Kitchen renovation
From rip-out to worktop, in the order the trades actually work
The units are the single biggest line, but the order matters more than the brand: flooring goes down before the units in most layouts, and the worktop is templated only once the carcasses are level and fixed. Budget a week without a working kitchen.
What it costs
All in, doing the DIY jobs yourself
£3,000 – £7,750
~134 h · 31/33 you can do this
All in, everything outsourced
£6,900 – £17,200
Indicative ranges for a typical project. Materials are what you would pay at a merchant; labour is what a trade would charge for the same line.
What the job involves
Plan & prepare
- Set the budget and a contingencyBeginner
£0 – £0
Materials
- Check permits and building rulesEasy
£0 – £0
Materials
- Get three quotes for the work you outsourceBeginner
£0 – £0
Materials
- Measure up and order materialsEasy
£0 – £0
Materials
- Protect floors and furnitureBeginner
£15 – £35
Materials
- Book a skip or waste collectionBeginner
£150 – £300
Materials
Strip out
- Rip out the old kitchenIntermediate
£0 – £25
Materials · Labour £220 – £470
- Lift the old flooringIntermediate
£0 – £15
Materials · Labour £130 – £340
First fix
- Move or run pipework (first fix plumbing)ExpertGet a pro
£130 – £390
Materials · Labour £390 – £950
- Run new cabling (first fix electrics)ExpertGet a pro
£130 – £340
Materials · Labour £340 – £1,050
Plaster & make good
- Board and skim the wallsAdvanced
£130 – £340
Materials · Labour £340 – £770
Second fix
- Lay vinyl plank flooringIntermediate
£220 – £690
Materials · Labour £260 – £650
- Assemble and fit the kitchen unitsAdvanced
£1,050 – £4,300
Materials · Labour £600 – £1,550
- Fit the worktopAdvanced
£220 – £1,300
Materials · Labour £220 – £600
- Fit cabinet handlesBeginner
£25 – £140
Materials · Labour £60 – £150
- Upgrade to soft-close hingesEasy
£25 – £120
Materials · Labour £60 – £150
- Fit the sink and kitchen tapIntermediate
£100 – £390
Materials · Labour £130 – £280
- Fit the sink strainer wasteEasy
£20 – £75
Materials · Labour £75 – £190
- Plumb in the dishwasherEasy
£0 – £35
Materials · Labour £75 – £170
- Plumb in the washing machineEasy
£10 – £50
Materials · Labour £70 – £170
- Fit a tiled splashbackIntermediate
£70 – £220
Materials · Labour £150 – £340
- Fit under-cabinet LED lightingEasy
£35 – £130
Materials · Labour £100 – £240
- Install LED downlightsIntermediate
£70 – £260
Materials · Labour £170 – £430
- Fit sockets and switchesIntermediate
£50 – £170
Materials · Labour £150 – £390
- Fit skirting boardsIntermediate
£70 – £220
Materials · Labour £170 – £430
Decorate
- Paint the ceilingEasy
£25 – £75
Materials · Labour £100 – £260
- Paint the wallsEasy
£50 – £170
Materials · Labour £220 – £520
- Paint doors, frames and skirtingIntermediate
£35 – £100
Materials · Labour £170 – £410
Finish & check
- Silicone the bath, basin and showerEasy
£15 – £35
Materials · Labour £70 – £170
- Flush and test the kitchen drainBeginner
£5 – £20
Materials · Labour £50 – £130
- Fit smoke alarmsBeginner
£15 – £75
Materials · Labour £45 – £120
- Walk round and write a snagging listBeginner
£15 – £70
Materials · Labour £85 – £260
- Deep clean and put everything backBeginner
£15 – £50
Materials · Labour £100 – £260
Plan your renovation, job by job
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