Kitchen units cost from around £80 per base unit for flat-pack budget ranges up to £1,000 or more per unit for bespoke, hand-painted cabinetry. A full set of units for an average 12-unit kitchen costs £1,500 – £3,000 at the budget end, £3,000 – £6,000 mid-range and £7,000 – £15,000+ premium.
Units are the single biggest line in most kitchen budgets, so understanding what you are paying for matters more here than anywhere else.
Kitchen unit prices (supply only, inc. VAT)
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base unit (600 mm, incl. door) | £80 – £150 | £150 – £350 | £400 – £1,000+ |
| Wall unit (600 mm, incl. door) | £60 – £120 | £120 – £280 | £300 – £800 |
| Tall larder / oven housing | £150 – £250 | £250 – £500 | £600 – £1,500 |
| Corner carousel / pull-out storage | £100 – £200 | £200 – £400 | £400 – £900 |
| Handles (each) | £2 – £5 | £5 – £15 | £15 – £60 |
| Full set of units, 12-unit kitchen | £1,500 – £3,000 | £3,000 – £6,000 | £7,000 – £15,000+ |
Indicative UK prices, 2027/28, including VAT where applicable.
Flat-pack vs rigid units
Flat-pack (IKEA, B&Q, Wickes) is cheapest but adds assembly time, which a fitter will charge for. Rigid pre-assembled carcasses (Howdens, Wren, Magnet, Benchmarx) cost more but fit faster and are usually sturdier, with 18 mm boards and solid backs. Premium ranges add colour-matched interiors, dovetailed drawers and soft-close as standard.
Replacement doors: the cheaper alternative
If your carcasses are sound, replacing just the doors, drawer fronts and handles costs £800 – £3,000 for a typical kitchen and can be done in a day or two. Vinyl-wrapped doors start at £20 – £40 each; painted solid wood doors run £80 – £200 each.
Where to spend and where to save
Spend on drawers rather than cupboards (they hold more and are easier to use), decent hinges and runners (Blum or Hettich), and one or two clever storage items like a pull-out larder. Save on tall or wall units that are rarely used, and on handles, where a mid-priced option looks identical to designer ones once fitted.
Frequently asked questions
How many units does an average kitchen have?
An average UK kitchen has 10 – 14 units including base, wall and tall units. A small galley might have 6 – 8, a large kitchen with island 18 – 24.
Are Howdens kitchens cheaper than Wren or Magnet?
Howdens sells trade-only so prices depend on your fitter’s account discount, but is generally competitive with Wren and cheaper than Magnet for similar rigid ranges. Always compare an itemised list with the same number and type of units.
Can I mix and match units from different suppliers?
Yes, carcasses are broadly standard sizes (600 mm, 500 mm, 300 mm), but door colours and finishes will not match, so mixing works best when one supplier provides all the visible fronts.
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