A new kitchen is the highest-return room in most London homes — and the one with the widest price range. In 2026, a labour-only kitchen fit starts from around £3,000 + VAT, a full supply-and-fit renovation from £12,000 + VAT, and open-plan structural projects go well beyond that. Here’s exactly where the money goes.
Kitchen renovation costs at a glance
| Scope | Guide price | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Labour-only fit (you supply the kitchen) | from £3,000 | 10–14 working days |
| Supply & fit (Howdens, Benchmarx, Magnet and similar) | from £12,000 | 2–4 weeks |
| Open-plan conversion with structural work | quoted individually | 4–8 weeks |
All prices are subject to VAT.
The five things that move a kitchen quote
1. Moving services. Keeping the sink, hob and appliances where they are is the cheapest option. Repositioning them means new plumbing, gas and electrical runs — and in period properties, that often uncovers older work that needs bringing up to standard.
2. Worktops. Laminate is cheapest; solid wood sits in the middle; quartz and stone need templating and specialist fitting.
3. The state of the room. Uneven walls, old plaster and dated wiring are near-universal in Victorian and Edwardian homes across West London. Proper preparation is what separates a finish that lasts from one that cracks within a year.
4. Structural changes. Removing a wall for an open-plan kitchen-diner adds steelwork, building control sign-off and making good — transformative, but a meaningful chunk of budget.
5. Appliance spec. Integrated appliances need precise carpentry; range cookers may need new gas runs and extraction.
Who does the work matters as much as what you pay
A kitchen touches five trades: plumbing, gas, electrics, carpentry, tiling and decorating. When each is a separate subcontractor, days get lost between trades and nobody owns the finish. An all-trades team sequences the job tightly — which is why our fits run 10–14 days rather than a month. Gas work should always be Gas Safe registered and electrics NICEIC certified, with certificates issued at handover.
Frequently asked questions
What does a new kitchen cost for a rental property?
Landlords typically choose hard-wearing mid-range units with laminate worktops — a labour-only fit from £3,000 + VAT plus a trade-account kitchen keeps costs efficient while photographing well for listings.
Can I keep costs down by supplying my own kitchen?
Yes — IKEA, Wren, Howdens or any supplier. You buy the units; we handle delivery coordination, fitting and every trade. That’s the from-£3,000 route.
Is it worth doing the floor at the same time?
Almost always. The units are out, the room is empty, and the labour overlaps — it’s the cheapest moment you’ll ever have to replace the kitchen floor.
Ready for a real number? We fit kitchens across West London with fixed-price quotes after a free survey. See kitchen renovation in London or book a free survey.
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