How Much Does a Kitchen Worktop Cost in the UK?

A new kitchen worktop can completely transform the look and feel of your kitchen without the expense of a full refit. Whether you are replacing a tired laminate surface or upgrading to solid stone, the cost varies enormously depending on the material you choose, the size of your kitchen and where in the UK you are based.

This guide covers the real 2026 supply and fitting costs for every major worktop material, from entry level laminate through to engineered quartz and granite, so you can budget accurately before speaking to any fitter or kitchen supplier.

Worktop Costs by Material

Material is the single biggest factor in the price you pay. The table below shows typical supply only costs per linear metre for a standard 600mm deep worktop. Fitting charges are covered separately further down this guide.

These prices assume a standard 40mm thickness. Thinner 20mm stone slabs can reduce the cost, while dramatic 60mm or 100mm square edge profiles on quartz will increase it significantly.

Typical Total Costs for a Complete Kitchen

Most kitchens require between 3.5 and 6 linear metres of worktop when you account for the main run, the return and any island or breakfast bar. Below are realistic fully installed costs for a medium sized kitchen with approximately 4.5 linear metres of worktop.

Stone worktops include templating, fabrication and installation by a specialist stonemason. Laminate and wood worktops are usually cut and fitted by a kitchen fitter or joiner.

Worktop Fitting Costs

Fitting costs depend on the type of worktop and who installs it. Laminate and solid wood can be handled by most experienced kitchen fitters, while stone requires specialist fabricators who template, cut and install the slab.

• Laminate fitting: A kitchen fitter typically charges £150 to £350 to remove old worktops and fit new laminate including scribing, end caps and jointing strips.
• Solid wood fitting: Similar labour to laminate at £150 to £350, though more care is needed to allow for wood movement and oiling.
• Stone fabrication and fitting: Stone specialists usually charge an all in price covering templating, fabrication and installation. Expect £400 to £900 on top of material costs, though many quote the combined total.
• Upstand and splashback: Adding a matching upstand (the thin strip at the back of the worktop) typically adds £50 to £200 depending on material and length.
• Sink cutout: Most stone fitters include one cutout in their quote. Additional cutouts for hob or sink cost £80 to £200 each.
• Removal of old worktops: Usually included in fitting quotes, but if not, expect to pay £50 to £150 for disposal.

Regional Price Differences

As with most trades work in the UK, labour costs vary noticeably by region. Material costs from national suppliers are broadly similar everywhere, but fitting and stone fabrication charges reflect local trade rates.

• London and South East: Fitting and fabrication labour runs 20 to 40 percent above the UK average. A quartz installation that costs £2,000 fitted in the Midlands could be £2,500 to £2,800 in London.
• North of England and Scotland: Labour tends to be 10 to 20 percent below the national average, making this one area where the total installed cost can be noticeably lower.
• Wales and Northern Ireland: Broadly in line with Northern England, though access to specialist stone fabricators may be more limited in rural areas, occasionally pushing costs up.
• South West: Close to the national average, with some variation between urban centres like Bristol and more rural counties.

Factors That Affect the Final Price

Beyond the choice of material, several other things will push your quote up or down.

• Thickness: Standard laminate and wood worktops are 38mm or 40mm thick. Stone worktops start at 20mm but premium options run to 30mm or 40mm, with thicker slabs costing more both in material and transport.
• Edge profiles: A simple pencil round edge is usually included in the price. Ogee, bevelled, waterfall or mitred edges on stone add £30 to £80 per linear metre to the fabrication cost.
• Joints and corners: Every mitred corner or worktop joint on a stone top adds fabrication time and cost. Expect £50 to £150 extra per joint.
• Upstands and window sills: Many homeowners match their worktop material to upstands and window sills, which adds material and fitting cost but creates a clean finish.
• Templating visits: Stone fabricators visit your kitchen to create an exact template before cutting. This is usually included in the quote but some charge £50 to £100 separately.
• Turnaround time: Rush jobs on stone worktops can attract a premium of 10 to 20 percent. Standard lead times are 1 to 3 weeks for stone and a few days for laminate.

DIY Versus Professional Fitting

Laminate worktops are one of the few kitchen jobs a confident DIYer can tackle. Pre cut lengths are available from most DIY sheds starting at around £30 to £80 per metre, and with a jigsaw, a router and some patience the job is achievable over a weekend. The main risks are poor scribing to the wall, messy joint strips and incorrect sink cutouts.

Solid wood worktops are more forgiving to cut but harder to finish well. DIY is feasible but oiling, sealing and allowing for wood movement require some knowledge. Stone worktops should never be a DIY project. The slabs are extremely heavy, the cuts require wet diamond blades and an error in templating means an expensive slab is wasted. Always use a specialist for quartz, granite, marble or Dekton.

How to Get the Best Value

A few practical steps can keep costs under control without compromising on quality.

• Get three quotes: Stone fabrication prices vary significantly between companies. Three quotes on the same specification can reveal a difference of several hundred pounds.
• Buy directly from a fabricator: Some kitchen showrooms mark up stone worktops heavily. Going direct to a local stone yard or fabricator often saves 15 to 30 percent.
• Choose standard colours: Exotic or imported stone slabs cost more than standard ranges. Popular quartz colours like white, grey and anthracite are usually the best value.
• Avoid unnecessary edge profiles: A simple eased or pencil round edge is often the cleanest look and it is always the cheapest option.
• Combine jobs: If you are also having tiles, flooring or other work done, the same kitchen fitter can often fit your laminate or wood worktop as part of a day rate, saving on separate call out charges.
• Check for remnants: Stone fabricators often have off cuts and remnant slabs from larger jobs. If your kitchen is modest in size, a remnant can save 20 to 40 percent on material cost.

Worktop Lifespan and Long Term Value

Cost is not just about the upfront price. A laminate worktop at £300 fitted may last 10 to 15 years before it chips, swells or looks tired, while a quality quartz surface at £2,000 can realistically last 25 to 30 years with minimal maintenance. Solid wood sits in the middle, lasting 15 to 25 years if regularly oiled and kept dry around the sink.

When you divide cost by expected lifespan, quartz and granite often work out cheaper per year than replacing budget laminate every decade. That said, laminate technology has improved significantly and premium compact laminate options like Axiom or Duropal can hold up well for 15 to 20 years at a fraction of stone prices.