Kitchen Fitting Cost in London (2026 Guide)
Updated October 2026 · 6 min read
Kitchen fitting is one of the most misquoted renovation jobs in London. The figure you see advertised is almost always labour-only for the carpentry — it does not include the plumber, the electrician, the tiler, or the company that templates and fits the worktop. By the time you have all four trades, the actual cost is considerably higher than the headline number.
This guide covers what kitchen fitting actually costs in London and the South East in 2026, based on market rates for labour-only installation. It explains what the price does and does not include, what pushes costs up, and what you can do to keep the project within budget without cutting corners on the work.
Kitchen fitting prices in London (2026)
The figures below are typical labour-only ranges for kitchen fitting in London and the South East. They cover unit installation — base units, wall units, appliances, and plinths — but not supply of the units themselves, worktop fabrication, tiling, plumbing connections, or electrical work.
| Item | Typical cost (London & South East) |
|---|---|
| Labour-only kitchen fitting | £2,100 – £3,900 |
| Base and wall units (supply, per unit) | £70 – £120 |
| Typical project duration | 5 – 10 working days |
Prices are typical labour-only ranges. Materials, worktops, tiling, plumbing, and electrical work are additional and should be quoted separately. Prices are typical market ranges, not quotes — actual costs depend on scope and specification.
What is included in kitchen fitting — and what is not
A standard kitchen fitting quote covers unit assembly and installation (base units, wall units, drawer packs, tall units), fitting the sink and connecting it to existing supply and waste points, connecting built-in appliances where the connections already exist, and fitting worktops if they are supplied cut-to-size.
What is usually not included: worktop templating and fabrication (especially stone and quartz), plumbing for a new boiler position or moved waste, any electrical work beyond plugging in appliances, wall tiling, extractors that require new ductwork, and structural work for openings or beam supports. Each of these needs to be quoted and priced separately, and they need to happen in the right sequence — which is where most kitchen projects run into trouble.
When you are comparing kitchen fitting quotes, the most useful question to ask is: which other trades do I still need to book and pay for separately? A quote that covers all trades under one contract will look more expensive upfront, but it eliminates the coordination risk and the price creep that comes from managing five separate contractors.
What affects the cost of kitchen fitting in London
1. Kitchen size and layout complexity
A straight-run or L-shape kitchen in a standard London terrace is the simplest case to price. An island, a peninsula, tall pull-out larder units, or a layout involving a rear extension junction all add time and therefore cost. The number of units matters, but so does the number of cuts — awkward alcoves, chimney breast recesses, and out-of-square walls all require more time to fit accurately.
2. Worktop material
Laminate worktops can be cut and fitted by the kitchen fitter on the day. Quartz, granite, and solid stone worktops require templating after units are installed, followed by offsite fabrication and a second visit for installation — typically adding 3–5 days to the project and a separate fabrication cost. Solid wood worktops sit between the two: they can be cut on site but require careful moisture treatment and expansion allowance.
3. Whether plumbing or electrics need moving
Keeping the sink and appliances in the same positions is the single biggest way to control cost. Moving the sink to a new wall involves new waste runs, possibly a new soil connection, and new supply pipes — which requires a plumber and may require access to walls and floors. Moving the cooker location, adding a kitchen island with a hob, or upgrading from gas to induction all require an electrician and possibly Building Regulations notification.
4. Access and waste disposal
London properties introduce logistics costs that rural or suburban jobs do not. Parking restrictions, narrow access passages, stairs in flats, and the cost of skip hire in central boroughs all add to the project cost. Waste disposal for old units and packaging from new ones is a significant volume — always confirm how this is handled in the quote.
5. Property type and condition
Period London properties — Victorian terraces, Edwardian semis, converted flats — often have challenges that are invisible until work starts: out-of-plumb walls, uneven floors, ceiling heights that make wall unit positions awkward, and unexpected services (gas pipes, cables) behind the existing units. A good fitter will flag these at the survey stage; a less thorough one will find them on day one and ask for more money.
How to keep kitchen fitting costs down
- Supply your own units through a trade account. Howdens, Magnet, and Wren all offer trade pricing that is significantly cheaper than retail. Ask your fitter if they have an account you can use, or open your own. The savings on a full kitchen can be substantial.
- Keep plumbing and electrics in the same positions. This is the fastest route to a cheaper project. Moving services involves additional trades, additional time, and sometimes Building Regulations work. If you are happy with where the sink and cooker currently sit, say so at the survey.
- Choose laminate or compact worktops for the parts that matter less. If budget is tight, use a stone worktop on the main run and a cheaper option on the island return or utility run. You get the look where it counts without paying fabrication costs for every square metre.
- Reuse appliances where they are still working. Oven, dishwasher, and fridge moves are relatively straightforward if the connections already exist. Buying new appliances for a labour-only project is a choice, not a necessity.
- Get three quotes to the same specification. This means: same units, same worktop, same trade scope (who handles the plumbing and electrics), same timeline. Comparing a labour-only quote with an all-trades quote is not a comparison — it is a way to buy the cheaper number and discover later that it was never complete.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a kitchen fit take in London?
Typically 5–10 working days for a standard family kitchen from strip-out to sign-off. A more complex kitchen involving structural changes, an island, or a bi-fold connection will take longer. Your fitter should give you a day-by-day programme in the written quote.
Does the price include the plumber and electrician?
Not automatically. Labour-only kitchen fitting quotes typically cover carpentry and unit installation. Plumbing, electrical work, tiling, and worktop fabrication are often priced separately. Always confirm exactly which trades are included before comparing quotes — leaving any one of them out makes the numbers meaningless.
What is the difference between supply-and-fit and labour-only?
Labour-only means you source the units, worktops, and appliances — the fitter installs them. Supply-and-fit is all-in: the fitter sources everything on your behalf. Labour-only gives you more control over product choice and often works out cheaper if you buy through a trade account. Supply-and-fit is simpler to manage but requires trust in your fitter's supplier relationships.
Do I need to move out during a kitchen fit?
For most projects you can remain in the home. You will be without a functioning kitchen for part of the first week, but a microwave, kettle, and temporary worksurface usually keeps most households going. A good fitter will tell you exactly when you will have a working sink and hob again before work starts.
What happens if the fitter finds a problem once work starts?
A professional fitter should stop, show you what they have found, and agree a revised price before continuing. Common mid-project discoveries include rotting floor joists, a soil pipe in an unexpected position, or damp behind old units. Never agree to verbal scope extensions — get any change confirmed in writing before work resumes.
Core Build Group · London
Kitchen installation from £1,800 (labour).
Fixed price after a free survey. Plumbing, electrics, tiling and worktops all managed under one contract.
View our kitchen fitting service →Sources: Fantastic Services cost guides 2026; Trade2Base pricing guides 2026. All prices shown are typical market ranges, not quotes. Actual costs depend on specification, scope, access, and location within London. Always obtain a written fixed-price quote after a site survey.