The short answer
Kitchen fitting labour alone typically costs £3,000–£6,000 for an average kitchen, spread over one to three weeks. That covers the fitter installing units and worktops, plus separate trades — an electrician, plumber, plasterer and tiler — whose work makes up a large part of the total. The figure rises with kitchen size, layout changes and finish complexity. See the full cost guide for how labour fits into the overall price.
When people ask what a kitchen costs to fit, they usually mean labour separated from the units and appliances they have already chosen. Labour is the part most affected by your particular room — whether walls are square, whether services move, and how many trades are needed. This guide explains typical day rates, the trades involved and what a labour-only quote should and should not include.
Kitchen labour costs at a glance
- Labour total (average kitchen) £3,000–£6,000
- Kitchen fitter day rate £200–£350
- Electrician (Part P) £300–£800+
- Plumber £300–£700
- Plasterer / tiler £300–£1,200
- Typical duration 1–3 weeks
Kitchen fitter day rates and how they are quoted
An experienced kitchen fitter typically charges a day rate of £200–£350, or quotes a fixed price for the whole installation based on the number of units, the worktop type and any complications. A like-for-like fit — new units in the same positions as the old ones — might take three to five days of fitter time; a larger kitchen, or one where the layout changes, can run to two weeks or more. Fixed-price quotes are usually preferable for the customer because they transfer the risk of the job overrunning to the fitter, but they should still itemise what is and is not included so you can compare them fairly.
The trades involved and what each costs
A kitchen is rarely a single trade. The fitter installs the units, worktops, sink and any non-gas appliances, but the work that makes a kitchen safe and finished is usually shared across several specialists:
| Trade | What they do | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen fitter | Units, worktops, sink, fixings, non-gas appliances | £1,000–£3,000 |
| Electrician (Part P) | Circuits, sockets, cooker point, lighting — certified | £300–£800+ |
| Plumber | Sink, dishwasher, washing-machine and waste connections | £300–£700 |
| Gas Safe engineer | Gas hob connection (if gas hob) | £120–£300 |
| Plasterer | Patching or re-skimming walls after strip-out | £300–£800 |
| Tiler | Splashbacks and any wall or floor tiling | £300–£1,200 |
What makes labour cost more
The base labour figure assumes a straightforward room. Several factors push it higher:
- Moving services — relocating the sink, hob or units means new plumbing, electrics and possibly a gas run, adding trade days.
- Out-of-square rooms — old houses with uneven walls and floors take longer to fit neatly, with more scribing and packing.
- Worktop type — stone worktops are templated and fitted by a separate specialist on a second visit, adding time and coordination. See worktops compared.
- Structural or layout changes — knocking through to a diner brings in builders and a structural engineer. See open-plan considerations.
- Flooring — tiling or laying LVT adds a trade and a day or two. See flooring options.
Supply-and-fit vs labour-only
Many specialists quote supply-and-fit — they provide the units, worktops and appliances as well as the labour. Others quote labour-only, fitting a kitchen you have bought yourself from a retailer. Labour-only can look cheaper on paper, but it puts responsibility for missing parts, damaged units and coordination of trades on you, and some fitters will not guarantee a kitchen they did not supply. Supply-and-fit usually gives a single point of responsibility. Whichever you choose, get the labour element itemised so you can compare like with like across quotes. See our guide on choosing a kitchen fitter. This is general information; actual labour costs depend on your room, the trades required and your chosen specialist.
Compare kitchen quotes
Labour is the part of a kitchen quote that varies most with your particular room. Compare itemised quotes from kitchen design and fitting specialists in your area.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fit a kitchen, labour only?
Labour alone typically costs £3,000–£6,000 for an average kitchen, covering the fitter plus an electrician, plumber and often a plasterer and tiler. A small like-for-like fit can be less; a large kitchen with a layout change can be more.
What is a typical kitchen fitter day rate?
An experienced kitchen fitter usually charges £200–£350 a day, or quotes a fixed price for the whole job. Fixed-price quotes are generally better for the customer because they transfer the risk of overruns to the fitter, but they should still itemise what is included.
Is labour-only cheaper than supply-and-fit?
It can look cheaper, but labour-only puts responsibility for ordering, missing parts and damaged units on you, and some fitters will not guarantee a kitchen they did not supply. Supply-and-fit gives a single point of responsibility, which many people find worth the difference.
Does the labour quote include the electrician and plumber?
Not always — check carefully. Some specialists include all trades in one figure; others quote the fitter only and expect you to arrange the electrician and plumber separately. Because electrical work is notifiable under Part P, make sure a registered electrician is named in the quote.
Sources & further reading
- KBSA (Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association) — guidance on kitchen installation and trades
- 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 and chosen specialist. Notifiable electrical work must be carried out by a registered electrician, and gas work by a Gas Safe registered engineer.