Is now the right time to renovate your kitchen?
Various factors have conspired to push up the cost of home improvements over the past few years, including Brexit, Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine.
These events have disrupted supply chains, restricted the availability of materials and impacted the supply of labour.
So how are things looking for 2025? We've spoken to experts and evaluated prices to find out if now is the right time to renovate your kitchen.
If you're considering a new kitchen, discover the best kitchen brands according to our research
What's going on with prices?
According to our analysis of data from the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS), the typical cost of a new kitchen increased by up to 22% between 2019 and 2023.
And things didn't improve in 2024: 'The cost of home improvements has increased in the past year,' says Professor Noble Francis from the Construction Products Association (CPA). 'This is primarily due to construction labour inflation.'
Labour costs
A shortage of labour drives up costs, as more homeowners compete for skilled workers.
Brexit played a part in this shortage: 'The most significant losses to the labour force were EU workers between 25 and 39 years old,' says Prof Francis. 'EU workers who generally go back home after projects are finished have not been replaced, as sponsored visa requirements make it more difficult.
'There has also been a significant decrease in UK-born construction workers between 45 and 59 years old, due to older self-employed workers retiring early.'
If you need to renovate sooner rather than later, this may be a cost that you have to accept: 'The skilled worker issue still remains and it is unlikely to be sorted quickly,' adds Prof Francis.
Material costs
But there is some good news: material prices have begun to normalise.
'Construction materials prices in November 2024 were flat compared with a year ago,' says Prof Francis.
This is due in a large part to supply chains returning to normal, but there's a chance they will begin to increase again: 'We would expect to see materials price rises in the first half of this year, due to the impacts of higher energy and wages costs on manufacturers,' adds Prof Francis.
However, these fluctuations are unlikely to be as dramatic as those seen post-pandemic.
Which? members can access all our kitchen costs data to find out how much a new kitchen costs in 2025
Other factors to consider
If you're planning on renovating in order to sell your home, or will likely need to move house in the short to medium term, then consider your return on investment – is the amount you spend likely to be reflected in any increase in the value of your home?
It really depends on what you are planning to do.
'Not all kitchen renovations are created equal,' says Paula Higgins, Chief Executive of the HomeOwners Alliance. 'The key is to focus on what works best for you and your family while maximising return on investment.
'A highly bespoke or quirky kitchen may look stunning but won’t necessarily boost your home’s worth. On the other hand, a lick of paint or knocking down an internal wall for an open-plan layout can significantly increase value.'
You should also consider house prices – if house prices aren't rising, then you are unlikely to see any significant return on investment.
House prices increased by around 3% in 2024, according to data from the Land Registry. And experts have forecast similar rises this year, including Rightmove (rise of 4%), Nationwide (2-4%) and Zoopla (2.5%).
But the rate of growth is better in some areas of the UK than others: 'House prices in 2024 Q4 in Northern England were 4.9% higher than a year earlier,' says Prof Francis, 'while the lowest house price growth was in London at only 0.5%, and this is also where it is most expensive to make home improvements.'
'Prices in Northern Ireland were 7.1% higher than a year ago, house prices in Scotland were 4.4% higher, and in Wales 2.7% higher.'
Read 'What's happening to house prices?' for further insights
Should you renovate now, or wait?
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.
A 2024 report from furniture fittings and architectural hardware specialist Hafele found that half of UK homeowners were planning to make home improvements between January 2024 and the end of 2025, and almost a quarter of those are planning a new kitchen.
Those who opted to wait in 2024 are more likely to go for it in 2025. And with lower material costs it might be a good time to take the plunge and book in your builder before everyone else does.
When we asked Which? Trusted Traders how far in advance they were booked up for kitchen installations, most said 2-3 months, but one said they were booked up more than five months ahead.
We also asked the traders whether this year is a good time to renovate.
'The current market conditions are relatively stable and there isn’t a significant indication that prices for home improvements will drop in the near future,' says a representative from Brooks Kitchens and Joinery Services in West Yorkshire. 'Additionally, current market trends and mortgage rates suggest that property values will continue to rise, making a kitchen renovation a sound investment.'
'The disruptions seen in previous years have eased, meaning better availability of materials and potentially shorter lead times,' adds Jerzy from KSF kitchen Supply Fit in London. 'Plus, many homeowners are upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and sustainable materials, which could save money in the long run.'
Oliver from Cheshire Kitchen Fitters Ltd adds, 'Renovating your kitchen can make your day-to-day family life much easier. Having a more practical kitchen makes life more efficient, freeing up more time to spend with your loved ones.'
If your kitchen is in urgent need of an upgrade, waiting for prices to drop might not be worth it. But if you're not in a hurry, or are planning a more extensive – and therefore costly – project, it could be worth waiting to see if labour costs and interest rates come down in the next year or two (especially if you're planning to borrow to fund it).
If you're renovating to sell, check the house prices in your area beforehand, or consult with a local estate agent, so you have an idea of the kind of return on investment you might expect.
Ultimately, 'The time is right when the customer feels ready and they find a fitter and a price they are comfortable with,' says David from DH Services in Bristol.
How to save money on your kitchen renovation
If you do want to go ahead with your kitchen renovation, here are our top money-saving tips:
- On average, a kitchen renovation should cost no more than 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 our tips for finding the best kitchen appliances at the right price.
- 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, and includes durability ratings.
- Buying a second-hand or ex-display kitchen could save up to 85% on your renovation – find out how to buy a second-hand kitchen.
- 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.
Not sure whether to move or improve? Read 'Property in 2025: should you buy, sell or stay put?'
More Which? money saving advice
Which? members can access our home improvement cost guides, which include typical prices for renovations from the Building Cost Information Service:
