What is the Cost for a New Kitchen? Updated for 2020
[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_link_target=”_self” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]
The kitchen is among the most often remodelled rooms in
the typical UK home. It stands to reason, given that the kitchen tends to be a
gathering space for family and guests. If you are planning to remodel your own
kitchen, expect to have to make quite a few decisions that will ultimately
affect the price.
This guide will deal primarily with installing an entirely
new kitchen. We are talking gutting the existing kitchen down to the floorboards
and studs. This sort of project means replacing flooring, worktops, appliances,
etc. A job like this will cost thousands.
On average, completely new kitchens start somewhere
between £5,000 and £8,000. The price can go up from there depending on what you
choose to include in your kitchen. Also note that these opening prices account
for the materials and labour of the actual construction. If you choose to also
utilise architectural and design services, they will cost extra. There will
also be fees and charges associated with planning permission and other local
council requirements, if required.
Establish a
Budget
The cost for a new kitchen can quickly spiral out of
control if you do not pay attention. That’s why experts recommend establishing
a budget before you do anything else. Let’s say you can afford to spend £8,000
on new kitchen. That’s great. Now you can start looking at your options to
figure out the best way to spend that money.
Note that your budget is just a general guideline. All the
items contained within the budget are somewhat flexible. Perhaps you want to
spend more on stone flooring rather than settling for vinyl. Whatever extra you
put into the floor can be subtracted from your appliance budget.
What to
Include in Your Budget
Deciding what to include in your budget is where the fun
starts. You can have an idea of your dream kitchen firmly in your mind only to
discover it will not fit within your budget. So you have to adjust. Let us talk
about those essential items that have to be considered.
Demolition
Before any work can begin in a new kitchen you have to
demolish what’s already there. Fortunately, this is something you can do
yourself. Demolition doesn’t have to cost you anything in terms of labour.
However, you will have to pay to have the debris removed.
If you want to make a little money, don’t destroy the
worktops and cabinets. Instead, carefully remove them and then sell them
privately. Even if you can only get £50-£100 for your old worktops and
cabinets, it is better than destroying them and then dumping them.
Wiring and Plumbing
Do not forget to include wiring and plumbing work if a new
kitchen involves a drastically different floor plan. Tradesmen charge by the
hour, and you can expect anywhere between £300 and £1,000 for a complete
rewiring and/or re-plumbing job. If the configuration for your new kitchen
isn’t drastically different, you may not need any wiring or plumbing work.
By the way, this is a good area to trim your budget. If
you have your heart set on more expensive flooring and appliances for example,
keep the current floor plan intact so as to avoid new wiring and plumbing.
Cabinets and Worktops
The biggest expense of new kitchens tends to be the
cabinets and worktops. This is one area where simplicity equals savings. The
fancier and more intricate your worktop and cabinet choices are, the higher the
eventual price tag. That said, a good quality set of cabinets without any extra
bells and whistles will run you from £3000-£5,000 for an average sized kitchen.
Worktops can vary quite a bit in their prices. Your
average laminate worktop runs about £2,000-£3,000 while granite, marble, and
other choices start at about £4,000 and go up from there. Pricing worktops
should start with function as the top priority. Ultimately, you are going to
care more about function than aesthetics after the lustre of your new kitchen
eventually wears off.
Appliances
Appliances are another area where it is possible to trim
the budget in order to leave more money for other things. The one thing about
appliances is that you really get what you pay for. Appliance prices are
heavily influenced by size, capacity, and efficiency.
You could spend upwards of £1,500 for a large double
fridge and freezer. If you do not need that much cold storage space, you can
certainly find less expensive units. As for your cooker and dishwasher, they
can generally be had for less than £750 each.
Flooring
Where appliances are one area where it is easy to cut
costs, flooring is just the opposite. Flooring tends to be rather expensive
right from the start, but it can easily get out of control if you don’t really
pay attention to the choices you’re making.
On average, ceramic tile floors run about £30 per square
meter. Laminate products and concrete are about the same. Vinyl flooring is a
bit cheaper at an average price of between £15 and £25 per square meter. Solid
wood floors start from £40-£70 per square meter.
None of these prices seem all that bad for flooring. They
really aren’t. But if you start looking at stone materials, that’s where you’ll
see prices jump. You could spend £100 or more per square meter for the most
expensive stone floors.
Getting
Estimates
When you are ready to start working on your new kitchen in
earnest, you’ll be looking for estimates from multiple contractors. There are
two ways to do this. First, you can buy all the materials yourself and then
just hire a local kitchen fitter to install everything. Your second option is
to let the contractor handle everything from start to finish.
As with all home improvements, insist that the
estimates you receive are extremely detailed. Insist on knowing the price of
each material along with labour costs and the estimated amount of labour to
complete the job. The more you have in writing, the better protected you will
be against unnecessary cost overruns.
How to Get the Most From Your Kitchen Renovation Cost?
A brand-new customized kitchen that is made up of high-end materials filled with the latest appliances could cost you a staggering £83,000. However, you can still build your dream kitchen without breaking the bank. Although a tailor-made luxurious kitchen design is way above your budget, using a DIY approach could still cost you an average of around £15,000. However, there are certain things that you can do in order to minimize the cost.
Whether you want to upgrade your old kitchen design or start with a brand new one, there are different DIY options that can make your money go further.
Choose the Best Company
Whether you are looking to buy new components or replacement parts for your kitchen, it is important to choose the best company. It’s surprising to know that not all people choose expensive companies.
Do Not Always Opt for Fully Customized Units
Keep in mind that a fully customized kitchen that has a perfect fitting and meets your needs is more expensive. However, there are other options that you could try. For instance, you could opt for a pre-designed unit and create storage units for the awkward areas. Although you can still find some DIY stores that offers customisable options with regards to the style, layout, and storage.
Replace or Repair Kitchen Doors
Repairing or replacing kitchen damaged doors can save you a lot of money. In fact, it can only cost you as little as £165. If your doors are still usable, then repainting them can be the best option. You can even show your creativity by adding patterns, or other designs. You can choose to paint it yourself or hire a professional to do it.
Opt for Less Expensive Materials
Typically, high-end materials are more costly. For instance, a granite worktop could cost as much as £665, but a laminated worktop only costs around £255. When it comes to your flooring and tiles, stone, marble, ceramic, and granite are more expensive than vinyl or laminated flooring. You could mix and match to give your kitchen a luxurious and authentic feel.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]