The kitchen is one of the focal points of many homes. It’s not just where we store food, but where we cook, eat, and, for many, get together as a household, simply put, it’s the heart of the home. If your kitchen lacks space, doesn’t meet your needs, or is unattractive, it can become an under-used facility and could deplete the overall value of your home.
The kitchen is one of the rooms potential buyers focus on most, and a new kitchen could increase the value of your property by approximately 6% (National Association for Estate Agents). For a relatively small upfront cost, you could see a significant return on your investment when the time comes to sell.
It is not a surprise, therefore, that a new kitchen is one of the most popular forms of home improvement undertaken by homeowners. Indeed, if you can only afford to renovate one room in your house, experts say it should be the kitchen.
Still, a new kitchen is a significant purchase, and people could be put off by the thought of the cost and disruption that a new kitchen can bring.
In this blog, we’ll try to answer one of your most frequently asked questions – how much does a new kitchen cost? And take you through the various aspects you need to consider.
What’s The Average Cost of a New Kitchen?
The average cost of a new kitchen in the UK in 2020 is estimated at £8,000 (including VAT and fitting). Most kitchen renovations fall between £5,000 and £14,000 all in.
However, this can greatly increase depending on the size of the kitchen, the style of the units and worktops, and a couple of other factors.
On average, you will pay between £5,000 and £6,000 for installation (plus VAT) then you need to factor in the cost of the units, work surfaces and lighting, plus plumbing and electrics, if necessary.
Good quality units generally cost between £3,250-£5,250 to fit an average-sized kitchen, but it depends on the amount of storage space you require within the kitchen’s parameters. Eight basic units will provide approximately 10m2 of storage at a cost of around £1,000 whereas 20 units will give you 30m2 storage space at an estimated price of £7,000.
Next, you need to consider worktops. You are looking at between £2,000 and £4,000 for fitted worktops depending on the materials. Laminate is cheaper, whilst wood, marble, and granite can be significantly more expensive.
A new kitchen may entail a new floor, in which case you are looking at £100-£150 for a floor specialist to lay laminate or vinyl flooring, plus the cost of the flooring itself, which could be anything from £20 to £30 per square metre.
If your new kitchen includes a rewire, you need to add on potentially another £1,000, whilst plumbing in/installing a new sink will set you back around £150-£200.
Repainting or wallpapering a kitchen may not be too expensive, depending on the wall space in your kitchen, but don’t forget you may need to replaster depending on the layout and design of the new kitchen.
Another significant cost of a new kitchen which is sometimes overlooked is the cost of new appliances. A new fridge freezer costs around £300-£500 depending on size, make, and model, whilst ovens around £200-£400.
You will also need to think about the cost of disposal – hiring a skip or paying for the old units and materials to be disposed of can be as much as £150, but you can dispose of the kitchen yourself, with a bit of forward planning.
In fact, there are many ways to reduce the cost of renovating your kitchen.
What’s the Cheapest Way to Get a New Kitchen?
New kitchen prices vary greatly depending on size, style, and installation but you can change your kitchen for around £1,500, providing it’s a small space, you keep the design simple, and you don’t require any new electrical or plumbing work.
Planning a budget and sticking to it is essential for keeping costs low, as you can immediately rule out pricier items rather than blowing your budget.
Since the biggest expense is the kitchen cabinets, the cheapest way to get a new kitchen, if you require more than cosmetic changes, is to buy freestanding or fitted kitchen units from a retailer for self-installation.
Flatpack units tend to be cheaper than ready-made cabinets and furniture retailers will sometimes sell ex-display models for a fraction of the original cost. There are sites which list these items, but be aware that collection and installation will be your responsibility. Alternatively, if you are prepared to be patient, you can leave your details with kitchen showrooms and builders’ merchants for them to call you when they have units available.
You can sometimes find a kitchen fitter first and purchase the kitchen through them to take advantage of their trade discount.
Alternatively, if you are handy yourself, or you know a good builder, you can even build your own units from reclaimed materials, or upcycle old units from a scrap yard or sites such as Gumtree and eBay.
The same is true of worktops, which can be created from reclaimed materials such as wood or stone, usually for a lot less than those included in the price of a shop-bought kitchen. Mixing and matching materials will also save you money here, so use the most expensive in the most visible spots and go for a complementary but cheaper option in places where it is less noticeable.
Light fixtures can also be picked up at antique fairs or charity shops but never scrimp on having them properly fitted by a registered electrician.
By the same token, if your old units, worktops, or light fittings are in good condition, you can sell them to help towards the cost of your new kitchen. Even if you can’t get any money back for your old units or worktops, removing them and disposing of them yourself will save you money, as disposal fees can run up to £150.
In all cases, research is key, as you can get some real bargains in all areas of your new kitchen, providing you know where to look.
The cheapest way to get a ‘new’ kitchen, however, is to revamp your existing kitchen.
How Can I Make My Kitchen Look Expensive?
The good news is you don’t have to spend big bucks to get an Instagram-worthy kitchen.
Many lifestyle and interior magazines will show you the products used in their photoshoots, and then show you a more moderately-priced version of the same accessories and products to suit smaller budgets.
If you have a good eye, you can recreate or just draw inspiration from these ‘looks’ for a fraction of the original cost.
The key to making your kitchen look expensive lies in a cohesive colour scheme, clutter-free surfaces, and good lightning.
Light colours are usually best for walls and units, to create an open and welcoming space and maximise natural light. However, softened monochrome, such as cream and charcoal, as opposed to bright white and stark black create a luxe appearance. Introducing different textures in complementary shades is another trick interior designers use to create a holistic appearance.
If you cannot afford to change the units, you can paint them or use a wood stain to breathe new life into old cupboards and drawers. Even changing the handles could be a vast improvement. Updating the hardware such as installing new taps, and/or sink or a new oven also makes a big difference.
People often overlook the importance of lighting in a kitchen, but old-fashioned strip lights can leave a kitchen looking dated and cheap. The installation of a new light can not only transform the appearance of your kitchen, it can also improve its function. With the emergence of under cabinet lights, flexible down lights, and track lightning, working harder to suit your specific kitchen and lifestyle, the options are endless.
New tiles and splashbacks can also be used to alter the appearance of your kitchen, and you might be surprised at how much replacing these items improves the kitchen.
Well-chosen art can elevate a kitchen, and add a touch of personality to what could otherwise be a bland room. Finally fresh flowers, bright citrus fruits, candles on the table and other little luxuries will lend your kitchen a high-end liveable feel.
Of course, it’s essential that your budget for your new kitchen takes into account the overall value of your house. If your house is already at its ceiling price, or worth £200,000 or less, upgrading your kitchen to the tune of £20,000 is no longer a smart investment. Similarly, if your house is valued at more than £700,000 you should be very careful when choosing new fixtures and fittings so as not to drag the overall value of your home down with cheap products.
You should also consider the age and style of the property to ensure the new kitchen will be in keeping with the overall look of the house.
We hope you now have a much clearer answer to the question – how much is a new kitchen? If you are considering a new kitchen or any other home renovations and would like a quote, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
