A kitchen renovation is one of the most exciting upgrades you can make to your home, but it’s also one of the most financially significant. In 2025, with material prices stabilising after years of volatility and labour demand still running high, many homeowners across the UK are asking the same question: how much does a full kitchen renovation really cost?
The short answer is that it depends. The long answer is far more useful — and that’s exactly what this guide is here to explain. From realistic price ranges to the hidden costs most people don’t anticipate, this article gives you a clear picture of what to expect when planning a full kitchen renovation in 2025.
What Is Considered a “Full” Kitchen Renovation?
A full kitchen renovation goes far beyond refreshing a few surfaces. It usually involves stripping out the entire existing kitchen and rebuilding it from the ground up. That includes new cabinets, worktops, appliances, flooring, electrics, plumbing, lighting, and decorative finishes. In some homes, it also includes changing the layout, knocking through walls, or relocating services.
This type of renovation completely transforms how the space looks and functions — but it also explains why costs vary so widely from one project to the next.
Average Kitchen Renovation Costs in the UK for 2025
In 2025, most full kitchen renovations in the UK fall into three broad pricing categories. A budget renovation typically sits between £6,000 and £10,000. This usually covers flat-pack units, laminate worktops, basic appliances, and minimal layout changes.
Mid-range renovations are the most common choice for homeowners and usually fall between £10,000 and £20,000. This level allows for branded cabinets, quartz or solid-surface worktops, integrated appliances, upgraded lighting, and solid flooring.
High-end renovations often start at £20,000 and can easily exceed £40,000–£50,000. These projects usually include bespoke cabinetry, premium appliances, major layout changes, structural work, and luxury finishes throughout.
Most homeowners across the UK in 2025 realistically spend between £12,000 and £18,000 for a well-finished, fully fitted kitchen.
What Actually Drives the Cost?
Several factors work together to determine the final price of a kitchen renovation. The size of the kitchen is one of the biggest contributors. Larger kitchens require more cabinets, more worktops, more flooring, and significantly more labour. Even a difference of a few square metres can add thousands to the final bill.
Material choice is another major factor. Laminate worktops remain the most affordable option, while quartz and granite command a higher price due to their durability and premium appearance. Cabinet quality also varies widely, with flat-pack units at the lower end and bespoke joinery at the top.
Appliances can quietly push budgets higher than expected. A simple oven, hob, and extractor might stay within a modest budget, but once you add a built-in fridge freezer, dishwasher, wine cooler, or smart technology, costs rise quickly.
Labour is often underestimated. A full renovation requires coordinated work from electricians, plumbers, fitters, plasterers, tilers, and decorators. Across many parts of the UK, labour now accounts for 35–50% of the total renovation cost.
For homeowners in Scotland, especially those hiring experiencedkitchen fitters in Edinburgh, professional installation is often the difference between a kitchen that looks good on completion and one that still performs perfectly ten years later.
A Realistic Mid-Range Example in 2025
To put this into real terms, imagine a standard family kitchen in a typical UK home. The layout remains mostly the same, but everything else is upgraded: new cabinets, quartz worktops, integrated appliances, new lighting, vinyl or tile flooring, full rewiring, and plumbing adjustments.
In 2025, a renovation like this would commonly cost between £14,000 and £18,000. That budget would usually include full removal of the old kitchen, waste disposal, installation, and finishing. You wouldn’t be entering the luxury market, but you would be getting a durable, well-finished kitchen built to last.
Appliances, Flooring, and the Details That Add Up
Appliance prices in 2025 reflect the continued push toward energy efficiency. A standard oven and hob might cost £600–£1,500, while a premium integrated fridge freezer can exceed £2,500. Dishwashers, extractors, and microwave units all add to the total.
Flooring also varies widely. Vinyl and LVT remain popular for their durability and water resistance, usually costing £25–£60 per square metre. Porcelain tiles and engineered wood often fall between £50 and £120 per square metre, with installation added on top.
It’s also important to remember the smaller “invisible” costs. Skip hire, old kitchen disposal, wall repairs, levelling uneven floors, and even temporary kitchen arrangements during the renovation period all increase the final spend. These hidden costs commonly add £1,000–£2,500 to many projects.
How Long Does a Full Kitchen Renovation Take?
A full renovation is rarely a quick job. Most projects follow a timeline that includes two to four weeks for design and planning, four to eight weeks for manufacturing and delivery of the kitchen, and two to four weeks for on-site installation.
That means the total process often takes between eight and fourteen weeks from start to finish. Structural alterations can extend timelines even further.
Does a New Kitchen Add Value to Your Home?
In most cases, yes — a well-designed, professionally installed kitchen remains one of the highest return-on-investment renovations you can make. Property experts commonly estimate that a new kitchen can add between 5% and 10% to a home’s market value. It also tends to improve sale speed and buyer perception.
Even if you’re not planning to sell, the lifestyle improvement is often just as important. A better layout, improved lighting, modern storage solutions, and energy-efficient appliances all enhance daily living.
Regional Differences in 2025
Location still plays a significant role in renovation pricing. London and the South East remain the most expensive areas due to labour rates, access restrictions, and parking logistics. Scotland continues to offer strong mid-range pricing, though demand in cities like Edinburgh keeps labour costs competitive. Northern regions of England generally remain 10–20% cheaper for labour than the South.
This means the same £18,000 renovation in London could cost closer to £15,000 in parts of Scotland.
How to Avoid Budget Blowouts
Most kitchen renovations go over budget for one of three reasons: late design changes, underestimating labour, or unexpected structural issues. The best way to avoid this is to finalise your design before ordering, resist the urge to change materials mid-project, and always set aside a contingency fund of around 10–15%.
Keeping the existing layout is one of the most reliable ways to control costs. Moving sinks, gas, or electrics almost always triggers additional expense.
Where to Learn More About Detailed Pricing
If you’d like a full breakdown of individual costs — including cabinetry, worktops, installation, appliances, plumbing, and electrics — this detailed guide tokitchen renovation cost offers one of the clearest explanations available for UK homeowners in 2025.
It’s especially useful for anyone trying to build a realistic budget before requesting quotes.
Final Thoughts: What Should You Budget in 2025?
For most UK households, a sensible full kitchen renovation budget in 2025 sits between £12,000 and £20,000. That figure allows for quality materials, professional installation, safe electrics and plumbing, reliable appliances, and a finish that truly lasts.
Cheaper renovations are still possible, but they usually involve compromises in layout, materials, or appliance quality. High-end kitchens can easily exceed £30,000, especially when bespoke features and structural work are involved.
Ultimately, the smartest approach is thorough planning, realistic budgeting, and investing in the areas that matter most — installation quality, durable materials, and good design. When done properly, a full kitchen renovation remains one of the best long-term investments you can make in your home.
