How Much Does an Open Plan Kitchen Cost in the UK? (2026 Price Guide)

How Much Does an Open Plan Kitchen Cost in the UK?

The cost of creating an open plan kitchen in the UK depends on whether walls are being removed, structural steel is required, kitchen specification level, plumbing/electrical relocation, and the overall finish required.

Typical open plan kitchen conversion costs:

• Simple knock-through (no major layout change): £5,000 – £12,000
• Standard open plan kitchen remodel: £12,000 – £30,000
• Full structural open plan kitchen-diner: £25,000 – £60,000+
• High-end designer open plan kitchen space: £50,000 – £100,000+

Most homeowners spend between £15,000 and £40,000 for a typical open plan kitchen transformation.

Open Plan Kitchen Cost Breakdown

Typical installed costs include:

• Structural wall removal: £1,000 – £5,000
• RSJ steel beam installation: £1,000 – £4,000
• Kitchen units and worktops: £3,000 – £25,000+
• Plumbing relocation: £500 – £3,000
• Electrical rewiring: £500 – £3,500
• Flooring: £1,000 – £6,000
• Plastering and making good: £500 – £3,000
• Decoration and finishing: £500 – £3,000

The kitchen specification itself often becomes the largest single cost component.

What Affects the Cost of an Open Plan Kitchen?

1. Structural Changes

Removing internal walls is often the defining cost factor.

Common structural work includes:

• Load-bearing wall removal
• RSJ steel beam installation
• Chimney breast removal
• Ceiling support alterations

More structural intervention means higher engineering and labour costs.

2. Kitchen Specification

Kitchen quality varies significantly:

• Budget kitchens: £3,000 – £7,000
• Mid-range kitchens: £7,000 – £15,000
• Premium kitchens: £15,000 – £30,000+
• Bespoke designer kitchens: £30,000 – £75,000+

Appliances can also add £2,000 – £15,000+ depending on specification.

3. Plumbing and Electrical Relocation

Opening up spaces often requires full system reconfiguration:

• Moving sink and dishwasher: £300 – £1,500
• Gas line adjustments: £300 – £1,000
• New electrical circuits: £500 – £3,000
• Lighting redesign (spotlights, pendants): £300 – £2,000

4. Flooring and Finishing

Continuous flooring is a key feature of open plan spaces:

• Laminate: £1,000 – £3,000
• Engineered wood: £2,000 – £6,000
• Porcelain tiles: £2,000 – £7,000+
• Underfloor heating integration: £2,000 – £8,000+

5. Design Complexity

More complex layouts increase cost:

• Kitchen islands: £1,000 – £5,000+
• Breakfast bars: £500 – £3,000
• Structural ceiling redesign: £2,000 – £10,000+
• Bi-fold or sliding doors integration: £3,000 – £15,000+

Labour Costs for Open Plan Kitchen Projects

Typical labour rates:

• Builder: £200 – £350 per day
• Kitchen fitter: £200 – £400 per day
• Electrician: £200 – £450 per day
• Plumber: £200 – £400 per day

Typical project duration:

• Simple knock-through: 3–7 days
• Standard open plan kitchen: 2–4 weeks
• Full remodel with structural work: 4–8 weeks

Example Open Plan Kitchen Costs

Basic Knock-Through

• RSJ installation: £1,000 – £3,000
• Minor finishing works: £1,000 – £3,000
• Total: £5,000 – £12,000

Standard Open Plan Kitchen-Diner

• Structural work: £2,000 – £6,000
• Kitchen installation: £8,000 – £20,000
• Plumbing & electrics: £2,000 – £6,000
• Flooring & finishing: £3,000 – £8,000
• Total: £15,000 – £40,000

High-End Open Plan Living Space

• Structural redesign: £5,000 – £15,000
• Premium kitchen: £20,000 – £50,000
• Flooring & heating: £5,000 – £15,000
• Bespoke finishes: £5,000 – £20,000
• Total: £50,000 – £100,000+

Hidden Costs in Open Plan Kitchen Projects

Additional costs may include:

• Building regulations approval: £300 – £1,000+
• Structural engineer fees: £500 – £2,000
• Chimney breast removal: £1,000 – £5,000+
• Waste removal: £200 – £1,000
• Damp proofing or insulation upgrades: £500 – £5,000
• Temporary kitchen setup: £200 – £1,500

These costs are often missed in early budgeting.

Regional Price Differences in the UK

• London & South East: 15%–40% higher
• Midlands: average UK pricing
• North of England: slightly lower labour costs
• Rural areas: higher logistics and labour travel costs

How Long Does an Open Plan Kitchen Take?

Typical timelines:

• Simple knock-through: 3–7 days
• Standard conversion: 2–4 weeks
• Full structural remodel: 4–8 weeks
• High-end bespoke projects: 8–12 weeks+

Delays often occur due to structural approvals or kitchen lead times.

How to Get an Accurate Open Plan Kitchen Quote

To accurately price a project, contractors should assess:

• Load-bearing walls and structural design
• RSJ requirements
• Kitchen specification level
• Plumbing and electrical relocation needs
• Flooring continuity requirements
• Ventilation and lighting design
• Finishing and decoration scope

Open plan kitchen projects are frequently underquoted due to structural and finishing complexities being underestimated.

How Pricing Penguin Works (for Open Plan Kitchens and Other Trades)

Open plan kitchens are one of the most popular home renovation projects in the UK, but also one of the most commonly misunderstood in terms of cost.

Homeowners often assume that removing a wall and installing a kitchen is a straightforward upgrade, without fully accounting for structural steel, re-routing services, flooring continuity, and high-end kitchen specifications.

This often results in customers contacting contractors without a realistic budget, leading to wasted site visits and unqualified enquiries.

Pricing Penguin solves this by providing clear, data-driven cost estimates before a homeowner contacts a builder or kitchen installer.

Instead of guessing, customers can understand:

• The likely cost of creating an open plan kitchen in their home
• Whether structural steel work will be required
• How kitchen specification affects overall cost
• The impact of plumbing and electrical relocation
• How flooring and finishing influence budget
• Whether their expectations align with real-world costs

This helps homeowners make informed decisions early in the process.

For contractors, Pricing Penguin improves lead quality by filtering out unrealistic enquiries and ensuring customers already understand the likely investment required.

Rather than spending time pricing non-viable projects, tradespeople can focus on serious customers who are ready to proceed.

Pricing Penguin bridges the gap between customer expectations and real construction costs, helping homeowners plan effectively while allowing contractors to focus on profitable, conversion-ready work.

FAQ

How much does an open plan kitchen cost in the UK?

Most projects cost between £15,000 and £40,000, depending on structural work and kitchen specification.

Do I need planning permission for an open plan kitchen?

Usually not, but building regulations approval is required for structural changes.

How long does it take to create an open plan kitchen?

Typically between 2 and 8 weeks depending on complexity.

What is the biggest cost in an open plan kitchen?

The kitchen units and structural alterations are usually the largest costs.

Conclusion

An open plan kitchen in the UK typically costs between £5,000 and £100,000+, depending on structural complexity and finish level.

For homeowners, understanding the full scope of costs is essential before starting work. For contractors, accurate pricing depends on structural assessment, kitchen specification, and full service relocation requirements.

When customers understand realistic costs before requesting quotes, projects become more efficient, expectations are aligned, and conversion rates significantly improve.