UK Kitchen Fitter Rates at a Glance (2025)
| Region | Hourly Rate | Day Rate |
|---|---|---|
| National average | £35–£55/hr | £200–£300/day |
| London | £55–£80/hr | £300–£450/day |
| South East | £42–£65/hr | £260–£380/day |
| Midlands | £30–£50/hr | £180–£270/day |
| North England | £28–£46/hr | £165–£255/day |
| Scotland | £30–£48/hr | £170–£260/day |
| Wales | £27–£44/hr | £160–£245/day |
Are you a kitchen fitter? These market averages don't tell you if you're covering your overheads. Use our free kitchen fitter day rate calculator to find your real minimum charge.
Kitchen Fitting Labour Costs (2025)
What Drives the Cost of Kitchen Fitting?
Kitchen fitting is one of the most varied jobs in the trades. The price difference between a basic kitchen swap and a full renovation with structural changes is enormous. Here's what drives the cost:
- Number of units — More cabinets, more time. A galley kitchen with 10 units is half the work of an L-shaped kitchen with 25.
- Worktop material — Laminate worktops are easier to cut and fit than granite, quartz, or solid wood. Stone worktops typically require a specialist stonemason to cut and template, separate from the kitchen fitter.
- Plumbing changes — Moving a sink to a different wall, adding a dishwasher, or relocating a boiler all add cost and usually require a separate plumber unless your kitchen fitter is dual-qualified.
- Electrical changes — Rewiring sockets, adding circuits for an oven or hob, or installing under-cabinet lighting all need a Part P qualified electrician.
- Condition of existing kitchen — A kitchen with level walls, solid substrate, and existing plumbing in the right place is straightforward. An old kitchen with uneven floors, damp, or pipes in the wrong places adds significant time.
- Access and parking — London kitchens with no parking, tricky access, or long walks from the van add an hour or more to every day. This feeds directly into the rate.
Labour Only vs. Supply and Fit
Most people buy their kitchen from a retailer (IKEA, Wren, Howdens, B&Q) and hire a fitter separately. This is often the right call — you get more choice, you can shop around, and you're not locked into a retailer's fitters.
Some kitchen fitters supply and fit everything as a package. This is usually more expensive in total but simpler to manage. It's worth getting both types of quote and working out the total cost including materials either way.
Are you a kitchen fitter? Find your real rate.
Use our free calculator to work out the minimum you need to charge based on your actual costs, target income, and billable days.
Calculate My Kitchen Fitter Rate ›Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does a kitchen fitter charge per day?UK kitchen fitters typically charge £200–£300 per day nationally. London and South East kitchen fitters charge £300–£450/day. A full kitchen installation usually takes 3–7 days.
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How much does kitchen fitting cost (labour only)?Labour-only kitchen fitting typically costs £800–£2,500 for a standard domestic kitchen, depending on size, number of units, and complexity. This excludes plumbing, electrical work, and tiling.
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How long does it take to fit a kitchen?A standard kitchen takes 3–5 days. Larger kitchens with structural changes, tiling, and bespoke work take 7–10 days or more.
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Do kitchen fitters do plumbing and electrics?Many experienced kitchen fitters do basic plumbing (moving supply pipes, waste connections) and electrics. Gas and notifiable electrical work need separate qualified tradespeople. Check what's included upfront.
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Do kitchen fitters charge VAT?Only if VAT registered (turnover over £90,000/year in 2025/26). Many sole-trader kitchen fitters are below this threshold. On a £2,000 fitting job, VAT adds £400 — worth confirming before booking.