Planning a Kitchen Renovation UK: Costs, Workflow and What You Need to Know

A kitchen renovation is one of the most impactful improvements you can make to a home — and one of the most expensive if things go wrong. Whether you're refreshing tired cupboard doors or gutting the entire room to reconfigure the layout, a clear plan and realistic budget will save you thousands and months of stress.

How Much Does a Kitchen Renovation Cost in the UK?

Kitchen costs vary enormously depending on the scope of work, the quality of units and worktops, and whether you're moving plumbing or electrics. Use the table below as a starting framework.

Scope	What's Included	Typical Cost Range
Cosmetic refresh	New doors, worktops, taps, handles	£2,000–£5,000
Mid-range renovation	New units, worktops, appliances, some rewiring	£8,000–£15,000
Full remodel (same layout)	Full strip-out, new everything, no structural work	£15,000–£25,000
Full remodel (new layout)	Layout change, plumbing/electrics moved, structural work possible	£25,000–£50,000+

These figures assume a typical 10–15 m² kitchen. High-end fitted kitchens from manufacturers such as Bulthaup, Leicht, or bespoke joinery can push well above £50,000.

Labour typically accounts for 30–50% of the total cost. Don't focus solely on the price of units.

The Kitchen Renovation Workflow

Doing things in the wrong order is one of the most common (and costly) mistakes. The correct sequence is:

Measure and plan — Accurate measurements are non-negotiable. Draw the room to scale, mark all windows, doors, boiler positions, soil stacks, and consumer units.
Order units — Only after the plan is signed off and dimensions confirmed. Lead times on kitchen units can be 4–12 weeks.
Worktops — Templated and cut to size after units are installed and fully level.
First-fix electrics and plumbing — Rough-in work before walls are closed up.
Tiling — After units are in, to ensure clean cuts around plinths and wall units.
Appliances — Installed and commissioned once everything else is complete.
Decoration — Painting, touching up, final snagging.

Do You Need Planning Permission?

In most cases, no. Replacing a kitchen within the existing footprint requires no planning consent. However:

Kitchen extensions triggering a rear single-storey addition fall under Permitted Development (PD) — up to 8m for detached houses or 6m for semi-detached and terraced properties (subject to Prior Approval for extensions beyond 4m/3m respectively). See our full guide to Permitted Development Rights UK for the exact limits.
Removing a structural wall to open up a kitchen–diner always requires Building Regulations approval under Part A (Structure).

When You Need Building Regulations

Planning permission and Building Regulations are different things. You may not need planning but still need Building Regs. Notifiable work in a kitchen renovation includes:

Structural changes — any load-bearing wall, chimney breast removal or lintel replacement (Part A)
Electrical work — rewiring, adding a new circuit, or moving a consumer unit (Part P). Either use a registered electrician (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA) who self-certifies, or notify the local authority and arrange an inspection.
Gas work — ALL gas work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. No exceptions.
Drainage — moving a sink, dishwasher waste, or washing machine connection that affects the drainage layout (Part H)

Non-notifiable work — such as replacing like-for-like sockets in the same position — does not need to be certified. For a full breakdown of notifiable vs exempt works, see our Building Regulations approval UK guide.

How to Find a Good Kitchen Fitter

KBSA vs. Independent Fitters

The Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Specialists Association (KBSA) is a trade body whose members agree to a code of practice and carry professional indemnity insurance. A KBSA-accredited retailer will typically project-manage the full installation. Expect to pay a premium for this.

Independent fitters can offer excellent value — many are former employees of fitted kitchen companies. Ask to see examples of completed work, check reviews on platforms like Houzz or Checkatrade, and take up references.

Fixed Price vs. Day Rate

A fixed-price contract (preferred) means agreed scope at agreed cost. A day rate (£150–£300 per fitter per day) leaves you exposed to scope creep and delays. Always request a written, itemised quote before work starts.

What a good quote includes:

Full scope of work (supply vs. fit vs. both)
Allowances for removal and disposal of existing kitchen
Confirmation of who installs appliances and commissions gas/electrics
Payment schedule tied to milestones, not just dates
Inclusion or exclusion of waste plaster patching and decoration

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ordering units before the final measure. Kitchen companies often measure for you at the design stage, but always verify dimensions yourself before placing an order. Even a 5mm discrepancy can mean a worktop that won't fit around a window.

Underestimating unforeseen costs. Once walls are opened up, you may find:

Old pipework that needs re-routing (add £500–£1,500)
Wiring that doesn't meet current standards and needs replacing under Part P (add £800–£2,500 for a kitchen circuit)
Subfloor damage requiring repair before new flooring goes down (add £300–£1,000)

A contingency of 15–20% of the project budget is not excessive for a kitchen renovation; it's sensible planning.

Not confirming who signs off electrical and gas work. If your fitter says "I'll sort the electrics" but isn't Part P registered, you won't receive the necessary Building Regulations certificate — which your solicitor will ask for at resale.

How Renovate Me Can Help

Renovate Me walks you through every stage of your kitchen project — from uploading photos of your existing layout through to managing quotes, tracking milestones, and flagging when specialist sign-off is required. Each stage unlocks when the previous one is complete, so nothing gets done in the wrong order.