Summary

Kitchen installation is the highest-value single-room domestic refit in the UK and the most multi-trade. A full kitchen fit involves a fitter (lead), a plumber, an electrician (Part P), a tiler, often a plasterer and a worktop fitter, plus appliance commissioning. Pricing a kitchen as "fitter day rates" alone misses 40-60% of the actual job cost.

The biggest pricing decision is supply-and-fit versus fit-only. Fit-only is cleaner (the customer takes supply risk, the fitter charges labour day rates) but loses the markup margin on units, appliances, and worktops. Supply-and-fit gives margin headroom but transfers supply risk (damaged unit deliveries, appliance back-orders, worktop template delays) to the trade. Most established kitchen fitters work supply-and-fit on the volume retail brands and fit-only on customer-supplied bespoke kitchens.

The second biggest decision is scope. "Just fit the units" hides 25-40% of the actual work: wall removals, electrical sockets and lighting circuits, gas hob conversion, extraction routing, waste pipe upgrades, worktop templating, splashback or upstand fit, floor levelling, and snagging. This guide covers each scope line with explicit pricing. For kitchen refurbishments (doors, worktops only) see kitchen refurbishment pricing guide; for worktop replacement see kitchen worktop replacement pricing guide.

Key Facts

Quick Reference Table

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Kitchen Type Supply Level Size Trade Days Total Range (Regional) Total Range (London)
Fit-only standard Customer-supplied 10-15 units 5-7 fitter + sub-trades £3,500-£6,500 £4,800-£8,500
Fit-only large/bespoke Customer-supplied 15-25 units 8-12 fitter + sub-trades £6,500-£11,500 £8,500-£14,500
Supply + fit (volume retail) Howdens/Wickes/Magnet 10-15 units 8-12 multi-trade £8,000-£18,000 £11,000-£22,000
Supply + fit (mid-range) DIY Kitchens/Wren 12-18 units 10-15 multi-trade £14,000-£25,000 £18,000-£32,000
Supply + fit (premium) Neptune/Tom Howley 12-20 units 14-20 multi-trade £25,000-£45,000 £35,000-£60,000
Supply + fit (bespoke) Local cabinetmaker 15-25 units 18-30 multi-trade £40,000-£75,000+ £55,000-£100,000+
Open-plan kitchen-diner Includes wall removal 18-30 units 20-35 multi-trade + structural £35,000-£65,000 £50,000-£90,000

Detailed Guidance

Fit-only kitchens — labour-led pricing

Fit-only kitchens are the trade-friendly choice. The customer orders directly from a retailer (Howdens via a trade card, Wickes, Magnet, DIY Kitchens, etc.), the fitter quotes labour only. Pricing is straightforward day rates plus sub-trade days. For a standard 10-15 unit kitchen, the typical fit-only schedule is:

Sub-trade day rates dominate the variable cost. Always quote each sub-trade as a separate line with their own day rate, not lumped into the fitter rate. Customers respect transparency on multi-trade pricing.

Supply and fit — margin-led pricing

Supply and fit kitchens give the fitter margin on units, appliances, and accessories. Typical trade discount on volume retail brands (Howdens, Magnet, Wickes Trade) is 25-40% off RRP for a trade account holder; markup back to the customer is 10-20%, retaining 15-25% gross margin on supply. Worktops carry 20-30% margin typically. Appliances carry 5-15% margin (manufacturer-controlled).

The pricing risk is delivery and damage. Howdens deliver to the site (curbside) and damage in transit is the trade account holder's claim, not the fitter's directly. Damaged door fronts, scratched worktop edges, or wrong-handed corner units are usual; build a 5% damage contingency into the supply line. Worktop templating turnaround is typically 7-10 working days for stone; programming this between kitchen install and customer expectation is the most common dispute point.

Mid-range supply-and-fit (DIY Kitchens, Wren) adds rigid units (not flat-pack), better hinges, and softer-closing drawers. The supply premium over Howdens is 25-50% for the same nominal spec; the labour saves 1-2 days on the assembly phase because rigid units don't need building from flat-pack.

Premium and bespoke kitchens — design-led pricing

Premium (Neptune, Tom Howley, Harvey Jones) and bespoke (local cabinetmaker, Plain English, Devol) kitchens are different commercial models. The supplier typically charges a design fee (£500-£3,500), survey fee, and supplies the kitchen with full project management. The fitting is sometimes done by the supplier's own fitters, sometimes by an approved local fitter, and sometimes by a fitter chosen by the customer.

Bespoke kitchens use in-frame construction (face-frame visible around the door), painted hardwood (typically oak or tulipwood), and dovetail or finger-jointed drawers. The fitting is slower (15-30 days) because of the higher tolerance requirements: doors are scribed to walls, frames are pinned and filled, and painted finishes touched up on site. Fitter day rates for bespoke kitchens are 20-40% higher than volume retail rates because the skill premium is real.

Multi-trade coordination and Building Regulations

The pricing variable most often missed is multi-trade coordination time. A kitchen fit requires 3-5 trades on overlapping days; the fitter typically programmes them but doesn't always charge for the coordination time. Best practice is a flat 5-8% project management fee added to multi-trade jobs above £8,000 — covers the fitter's time managing the sub-trades.

Building Regulations engagements:

Gas hob installation is notifiable to Gas Safe (the engineer self-certifies on the gas work portal). Always factor a Gas Safe engineer at £80-£180 for a hob commission if the existing gas point is staying or being modified.

Hidden costs and risk premium

The five most-missed cost lines in kitchen fits are: (1) floor levelling — uneven floors (common in pre-war housing) need self-levelling compound (£15-£30/m²) before units sit square; (2) consumer unit upgrade if the existing board can't accommodate new circuits; (3) extract routing — running rigid ducting through a roof void and through a tile or external wall (£180-£450); (4) waste pipe upgrade — 32mm to 40mm to handle modern sink + dishwasher + washing machine combined flow; (5) snagging — paint touch-up, sealing, customer-found "while we're here" items (allow 0.5-1 day at end of project).

Risk premium of 10-15% is standard on pre-1970 properties: lath-and-plaster walls behind tile, lead service pipes, asbestos in artex ceilings, undersized incoming gas supply for modern range cookers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I quote supply-and-fit or fit-only?

Depends on the customer and the kitchen brand. Volume retail brands (Howdens, Wickes, Magnet) suit supply-and-fit because the trade discount is substantial and the customer is buying on price. Bespoke brands (Neptune, Devol, Plain English) suit fit-only because the supplier handles supply directly and the fitter adds installation skill. Premium brands (Tom Howley, Harvey Jones) typically force supply through them — the fitter is engaged as approved installer.

How do I price worktops accurately when stone needs templating?

Templating is a 5-10 working day delay between kitchen install and worktop fit. Price worktops as a separate line: "supply, templating, and fitting £X" with the timeline explicit. Stone worktop fitters template after the units are installed and squared (not before — the units must be in-place and level) and return 7-10 days later with the cut tops. Always confirm sink and hob cut-outs on the template; the worktop fitter will not return if dimensions are wrong.

What sub-trades do I need to schedule?

Most kitchen fits need a plumber (sink, taps, washing machine, dishwasher — 0.5-1 day), an electrician (sockets, hob circuit, extractor, lighting — 0.5-1.5 days), a tiler (splashback or full wall — 0.5-1 day), occasionally a plasterer (wall make-good — 0.25-0.5 day), and occasionally a Gas Safe engineer for hob commissioning. On open-plan kitchen-diner conversions, add a structural engineer's design fee (£550-£1,200) and a steelwork supplier/installer for any beam work.

How long does a kitchen fit take?

A standard 10-15 unit kitchen is 5-7 days fit-only, 8-12 days supply-and-fit with sub-trades. Premium and bespoke kitchens are 15-30 days. Open-plan kitchen-diner conversions with wall removal are 20-35 days including structural work, drying time, and full make-good. Always quote calendar days alongside working days — the customer wants to know when they can use the kitchen, not when the labour finishes.

Do I need to be a Kitchen Fitter Association member?

No formal qualification is required to fit kitchens in the UK; it is unregulated as a stand-alone trade. However, Gas Safe (hob), Part P (electrical), WaterSafe (plumbing) are required for those specific sub-trades. Membership of the BiKBBI (British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation) is voluntary but adds credibility for customer-facing quotes on premium work.

Regulations & Standards