Can I fit a new kitchen myself?
Partly. A kitchen fit is a stack of separate jobs, and the fitting itself — hanging units, scribing worktops, getting everything square — is the one part almost nobody takes on themselves, even people doing everything else in the room.
You can do this yourself
- Ripping out the old kitchenHeavy but unskilled — the classic first DIY saving on any kitchen job.
- Building the flatpack carcassesAssembling the units yourself before the fitter arrives won't eliminate the fitting cost, but it cuts the fitter's time meaningfully.
- Painting and decoratingNo notifiable-work restrictions apply to decorating.
- Laying laminate flooringStraightforward once the old units and floor are out.
This should stay with a trade
- Kitchen fitting itselfHanging and aligning units, scribing worktops and finishing panels is skilled work that stays with a fitter in every column here — even flatpack-built carcasses still need fitting.
- PlumbingSink and appliance plumbing behind fitted units is not something to get wrong once it’s all sealed in.
- Electrics and gasKitchen electrics are notifiable work under Part P, and a gas hob connection legally requires a Gas Safe registered engineer — doing either yourself is a criminal offence, not just risky.
What that's worth on a typical kitchen
Full DIY
£4,750
Smart Hybrid
£4,870
Full Trade
£6,000
Doing everything you legally and safely can yourself saves £1,250 against paying a trade for the whole job. A smart mix still saves £1,130, without the plumbing, gas and electrical risk.
Get the exact numbers for your kitchen
Size, specification and finish all change the maths. The calculator prices your actual job, then you can add it to your plan.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fit a kitchen in the UK?
A typical mid-range kitchen costs around £6,000 fully trade-fitted, or from £4,750 if you do everything you legally and safely can yourself. Size, specification and finish all move it, so use the kitchen calculator for your own numbers.
What kitchen work is notifiable or must be done by a registered trade?
Gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and most new or altered electrical circuits are notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations in England, so they need a registered electrician or building control sign-off. Plumbing is not notifiable, but wet work behind tiles is the part most people leave to a plumber.
How do I save money without doing it all myself?
Take on the unskilled, time-heavy stages: strip-out, preparation, decorating and, if you are confident, tiling. Hand the regulated work to registered trades. That is the Smart Hybrid route, and it usually delivers most of the saving with far less risk.
Should I project-manage the job myself?
Many people do, and it saves the main contractor margin. The key is getting the order of work right and booking trades early. Our renovation planner lays the stages out and shows who to book and when.
Estimates only, based on regional averages. Always get 2 to 3 written quotes from local trades. Looking at something else? Read can I fit a bathroom myself.