The short answer
To get a meaningful kitchen quote, tell specialists your kitchen size and layout, whether you are keeping or changing the layout, your unit and worktop preferences, which appliances you need, and any electrical or plumbing changes. Always get at least three itemised quotes from accredited kitchen design and fitting specialists, and confirm who certifies the gas and electrical work. See the cost guide to understand what each element should cost before you compare.
Getting kitchen quotes is easy to do badly — accepting the first price, comparing quotes that cover different scopes of work, or choosing the cheapest without checking what it includes. A new kitchen is a significant spend, so it pays to prepare a proper request, understand what a good quote contains, and compare proposals on a like-for-like basis. This guide walks through each step so you end up comparing quality and service, not just headline prices.
Getting quotes at a glance
- Minimum quotes Three (ideally four)
- Use accredited specialists (KBSA / TrustMark)
- Quote format Itemised, in writing
- What to provide Size, layout, units, worktops, appliances
- Site visit Request one — avoid guesswork pricing
- Comparison method Same scope; same tier; check certificates
What information to give specialists when requesting quotes
The more you provide upfront, the more accurate and comparable your quotes will be. At a minimum, tell each specialist:
- Kitchen size and layout: approximate dimensions, current layout (galley, L-shape, U-shape, island) and whether you want to keep or change it.
- Units and worktops: the tier you are after — budget, mid-range or high-end — and any worktop preference (laminate, wood, quartz, granite).
- Appliances: which you need (oven, hob, extractor, fridge, dishwasher, washing machine) and whether you are supplying them.
- Services: any new sockets, lighting, a gas hob, or moved sink/plumbing — these affect electrical and gas certification.
- Extras: flooring, tiling, plastering, and removal of the old kitchen and waste.
Ideally, invite the specialist for a site visit rather than quoting from a sketch. A visit lets them measure, see the existing services and complications, and give a far more accurate price. See how to plan a kitchen to get your requirements clear before you ask.
What a good quote looks like
A properly itemised quote should set out: the units and worktops (with the range or tier); appliances (or a note that you supply them); removal of the old kitchen; plumbing; electrics; tiling; flooring; making good and waste disposal. It should state who carries out the gas and electrical work and confirm that the Part P electrical certificate and, for a gas hob, the Gas Safe certificate are included. Any allowances for unforeseen work should be flagged so you understand what would trigger extra charges. If making good, certificates or waste removal are missing, ask for them to be added — they are standard on a complete job.
| Item | Should be in the quote? |
|---|---|
| Units and worktops (range/tier) | Yes — specified clearly |
| Appliances (or "supplied by you") | Yes — stated either way |
| Old kitchen removal and disposal | Yes |
| Plumbing and electrics (labour) | Yes — days stated |
| Part P electrical certificate | Yes — included, not extra |
| Gas Safe certificate (gas hob) | Yes — included, not extra |
| Tiling, flooring, making good | Yes |
| Workmanship guarantee | Yes — length and conditions |
How to compare quotes fairly
Once you have three quotes, line them up item by item. A price difference may be entirely explained by what is included: one specialist at £12,000 may include making good, certificates and a workmanship guarantee; another at £11,000 may leave those out. Adjust to a comparable basis by adding the cost of missing items, then weigh the less-quantifiable factors: accreditation, references, communication and whether a proper site visit took place. The right choice is rarely the cheapest on paper if that quote is incomplete. Watch for the red flags of a bad fitter at the same time.
Using a quote comparison service
A comparison service can save time by gathering quotes from accredited local specialists at once. Choose one that passes your request to specialists who will carry out a proper site visit rather than generating an automated online price — that is closer to getting three real quotes than an instant calculator. Always check accreditation (KBSA or TrustMark) independently of the service, whatever the platform says about vetting. This page is general information; quotes are estimates and the actual cost depends on your specific kitchen, the units and worktops chosen, and the specialist.
Compare kitchen quotes now
Get matched with a kitchen design and fitting specialist and compare itemised quotes from accredited specialists in your area. Free to use, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
How many kitchen quotes should I get?
At least three. This gives you a realistic price range, helps you spot outliers in either direction, and is the most reliable way to confirm you are being charged a fair market rate for a properly specified kitchen.
What should I tell specialists when requesting a kitchen quote?
Give your kitchen size and layout, whether you are keeping or changing the layout, the unit and worktop tier you want, which appliances you need, and any electrical or plumbing changes. A site visit is far more accurate than quoting from a sketch.
Is the cheapest kitchen quote always the worst?
Not always, but the cheapest quote is often cheapest because it omits something: making good, the electrical or gas certificates, waste disposal, or a workmanship guarantee. Itemise and compare before deciding, rather than choosing on headline price alone.
How long does it take to get a kitchen quote?
An online request typically generates responses within a few days, and a site visit can usually be arranged within a week or two. Allow a couple of weeks for the full comparison if you are not in a hurry — rushing produces worse outcomes.
Sources & further reading
- KBSA (Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association) — finding members and what a good quote includes
- TrustMark — finding and checking registered tradespeople
- Gas Safe Register — checking a registered fitter for gas hob connections
- GOV.UK / Building Regulations Part P — electrical work and certification requirements
This is general information, not advice for your specific kitchen or installation. Costs, timescales and outcomes vary with your home, the units and worktops chosen, and the specialist. Electrical work must be certified under Part P and a gas hob connection must be made by a Gas Safe registered fitter.