Buying a new kitchen is the easy part — what catches people by surprise is the labour cost to actually fit it. Kitchen fitting is a multi-trade job: a kitchen fitter handles the unit installation, worktop templating and fitting, and appliance placement, but you will almost certainly need a plumber for sink and appliance connections and an electrician for sockets, lighting, and integrated appliances. Knowing what each trade charges helps you budget accurately and spot inflated quotes.
In 2026, labour to fit a straightforward new kitchen (10–15 units, standard layout, no structural changes) runs from £800–£2,500. Add another £500–£1,500 for plumbing and electrical work, and the total fitting cost for a typical UK kitchen sits at £1,300–£4,000 before any kitchen units, worktops, or appliances are purchased.
Kitchen Fitting Labour: Cost Breakdown
The table below covers kitchen fitter labour only (units, plinths, cornices, handles, worktops, and appliance placement). Plumbing and electrical costs are separate.
| Kitchen Size | Units | Kitchen Fitter Labour Only | With Plumbing + Electrical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small galley (6–8 units) | Up to 8 | £600–£1,200 | £1,100–£2,200 |
| Standard (10–12 units) | 10–12 | £900–£1,800 | £1,500–£3,000 |
| Large (14–18 units) | 14–18 | £1,400–£2,500 | £2,200–£4,500 |
| Large / complex (island, bi-fold, structural) | 18+ | £2,000–£4,000+ | £3,000–£6,500+ |
London and South East rates add approximately 20–35% to the above.
Kitchen Fitter Day Rates 2026
| Trade | National Day Rate | London / SE Day Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen fitter | £180–£280/day | £230–£360/day |
| Plumber (appliance connections) | £200–£320/day | £260–£400/day |
| Electrician (kitchen circuits) | £220–£350/day | £280–£450/day |
| Tiler (upstand / splashback) | £180–£260/day | £230–£320/day |
A standard 10-unit kitchen typically takes an experienced fitter 3–5 days. Complex layouts with an island, tall units, or bespoke worktops take 6–10 days. The fitter’s day rate multiplied by 3–5 gives a rough sense-check for the labour-only quote.
What Is Included in “Kitchen Fitting”?
A kitchen fitter’s quote typically covers:
- Removing old kitchen units and worktops (unless quoted separately)
- Fitting all wall and base units plumb, level, and aligned
- Installing plinths, cornices, pelmet, and end panels
- Templating and fitting worktops (laminate is cut on-site; stone/solid surface worktops are templated and returned by a specialist fabricator)
- Fitting sink bowl (but not connecting the plumbing)
- Placing integrated appliances in housings (but not connecting gas or electrical)
- Fitting doors, drawers, handles, and soft-close hardware
What is not typically included:
- Plumbing connections (sink waste, tap supply, dishwasher, washing machine)
- Electrical connections (oven, hob, extractor, fridge, sockets)
- Gas hob or range cooker connection (Gas Safe engineer required)
- Tiling splashbacks or upstands
- Plastering, painting, or flooring
What Drives the Cost Up?
Worktop material — a kitchen fitter can cut laminate worktops on-site. Quartz, granite, or solid surface worktops require a templating visit followed by fabrication and a return installation visit. Specialist stone installers typically charge £150–£250 per linear metre fitted, and this is usually separate from the kitchen fitter’s scope.
Structural changes — moving a doorway, removing a wall, or widening an opening to create an open-plan kitchen-diner adds significant cost. Structural work typically costs £1,500–£6,000+ depending on scope.
Relocation of services — moving the sink to the opposite side of the kitchen means extending or re-routing drain waste pipes, which increases the plumber’s scope materially.
Integrated vs freestanding appliances — integrated appliances (oven, dishwasher, fridge-freezer behind a door panel) require more precise fitting and often custom-height plinths.
Number of sockets and circuits — modern kitchens require dedicated circuits for ovens and hobs. If the consumer unit needs upgrading or additional circuits adding, electrical costs rise significantly.
Strip-Out: Old Kitchen Removal
Removing and disposing of an existing kitchen is sometimes included in a fitter’s quote, sometimes not. If charged separately, expect:
- Strip-out labour: £150–£400 (half to full day)
- Skip hire (if needed): £180–£350 for a 4-yard skip
Alternatively, many local councils collect bulky waste for £50–£100, and kitchen units in good condition can be donated to a local habitat for humanity-style charity or sold on Facebook Marketplace.
Worked Example: Standard 12-Unit Kitchen
| Trade / Task | Days | Day Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen fitter (units, worktops, appliance placement) | 4 | £230 | £920 |
| Plumber (sink, dishwasher, washing machine connections) | 1 | £280 | £280 |
| Electrician (oven circuit, additional sockets, extractor) | 1 | £300 | £300 |
| Tiler (ceramic tile upstand, 5 m²) | 0.5 | £220 | £110 |
| Strip-out (included in fitter’s quote) | — | — | £0 |
| Total labour | £1,610 |
Materials (units, worktop, sink, taps, tiles, adhesive, fittings, waste pipes) are not included above. For a mid-range kitchen from a major retailer, allow £2,500–£8,000 for units and worktops depending on specification.
Building Regulations
Kitchen fitting itself does not require Building Regulations consent, but associated work does:
- Electrical: New circuits or consumer unit upgrades fall under Part P. The work must be carried out by a competent-person-scheme registered electrician (NICEIC, NAPIT, etc.) or notified to your local authority.
- Gas: Hob and range connections must be made by a Gas Safe-registered engineer. This is a legal requirement, not optional.
- Structural: Any load-bearing wall removal requires a Building Regulations application and structural engineer’s calculations.
- Extraction: Part F of the Building Regulations requires adequate ventilation. Kitchen extractors must discharge to outside or use a recirculation unit with appropriate carbon filters.
Getting the Right Fitter
- Ask specifically whether the quote is labour only or supply and fit, and get a written breakdown.
- Confirm whether stone worktop templating and fitting is included or a separate specialist cost.
- Ask who coordinates the plumber and electrician — some fitters project-manage the whole job, others expect you to arrange trades separately.
- Check reviews for punctuality and finish quality, not just price. A kitchen left half-fitted while you wait for the fitter to return is a common complaint.
