Kitchen renovations are one of the most searched renovation queries in the country — and for good reason. A well-executed kitchen renovation adds significant value to a property and transforms the most used room in the home. But pricing varies enormously, and the internet is full of figures that bear no relation to what a proper job actually costs in the North East.
What does a kitchen renovation actually include?
This is where most budget estimates go wrong. People price for the units and worktops and forget everything else. A complete kitchen renovation typically includes:
- Strip-out of existing kitchen
- Any structural alterations (wall removal, RSJ if needed)
- First fix plumbing — moving or adding water supply and waste
- First fix electrics — new sockets, lighting circuits, extractor
- Plastering and prep of walls
- Floor prep and new flooring
- Supply and fit of units, worktops and appliances
- Tiling
- Second fix plumbing — fitting sink, tap
- Second fix electrics — fitting sockets, switches, light fittings
- Decorating
Rough cost ranges for kitchen renovations in the North East
These figures are for a complete kitchen renovation including all labour and a mid-range specification. They are realistic ranges based on North East market pricing in 2025-2026 — not nationally published averages that often underestimate regional labour costs.
- Small kitchen (under 8m²), basic refresh — from £3,500
- Medium kitchen (8–14m²), mid-range specification — from £7,000
- Large kitchen (14m²+), higher specification — from £14,000
- Kitchen with structural alterations (wall removal/RSJ) — add £2,500 to £6,000
- Kitchen-diner open plan conversion — from £12,000 depending on scale
These ranges assume mid-range units (e.g. Howdens, Benchmarx or similar) and standard worktops. Bespoke joinery, quartz or granite worktops, premium appliances, or unusual layouts will push costs higher.
What drives the cost up?
Understanding what adds cost helps you make informed choices about where to spend and where to save.
- Structural alterations — knocking through walls, installing steel beams, raising ceilings
- Moving plumbing — repositioning the sink or boiler adds significant cost
- Premium worktops — quartz and granite cost significantly more than laminate
- Underfloor heating — adds £800–£2,000 depending on area
- Bespoke joinery — made-to-measure units cost more than standard range
- Appliances — integrated appliances at the higher end add £2,000–£5,000+
- Poor condition substrate — damp walls, uneven floors, old wiring that needs replacing
Where you can save without compromising the result
A common mistake is cutting budget in the wrong places. The areas where saving money shows — and the areas where it doesn't.
- Units: mid-range kitchen units from Howdens or Benchmarx are excellent quality and significantly cheaper than premium brands
- Worktops: a good quality laminate worktop looks excellent and costs a fraction of stone
- Appliances: mid-range appliances from reputable brands perform as well as premium ones in most kitchens
- Don't save on: labour, waterproofing in wet areas, electrical certification, or floor prep — these affect the longevity of the whole project
Why beware of the low quote
A kitchen renovation quote that looks significantly cheaper than the ranges above usually means something is missing — either certain trades aren't included (meaning you'll pay more later), the specification is lower than you think, or the contractor intends to add costs during the project. Always ask a contractor to break down their quote by trade and materials so you can see exactly what's included.
We've had clients come to us after a kitchen project went wrong with another contractor. The most common pattern: low initial quote, extra costs added mid-project, work left unfinished. A fixed price agreed upfront — with a detailed scope — prevents this entirely.
How to get an accurate quote for your kitchen
The only way to get an accurate price is a site visit. Photos and floor plans help, but a contractor who prices a kitchen renovation without seeing the space, the existing condition, the plumbing layout and the electrics is guessing. Any figure given without a site visit should be treated as a rough indication only. We offer free site visits across Newcastle, Durham, Sunderland and the wider North East — the quote you receive after that visit is fixed.
