How to Quote a Kitchen Fitting Job

Kitchen fitting is one of the higher-value domestic jobs you can quote for, which means getting the price right matters even more than usual. A kitchen fit involves multiple skills (carpentry, plumbing, electrics, tiling, worktop templating), multiple trades (if you subcontract some elements), and a customer who is spending a significant amount of money and has high expectations.

This guide covers how to quote kitchen fitting work in the UK in 2026, with real pricing for labour-only fitting, supply and fit, and the various add-ons that make up a complete kitchen installation.

Step 1: Understand the Scope

Kitchen fitting quotes vary enormously depending on what is included. Before pricing anything, clarify exactly what the customer expects you to do:

Labour-only fit (customer supplies kitchen)

The customer buys the kitchen units (from Howdens, IKEA, Wickes, etc.) and you fit them. This is the most common arrangement for kitchen fitters. Your quote covers removal of the old kitchen, fitting the new units, worktops, handles, and plinths.

Supply and fit

You source and supply the kitchen as well as fitting it. This gives you a markup on the kitchen itself but also carries more responsibility. You need trade accounts with kitchen suppliers and confidence in specifying the right products.

Full kitchen renovation

Beyond fitting units, this includes plastering, re-tiling, new flooring, new electrics (sockets, lighting), plumbing (sink, dishwasher, washing machine), and decoration. This may involve subcontracting other trades.

Step 2: Site Survey

Visit the property and assess:

• Current kitchen condition: What needs removing? Built-in appliances? Tiling behind units?
• Wall condition: Are the walls level and square? Uneven walls add time to the fit.
• Floor condition: Is the floor level? Does existing flooring need removing?
• Services: Where are the water supply, waste, gas (if applicable), and electrical points? Do they need moving?
• Ventilation: Does the kitchen have adequate extractor ventilation? Building regs require it.
• Access: Can you get worktops and appliances into the kitchen? Narrow hallways or tight turns can be problematic.

Step 3: Kitchen Fitting Prices in 2026

Labour-only fitting

Small kitchen (8-12 units): 1,200 to 2,000
Medium kitchen (12-18 units): 2,000 to 3,500
Large kitchen (18-25 units): 3,500 to 5,500
Per unit average: 100 to 200 per unit (including wall and base units)

These prices include fitting base units, wall units, plinths, cornice/pelmet, end panels, and handles. They typically include fitting a straight-cut laminate worktop but not templated stone or quartz worktops.

Additional labour costs

Strip out old kitchen: 300 to 600 (depending on size)
Plumbing (sink, dishwasher, washing machine): 200 to 400
Electrics (sockets, cooker connection, extractor): 300 to 600
Tiling splashback (per m2): 30 to 50
Full wall tiling (per m2): 35 to 55
Worktop templating and fitting (stone/quartz, by specialist): 500 to 1,500
Laminate worktop (cut, joint, fit): 200 to 400
Flooring (per m2, supplied and fitted): 25 to 60
Plastering (if walls need skimming): 300 to 600
Painting/decorating: 200 to 400
Skip hire: 200 to 350

Step 4: Real Quote Example

Medium kitchen labour-only fit with extras

15-unit kitchen (Howdens, customer supplied). Strip out old kitchen. Fit new units, laminate worktops, and handles. Plumb sink and dishwasher. Fit new cooker connection point. Tile splashback (6m2). Fit customer-supplied flooring (12m2).

Strip out old kitchen and dispose: 450.00
Fit 15 kitchen units (base and wall): 2,250.00
Cut and fit laminate worktops: 320.00
Fit plinths, cornice, end panels, handles: included
Plumbing (sink + dishwasher): 280.00
Electrics (cooker connection + 2 new sockets): 350.00
Tile splashback (6m2): 240.00
Fit vinyl flooring (12m2, customer supplied): 300.00
Skip hire: 250.00
Sundries (silicone, adhesive, fixings): 60.00
Total: 4,500.00 (excl. VAT)

That is approximately 5 to 6 days of work. At a day rate equivalent of 750 to 900 per day, it reflects the high skill level and multiple trades involved.

Step 5: Timeline

A typical kitchen installation timeline:

Day 1: Strip out old kitchen, dispose of waste
Day 2: First fix plumbing and electrics, prepare walls
Day 3-4: Fit base units, wall units, and worktops
Day 5: Fit appliances, plumbing connections, tiling
Day 6: Flooring, snagging, final clean

Allow extra time for plastering (if needed) and drying time before fitting units. Stone or quartz worktops usually require a separate visit for templating and then another for fitting, adding a week to the timeline.

Step 6: Managing Multiple Trades

If you are the main kitchen fitter and coordinating other trades (electrician, plumber, tiler, plasterer), you need to manage the programme carefully. Trades need to arrive in the right order and on time. Build a day's buffer into your programme for overruns. Either subcontract these trades yourself (and include their costs in your quote with a markup) or specify that the customer arranges and pays for them separately. Read our markup guide for how to price subcontractor work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to have a kitchen fitted in the UK?

Labour-only kitchen fitting costs 1,200 to 5,500 depending on the size. A complete kitchen renovation including units, worktops, appliances, tiling, flooring, and all trades typically costs 8,000 to 25,000 for a mid-range kitchen.

How long does it take to fit a kitchen?

A straightforward labour-only fit of a medium kitchen takes 4 to 6 working days. A full renovation including plumbing, electrics, tiling, and flooring takes 7 to 14 days depending on complexity.

Should I quote per unit or as a fixed price?

Both work. Per-unit pricing (100 to 200 per unit) is transparent and easy for customers to understand. A fixed price for the complete job is simpler and avoids arguments about what counts as a unit. Most kitchen fitters use a fixed price based on their per-unit rate.

Who supplies the kitchen?

In most cases, the customer buys the kitchen directly from a supplier like Howdens, IKEA, or Wickes. The fitter then installs it. Some fitters offer supply and fit, which gives them a markup on the kitchen but also more responsibility for ensuring the right products are ordered.