Going into a complete kitchen renovation without a budget is just asking for problems.
Thousands go into their renovation dream every year only to hit wall once the money runs out. Cabinets halfway up? Yup.
Floor-standing microwave? You bet.
Hidden away until the next celebration? Yep.
Not ideal.
Planning ahead with a realistic budget means your dream kitchen is 100% possible. Even better, it doesn't have to cost a fortune.
CONTENTS
- Planning Your Kitchen Renovation Costs
- Kitchen Renovation Budget Categories Explained
- How Much Does Induction Hob Installation Cost?
- Appliances Prices To Include In Your Budget
- Kitchen Renovation: The Hidden Costs
- Tips on How To Save Money on Your New Kitchen
- Calculating Your Overall Kitchen Renovation Budget
- Kitchen Renovation Conclusion
Planning Your Kitchen Renovation Costs
Prices have been steadily increasing when it comes to kitchen renovations.
The 2025 UK Houzz Kitchen Trends Study revealed that median spend was up 34% compared to last year. Average kitchen renovation costs went from £13,000 to £17,500.
If you're renovating larger kitchens of over 100 square feet, complete remodels are averaging at £20,000.
Budget kitchens can still be renovated for around £5k to £8k if needed.
BTW…
If you know anything about kitchens you'll realise these numbers don't mean anything. How much you spend entirely depends on the size and the choices you make.
Someone wanting to change kitchen layouts almost entirely will spend more compared to say someone having a kitchen refresh. Changing doors and cabinet handles is going to cost a lot less.
Kitchen Renovation Budget Categories Explained
Regardless of how you spend your budget, it's important to split the money into categories.
This ensures you're spreading funds evenly and prevents you spending £8k on kitchen cabinets then having change for an appliance.
Key categories to budget for kitchens include:
- Cabinetry and Units (30-40% of budget): £1,500 – £9,000+ for high-quality cabinets.
- Worktops (Budget £200, high-end £3k+): Depends if you go laminate or quartz/ granite.
- Appliances (£2k – £6k for a full package deal)
- Labour/ Installation Costs (£3.5k – £9.5k)
Before you go shopping for your dream kitchen add up your total budget and give each category a percentage value. Use those percentages as you save and spend money on the project.
How Much Does Induction Hob Installation Cost?
Kitchen Appliances are a category all of their own.
Essentially this is your wild card which is where most kitchens go wrong. Say hello to that swollen £10k kitchen budget!
Installing induction hobs has become more popular over the years. They're safer, more efficient and easier to clean than their gas counterparts.
As they run off electricity there are additional requirements that effect overall costs.
Standard induction hob installation should start from £150-£250 to have a qualified electrician fit if the correct circuit already exists.
Many kitchen renovations require electric circuits upgrading/upgrading, RCD protection adding or running new cables. This pushes costs up to £350-£500+.
Expect to pay £150 for a basic induction hob right up to £2,500 for high-end models with features like fleximounts and touch controls.
When budgeting for new electric cooker costs, expect to pay anywhere from £100 for a basic model to £1,250+ for high-end multi-function ovens.
Don't forget if you're upgrading to an induction hob you'll need suitable pots and pans. Non-magnetic handle cookware won't work.
Allow an extra £200-£400 for new magnetic stainless steel pots and pans.
Kitchen Renovation: The Hidden Costs
Budgets get it tattooed everywhere saying 'hidden costs' for a reason.
They sneak up on you and one thing leads to another. The next thing you know you're £1k down!
It all sounds fine when your in the kitchen showroom drooling over marble worktops. Until your biting into a takeaway burger watching pot soothe bubbling on an old work surface.
Common hidden costs are as follows:
- Electricity rewiring – £800 – £2k if required. Older properties usually. Adding sockets or moving them for new appliances increases this.
- Moving plumbing – Whether your moving a sink or adding an extra dishwasher pipe costs £400-£1.5k.
- Plastering/making good – Once kitchen units are off walls you'll be exposed to ugly wall-plaster. Plan to spend £300-£800 repairing these holes.
- Flooring – Oh yeah, how could we forget the floor was hidden under all them kitchen units? Expect to pay extra for flooring extension/ replacement of £500-£2k.
- Skip Hire/ Waste Removal – Removing your old kitchen costs between £200-£400.
Add Buffer…
RULE OF Thumb: Always add 10-15% contingency to ANY budget. It doesn't matter if you think your the nth expert kitchens. Unexpected things happen and when they do you want money in the bank to fix/ cover it.
Tips on How To Save Money on Your New Kitchen
On a tight budget? Good news you can actually save money!
Don't sacrifice whole sections of your kitchen just to save a few pennies. There are easy changes to make that can significantly drop prices without you noticing.
Keep your kitchen layout. Moving sockets and plumbing round kitchens is expensive. If your roughly happy with where the sink/cooker is situated then don't move it!
Mix your budget. Don't go cheap on everything. Spend more on elements you'll use daily like worktops and spend less on decorative details.
Prepare beforehand. Clear out your old kitchen, remove doors and take wallpapers off before the professionals arrive. You'll save labour charges that way. Anything involving gas, electricity or plumbing should be left to the experts.
Sales and Ex-display units. Walk into any kitchen showroom and you'll see ex-display items on sale forever. These are near enough brand new units that were on display costing you mid-range prices.
Shop Smart: Always get three or more quotes. In the Houzz study above 93% of homeowners use professionals to complete kitchen renovations. Ask at least three companies for their service price and compare them.
Padding your budget will allow for some more expensive upgrades. If everyone quotes you say £500 for new plumbing simply go with the highest quote. Other companies will raise their price to match if they think the job.
Calculating Your Overall Kitchen Renovation Budget
Figuring out your final kitchen budget takes a spreadsheet and some tough love.
Take the total amount you have to spend and deduct 10-15% for the contingency. Whatever amount is left is now your realistic budget.
Pro-tip: Divide your budget into percentages based on categories we previously mentioned. Don't have enough money for everything? Reallocate your percentages to favour things you spend more time with.
For example:
- Cabinets/ Units – 35%
- Worktops – 10%
- Appliances – 20%
- Labour/Installation – 25%
- Extras (Decorative Lighting, taps/handles) – 10%
Play around the percentages to suit your individual needs and that my friend is your budget!
Kitchen Renovation Conclusion
Renovating your kitchen doesn't need to cost a fortune or be hard to budget for.
Kitchen Renovation costs are significantly on the rise. By having a basic understanding of how and where your money is spent you can avoid hidden surprises.
SUMMARY:
- Average kitchen renovation costs can be anywhere from £5k – £20k+. It depends on the size of your kitchen and quality of products you choose.
- Split your budget into categories. Allocate each category a percentage value so you know how much to spend.
- Kitchen appliances are your wildcard. Factor in inductions hob installations and hidden costs such as moving sockets/plumbing.
- Add 10-15% onto your total budget for unexpected jobs.
- Get multiple quotes from kitchen professionals.
Successful kitchen renovations are all about common sense and forward-planning. Budget correctly and you'll have the kitchen you wanted in the price range you wanted.
Budget incorrectly and you'll be living off microwave meals staring at cabinets going half-way up your wall.
How to Budget for a Complete Kitchen Renovation