Kitchen Fitting Costs: What You Really Pay for Installation in 2025

When you think about kitchen fitting costs, the total price of installing cabinets, countertops, appliances, and plumbing in a new or remodeled kitchen. Also known as kitchen installation cost, it’s not just about the cabinets—it’s the labor, the removal, the plumbing, the electrical, and the surprises no one tells you about. Most people assume the price tag on a kitchen unit includes installation, but that’s rarely true. In the UK, a basic kitchen fitting can start around £5,000, but if you’re going for custom cabinetry, premium materials, or complex layout changes, you’re looking at £15,000 or more. And that’s before you even factor in the cost of removing your old kitchen or moving gas lines.

Wren kitchen fitting price, a popular UK kitchen brand known for modern designs and transparent pricing. Also known as Wren kitchen installation, it’s one of the most researched options because they offer fixed quotes—but even their prices vary wildly based on kitchen size, layout, and whether you need new plumbing or electrical work. A 10-foot linear kitchen with standard fittings from Wren might cost £8,000 to install, but if you want integrated appliances, quartz countertops, or a new island, that number jumps fast. And don’t forget: if your floor isn’t level, your walls aren’t straight, or your old pipes are corroded, those become extra charges. Contractors don’t always warn you upfront.

What really drives the cost? It’s not the fridge or the sink. It’s the kitchen remodel cost, the total expense of changing the layout, structure, or systems in a kitchen. Also known as kitchen renovation cost, it includes everything from moving walls to rewiring for smart appliances. If you’re swapping a sink for a double oven and moving the sink 3 feet to the left, you’re not just paying for labor—you’re paying for plumbing reroutes, structural checks, and possibly new flooring. A 2025 survey of UK homeowners found that 62% of kitchen projects went over budget because they didn’t account for hidden work. The same thing happens with UK kitchen fitting, the process of installing kitchen units and systems in British homes, subject to local building codes and common practices. In older homes, you often hit load-bearing walls, outdated wiring, or asbestos tiles—things you can’t see until the demo starts.

You’ll find plenty of guides that list average prices, but they rarely tell you what’s included. A £6,000 quote might cover just the cabinets and fitting. A £12,000 quote might include demolition, waste removal, plumbing, electrical, and a 10-year guarantee. That’s the difference between a quick job and a proper renovation. And if you’re comparing quotes, always ask: Does this include removal of the old kitchen? Are the appliances included? Is the sink and tap part of the package? If they can’t answer that, they’re not being clear.

What you’ll find in the posts below aren’t generic price lists. You’ll see real breakdowns of what Wren charges in 2025, how much a full kitchen swap costs in London versus Manchester, why some contractors charge double for small kitchens, and what you can do to cut costs without sacrificing quality. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what actually happens when you pay for a kitchen fit.