The Hidden Costs of a Kitchen Renovation – What Nobody Tells You 

When you start planning a kitchen renovation, you’ll likely focus on big decisions first: the style of cabinetry, worktop materials, layout, and appliances. But what many homeowners discover later is that the true cost of a new kitchen is often higher than initially expected. These unexpected costs can disrupt your budget, delay your project, and leave you with fewer choices than you hoped for. 

As a network of experienced independent kitchen retailers, My Kitchen Specialist aims to keep your project on track and fully informed. Here, we break down the lesser-known costs of a kitchen renovation and offer insights into how you can plan smartly from the start. 

Budgeting for More Than Cabinets and Worktops 

When you begin planning your new kitchen, the initial quotes you receive will often focus on the most obvious items—cabinets and worktops. However, this is just the starting point. Behind every beautifully finished kitchen lies a series of essential works that are often overlooked during early planning. From electrical updates to plumbing changes, floor preparation to waste removal, these hidden costs of a new kitchen can quickly add up—and if not accounted for early, they can put real pressure on your budget. 
 
Here’s a closer look at some of the most commonly missed costs of a new kitchen that every homeowner should be aware of before committing to a kitchen renovation… 

Electrical Work 

It’s common to need new sockets, lighting arrangements, or appliance relocation. Rewiring, upgrading the fuse board, and bringing the electrics up to current regulations can add several hundred pounds or more. For instance, if you’re introducing new appliances such as a Quooker boiling water tap, you may need additional electrical points or a higher capacity circuit. 

Plumbing Adjustments 

Changing your kitchen layout often means moving plumbing. Even a shift from a corner sink to an island installation can significantly increase plumbing costs. If you’re considering premium products like an undermount sink with integrated drainage grooves in quartz or Dekton worktops, your plumbing and fabrication costs will also rise accordingly.

Waste Removal and Site Prep 

Few people factor in the hidden kitchen costs of clearing the existing kitchen. Disposing of old units, tiles, and worktops legally can cost several hundred pounds and skips, labour, and time all come at a price. 

Kitchen Flooring: A Commonly Overlooked Expense

Retaining your existing kitchen flooring might not be an option once you begin dismantling the old kitchen. If floor tiles don’t run under units, you’ll have to re-tile the entire space to ensure a professional finish. Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), ceramic, engineered wood or porcelain tiles each vary in price and installation costs. LVT like Karndean, available through many MKS specialists, offers a hardwearing, attractive solution, but professional installation adds to the budget. 

Underfloor heating, while a popular modern addition, brings further hidden kitchen costs in materials and installation. Ensure this is accounted for early in your planning. 

Premium Kitchen Appliances: Quality Comes at a Price 

It’s easy to be drawn in by kitchen showrooms with display appliances, but keep in mind these are often mid-range models. Upgrading to high-performance kitchen appliances will significantly impact the cost of a new kitchen.  

Brands like Siemens, Neff, and AEG, all widely available via My Kitchen Specialist retailers, offer sleek, efficient and feature-rich models. A self-cleaning oven or induction hob with integrated extraction can cost considerably more than basic models, but the performance, design, and longevity are usually well worth the additional investment. 

Boiling water taps are increasingly requested, but installation and water pressure requirements can vary. The Quooker Flex, for instance, is a top choice due to its safety features and flexibility, but it needs adequate space and professional fitting. 

Bespoke Kitchen Features and Made-to-Measure Solutions 

Bespoke kitchens deliver a tailored solution, but customisation often increases both lead time and cost. Independent kitchen retailers within the MKS network work with brands like Nobilia, Alku, and Ashley Ann, which offer beautiful in-frame, shaker, and contemporary cabinetry made to your exact specifications. These kitchens look and feel high-end, but it’s important to budget for the craftsmanship, finishing, and installation time that goes with them. 

Even smaller kitchen details like integrated bins, bespoke larder units, bi-fold dresser cupboards, and dovetail drawer boxes will increase your investment. They’re worthwhile for functionality and finish but should be planned for from the outset. 

Kitchen Worktop Installation Costs 

Worktop material choices greatly affect the cost of a kitchen renovation, but many forget to factor in templating, fabrication, and installation. With solid surfaces like quartz, granite, or Dekton, you’ll need professional templating (often after base units are installed), which adds time and money. 

A well-known issue is that kitchen worktop quotes sometimes don’t include cut-outs for sinks, hobs, or drainage grooves, so ensure to clarify early what your chosen supplier includes. For example, a Silestone quartz worktop with polished edges and a seamless splashback will cost more than laminate, but it’s also longer-lasting and more visually striking. 

Painting, Decorating and Finishing Touches

Once your new kitchen is installed, you’ll likely need to redecorate. Plastering over chased wiring, repairing walls, repainting ceilings, or updating tired paintwork are all part of the post-installation process. 

Splashbacks are another feature people forget to budget for. While tiles can be affordable, options like toughened glass or stone splashbacks add elegance and easy maintenance, but at a higher cost. 

Contingency Costs: Always Leave a Buffer 

When planning the cost of a new kitchen renovation, one of the most consistent pieces of advice from kitchen specialists is this: build in a contingency budget of at least 10–15%. Unexpected or hidden kitchen costs crop up frequently – whether it’s a wall needing repair behind old cabinets, or the need to relevel the floor. Independent kitchen retailers are often quick to adapt, but having that extra budget available helps reduce stress and avoid panic decisions. 

Kitchen Installation Costs: What You’re Really Paying For 

Kitchen fitting is a skilled trade. A high-quality kitchen installation ensures that your cabinets align properly, appliances function as intended, and your investment is protected. A cheap kitchen fitting quote may save money initially, but if poor installation compromises your worktops or doors, rectification costs can be extensive. 

At My Kitchen Specialist, our retail partners work with trusted kitchen installers or manage installation in-house, ensuring accountability and quality throughout. You’re not just paying for labour; you’re paying for precision, expertise, and peace of mind. 

Final Thoughts: How to Stay in Control 

The true costs of a kitchen renovation extend well beyond cabinets and worktops. To avoid surprises: 

• Speak to your local My Kitchen Specialist retailer early. 

• Get a full, itemised quote including installation, appliances, flooring, and finishing. 

• Clarify what’s included with your worktops and appliances. 

• Build in a realistic contingency. 

With expert guidance, transparent kitchen quotes, and honest advice, you can plan a kitchen renovation that stays on track and delivers exactly what you need. The cost of a new kitchen doesn’t have to spiral – not if you go in with your eyes open and the right specialist by your side. 

Need Further Kitchen Planning Advice?  

Visit your local My Kitchen Specialist showroom and speak with a real expert. Whether you’re looking for value-led German designs or handcrafted British cabinetry, you’ll find inspiration, guidance, and a team who genuinely care about your kitchen project.