Kitchen Cabinet & Unit Cost Calculator

Kitchen Planning Guide

What do I need to know about Standard Unit Sizes?

UK kitchen base units: standard height 720mm (to accommodate standard 40mm worktops giving 760mm worktop height). Standard depths: base units 560-600mm. Wall units 300-350mm deep. Common widths: 300mm, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, 800mm, 1000mm. Corner solutions: carousel corner unit (internal diameter approximately 800mm on each run) or L-shaped unit. Tall larder units: 2,000-2,200mm height, typically 600mm wide. The work triangle principle: for efficient kitchen design, the distance between sink, cook

What should I know about Kitchen Costs by Budget?

Average UK kitchen costs (2024, supply only — no fitting): flat-pack (IKEA/B&Q): £1,500-4,000 for a medium kitchen. Rigid mid-range (Howdens, Magnet): £3,000-8,000. Premium rigid (Wren, Symphony): £5,000-15,000. Bespoke (handmade, specialist): £15,000-50,000+. Add approximately 30-40% for fitting (trades: fitter, electrician, plumber, plasterer). Worktops: laminate £100-300 for a typical kitchen; solid quartz or granite £1,500-4,000; real wood £800-2,000. Appliances: budget to premium ranges exist for oven, hob, and extractor, with built-in appliances generally costing more than freestanding equivalents of similar quality.

What do I need to know about Kitchen Fitting Trade Sequence?

The correct order of trades prevents rework: First fix plumbing (soil pipes, supply pipes, waste routes). First fix electrics (ring main, cooker circuit, extractor circuit). Plastering and skimming. Floor laying (if tiling — before units go in). Unit installation. Second fix plumbing (sink, appliance connections). Second fix electrics (sockets, switch plates). Tiling (splashback, around extractor). Worktop installation (after units are level). Appliance installation. Snagging. Getting the sequence wrong — for example tiling before worktops are installed — can mean redoing work or leaving unsightly gaps, so following the standard order matters even on a DIY job.

What's the key thing to understand about Building Regulations for Kitchens?

Most kitchen work does not require planning permission. Building Regulations Part P applies if the work includes new electrical circuits (new cooker circuit, new ring main for kitchen island) — this requires a registered electrician or Building Control notification. Part G applies for new boilers or hot water cylinders. An extractor fan with ducting through an outside wall may require a Party Wall Act notice if the wall is shared. Listed buildings and conservation areas require consent for changes that might otherwise be permitted development elsewhere, so always check before starting work on a protected property.