Important: The figures in this guide are general estimates based on typical Scottish market rates at the time of writing. They are provided to help you budget and understand what affects kitchen costs. They are not quotes. Every kitchen project is different, and the only way to get an accurate price for your specific requirements is to request a free quote.
What Goes Into the Cost of a New Kitchen?
A new kitchen is one of the biggest investments you can make in your home. A basic replacement with budget units and no layout changes might come in under £6,000. A fully bespoke kitchen with premium materials, new plumbing, rewiring, and structural changes can easily exceed £25,000.
This guide breaks down what affects the price of a new kitchen in Scotland so you know where your money goes and where you can save.
Kitchen Units and Worktops
The units and worktops are usually the largest single material cost. Prices vary dramatically depending on the supplier and finish.
Units
- Budget ranges (flat-pack from IKEA, B&Q, Wickes): £1,500 to £4,000 for an average-sized kitchen
- Mid-range (Howdens, Wren, Magnet with rigid pre-built carcasses): £3,000 to £8,000
- Premium (independent kitchen studios, bespoke joinery): £8,000 to £20,000+
Rigid carcasses are generally more durable than flat-pack. If you are keeping your kitchen for 15 to 20 years, the difference in build quality matters.
Worktops
- Laminate: £200 to £800. Affordable and available in a wide range of finishes. Good for budget renovations.
- Solid timber: £500 to £1,500. Warm, natural look. Needs oiling and maintenance.
- Quartz: £1,500 to £4,000+. Extremely durable, low maintenance, premium feel.
- Granite: £1,500 to £3,500. Natural stone, heat resistant, heavy.
The worktop choice is one of the biggest visual and tactile decisions in the kitchen. It is worth seeing samples in person before committing.
Fitting and Installation Costs
This is where many homeowners underestimate the cost. Fitting a kitchen involves multiple trades working in sequence, not just hanging cabinets.
Labour-Only Fitting
If you have already purchased your kitchen units and worktops, a labour-only fitting service covers the physical installation: removing the old kitchen, assembling and fitting units, cutting and fitting worktops, connecting appliances, and finishing.
Labour-only kitchen fitting in Scotland generally falls in the range of £870 to £2,500 depending on the size of the kitchen, the complexity of the layout, and how much preparation work is needed. These are industry averages, not fixed prices, and your project may differ. A straightforward like-for-like replacement is at the lower end. A kitchen with corner units, island installation, or layout changes is at the higher end.
Our kitchen fitting service covers both supply and fit, and fit-only options.
Full Supply and Fit
A full supply and fit service means we source the units, worktops, and hardware as well as installing everything. This gives you a single point of contact and a single quote covering materials and labour.
For a typical Scottish kitchen, a full supply and fit project breaks down roughly as:
- Small kitchen (galley or single-wall, budget to mid-range units): £6,000 to £10,000
- Medium kitchen (L-shape or U-shape, mid-range units, laminate or timber worktop): £10,000 to £18,000
- Large or premium kitchen (island, quartz worktops, premium units, integrated appliances): £18,000 to £30,000+
These are broad industry ranges including units, worktops, fitting, and finishing. Appliances are not included. Actual costs depend on your specific kitchen, materials, and the condition of the existing space.
Appliances
Appliances are often purchased separately, but they need to be factored into your total budget.
- Budget appliance package (oven, hob, extractor, fridge-freezer, dishwasher): £1,500 to £3,000
- Mid-range: £3,000 to £5,000
- Premium (brands like Bosch Serie 8, Neff, Siemens iQ700): £5,000 to £10,000+
Integrated appliances (built into the cabinetry) look cleaner but cost more than freestanding equivalents. If budget is tight, a freestanding fridge-freezer and a slot-in range cooker can save hundreds without compromising on function.
Additional Trades You May Need
A kitchen renovation often involves work beyond the joinery itself. These costs are sometimes included in a full project quote and sometimes charged separately.
Plumbing
Moving a sink or adding a dishwasher connection usually costs £200 to £600. If the kitchen layout is changing significantly and waste pipes need rerouting, expect £500 to £1,200.
Electrical
Rewiring for new socket positions, under-cabinet lighting, or a relocated cooker switch typically costs £300 to £800. A full kitchen rewire for an older property could be £800 to £1,500.
Plastering and Decoration
After the old kitchen is stripped out, walls often need replastering before the new units go on. Plastering a kitchen typically costs £400 to £800. Painting or wallpapering adds another £200 to £500.
Flooring
Many homeowners take the opportunity to replace the kitchen floor at the same time. Our flooring service covers laminate, vinyl, and hardwood options. Kitchen flooring typically costs £500 to £2,000 depending on the material and area.
Tiling
Splashback tiling behind worktops and the hob area is a common addition. A standard tiled splashback costs £300 to £800 for materials and labour. Full wall tiling is more.
If your kitchen is part of a wider renovation, our all-trades service coordinates every trade involved so nothing gets missed and you deal with one company throughout.
What Affects the Final Price Most?
Three things have the biggest impact on total cost:
- Layout changes. Moving plumbing and electrics is expensive. If you can keep the sink, cooker, and fridge in their current positions, you save significantly on labour.
- Worktop material. The jump from laminate to quartz can add £1,500 to £3,000 to a project. Quartz looks and feels premium, but laminate has come a long way and the latest designs are hard to tell apart at a glance.
- Unit quality. Budget flat-pack and premium rigid carcasses can look similar when new. The difference shows over years of daily use. Soft-close hinges, solid backs, and thicker shelves hold up better long term.
How to Get the Best Value From Your Kitchen Renovation
Getting good value from a kitchen renovation is not about spending as little as possible. It is about spending wisely.
- Get a fixed quote, not an estimate. A fixed price means you know exactly what you are paying before work starts. An estimate can move.
- Choose a fitter who manages all trades. If you hire a kitchen fitter, a separate plumber, a separate electrician, and a separate tiler, you are coordinating four diaries and four invoices. A single company that manages everything is more efficient and usually more cost-effective.
- Do not skip the strip-out. Fitting a new kitchen over old carcasses or damaged walls creates problems down the line. A proper strip-out, check for damp or damage, and fresh surfaces give the new kitchen the best possible start.
- Consider fit-only if you have found your dream kitchen. If you have already chosen units from IKEA, Howdens, or an online supplier, a fit-only service lets you keep material costs under your control while getting a professional installation.
What to Ask a Kitchen Fitter Before You Commit
Before signing with any kitchen fitter, make sure you have clear answers to:
- Is the quote fixed or estimated? Fixed means no surprises.
- What is included? Does the quote cover plumbing, electrics, tiling, and decoration, or just the unit fitting?
- Can I see previous kitchen projects? Any experienced fitter should have examples to show. Visit our kitchen fitting page for examples of our work.
- What happens if something unexpected comes up? Older properties sometimes reveal surprises when walls are opened up. A good fitter will have a clear process for handling variations.
- How long will it take? A straightforward kitchen replacement might take 5 to 7 working days. A full renovation with layout changes, plastering, and flooring could be 2 to 4 weeks.
Get a Free Kitchen Quote
If you are planning a new kitchen in Falkirk, Stirling, or Central Scotland, get in touch for a free quote. We offer both supply and fit and fit-only kitchen installation, fully managed from strip-out to final finish.
See our kitchen fitting service page for more details, or call us on 07727 488881 to discuss your project. If you are also considering bathroom work or a wider property renovation, we can quote for everything together. For a full breakdown of renovation costs across all rooms, see our home renovation cost guide.