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myCost of Kitchen Cabinets
At a Glance
- The average cost of replacing kitchen units is around £3,000.
- The job will take approximately 5 days to complete.
- A complete pricing breakdown which includes things you need to consider before starting, along with what such a task usually involves.
- How long the job should approximately take and a general overview of what kind of jobs can be performed.
- How to find and hire a local kitchen cabinet fitter with MyJobQuote.
£3,000
Table of Contents
How Much Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost to Install?
Kitchen units are often the focal point of your kitchen but with so many designs to choose from it can be a little overwhelming to find the right units for your kitchen.
Kitchen units make up the bulk of the kitchen and although each unit is not particularly expensive, there are so many of them in the average kitchen that the cost, when added up, can be substantial. The doors, drawers, fixings and facings can easily be changed to update the look of a kitchen.
But the bulk of the work and the cost is in the actual casings or carcasses of the kitchen units. Most kitchen units have carcasses or casings which are the same standard sizes.
The company supplying the actual units may well offer a fitting service but do not simply accept their price, always get at least three quotations for any major projects. Finding local tradesmen to offer quotations is quick and easy using the free service provided on this website.
Simply post the details of the job you need completing along with contact details, then sit back and let up to 3 local contractors get in touch to provide written quotations.
How much does it cost to replace kitchen doors in an existing kitchen? Also to fit a corner carousel and a new worktop?
"Most joiners would charge a set price normally a day rate. The price of the new doors etc would be on top of his rate"
Kitchen Unit Prices
The cost of new kitchen cabinets will mainly depend on how big your kitchen is.
Estimated figures in the table below are a guide to kitchen unit prices including both supply and labour.
At the lower end of the scale, you can expect to find cabinet prices based on flat-pack delivery. Rigid-built kitchen cabinets will be at the higher end of the estimations:
| Kitchen Size | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| Small (8 - 10 units) | £1,600 - £3,000 |
| Average (11 - 15 units) | £2,200 - £4,300 |
| Large (16+ units) | £3,500 - £6,000 |
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How Much Does Kitchen Unit Fitting Cost?
Building kitchen units is way beyond the scope of the average DIY enthusiast, but fitting the casings can be done as a DIY project by those with some joinery skills and experience.
However, the vast majority of those installing new kitchen units will require the services of a local joiner or kitchen fitter. When it comes to prices for fitting kitchen units it is also best to shop around.
The typical kitchen fitter will charge around £150 to £250 per day, so if two tradesmen are required, you can expect to pay £300 to £500 per day.
Your overall kitchen cabinet costs will depend on how much work is involved. Here's a guide:
| Kitchen Size | Duration | Labour Cost Per Tradesman |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 3 days | £450 - £750 |
| Average | 4 days | £600 - £1,000 |
| Large | 5 days | £750 - £1,250 |
As the table shows, the cost of a kitchen refresh is heavily based on labour costs.
So, if you live in more expensive areas of the country like London and the South East, the cost of labour will be higher and the installation of your new kitchen units will cost more.
Things to Consider with Kitchen Unit Casings
There are ways of keeping the cost of a kitchen down. Some of these may involve compromises on your original vision for your new kitchen.
Simply getting the casings fitted and using the old worktops can save a fortune, especially if you have marble or granite worktops which can cost upwards of £2,500.
The more straightforward a project is, the cheaper it will usually be. For example, standard wall units are not as expensive as special rounded corner cabinets or cabinets with a glass inlay.
You should expect to pay around £4,000 for a range of good quality kitchen units for an average-sized kitchen, but choosing non-standard cabinets to make the best use of every available space can easily double this cost, so be careful when planning to avoid costs spiralling out of control.
Electrics
When planning a new kitchen, try and keep all the appliances in their original positions if possible. Moving appliances generally means wiring work which requires an electrician and can add up to £1,000 to the final cost.
Flooring
Don’t forget the flooring when working out the cost of the project, even if you want to keep the existing flooring, the removal of the old units will likely damage the flooring anyway so better to include new flooring into the budget!
Luckily, there are many fairly cheap flooring options which still look great, such as laminate or vinyl products which are very realistic nowadays and can do a decent job of emulating much more expensive real wood or stone tiles extremely well.
Flat-Pack or Rigid-Built Kitchen Units?
There are two types of new kitchen units to be aware of: flat-pack units and rigid-built kitchen units.
The type you choose will make a big difference to your new kitchen quote, as well as the flexibility and durability of the units.
Flat-Pack Units
As the name suggests, flat-pack units are provided in boxes and will need to be assembled ahead of installation.
Here are some pros and cons to bear in mind:
Pros
- ✔ Cheaper option than rigid-built units
- ✔ Easy to transport
- ✔ Available from national retailers
Cons
- ✖ Need to be assembled on-site
- ✖ Poor assembly can lead to problems later
- ✖ Joints may weaken over time
- ✖ Less customisable
Rigid-Built Units
Also known as pre-assembled kitchen units, rigid-built styles are delivered fully assembled and simply need to be professionally installed.
Again, there are pros and cons to be aware of:
Pros
- ✔ Faster to install
- ✔ More durable than flat-pack units
- ✖ More custom options available
- ✖ Often higher quality
Cons
- ✖ More expensive option
- ✖ Bulky to transport
- ✖ Not a great choice for DIY
- ✖ Bespoke orders can take time
Doing it Yourself
A bit of DIY can often be a good way to save money, but fitting new kitchen units is probably a bit ambitious for most DIY enthusiasts. However, taking out the old kitchen units and removing any waste yourself can not just save you money, you could even potentially make money by selling your old cupboards!
But there are areas in which you should not ever try and save money by using your DIY skills: the gas and electrics!
Don’t touch gas appliances without a professional and don’t remove or replace any hard-wired electrical appliances either.
So you can save by removing old units and doing waste disposal yourself, but you will probably still need to pay someone to manufacture the cabinets and install them, plus you will need specialists for any gas or electrical work required.
Kitchen Units Checklist
- Kitchen cabinets make up the bulk of any kitchen overhaul
- Removing the old cabinets yourself is a great money-saver
- Avoid moving appliances when designing your new kitchen to save on electrician and gas engineer costs
- Always assume new flooring will be required when replacing kitchen cabinets
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FAQs
Why buy new made-to-measure kitchen units?
The kitchen is often the heart of the home where many of us spend the most quality time with our families, so if there is any room which is really worth spending money on, it's the kitchen! You can design your kitchen around the shape and your requirements so that no area is wasted and create as much storage and worktop space as you need.
Which kitchen unit materials are the most durable?
In reality, the type of material used does not really affect how strong or sturdy the kitchen unit is. Almost all kitchen carcasses are made from chipboard, with various finishes used on top to create the desired look and style. They are all very durable as long as you do not buy very cheap and thin casings.
What’s the best thickness for durable kitchen units?
Kitchen units vary in thickness from around 12mm to 18mm thick. You will find that 15mm and 18mm thicknesses are considered good quality for kitchen cupboards, with the most expensive kitchen cabinets being the more rigid 18mm option. 15mm thickness is perfectly fine but the extra 3mm will offer a bit of a buffer, ensuring that your kitchen units stay in good shape for years to come no matter what you throw at them.
Will I need new flooring if replacing kitchen cabinets?
Yes probably! It may be possible in some cases to remove old kitchen units without damaging the floor, or at least not damaging the floor visibly. But oftentimes the existing floor will be damaged so always assume you will need to buy new flooring.
Should I fit my new cabinets DIY to save money?
Not unless you are a skilled DIY enthusiast with lots of joinery experience! This should only be carried out by experienced fitters as kitchen units are expensive and even quality units will look awful if not fixed correctly.
