The short answer
A small kitchen typically costs £5,000–£9,000 all-in, a medium kitchen £9,000–£18,000, and a large kitchen £15,000–£30,000+ in 2026. Size drives cost mainly through the number of units, the length of worktop and the quantity of appliances — but the specification tier you choose moves the total more than size alone. See the pillar cost guide for the tier ranges that overlay these size bands.
Kitchen size is the first thing people try to use to estimate cost, but it only sets the rough envelope. A small kitchen in premium materials can cost more than a large kitchen in budget ones. This guide gives realistic 2026 ranges for small, medium and large kitchens, and explains how unit count, worktop run and appliances combine to produce the total.
Kitchen cost by size at a glance
- Small (galley / compact, 6–10 units) £5,000–£9,000
- Medium (8–14 units) £9,000–£18,000
- Large (14–20+ units, often an island) £15,000–£30,000+
- Cost per unit (supply & fit, mid-range) £250–£600
- Worktop adds £20–£400 per metre / m²
- Specification tier Moves cost more than size
How size translates into cost
The clearest way to think about kitchen cost is per unit rather than per square metre, because the units, doors and worktop framework are where most of the spend sits. A mid-range supply-and-fit kitchen works out at roughly £250–£600 per unit once you include the door, carcass, worktop section and fitting time. A small kitchen with eight units therefore lands very differently from a large one with eighteen, before any island, premium worktop or upgraded appliances are added. Worktops add cost by run length or area depending on material — laminate is priced per metre run, stone per square metre — so a longer kitchen carries proportionally more worktop cost.
| Size | Typical units | All-in cost range |
|---|---|---|
| Small (galley, compact) | 6–10 | £5,000–£9,000 |
| Medium (L-shape, U-shape) | 8–14 | £9,000–£18,000 |
| Large (open-plan, island) | 14–20+ | £15,000–£30,000+ |
Small kitchens: where the cost concentrates
In a small kitchen, the fixed costs — design, delivery, the electrician’s and plumber’s minimum charges, and the appliances — make up a larger proportion of the total because there are fewer units to spread them across. That is why a small kitchen rarely costs as little as a simple per-unit calculation suggests. For the detail on a compact refit, see our small kitchen renovation cost guide.
Medium and large kitchens: where it scales
As kitchens get larger, the per-unit cost stabilises but the totals climb with worktop length, the number of appliances, and the likelihood of an island or a layout change. A large kitchen is also more likely to involve structural work if it is part of an extension or knock-through, which sits outside the kitchen budget proper. See our island cost guide and open-plan considerations for the cost of those additions.
Getting an accurate figure for your kitchen
Because so much depends on unit count, worktop choice and appliances, the only reliable way to know what your kitchen will cost is an itemised quote based on a measured plan of your room. A specialist will count the units, measure the worktop run, and price the appliances and trades, giving you a figure tied to your actual kitchen rather than a national average. See our guide on how to plan a kitchen to prepare for that conversation. This is general information; costs vary with your room, specification and chosen specialist.
Compare kitchen quotes
The most accurate cost for your kitchen comes from an itemised quote based on your room. Compare quotes from kitchen design and fitting specialists in your area.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a small kitchen cost?
A small or galley kitchen typically costs £5,000–£9,000 all-in for units, worktop, appliances and fitting in 2026. Fixed costs make up a larger share in a small kitchen, so it rarely costs as little as a simple per-unit figure suggests.
How much does a large kitchen cost?
A large kitchen, often with an island, typically costs £15,000–£30,000 or more all-in. Worktop length, the number of appliances and any layout or structural change push the total within and beyond that band.
Is it cheaper to keep the same kitchen layout?
Yes. A like-for-like layout avoids moving the sink, hob and units, which keeps plumbing, electrics and gas runs in place and reduces labour. Changing the layout adds trade time and cost regardless of kitchen size.
Does kitchen cost depend more on size or specification?
Specification usually matters more. Moving from budget to luxury units, worktops and appliances can change the cost of any size of kitchen by two or three times, whereas size mainly changes the number of units and the worktop length.
Sources & further reading
- KBSA (Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association) — planning and budgeting guidance
- GOV.UK / Building Regulations Approved Document P — electrical safety in dwellings
- Gas Safe Register — rules for gas hob connections
- TrustMark — finding and checking registered tradespeople
This is general information, not advice for your specific property or installation. Costs, timescales and outcomes vary with your home, specification and chosen specialist. Notifiable electrical work must be carried out by a registered electrician.