How much does a new kitchen cost?
Maybe your cooker’s on the blink again or that cupboard door just won’t shut properly. Or perhaps you want to compare the cost of moving house to the cost of a brand new kitchen renovation? Either way, if you think it’s time for the upgrade you’ve always talked about, you’ll probably want to know what costs are likely to be included.
In 2023, the average cost of a new kitchen could cost £18,600 (including installation) (Which? magazine) with costs spiralling into tens of thousands of pounds for larger bespoke options. Each new kitchen cost will be different depending if you choose to do it yourself or opt for a premium fitting service, your ‘heart of the home’ improvement project is unlikely to be cheap.
Ultimately, your new kitchen budget should be controlled by how much you can afford to spend, and we’re here to shed some light on the types of expenses you’re likely to encounter and the best options for managing your money.
What influences the cost of a new kitchen?
The cost of a new kitchen can be influenced by many things. From planning all the way through to adding the finishing touches, there is potential for your costs to grow considerably as gadgets and premium accessories start to become a must-have for your new kitchen.
Bearing in mind the key parts of your kitchen renovation which could incur a cost, you can plan your budget. By considering which areas you’d like to save on, and which you’d like to spend more on can help you stay in control of your budget.
Here we go into a bit more detail about the different types of costs you might encounter when buying a new kitchen, to help you make those important decisions:
Pre-project costs
The costs of a kitchen can start to add up before you’ve even had a chance to consider your appliances.
If you’re confident when it comes to DIY and are working on a tighter budget – you can help to keep costs down by measuring up and dismantling the old units yourself. But, if you can afford to, hiring a professional can save you time, effort, and lend you the experience of someone who has done it countless times before.
The same goes for things like plastering, painting, and tiling the floor. These are jobs that are likely to be needed to prepare the room before the new kitchen arrives. So, whether you choose to have a go yourself or get someone in to do it, the decision could affect your overall spend.
The range
You may already have an idea of your budget and what you expect to get for your money. Many specialist kitchen retailers and suppliers will have a variety of new kitchen ranges on display in their showrooms or shown in catalogues. Having a diverse range of kitchens for you to browse through allows you to find one that best suits your budget and the requirements of your home.
The range of kitchens available will usually include economy ranges, which offer functionality and less spend but can be limited in design choice, through to bespoke options allowing you to create a fully tailored kitchen layout.
The more options you have to choose from the more expensive your kitchen is likely to be, so it’s worth bearing this in mind when you place your order.
The number of units
The shape and size of your kitchen can be one of the biggest influences on cost, from square footage for tiles to the surface area for worktops, it can all add to the expense of your refurbishment.
The number of new kitchen units will certainly have an impact on the cost of your new kitchen. And the size and design of your kitchen will dictate how many new units you’re likely to need. It’s worth bearing in mind that with more demand for extra storage in the home, the kitchen is an ideal place to gain some much-needed cupboard space. However, the more units you need, the more expensive your kitchen could be.
The type of worktop
Once you’ve sorted your units, you’ll need to find a suitable kitchen worktop. There are a few options for new kitchen worktops for you to consider when designing your new kitchen. Each type of worktop offers different benefits with differing price tags. Here we look at some of the most popular options to help you consider the cost of your new kitchen worktop:
Laminate: A laminate worktop is the most budget friendly option for homeowners. Easy to install and clean, they’re not as hardwearing as some other alternatives but you can get a lot of value for money with proper care.
Timber: A traditional kitchen feature, a solid timber worktop never goes out of style but you should bear in mind that they may require more maintenance than other worktops.
Granite: Stylish, durable, long lasting and easy to clean. A choice that could be expensive if it was damaged and needed replacing.
Marble quartz: This manmade stone is the strongest and hardest wearing option but is also the most expensive. You may need to weigh up the initial cost versus the longevity of use you’ll receive in exchange.
The cost of appliances
When buying a new kitchen, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of appliances into your budget. Most kitchens will feature an oven, hob, fridge, and freezer as essential appliances, with the addition of microwaves and dishwashers seen as secondary options, or ‘nice to haves’.
The cost of these appliances will vary greatly depending on the brand and specification of each item, and whether they’re integrated or free-standing appliances.
If your budget can stretch a little further, you may wish to consider luxury gadgets like a wine fridge or a sink disposal unit, or perhaps an American-style refrigerator or range style cooker, to complement the look and feel of your brand-new kitchen.
Kitchen installation costs
Once you’ve chosen your preferred kitchen within your budget, the next step is to get it installed.
If you want to fit it yourself, you can arrange to have the kitchen components delivered straight to your door. Choosing to install a new kitchen and appliances yourself could save you a big chunk of your budget, but if you’ve never done it before, or DIY isn’t your strong suit you run the risk of units and appliances being fitted incorrectly with gaps prone to leakage and uneven cupboards requiring a costly re-fit.
Ordering your kitchen through a recommended retailer or supplier should give you the option to arrange installation with a professional kitchen fitter. Choosing a specialist should mean your kitchen is fitted correctly first time and will save you time and as it is usually agreed at a fixed cost there should be no unexpected surprises.
How much value does a new kitchen add to your home?
There are usually two main reasons why homeowners choose to refurbish their kitchen. One is to add value to a house with the intention of making a profit on the sale of the property. The other is to improve the appearance and functionality of the kitchen. But, how much value could a new kitchen add to your home?
A new kitchen has the potential to add around 4% in value to your home, with a working kitchen being a top priority for homebuyers who don’t wish to go through the expense and labour of arranging a kitchen installation themselves. A kitchen with lots of storage space can also be an attractive prospect to buyers. Depending on how much you spend on it, a brand-new kitchen could deliver a good return on investment when it comes to selling your home.
Kitchen finance options
So, you’ve chosen all the different parts for your brand-new kitchen, but how are you going to pay for it? There are five different ways you could cover the cost of your new kitchen. The type of financing you choose will depend on the size of the project and how much you can afford to spend or repay. Here we’ll look at each option in more detail, so you can find the option that suits your project and your individual circumstances best:
Personal savings
Using your savings to pay for a new kitchen will depend on the overall cost of the kitchen and how much you have saved. If you do have enough in your savings, you can pay for each stage of the kitchen refurbishment outright without needing to use credit or take out a loan, so you won’t owe anything once it’s completed.
However, you should keep in mind that using your savings on a brand-new kitchen will mean the spare cash you once had will be depleted or gone entirely. You should also check that your savings account is easily accessible to make sure you don’t incur any fees for withdrawing your money.
Credit card
Using a credit card to cover the cost of a new kitchen is another option you could use to finance your project. The amount you can cover is dependent on the credit limit of the card and the amount you repay depends on the interest rates linked to your credit card.
A credit card can be a versatile option, allowing you to spread the cost of large purchases over a few months, or the chance for multiple expenses to accumulate over time. You can repay the balance each month over are payment period of your choice, so long as you make at least the minimum repayments each month. Using a credit card can also offer extra protection allowing you to recover the full purchase amount, including any deposits, should any orders go unfulfilled unexpectedly.
You should make sure you check the interest rate on your card. If you have a high interest rate, you could end up facing expensive charges on top. This approach will also need careful monitoring to avoid overspending and ensure the minimum balance is paid on time without incurring additional charges.
Personal loan
If you don’t want to use your savings and a credit card isn’t the option for you, another way to pay for a new kitchen is to take out a personal home improvement loan. With this option you may be able to borrow the amount you need to buy and install your new kitchen, before paying back loan instalments over an agreed period of time.
To be approved for a home improvement loan you must apply for one first and meet the eligibility criteria. The terms of the loan i.e. the loan amount, the APR, the loan term, and the minimum monthly repayment, are then agreed with the lender.
Once your loan is approved, you can use it to buy all you need for your kitchen. And once you’ve paid for your new kitchen all you’ll need to do is make sure you keep up with your repayments until the loan balance is repaid in full.
Interest free credit
Interest free credit would enable you to purchase your new kitchen, by paying off the balance in monthly instalments without incurring an interest charge. If your credit limit allows, this can be a good option for buying large purchases and paying for them in increments, effectively allowing you to spread your payment without any additional fees.
Check the terms of your interest free credit card and make sure your balance is cleared before a new interest rate is introduced to avoid paying more for your purchase.
Buy now, pay later
Buy now, pay later is another form of credit often used for larger purchases with the option to delay or spread payments over a fixed period. This option could allow you to move forward with the purchase to save up to make the overall payment at a later date.
If you enter into a buy now, pay later deal to help cover the cost of your new kitchen, you’ll need to make sure you have the money to ‘pay later’. Once the grace period is over, any outstanding amount on your balance could be subject to interest rates, leaving you paying out more than you intended.
Pay monthly kitchen finance
A monthly finance scheme typically requires you to make a deposit and pay off some of the value of your purchase each month over an agreed fixed term, that could be shorter than that of a personal loan.
Although you may pay off your balance sooner than a personal loan, pay monthly finance is often accompanied by high APR rates of interest, so you could end up paying more in the long term.