If you’ve started thinking about a new kitchen, you’ve probably asked the same question everyone asks me very early on:
“How much should we expect to spend?”
And the honest answer is…
it depends what you’re including.
So instead of vague estimates, I want to share real figures from my own recent projects, with a clear explanation of what those prices cover.
No smoke and mirrors. Just real numbers.
What my clients actually spend on their kitchens
The prices below are based on recent kitchens I’ve designed and supplied, all including VAT.
They cover:
- kitchen cabinets
- worktops
- appliances
They do not include:
- fitting
- electrics
- plumbing
- building or structural work
Those elements are usually paid directly by the client to their chosen trades (or trades I recommend), depending on how the project is set up.
Real examples (inc VAT)
- £11,500
- £18,300
- £19,500
- £22,700
- £24,600
- £26,300
- £31,500
- £40,000+
The lowest was just over £11k
The highest just over £41k
Most sit comfortably between:
👉 £20,000–£30,000
These figures include a wide range of kitchens:
- vinyl wrapped doors
- painted ash
- shaker styles
- more contemporary slab designs
So this isn’t one “type” of kitchen — it’s a realistic spread of what homeowners actually choose.
So what’s not included in those numbers?
This is where things often get confusing, so it’s worth being really clear.
On top of the kitchen itself, most renovations will also involve some or all of the following:
- kitchen fitting
- electrician
- plumber
- plastering
- flooring
- building work (if walls are coming down)
Some clients already have trades they trust. Others prefer me to recommend people I work with regularly.
Either way, those costs sit outside the kitchen supply price, which is why kitchen quotes can look very different from one another.
Why kitchen prices vary so much
Two kitchens might both be “£25k kitchens”, but:
- one could be vinyl, one painted
- one could keep the same layout, one could move everything
- one might have basic appliances, another integrated and upgraded
And that’s before you even factor in:
- electrics
- plumbing
- or any building work
This is why comparing quotes line by line is far more useful than comparing headline numbers.
What should you budget overall?
Very roughly (and this varies house to house):
- Kitchen supply (cabinets, worktops, appliances): £20k–£30k
- Installation & trades: additional cost depending on scope
I always talk this through early, so you’re not designing something that feels great on paper but uncomfortable financially.
My advice before you start designing
You don’t need a perfect budget.
But you do need a rough comfort zone.
Because designing without one is like planning a holiday without knowing whether you’re camping or flying business class.
If you’re unsure what’s realistic for your home, that’s exactly what a first consultation is for.
No pressure. No selling. Just honest numbers based on experience.
👉 Book a free home consultation and we’ll talk it through properly.
Have a good week!
Vicky
