A new kitchen ranges from £8,000 for a like-for-like replacement of a small flat kitchen to £70,000 for a high-end island layout with stone worktops and integrated appliances. Add a rear extension to host it and the total is £80,000–£150,000 for the typical London project. This guide breaks down cabinets, worktops, appliances and install labour so you can see exactly where the money goes.
| Project scope | From | To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replacement (small flat, like-for-like) | £8,000 | £18,000 | Same layout, off-the-shelf units |
| Replacement (3-bed family, mid-range) | £15,000 | £35,000 | Shaker fronts, laminate worktop |
| Open-plan refit (with knock-through) | £25,000 | £55,000 | Plus £8–15k structural opening |
| Premium fitted (handleless, quartz) | £30,000 | £60,000 | Mid-tier appliances |
| Premium island (stone, integrated) | £40,000 | £70,000 | Wolf, Sub-Zero, Gaggenau brands extra |
| Bespoke joinery (in-frame, painted) | £50,000 | £120,000 | Custom cabinet maker |
| Kitchen-extension package (rear ext + kitchen) | £80,000 | £150,000 | Full project including glazing |
Indicative ranges for London & South-East England, 2026. A site visit firms the figure to ±5%.
Howdens trade kitchen: £3–6k per kitchen. DIY-shed brand (B&Q, Wickes) £4–8k. Mid-range branded (Magnet, Wren) £8–15k. Designer (Tom Howley, Smallbone, deVOL): £20–60k.
Laminate: £85–195/linear m. Solid wood: £150–300/m. Engineered quartz: £320–720/m installed. Natural stone (marble, granite): £400–1,200/m. Worktops alone swing the budget by £3,000–£8,000.
Mid-range built-in oven/hob/dishwasher: £1,500–£3,000. Branded (Bosch, Neff): £3,000–£6,000. Premium (Wolf, Miele, Gaggenau, Sub-Zero): £8,000–£25,000. Wine fridge, steam oven, plate warmer push higher.
A like-for-like rip-and-replace is the cheap end. Knocking through to open-plan adds £8–15k structural cost. Adding an island typically adds £5–8k in cabinet, worktop, sockets, plumbing and waste runs.
A standard cooker hood with short flue is £300–£500 to install. An external venting hood (island, downdraft) often needs a 4–8m duct run through walls or ceiling — £1,500–£4,000 in builders work.
A fitter on a like-for-like kitchen replacement typically takes 8–12 days for a 3-bed family kitchen, at £350–£500/day = £3,000–£6,000 in labour. Open-plan or island kitchens with bespoke cabinetry can run 20+ days, taking install labour to £8–12k.
A like-for-like kitchen replacement runs 1.5–2.5 weeks on site. An open-plan refit (with structural opening) runs 4–6 weeks. A kitchen-extension project (extension + kitchen) runs 14–18 weeks. Plan kitchen design and procurement 6–10 weeks before site start.
Two consistent overspends: (1) appliances — designer brands easily double the budget for the same functional outcome; (2) bespoke joinery — a £15k kitchen and a £45k kitchen do the same job, the difference is craftsmanship and brand. Both are valid choices, but worth recognising before you commit.
A mid-range fitted kitchen for a 3-bed family is £15,000–£35,000 in 2026, including units, worktop, sink, taps, lighting and install. Add £5–15k for premium appliances or stone worktops, £8–15k for opening up to the rest of the ground floor.
A kitchen-extension package (rear extension hosting a new kitchen) is typically £80,000–£150,000 for a London project. Allocate £55–90k to the extension build and £20–45k to the kitchen itself.
Adding an island to a kitchen layout adds £5,000–£12,000: extra cabinets, worktop, plumbing/electrics, and often a stone overhang for breakfast bar seating.
A like-for-like replacement runs 1.5–2.5 weeks. An open-plan refit (with structural opening) runs 4–6 weeks. We agree dates with the client to minimise the period without a working kitchen.
On a like-for-like or simple refit, yes — buying directly from Howdens, Magnet or Wren saves the contractor markup (typically 10–20%). On bespoke or designer kitchens, the showroom usually packages design + supply + project management for a single fee.
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