What Is the Most Expensive Part of a Kitchen Renovation
The most expensive part of redoing a kitchen is usually the kitchen units and cabinetry, particularly for bespoke or premium finishes. In the UK, cabinets can account for around £1,500–£10,000, while a complete kitchen renovation can range from roughly £5,250 to £28,400+, depending on size, specification, appliances, worktops and labour.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen renovation?
For most homeowners, kitchen cabinets and units are one of the highest individual costs. The price rises significantly when you choose bespoke cabinetry, painted finishes, integrated storage, tall units, kitchen islands or premium hardware.
However, the overall installation can become the highest cost if you are changing the layout and need substantial plumbing, electrical, flooring, plastering or structural work.
As a general 2026 UK guide, a new kitchen may break down approximately as follows:
- Kitchen units: £1,500–£10,000
- Worktops: £100–£5,000
- Appliances: £450–£5,200
- Installation: £2,200–£4,600
- Plumbing: £200–£600
- Electrical work: £300–£1,000
- Flooring: £500–£2,000
These figures are indicative rather than a quotation, and London and the South East generally have higher labour costs than other parts of the UK.
Why do kitchen cabinets cost so much?
Cabinetry covers a large proportion of the kitchen, so the specification has a direct effect on your budget. A basic flat-pack kitchen is considerably cheaper than fully assembled, made-to-measure or handmade cabinetry.
Storage requirements also matter. A kitchen with several tall units, a large island, corner mechanisms, deep drawers and integrated appliances will require more materials and more fitting time.
If you’re renovating a kitchen in Hounslow or elsewhere in West London, it is worth comparing the full specification rather than simply choosing the cheapest cabinet price. A cheaper kitchen can become expensive if it requires additional modifications during installation.
Are worktops more expensive than kitchen cabinets?
Usually, no, but premium worktops can become one of the most expensive individual elements.
For example, current UK cost guides put a 5-metre worktop at approximately £200–£800 for laminate, £300–£900 for wood, £500–£1,100 for quartz and £550–£1,150 for granite.
Natural stone and engineered stone can also involve templating, specialist fabrication and installation. The more complicated the kitchen layout, the more important accurate measurement and professional fitting become.
How much do kitchen appliances add to the cost?
Appliances can make a major difference to the final price, particularly if you are replacing everything at once.
A basic cooker, hob and hood package may cost around £450, while a premium package containing several integrated appliances can reach approximately £5,200.
Before accepting a kitchen quote, check whether it includes:
- Oven and hob
- Extractor hood
- Dishwasher
- Fridge-freezer
- Microwave
- Sink and taps
- Appliance installation and connection
This prevents an apparently cheap kitchen quote from becoming much more expensive after work has started.
Does changing the kitchen layout make it more expensive?
Yes. Changing the layout is often one of the biggest ways to increase a kitchen renovation budget.
Keeping the sink, cooker and appliances in approximately the same positions can reduce plumbing and electrical alterations. Moving them may require new pipework, drainage, electrical circuits, sockets, lighting and other first-fix work.
This is particularly relevant in older Hounslow and Middlesex properties, where existing wiring, plumbing and walls may need attention once the old kitchen is removed.
ERD Ltd provides kitchen renovation alongside electrical, plumbing, construction and interior works, allowing these different parts of a renovation to be coordinated as one project.
How much does kitchen installation cost in the UK?
Kitchen fitting alone is commonly around £2,000–£6,000, with an average of approximately £3,500 for an average-sized family kitchen. A typical kitchen fitting project takes around 10 days or two weeks, although more complicated renovations can take longer.
Kitchen fitters may install units, worktops, sinks, taps and appliances, but specialist electrical or gas connections may need appropriately qualified tradespeople.
For electrical work, UK Building Regulations Part P applies to domestic electrical installations. Where applicable, work should be carried out or certified through the appropriate competent-person arrangements.
Do I need planning permission to redo my kitchen?
For a straightforward internal kitchen renovation, planning permission is generally not required because internal alterations normally do not constitute development. However, there can be exceptions, particularly for listed buildings or projects involving external changes.
Planning permission and Building Regulations are separate matters. Even where planning permission is unnecessary, Building Regulations can still apply to certain structural, electrical or other building work.
If your kitchen renovation involves removing a structural wall, extending the property or making significant alterations, get the project assessed before construction starts.
What is the best way to control kitchen renovation costs?
The best way to control the cost is to decide the layout and specification before ordering materials. Last-minute changes are more likely to create additional labour, material and delivery costs.
Use this checklist when comparing kitchen renovation quotations:
- Confirm whether the quote is supply-only, installation-only or supply-and-fit.
- Check the exact cabinet specification and quantity.
- Confirm the worktop material and thickness.
- List every appliance included in the price.
- Check whether plumbing and electrical alterations are included.
- Ask whether flooring, tiling, plastering and decorating are included.
- Confirm removal and disposal of the old kitchen.
- Allow a contingency of around 10–15%, particularly for older properties where hidden problems may appear after demolition.
How can you save money without making the kitchen look cheap?
You do not necessarily need to choose the cheapest units to reduce your renovation cost. A more effective approach is to spend money where it has the greatest visual and practical impact.
For example, you could choose good-quality standard cabinets while investing more in the worktop, handles, lighting or splashback. Keeping the existing kitchen layout can also reduce plumbing and electrical costs.
A professional design can help identify these savings before construction begins. ERD Ltd provides planning, architecture and interior design alongside kitchen renovation and construction, which can be useful when several elements of the project need to work together.
Why choose ERD Ltd for a kitchen renovation in Hounslow?
ERD Ltd, based in Hounslow, Middlesex, provides home renovation and construction services including kitchen renovation, electrical and plumbing works, construction, planning and interior design. The company operates from Wellington Road South in Hounslow and offers a start-to-finish approach covering design through to project completion.
For homeowners in Hounslow, Middlesex and wider West London, having related trades coordinated under one renovation project can make it easier to manage the kitchen layout, installation, electrics, plumbing, flooring and finishing work.
FAQ: What is the most expensive part of a kitchen renovation?
What is the most expensive part of redoing a kitchen?
Kitchen cabinetry is usually one of the largest individual expenses, particularly for bespoke or premium kitchens. Worktops, appliances and installation can also become major costs depending on your choices.
How much does it cost to redo a kitchen in the UK in 2026?
A broad 2026 UK guide puts a new kitchen at around £5,250–£28,400, including typical units, worktops, appliances, installation, plumbing, electrics and flooring. Premium or bespoke kitchens can cost considerably more.
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Hounslow?
There is no single Hounslow price because the total depends on kitchen size, specification, layout changes and labour. London and the South East generally have higher kitchen fitting costs than many other parts of the UK.
How long does it take to renovate a kitchen?
A straightforward kitchen installation can take around 10 days to 2 weeks. A renovation involving layout changes, new electrics, plumbing or structural work can take longer.
Do I need planning permission to install a new kitchen?
Usually not for ordinary internal alterations, provided the work does not involve circumstances requiring planning consent, such as certain listed-building or external alterations. Building Regulations may still apply to parts of the work.
What should I budget for unexpected kitchen renovation costs?
A sensible starting contingency is 10–15% of your planned budget. Older properties may justify a larger allowance because removing existing units can reveal damaged walls, outdated wiring, plumbing problems or other work that was not visible during the initial quotation.
If you’re planning a kitchen renovation in Hounslow, Middlesex or West London, contact ERD Ltd for a free quote and discuss your proposed layout, specification and renovation requirements with the team.
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