Kitchen Refurbishment Cost & Work Guide

A successful project requires the careful coordination of multiple trades, including joiners, plumbers, electricians, and tilers. This guide breaks down the essential steps, realistic 2025/26 costs, and the regulatory requirements you need to navigate for a stress-free installation.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Design and Survey: Detailed measurements of the space, including the position of existing services (gas, water, electrics) and structural walls.
• Strip Out: Careful removal of old cabinetry, appliances, and flooring, followed by responsible waste disposal or skip hire.
• First Fix: Rerouting plumbing for sinks and dishwashers, and installing new electrical circuits for ovens, hobs, and socket outlets.
• Structural & Surface Prep: Patching plaster, levelling floors, and ensuring walls are "true" enough for cabinetry to hang correctly.
• Carpentry & Installation: Assembling and fixing base and wall units, ensuring everything is perfectly level and securely anchored.
• Worktop Fitting: Cutting and mitring laminate or, for stone and quartz, creating templates for off-site fabrication.
• Second Fix: Connecting taps, hosing in appliances, and installing final light fittings and faceplates.
• Finishing: Tiling splashbacks, sealing joints with silicone, and laying the final floor covering.

Typical Costs

Kitchen costs vary wildly based on the size of the room and the "spec" of the finishes. The figures below include VAT and represent mid-market UK averages for 2025/26.

The primary drivers of cost are your choice of worktop material and whether you move the location of the sink or cooker, which increases plumbing and electrical labour significantly.

Pro Tip: Always set aside a 10-15% contingency fund. Kitchens often hide "surprises" like damp behind old units or outdated wiring that only becomes visible once the strip-out begins.

How Long Does It Take?

• Simple Facelift: 2–4 days. Replacing doors, handles, and perhaps a laminate worktop is a quick way to refresh the space.
• Standard Refurbishment: 10–15 working days. This allows for strip-out, first-fix, installation, and second-fix.
• Complex Renovation: 4–6 weeks. Required if you are removing walls, installing underfloor heating, or waiting for templated stone worktops.

DIY or Professional?

While a confident DIYer can assemble flat-pack units, a kitchen refurbishment involves high-stakes plumbing and electrical work. In the UK, any new electrical circuits or work in "special zones" must comply with Part P Building Regulations, and gas appliances must be installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Professional installers bring the specialized tools required for precise worktop mitres and the experience to "scribe" panels to uneven UK walls. Hiring a professional project manager or a lead fitter ensures that the different trades arrive in the correct order, preventing costly downtime.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Verify Credentials: Ensure your electrician is registered with NICEIC or NAPIT, and your plumber is on the Gas Safe Register.
• Check Portfolios: Look for photos of "real" finished jobs, not just showroom stock images.
• Insurance: Confirm they hold Public Liability Insurance (minimum £2 million recommended).
• Ask: "Will you be managing the waste disposal, and do you have a waste carrier's licence?"
• Ask: "Who is the lead contact on-site if I have questions about the daily progress?"
• Ask: "Do you provide a written schedule of work and a payment milestone plan?"

UK Regulations

• Part P (Electrical Safety): Most kitchen electrical work must be notified to local building control or completed by a self-certifying registered sparky.
• Gas Safe: It is a legal requirement for any gas hob or oven installation to be performed by a registered professional.
• Ventilation (Part F): If you are replacing an extractor fan, it must meet specific airflow requirements to prevent damp and mould.
• Paperwork: You should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate and, if applicable, a Gas Safety Certificate upon completion.

Common Problems

• Lead Times: Ordering appliances or bespoke worktops too late can stall the entire project for weeks.
• Poor Wall Conditions: Once old tiles are removed, plaster often crumbles, requiring an unexpected "skim" coat before units can be fitted.
• Incompatible Services: Modern induction hobs often require a higher-rated cable than old electric ovens; check your consumer unit capacity early.
• Measurement Errors: Even a 5mm error in measuring a run of units can prevent the final cabinet from fitting, especially in tight galley kitchens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need planning permission for a kitchen refurbishment?

Generally, no. Interior refurbishments fall under "Permitted Development." However, if your home is a Listed Building or if you are significantly changing the windows or external appearance, you must consult your local planning office.

Can I keep my existing appliances to save money?

Yes, but ensure your fitter has the dimensions early. Integrated appliances (like hidden dishwashers) require specific door heights and hinges that may not be compatible with all new kitchen ranges.

What is the best order for a kitchen renovation?

Strip out > First fix (wires/pipes) > Plastering > Flooring > Cabinet installation > Worktops > Tiling > Second fix (taps/sockets) > Painting.

How long will I be without a working kitchen?

Expect to be without a sink and cooker for at least 5–7 days during a standard refit. Most homeowners set up a "temporary kitchen" in another room with a microwave, kettle, and slow cooker.

Should the floor go down before or after the units?

Most pros recommend laying the floor across the whole room first for a cleaner finish, though some prefer to fit units first and "butt" the floor up to the legs to save on material costs.