Replacement Kitchen Doors and Worktops Cost

How Much Does Replacing Kitchen Cabinet Doors Cost?

To have a single kitchen cupboard replaced may cost just £90 to £200. Should you wish to have five cupboards replaced, expect to pay around £450 to £1,000, and if you'd like to replace ten kitchen cupboards, it would set you back roughly £775 to £1,875.

The cost of replacing kitchen cabinet doors can vary substantially depending on the number you choose to have replaced.

As shown as a rough average, it may cost between £1,100 and £3,000 if you need to have 15 kitchen cupboards replaced. In the case of having 20 kitchen cupboards replaced, expect a total bill of about £1,530 to £3,730.

Other cost factors worth considering are the type of kitchen cupboards (i.e., the brand/quality), the size of cupboards and quantity needed, along with the choice of materials to be used.

The labour fees for any type of kitchen installation are also influenced by where you live, as tradesmen including kitchen cupboard installers charge different rates depending on the region.

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New Kitchen Doors Prices

Supply Cost of Kitchen Doors & Worktops

Let's now take a closer look at just the supply costs. This applies if you are to replace the cupboards yourself but still need to buy the cabinets. A single cabinet will cost about £40 to £150. However, the price can vary quite a lot.

Most regular brand's cupboards cost between £100 and £200. There are plenty of higher-end and more expensive brands which will sell cupboards for several hundred pounds more than this price per unit.

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Additional Kitchen Door and Worktop Replacement Costs

When having your kitchen cupboards replaced, there are several extra jobs you may wish to have undertaken at the same time. Let's take a look at some common examples.

Replacing Kitchen Units

The focal point of a kitchen is often the kitchen units. However, there are many kitchen designs and colours available. For that reason, it is worth considering having a professional to supply and fit the kitchen units for you.

An individual kitchen unit is not usually too expensive, but given that most kitchens need many, the total cost of replacing kitchen units often ends up around £3,000 to £5,000.

Most of the work will involve fitting the casings of the units. Most kitchen units have casings that are the same standard sizes. Assembling kitchen units is not a DIY job though fitting the casings certainly could be done by a DIY enthusiast if they have the right skills and experience. In most cases, however, you'll need to hire a kitchen fitter or joiner.

Replacing Kitchen Worktops

The cost to replace kitchen worktops is usually around £600. The main factor when it comes to pricing is the material used. laminate worktops are at the lower end of the price range. Solid wood is another relatively inexpensive option, but there are more costly materials such as a ceramic or quartz worktop.

The price can also vary depending on the thickness of the worktop and where you are located in the UK. The old work surface can be removed by unscrewing it from the cabinets and then prying it out of place.

It's important the cabinets are level before the new work surface should be cut to size unless it's custom made. A hole will need to be cut should a sink be part of the worktop. It is then time to lay the countertop over the cabinets with the use of screws.

Raw edges can be covered with the help of edging strips before any excess may be sanded away. Lastly, a sealant should be used to tidy up the edge of the work area and around the sink (if applicable).

Also, deciding to entirely remodel a kitchen will be more expensive than changing cupboards.

Labour Cost of Replacing Kitchen Doors & Timescales

On average, a kitchen fitter/joiner charges about £27 per hour. This will be part of the overall cost, and with the job likely taking 2-3 days, you can expect an overall labour cost of about £500 to £730.

However, the labour cost can vary substantially depending on where you are located, and the hourly rate of £27 is a national average.

Replacing the old cabinets will be the quickest part of the job. This, along with the setup, will take a few hours, but it could take a few days to install the new cabinets. The clean up should take an hour or so, depending on how large the work area is.

The labour cost may also be affected by ease of access, which we will also look at in the next section.

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Factors That Impact Kitchen Door Replacement Costs

There are several notable price factors when it comes to having kitchen cupboards replaced. We'll now break down the replacement kitchen cupboard cost factors in more detail.

Type of Kitchen Cupboards

One of the most important cost factors is the type of cupboard. Common materials are plywood, hardboard, MDF and veneered particle board. The types can also be broken down based on the brand and quality. Some of the best kitchen brands in the UK include Tom Howley, Smallbone of Devizes, Siematic, and Woodstock Kitchens.

Number of Cupboards

Whether it is 6, 10, 15 or more cupboards, the number is another instrumental factor in determining the cost of replacing kitchen cupboards.

Condition of the Cupboards

This can apply to the existing cupboards and those that are being added. As for the former, this is because you may find that you only have to replace X amount of cupboards unless of course, you wish to change the style of the kitchen entirely. You may prefer to have new high-quality cupboards fitted or second-hand units at a lower cost.

Location of Your Property

Kitchen fitters and joiners charge different rates in different parts of the UK. For instance, joiners charge about £16 per hour in Belfast, £22 an hour in Blackburn, £23 an hour in North Tyneside, and £24 an hour in Liverpool.

However, the hourly rate for a joiner is £32 in Bury and £37 an hour in London as well as in Windsor & Maidenhead. In general, rates are higher in the southeast of England and lower in the north of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Ease of Access

How accessible your kitchen is, and the work area involved is also important to consider. You should aim to clear as much space as possible before having your kitchen cupboards replaced, as emptying the old cupboards and moving furniture out of the way can soon increase the labour time (and cost) if not actioned in advance.

Working in cramped spaces or with unconventional layouts can also make the job more complicated, potentially taking longer to complete and subsequently increasing overall labour fees.

What's Involved in a Kitchen Cupboard Replacement?

While it may be possible to replace kitchen cupboards and doors yourself, it can potentially be a challenging job and one that needs to carried out with precision to ensure they are fitted correctly.

As such, the majority of homeowners hire a professional for the work, resulting in a higher-standard finish and with the job being completed more efficiently.

It's also an opportunity to have any other tasks actioned at the same time, so remember to always request at least three quotes, as this is common practice when hiring tradesmen to work on your property. Ask people you know for recommendations, or find professional kitchen fitters near you with the help of MyJobQuote without any obligations.

In the meantime, follow our step-by-step guide to the basic process as per below.

Before the Job

• Choosing Your Cupboards — First of all, you'll need to decide whether you are going to supply the cupboards and replacement doors yourself or if you're anticipating the contractor to source them on your behalf. It's important to allow enough time before starting the work, but also be mindful the size and materials you choose may influence the installation process.
• Removing Old Cupboards — The old cupboards are removed one by one. Their positions may serve as a guide for where to place the new cabinets, although adjustments might be needed depending on the dimensions of the new units.

During the Job

• Positioning Base Cabinets — Base cabinets are leveled and placed against the wall. Measure any gaps between the cabinets and walls and fill them using filler strips.
• Plumbing and electrical work — If any cutouts are needed, these should be handled at this stage for a smooth installation and if you need to hire a professional plumber or electrician, make sure to do this prior to fitting the new cupboards into place.
• Fitting Hinges — Drill hinge holes on the cabinet doors and attach the mounting plates. Hinges can be fixed using slide-on or clip-on methods, then screwed securely into place.
• Installing Peninsula and Upper Cabinets — Peninsula cabinets are fixed before the upper cabinets are installed. Finally, doors and trim are fitted according to the type of cupboards being installed.

After the Job

• Final Checks — Doors should be tested to ensure they are fitted correctly, opening and closing to check they operated smoothly and match up to the body of the main framework. You can also start testing the strength and convenience of the installation by placing items inside.
• Waste Removal — Once everything is fitted, the last part of the process is the cleanup. This also involves removing any waste, which may add about £40 to £80 to your expenses, such as if you hire a small skip, although check if this is already covered within your quote.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Kitchen Cupboard Replacement

The majority of kitchen work doesn't require any planning permission, and unless any major construction work is involved, you're unlikely to be impacted by building regulations either.

This is, however, unless replacing your kitchen cupboards is part of a larger project such as if you are having your entire kitchen replaced/restyled. Especially if the project involves relocating a boiler or sink, rewiring electrical work or structural work such as moving a window or building an extension.

Planning permission rules vary to a certain extent in Scotland and Northern Ireland in comparison with England and Wales. The same general rule applies to planning permission, so again, unless your kitchen cabinets are being replaced as part of bigger work, then you won't need any official approval.

On average, it will take about eight weeks for your planning permission application to receive a response, and the fees tend to land between £100 and £450.

Choosing The Right Kitchen Cupboards

Let's now delve further into the various types of kitchen cupboards that are available to purchase. Helping you decide which is the right for your kitchen.

Plywood Kitchen Cupboards Cost

Though perhaps not as popular as MDF cabinets, plywood cupboards are inexpensive, very resistant to moisture and offer more stability than the former. Plywood boards are sandwiched together and held in place with an adhesive.

Added protection is achieved with a layer of wood veneer, laminate, or thermofoil coats. Plywood cabinets can be found for inexpensive prices, though they cost more along the lines of £200 to £350 in most cases which is more than most MDF cupboards.

Pros

• ✔ Strong
• ✔ Moisture-resistant
• ✔ Stainable
• ✔ Holds screws firmly in place

Cons

• ✖ Not as easy to achieve a smooth cut with plywood as it is the case with MDF
• ✖ Requires a specific finishing (e.g. with iron-on edge banding)
• ✖ Cutting specific designs into a plywood surface is more challenging than with an MDF cupboard

MDF Kitchen Cupboards Cost

Cupboards made from MDF benefit from its affordability, toughness and how easy they are to install. MDF is made from recycled strands of wood and is often a popular material when choosing to paint kitchen and cupboard doors. Many IKEA cabinets are made of MDF and supply these heavy and dense products on mass.

MDF cupboards are also smoother than those made from plywood. However, MDF cupboards are heavy, susceptible to damage caused by extreme heat and are not able to bear loads that are too great. They tend to cost between £100 and £350.

Pros

• ✔ Affordable
• ✔ Tough
• ✔ Easy to fit
• ✔ Smoother than plywood

Cons

• ✖ Heavy
• ✖ More prone to heat
• ✖ Not designed to support a lot of weight

Particle Board Kitchen Cupboards Cost

A lesser-known and perhaps the least commonly used type of kitchen cabinet is that made of particle board. This material is made by combining wood particles and chips. An adhesive is used to fuse them together into the panels. This option is not particularly popular, in part because it is not as sturdy as most options.

They are, however, cheap, lightweight and prelaminated. The latter point adds aesthetic value with the use of laminate or veneer to give an era flare to the surface. You may find some budget options made from particle boards. Most cost around £100.

Pros

• ✔ Inexpensive
• ✔ Lightweight
• ✔ Prelaminated

Cons

• ✖ Not particularly strong
• ✖ Prone to moisture damage
• ✖ Does not provide the same level as safety as most materials

Stainless Steel Kitchen Cupboards Cost

Another option to consider is stainless steel, although this is more commonly used in commercial kitchens rather than residential homes. However, some people also appreciate the aesthetics, but it can lack the contemporary feel offered by wooden cupboards. In addition, scratches and fingerprints appear on steel surfaces more easily.

With that said, stainless steel cupboards are less prone to moisture damage and offer a lot more strength and durability. There are also some cupboards where most of the cabinets consist of steel, but the drawer fronts are made from timber. Stainless steel cupboards are generally expensive, with the average cost being £500 to £1,000 per unit.

Pros

• ✔ Professional look
• ✔ Not as susceptible to moisture damage
• ✔ Strength
• ✔ Durability

Cons

• ✖ Lacks the contemporary aesthetic of timber cupboards
• ✖ More easily scratched
• ✖ Fingerprints appear more easily

Benefits of Replacing Kitchen Cupboards

There are many reasons why you may want to replace your kitchen cupboards. Aesthetics are usually the main reason, but there are several other advantages worth considering. Let's take a look at a range of benefits of replacing kitchen cabinets in more detail.

Better Accessibility

Firstly, choosing to have new kitchen cupboards installed gives you the chance to rethink the design and layout of your kitchen. Allowing you to install cupboards that will make better use of the existing space or will simply use up less space (if you believe that you don't need cupboards as large as those already fitted).

More space to work with and walk through in a kitchen makes the room not just more useful, but it can also give a kitchen a whole new lease of life.

Improved Home Aesthetic

The most obvious reason to have kitchen cupboards replaced is to change the look of the room. This can be achieved by installing cupboards with a different style, quality or/and brand.

You may also find that some cupboards would suit your kitchen better than others. It may be the case that your current cupboards do not complement the rest of the room's fittings and features as well as another set of cabinets could.

Property Value Increase

Replacing existing cupboards with those of a higher quality can improve the room's aesthetics. This, in turn, may add value to your property. To what extent will depend on how much of an improvement the new cupboards are.

Checklist: Hiring Professionals to Replace Your Kitchen Cupboards

Below are some additional points you should consider when hiring a kitchen fitter/joiner:

• Have they got relevant experience? Firstly, check the contractor has the appropriate experience, specifically with kitchen cupboard replacements so you know they understand the finer details of this type of work.
• Can they provide references and customer feedback? Always request references from previous clients and check for online reviews. Having a profile on MyJobQuote can help confirm the quality of work carried out, helping you to determine how satisfied past clients were with their work.
• Do they have any formal qualifications? While some kitchen fitters or joiners may hold formal qualifications or belong to a trade association, practical experience is often more relevant for replacing kitchen cupboards, although for bespoke fittings you may wish to hire someone with a background in design.
• Have you requested more than one quote? It's wise to request at least three quotes to compare pricing, materials, and experience. Using a platform like MyJobQuote can help you quickly gather multiple quotes from vetted professionals in your area.
• Do they have public liability insurance? Although not a legal requirement, always confirm that your tradesmen have public liability insurance. This protects you in case of accidents or damage to your property while the work is being carried out.