know exactly what’s covered—demolition, fitting, plumbing, waste removal, all of it. No one likes surprise costs halfway through.

Hidden Extras and How to Spot Them

Ever wondered why kitchen fitting jobs almost always go over the quote? It usually comes down to hidden extras. These are the extra jobs that pop up after the old kitchen gets ripped out, or things your installer forgot to mention when pricing.

Want some classic examples? Here’s what often blindsides folks:

• Moving plumbing or electrics. That fancy new sink won’t work if the waste pipes don’t line up. If your fitter needs to move sockets, run new cables, or shift pipes under the floor, that’s an instant bump to your bill.
• Plastering and skimming walls. When the old units come down, sometimes the walls underneath look rougher than a builder’s tea break. If patching up or full re-plastering is needed, costs jump.
• Waste removal. Taking away the old cabinets, appliances, tiles, and packaging can add £100–£250, unless you get stuck with a skip outside your house for days.
• Flooring adjustments. Got an uneven or damaged floor under those old units? Sorting that out isn’t usually included in a basic fitting price.
• Extra joinery or trims. Sometimes kitchens just don’t fit the odd corners and nooks in a house, so you need extra panels or ‘filler strips’ to close gaps. These aren’t always in the quote.

To make things clearer, here’s a table with some example costs for the most common hidden extras in 2025:

If you’re staring at a quote that feels weirdly cheap, ask what’s actually included. Get all the possible extras in writing. Some fitters do give a detailed costs breakdown—don’t be afraid to ask for it. Properly written quotes list every main job and possible extra.

And here’s a tip: walk around your kitchen with the installer before you agree to anything. Point out old pipes, dodgy sockets, cracked floors—anything that looks tricky. It’ll save you a headache and wallet shock later. If you want to keep your kitchen fitting cost down, the best defence is clear communication from the start.

Tips for Saving Money on Your Kitchen Fit

Getting your kitchen sorted without spending more than you need is totally doable, but you’ll have to keep your wits about you. First up, get a few written quotes—not just a ballpark figure over the phone. Comparing at least three different fitters really does help you avoid overpaying. Loads of people say they saved anywhere from £500 to £1,500 just by doing this. Don’t be shy about asking what’s included. Some fitters throw in extras like disposal of old units, but others quietly tack on charges for little things like drilling extra holes or reconnecting appliances.

Don’t forget timing. If you can fit your kitchen outside of the spring and summer rush when everyone’s renovating, you might bag a better deal. Some fitters offer lower rates in the autumn or early winter when things go quiet. And if you can handle a paintbrush, save on decorator fees by doing walls and finishing touches yourself after the main job is done.

• Kitchen fitting cost tends to drop if you source your own units, appliances, and even handles. Shop around online—sometimes you’ll find the exact same branded unit for 30% less from design clearance stores or ex-display sales.
• Watch for delivery charges and minimum order fees. These hidden costs add up if you’re not careful.
• If you’re brave, take on the removal of your old kitchen yourself. A skip plus a couple of strong arms can beat the £300–£500 fitters often charge for ripping out the old stuff.
• Stick to your plan. Last-minute changes—moving a sink or switching to a fancy worktop—nearly always mean extra labour and a bigger bill.

Here’s a quick look at what you could save on average in the UK if you do some bits yourself or haggle:

If you’re willing to research, haggle, and get your own hands dirty in a few areas, you can keep costs in check and still get a kitchen you’ll actually want to show off.