How much should a new decent kitchen cost?

The cost of a new kitchen will depend on three main factors: the size of your kitchen, the extent of the refit and the quality of materials and appliances used.

There are so many factors to take into account when refitting a kitchen that it is hard to assess exactly what the cost will be. New kitchens can range from a few hundred pounds to tens of thousands of pounds.

If your budget is low, it is possible to pick up a low cost kitchen from retailers such as Ikea and B Q. For medium budgets a local kitchen supplier is likely to offer good value, whilst if you have plenty to spend then a specialist, bespoke kitchen designer may be your choice.

The price of a new kitchen will depend on the extent of the work. If you plan to rip out the existing kitchen and start from scratch, you could end up paying up to 6,000 for kitchen cabinets, 3,000 for work surfaces and 1,500 for appliances. This is in addition to the labour costs of the refit.

However, if you plan to retain some of your existing fixtures and fittings, a new kitchen can cost significantly less. For example, you may decide simply to replace your cupboard doors and worktops and give your kitchen a lick of paint. This is likely to cost you under 1,000.

When budgeting for a new kitchen, don t forget to take all the costs into account. As well as new cabinets and appliances, you should also consider the costs of plumbing, tiling, new flooring, paint, lighting and electrical work. All will increase the total cost of your kitchen refit.

Whatever the price of your new kitchen, it is vital that you don t overspend or exceed your budget. The Daily Express found in 2009 that a new kitchen adds an average of just 4,147 to the value of a property. It is therefore crucial that you don t spend a fortune on your new kitchen which you will never recoup when you sell your home.