A new kitchen on a budget in London typically costs £5,000 to £8,000 supplied and fitted, for a straightforward swap where the sink and cooker stay where they are. The photograph at the top of this guide shows a budget kitchen fitted during an HMO renovation in East London. The prices below are typical London ranges for planning, and we price each kitchen from a drawing or photographs of the room.
Typical budget kitchen prices in London
| Job | Typical London price |
|---|---|
| New doors, handles and worktops on existing units | £1,500 to £3,500 |
| Budget kitchen swap, same layout, supplied and fitted | £5,000 to £8,000 |
| Labour only, fitting 8 units and 3 appliances | About £2,000 |
| Fitting, per cabinet | About £120 |
The labour figures are UK planning numbers, and London rates usually run higher. Our kitchen fitting cost guide shows two fully priced examples from real quotation schedules.
Keeping the sink and cooker in place saves the most
Water, waste, gas and the cooker circuit are the expensive things to move. A like-for-like swap reuses them, so the budget goes on units and worktops instead of new pipework and cable runs.
Where a budget kitchen can save
- Put the money into doors and handles. Budget and mid-range carcasses are much the same white chipboard boxes, and the doors decide how the kitchen looks.
- Laminate worktops copy stone and terrazzo closely and cost far less. A stone worktop can still be fitted later without touching the units.
- Vinyl plank flooring, like the wood-effect floor in the photograph, is waterproof and quick to lay.
- Tile the walls behind the worktops and cooker, where they need protecting, and paint the rest.
- Keep any appliances that still work, since building them into new units is routine.
Where to spend
- Pay for careful fitting. Level runs, scribed end panels and tight worktop joints are what make a budget kitchen look well made.
- Make sure the sink and hob cutouts are sealed, because water getting into the chipboard core ruins a laminate worktop.
- Use registered trades for the gas and electrical connections, whatever the budget.
The East London kitchen in the photograph
This galley kitchen was fitted as part of a wider HMO renovation, on the same job as the shower room in our guide to a bathroom on a budget. White units run down both sides, with laminate worktops, marble-effect wall tiles and a wood-effect vinyl floor. Everything is a stock size, so a damaged door or a worn worktop can be replaced on its own.
Flat-pack and customer-supplied kitchens
Flat-pack kitchens from IKEA, B&Q or Wren save money on the units, though some of the saving goes on assembly time. Rigid trade units such as Howdens arrive built and go in faster. We also fit kitchens our customers buy themselves, which can suit a tight budget because you can buy the kitchen when the price is right.
Budget kitchens for landlords and HMOs
A kitchen in a rental or an HMO gets heavy use and a steady change of tenants. Stock units, laminate worktops and vinyl floors are quick to repair between tenancies, and a like-for-like swap keeps the kitchen out of use for only a few days.
How long it takes
A like-for-like budget kitchen swap usually takes three to five days. The old kitchen comes out first, then the units and worktops go in, and the plumbing, appliances and finishing come last. Wall repairs, new flooring or a layout change add time.
Kitchen fitting in London with Vayton
We supply and fit kitchens across London, including kitchens you have bought yourself. See our kitchen fitters in London page, or send us your room sizes and photographs for a price.
Common questions about budget kitchens
How much is a new kitchen on a budget in London?
Typically £5,000 to £8,000 supplied and fitted, for a straightforward swap that keeps the same layout. New doors, handles and worktops on sound units typically cost £1,500 to £3,500.
Is a flat-pack kitchen worth it?
Usually, if it is fitted well. The carcasses are close to dearer brands, and the doors you choose matter more to how it looks.
Do you fit kitchens from IKEA, Howdens or Wren?
Yes. You order the kitchen, and we check the drawings, fit it and make good around it.
What makes a budget kitchen look cheap?
Usually the fitting: doors that sit unevenly, visible worktop joints and messy silicone. Level units and neat sealing make a budget kitchen look much more expensive than it was.