How Much Does a Kitchen Fitter Charge in the UK? (2026)

UK Kitchen Fitter Rates at a Glance (2026)

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

Kitchen Fitting Labour Costs (2026)

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.

Flat-Pack vs Rigid Units: How Fitting Costs Differ

The two main types of kitchen unit require different amounts of fitting time:

Flat-pack (IKEA, B&Q Spaces, etc.) — cabinets are assembled on site from flat components. A kitchen fitter assembles each carcass before fitting it. This adds 30–50% to fitting time compared to rigid units. A 15-unit flat-pack kitchen that would take 3 days with rigid units takes 4–4.5 days flat-pack. Fitters often quote a higher per-unit rate for flat-pack to reflect this.

Rigid (Howdens, Wren, etc.) — carcasses arrive pre-built. The fitter installs them straight from the van. Faster, less handling, cleaner finish on carcass interiors. Most professional kitchen fitters prefer rigid units and will produce better results in less time.

If cost is a priority, flat-pack supply with expert fitting is still a good option — just get a quote from a fitter who has specifically quoted the flat-pack brand you've chosen, not a generic estimate.

What the Fitting Quote Often Doesn't Include

Kitchen fitting quotes frequently exclude items that add significant cost. Always confirm whether the following are included:

• Electrical work — new sockets, a cooker circuit, or any work beyond connecting an existing appliance requires a Part P registered electrician. Most kitchen fitters are not electricians
• Plumbing connections — fitting the sink waste and connecting water supply sounds simple but many kitchen fitters quote this separately or don't do it at all
• Tiling the splashback — a tiler is usually needed separately unless you're fitting a glass panel or upstand
• Worktop templating and cutting — stone and quartz worktops require a specialist templater and fabricator. This is never included in a kitchen fitter's quote
• Appliance installation — fitting a built-in oven into a housing is usually included; connecting a gas hob requires a Gas Safe engineer
• Rubbish removal — getting rid of the old kitchen and packaging waste from the new one. Ask whether skip hire is included or separate

How to Find a Reliable Kitchen Fitter

• Ask to see a completed kitchen of similar complexity — the quality of the fit is best judged in person. Check drawer alignment, door gaps, and whether the worktop joints are tight
• Confirm experience with your unit supplier — IKEA and Howdens fitting are genuinely different skills. A fitter who primarily does Howdens may not be efficient with IKEA's assembly system
• Get a clear programme — know which day each trade (plumber, electrician, fitter, tiler) is coming, and what the dependencies are. A kitchen should always be plumbed before tiled
• Check public liability insurance — a fitter working in a live kitchen with water and electrics nearby needs adequate insurance. Ask to see the certificate
• Agree on snagging — small issues (sticking doors, tight drawers, panel gaps) are normal. A good fitter includes a return visit to snag. Confirm this is in the quote before signing

Frequently Asked Questions

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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