Kitchen Fitter Day Rates in the UK: What You Should Expect to Pay
Kitchen fitters typically charge £200–£350 a day in the UK, with a 12-unit kitchen taking four to six days. Regional rates, day-rate vs per-unit pricing, and what a fair quote looks like.
In this guide
Most skilled UK kitchen fitters charge a day rate of £200–£350 for labour, and trade cost guides put the common range in 2025–26 at £250–£350 per day — see the Checkatrade kitchen cost guide and the TallRen 2025 kitchen fitter cost breakdown. Homeowners report paying an average of £3,500 for professional kitchen installation on a typical project.
"The UK average paid for professional kitchen fitting is about £3,500 — but small kitchens can be installed for around £2,200 and large, complex fits reach £4,600 and beyond." — Checkatrade cost data
Day rates by region
| Region | Typical day rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| London | £350–£450+ | Highest demand and overheads |
| South East | £300–£360 | Close to London pricing |
| South West | £290–£340 | Bristol trends high |
| Midlands | £260–£300 | Competitive, good availability |
| North England | £250–£310 | Manchester/Leeds around £270–£310 |
| Scotland | £250–£330 | Edinburgh above average |
| Wales | £230–£290 | Cardiff nearer England prices |
| Northern Ireland | £230–£270 | Generally lowest rates |
How many days does a fit take?
A workable rule is one fitter-day per four units, plus setup, worktop cutting and snagging:
| Job scope | Units | Typical duration | Labour at £280/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small refresh | 8 | 3–4 days | £850–£1,150 |
| Medium straight fit | 12 | 4–6 days | £1,100–£1,700 |
| Large fit + island | 18 | 7–9 days | £2,000–£2,500 |
| Full rip-out + making good | 12 | 7–9 days | £2,000–£2,500 |
Day-rate fitting usually ends between £1,000 and £3,000 labour-only for supply-your-own-kitchen projects; BestBuilders' labour-only guide puts a typical medium kitchen at £1,800–£3,000 in labour alone.
Day rate vs price per unit
Some fitters quote £100–£200 per unit fitted instead of a day rate. Per-unit pricing protects you if the job overruns but can cost more on a big, straightforward fit. Either way, the number that matters is the all-in labour total — compare like-for-like on the same scope.
What's not included in the day rate
- Electrics and plumbing beyond reconnecting the sink — see what kitchen electrics actually cost.
- Tiling, flooring and decorating — often quoted per m² by separate trades.
- Skip hire and waste — £200–£350 if it isn't listed.
- Making good / plastering after rip-out — commonly £300–£800.
Red flags when comparing quotes
- A single lump sum with no breakdown — you can't compare it to anything.
- Cash-only discounts — no receipt means no comeback.
- No mention of waste removal, silicone, scribing or end panels.
- "Materials at cost" with no cap — ask for a not-to-exceed figure.
Our kitchen fitting cost guide walks through a full worked example, and the calculator models DIY, fitter-only and full-installation options side by side.
About the author
Kitchen Cost Calculator Team
We research UK kitchen prices from trade suppliers, national retailers and published cost guides so you can budget with confidence.