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Updated September 2026 with current UK prices.
Kitchen installation costs £1,800–£3,000 in labour for a typical medium kitchen in 2026, and £1,500–£5,000 from small to large kitchens. Kitchen fitters usually charge £200–£350 a day, or £100–£150 per unit fitted. Labour-only quotes normally exclude plumbing, electrics, gas, tiling and plastering, which are priced separately.
2026 kitchen installation prices at a glance
| What you're paying for | 2026 price |
|---|---|
| Labour only, typical medium kitchen | £1,800–£3,000 |
| Labour only, small to large kitchens | £1,500–£5,000 |
| Kitchen fitter day rate | £200–£350 |
| Priced per unit fitted | £100–£150 per cabinet |
| Not included in labour-only quotes | plumbing, electrics, gas, tiling, plastering |
Typical UK prices including VAT, based on published UK trade price guides and checked in September 2026. London and the South East usually run 20–30% higher. Guide prices, not quotes. Get free quotes from local kitchen fitters.
For the total cost of a new kitchen including units, worktops and appliances, see our fitted kitchen cost guide.
How much to install a kitchen by size
| Kitchen | Units | Typical labour |
|---|---|---|
| Small | up to about 10 | £1,500–£2,000 |
| Medium | about 10–20 | £1,800–£3,000 |
| Large | 20+ | £3,000–£5,000 |
These are for fitting units, doors, worktops (except stone, which is usually fitted by the supplier) and appliances into an existing layout.
Kitchen cabinet installation cost
Many fitters price per unit: £100–£150 per cabinet, including hanging wall units, fitting base units, doors, handles and plinths. Tall units, corner units and integrated appliance housings take longer and may be priced higher.
What's included, and what isn't
Usually included:
- Assembling (if flat-pack) and fixing base, wall and tall units
- Fitting doors, drawers, handles, plinths and cornices
- Cutting and fitting laminate or wood worktops
- Fitting the sink and integrated appliances into their housings
Usually extra:
- Plumbing: new pipework and moving the sink or appliances
- Electrics: new sockets, lighting and circuits, by a registered electrician
- Gas: hobs and cookers, by a Gas Safe registered engineer only
- Stone or quartz worktops: templated and fitted by the worktop supplier
- Tiling, plastering, flooring and decorating
- Removing the old kitchen
Ask each fitter to list exactly what their price includes, so you can compare like for like.
How long does kitchen installation take?
A straightforward medium kitchen typically takes 3–5 days to fit, but the whole project, with plumbing, electrics, plastering, worktop templating and tiling, usually takes 1–3 weeks.
How to check a kitchen fitter
From our research on Companies House data, 54% of joinery and fitted-kitchen companies set up in 2019–2020 were still trading five years later (Trade Survival Index). Many fitters are sole traders, so also ask for:
- Photos and addresses of recent kitchens they've fitted.
- Public liability insurance.
- A written price listing what's included and excluded.
- Gas Safe and electrical registration details for anyone doing gas or electrical work.
You can check limited companies on HouseJester or Companies House.
Kitchen installation FAQs
How much does it cost to install a kitchen? About £1,800–£3,000 in labour for a typical medium kitchen in 2026, and £1,500–£5,000 depending on size.
How much do kitchen fitters charge per day? Usually £200–£350 a day, more in London and the South East.
Is it cheaper to pay per unit or per day? Per-unit pricing gives you a fixed cost up front, which makes quotes easier to compare. Day rates can work out cheaper on simple jobs but carry the risk of overruns.
What joiners earn: carpenter and joiner salary in the UK.
Browse kitchen companies on HouseJester to find fitters near you.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the HouseJester editorial team for accuracy and relevance.
Written by
Emma Richardson
Kitchen & Bathroom Specialist
Emma has reviewed hundreds of kitchen and bathroom installations across the UK. She combines product knowledge with real-world testing to help homeowners choose the right fitters and materials for their projects.
- Fitted Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Tiles
- Heating & Plumbing