How much does a bespoke kitchen cost in the UK?

If you are considering a new kitchen, then you’ve probably been looking at ideas and prices. You’ve also probably gotten a huge shock at how much a new fitted kitchen will set you back. A fully fitted new kitchen can set you back several thousands of pounds.

The size, shape and amount of work area you want will greatly influence the price. On average a new kitchen will cost about £8,000. Additionally, you will need to pay for removing the old one, re-plastering the walls and possibly a new floor.

But does it have to cost this much?

There are several ways to save money and still have your bespoke kitchen.

Have a budget

It’s best to have an idea of what you can afford even before you start looking at new kitchens. If you are trying to save on the cost, then make sure you set a realistic goal. Include things you want such as countertop gadgets and cabinets styles. By setting yourself a budget before you start, you will be less likely to spend more. If you have no budget amount, you will over-spend.

Define your ‘dream kitchen’

What works for one person may not work for another. Do you want an island, must you have a dishwasher, would you like a pantry? Ask yourself what you must have, what you would like to have and what you could do without. Now get yourself some graph paper and draw the walls with any sockets, add the doors and windows and then plan where you ant cupboards. Some kitchen design consultants will charge you over £50 for this service, so do it yourself if you can. Here are some dream kitchen ideas to inspire you.

Take the old kitchen out yourself

You will save yourself a good amount of money by removing the old kitchen yourself. While it is time consuming, you will be left with pieces that you may be able to sell. If you have equipment such as ovens and hobs, place a free advert in a local shop and sell them. People do still pay for cheap stuff and you will save money.

Make use of qualified people

Electricity and gas installations are dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Save yourself time, money and a lot of headaches by refusing that offer from your buddy who just looked it up online. Call a professional to do it right the first time. While you may not save any money, at least you know your new kitchen will be safe.

Compare, compare, compare..

Do your research and you will find that you may get a very similar worktop somewhere else at a fraction of the price. Different worktops come at varying prices with laminate around £2,500 and granite or wood in the region of £4,000. If you still want wood, then don’t pay the installers to varnish or stain it – do this yourself and they’ll knock off some money.

Consider your appliances

Often a retailer will have a special deal on where you can buy two or three big appliances at a reduced rate. It’s a good idea to check online for discount vouchers at stores, particularly with end of season items.

Remember the accessories

This is a very quick way to find that you have blown the budget. Fancy taps, soft-close doors and similar items will add a huge amount to your budget. Do you really need them? Also, you should check when buying your kitchen furniture that they are not automatically added to your purchases.

And the floor.

Don’t forget that when you remove an old kitchen you may have to change the floor. Unless you are very lucky, there will be gaps where you’ve removed things. Chances are you won’t be able to match the old floor so you will need a new one. Bigger tiles are easier to lay and can work out cheaper than smaller ones. Also having a whole wall of patterned tiles will possibly blow your limit but having a few strategically placed will still look good and save you money.

Go local

Check in the papers where you live for a local fitter. They may even know of places where you can get discounts on units and other kitchen furniture. By using a local person, you will save money and be more reliable than someone who lives far away. For example, if you’re based in Cheshire then you can get a bespoke kitchen quote from Claire Davies.

To sum up

A new fully fitted kitchen will cost you about £8,000. However, with a few smart moves such as sticking to your budget, and using local fitters, you will save yourself a nice amount of money, and still have your dream kitchen.