Kitchen costs soar by 22% in 4 years

Renovating your kitchen isn't cheap, and our research shows that it's getting more expensive year on year. 

For the past five years, we have consulted with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) to gather data on the typical cost of a new kitchen. 

When we analysed this data, we discovered that kitchen costs have increased every year since 2019 – often by more than the rate of inflation. 

But there are still things you can do to save money when getting a new kitchen. Read on to find out why prices are on the up, and how you can keep your renovation costs down. 

If you are considering a new kitchen, our research reveals the best kitchen brands, complete with durability ratings and customer scores

Kitchen costs over time

According to our analysis, the average price of a kitchen renovation is 22% higher than it was in 2019. 

The table below shows how much prices have increased by every year since 2019. We have included inflation figures to show how kitchen costs have increased compared to the rise in the price of goods and services in general.

Kitchen prices have increased by between 3.2% and 6.2% every year since 2019 – that's an average increase of 5.1% per year.

The most significant rise in prices was in 2022-23, which saw an increase of 6.2%. 

In three of the past four years, prices have risen above the rate of inflation. This suggests that kitchen cost increases have not been driven by inflation alone – unique challenges within the construction industry have also contributed to rising prices.

The only exception was 2021-22, when inflation was 9.6% – the highest it's been since 1982 – while kitchen costs increased by 5.3%.

Which? members can access all our kitchen costs data to find out how much a new kitchen costs in 2024. Not yet a member? Join Which? for instant access

How this data is calculated

Every year, RICS provides us with the latest data from its BCIS database. BCIS analyses price data from a variety of sources, which allows us to present typical prices for both standard and bespoke renovations in terraced, semi-detached and detached homes. 

These prices include removing the existing kitchen and supplying and installing new units, appliances, fittings, flooring, wall tiling and decoration.

We calculated the year-on-year change in price for each of type of renovation, and then averaged the results. 

Inflation data is sourced from the Office of National Statistics Consumer and Price Inflation reports.

Why have kitchen prices increased?

‘The construction industry continues to endure a challenging time,’ said Professor Noble Francis from the Construction Products Association (CPA). ‘In December 2023, UK construction materials prices were 38.4% higher than in January 2020, pre-pandemic.' 

Material prices have increased due to a number of different factors, including: 

• Surges in demand during the pandemic, when repeated lockdowns prompted a ‘race for space’ 
• The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which caused supply chain disruption and increased energy prices
• Disruption in the Red Sea, causing a decrease in the supply of imported goods.

Materials with the most significant price rises in 2023 include ready-mixed concrete (up 13%), metal doors and windows (up 18%), and pre-cast blocks (up 8%).

Higher labour costs have also contributed to higher prices. Factors including reduced immigration due to Brexit and a surge in retirement in the baby boomer generation have resulted in a significant shortage of UK construction workers. 

Combined with the upswing in demand from 2020 to 2022, labour costs rose significantly between October 2021 and 2022. 

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Will prices keep going up? 

 It is unclear whether prices are going to increase significantly from spring 2024 and onwards. 

‘UK construction materials prices in December 2023 were 2% lower than a year ago according to the Office for National Statistics,' said Noble, 'but they remain at a high level compared to pre-pandemic. 

‘The price of some materials is still rising strongly, while the price of others is falling quickly.’ 

For example, the price of steel and timber has begun to decrease as demand normalises and the supply chain recovers from issues driven by the war in the Ukraine. 

In contrast, the price of imported products like electrics, lighting and fixtures and fittings continue to be impacted by disruption in the Red Sea. 

‘There is likely to be a rise in prices for some materials from February after stock levels fall,’ said Noble. 

Wages in the construction sector are also rising – although at a slower level than before. 

‘UK construction wages in December 2023 were 3.8% higher than a year ago,’ said Noble. ‘This was lower than inflation, and construction wages in real terms fell – but for homeowners, costs are rising.'

Planning to extend your home? Find out how much an extension costs in 2024

Is now a good time to renovate your kitchen? 

According to Noble, 'home-improvement activity has fallen in the past couple of years.'

But whether this is the right time to renovate your kitchen depends on your situation. If your current setup doesn't work, you need more space, or you're renovating to sell, then getting the work done sooner rather than later is probably the right choice.

The extent to which you're affected by price fluctuations will depend on the type of work you're undertaking. 

'Many home improvement projects will be using timber products, where prices have been falling recently,' said Noble.

However, metal doors and windows, concrete and imported fixtures and fittings – which you're likely to need for a renovation – are among the products predicted to cost more this year. 

Read on for tips for renovating without breaking the bank.

Which? members can plan and budget for a renovation with our pick of the best and worst kitchen brands, best kitchen fitters and reviews of leading brands including Howdens Joinery, Ikea kitchens and DIY kitchens

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How to save money on a kitchen renovation

If you do want to go ahead with your kitchen renovation, here are our top money-saving tips: 

• Look for contractors that offer a fixed contract, which means that prices cannot go up or down (except in the case of certain predefined circumstances)
• Find a reliable local tradesperson using Which? Trusted Traders and get a detailed quote. Make sure your quote covers everything you need, so you don’t have any unexpected surprises. 
• On average, a kitchen renovation should cost 5%-10% of the value of your home, so factor that in when budgeting. Make sure you add a contingency of at least 15% to your final budget, to cover any unexpected circumstances or price rises.
• If you are considering expanding your kitchen, consult an expert about the size of extension that will offer the optimum return on investment. Only altering the layout of your kitchen might be more cost-effective than expensive structural work. 
• Identify areas where you can make savings, such as reusing old appliances, keeping the same cabinets and only replacing the doors, or opting for modern materials like luxury vinyl floor tiles. 
• If you do need to replace your appliances, check out the Which? Great Value appliances, which perform almost as well as Best Buys but are more affordable.
• Consider quality when buying new cabinets. Cheaper models might initially save you money, but they’ll cost more in the long term if they need to be replaced or repaired. Our research reveals the best kitchen brands – complete with durability ratings and customer scores – so check them out before you buy.

Non-members can access some of our kitchen renovation and money-saving ideas for free:

• 5 kitchen trends for 2024
  
• Budget kitchen remodel: 8 ideas to refresh your space
  
• Second-hand kitchens: a buyer’s guide