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You want a new kitchen. But what’s stopping you is the fear of what it’ll actually cost, and the suspicion that someone is going to overcharge you. So let’s address your fear first. A kitchen renovation in Ireland costs between €10,000 and €30,000 for most homes in 2026. But the final price depends on a few factors.
Knowing the typical kitchen renovation cost in Ireland before you start keeps the final quote you receive in control. This guide gives you the real 2026 ranges, a full cost breakdown, the factors that move the price, and where a kitchen fits inside a bigger renovation.
At a glance:
- Most kitchens cost €10,000 to €30,000 in 2026. Budget refits start near €5,000, bespoke kitchens pass €50,000.
- The three price bands: budget €5,000 to €10,000, mid-range €15,000 to €25,000, high-end €25,000 to €50,000+.
- Cabinets are the biggest cost, taking 30 to 40% of the budget. Worktops and appliances come next.
- Four things move your quote most: kitchen size, changing the layout, the materials, and the appliances.
- Worktops range widely: laminate €50 to €100 per metre, quartz €300 to €500, granite €350 to €600.
- Dublin runs 10 to 20% higher than rural counties on labour and materials.
- Always hold 10 to 15% back for surprises found once the old units come out.
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Ireland?
Most kitchen renovations in Ireland cost €10,000 to €30,000 in 2026, with the average mid-range job landing around €15,000 to €25,000. A small budget refit can come in near €5,000, while a large, fully bespoke kitchen with stone worktops and premium appliances can pass €50,000.
The three usual price bands look like this:
| Tier | Typical cost (2026) | What you get |
| Budget / refit | €5,000 to €10,000 | Flat-pack or stock units, laminate worktops, standard appliances, existing layout kept |
| Mid-range | €15,000 to €25,000 | Semi-custom units, quartz or upgraded worktops, better appliances, some layout changes |
| High-end / bespoke | €25,000 to €50,000+ | Custom joinery, stone or porcelain worktops, premium integrated appliances, structural changes |
As a rough rule, kitchen work in Ireland costs around €1,000 to €1,500 per square metre, covering labour, units, appliances, and finishes. Dublin sits at the top of every band. Labour and material costs in the city typically run 10 to 20% higher than rural counties, so a mid-range Dublin kitchen can edge toward €25,000 before extras.
If the real goal is a bigger kitchen, not just a better one, the maths changes. Building out is an extension, and rear extensions up to 40 square metres can be exempt from planning permission in Ireland, subject to conditions.
What does a kitchen renovation cost breakdown look like?
A kitchen renovation cost breaks down into units, worktops, appliances, labour, and finishing, with cabinetry usually the single biggest line. Cabinets and installation alone often take 30 to 40% of the total budget. Knowing where the money goes helps you spot what a quote has left out.
Here is where a typical mid-range Irish kitchen budget goes:
| Element | Typical 2026 range | Notes |
| Units and cabinetry | €2,500 to €6,000 | Flat-pack at the low end, custom joinery at the top. Largest single cost. |
| Worktops | €800 to €5,500 | Laminate is cheapest, quartz and granite cost more (see the table below). |
| Appliances | €1,200 to €8,000 | Basic oven, hob, and extractor near €1,200; premium suites €5,000 plus. |
| Fitting and labour | €2,000 to €5,000 | Roughly 20 to 35% of the total. Carpenter, plumber, electrician, tiler. |
| Flooring | €400 to €3,000 | Laminate or vinyl at the low end, tile or timber higher. |
| Old kitchen removal | €300 to €1,000 | Not always included. Plaster or floor repairs add more. |
| Electrical works and certification | €400 to €1,200 | Older homes often need a board or wiring upgrade to meet current rules. |
| Contingency | 10 to 15% on top | For damp, bad wiring, or surprises found once units come out. |
Add a contingency every time. Open up an old kitchen and you can find leaking pipes, damp, or wiring that no longer meets standard. Budget for it up front and it stops being a shock.
What drives kitchen renovation costs up or down?
Four things move a kitchen quote more than anything else: the size of the room, whether you change the layout, the materials you choose, and the appliances you fit.
Get clear on these before you ask for prices and your quotes become far easier to compare.
Does the kitchen size change the cost?
Yes. A bigger kitchen needs more units, more worktop, more flooring, and more fitting time, so the cost scales with the room. A small galley kitchen of 8 to 10 linear metres can be done well for €12,000 to €18,000 in the mid-range. A large open-plan kitchen over 15 linear metres in a premium spec regularly hits €30,000 or more.
Why does moving the layout add so much?
Moving the sink, hob, or cooker means moving plumbing, gas, or electrics, and that is where costs climb fast. Keep the existing layout and you keep the bill down. A like-for-like replacement is far cheaper than a redesign that re-routes pipework and cabling. It is not always avoidable, but it is always worth asking whether the change earns its cost.
How much do materials and appliances add?
Materials and appliances are where a kitchen quietly doubles in price. Custom solid-wood or in-frame cabinetry costs well above flat-pack. A stone worktop adds thousands over laminate. On appliances, a basic Beko or Bosch oven, hob, and extractor might total €1,200, while a Miele suite with a BORA hob can reach €5,000 to €8,000. A boiling-water tap adds another €1,200 to €1,800.
Kitchen worktop costs comparison
Worktops are one of the easiest places to move your budget up or down. Laminate is the cheapest practical option. Quartz, granite, and porcelain cost more once templating and fitting are added.
The table below shows typical supplied-and-fitted prices per linear metre in Ireland for 2026, before extras like cut-outs, upstands, and splashbacks.
| Worktop material | Typical cost per linear metre (2026) | Best for |
| Laminate | €50 to €100 | Budget refits, practical everyday use |
| Solid wood | €150 to €300 | Shaker, farmhouse, and classic kitchens |
| Quartz (engineered stone) | €300 to €500 | Low-maintenance premium look, busy family kitchens |
| Granite (natural stone) | €350 to €600 | Traditional premium surface, heat resistant |
| Porcelain / sintered stone | From €400 | Statement islands, very high durability |
For a 10 metre kitchen, the gap between laminate and natural stone alone can add €4,000 to €5,000 to your total. So decide early whether the worktop is a practical finish or one of the main features of the room. That single choice guides a large part of the budget.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
A kitchen renovation in Ireland usually takes 4 to 12 weeks from start to finish, depending on the design and the contractor’s schedule.
The on-site fitting itself, including plumbing, electrics, and adjustments, often runs two to four weeks. Custom joinery and integrated appliances add time, because bespoke units are made to order and take longer to install.
Lead times on units and stone worktops can stretch the calendar more than the building work does. Order early. A template for a stone worktop is usually taken only after the units are in, which adds a wait before the surface is fitted.
Do you need planning permission for a kitchen renovation?
Most kitchen renovations in Ireland do not need planning permission, because replacing units, worktops, and appliances inside an existing room is not development. You only move into planning territory when the work changes the building itself, for example knocking a structural wall to open up the space, or extending the house to make the kitchen bigger.
If your plan involves removing a load-bearing wall, you need a structural engineer to design and certify the change, even where no planning application is required.
If it involves building out, that is an extension, and some extensions are covered by exempted development while larger ones need full permission.
For the current rules, check Citizens Information on planning permission and exempted development and your local authority planning portal before you commit.
If a bigger, brighter kitchen is the real goal, a kitchen extension may serve you better than a refit inside the same four walls. We cover that route and the planning permission help that comes with it, separately.
How to keep your kitchen renovation on budget
One of the common kitchen renovation mistakes in Ireland is not having a control on your budget. You can fix it by selecting the layout, choose materials by tier, get more than one detailed quote, and hold back a contingency. Small decisions made early save the most.
Here is what you can do:
- Keep the existing layout where you can. Moving plumbing and electrics is one of the biggest avoidable costs.
- Pick your tier and stick to it. Mixing high-end worktops with budget cabinets rarely reads well or lasts.
- Get detailed written quotes, not ballpark figures. Each should list the supply, fitting, worktops, and any building work separately so you can compare like for like.
- Look at the carcass, not just the doors. The internal cabinet structure is what survives 15 to 20 years of use under normal conditions.
- Hold 10 to 15% back for the unexpected. Older homes hide surprises behind the units.
If you are planning to refurbish your overall house, a whole-home renovation service and a feasibility check will give you a far more accurate number than pricing the kitchen renovation cost only.
The bottom line
Most kitchen renovation costs in Ireland range between €10,000 and €30,000 in 2026. But the final figure you reach comes down to a handful of choices: the size of the room, whether you move the layout, the materials, and the appliances. Get clear on those before you ask for prices, and you will read every quote with confidence, not guesswork.
Build in a 10 to 15% contingency, and never judge a kitchen on the doors alone. If your kitchen is one part of a wider refurbishment, pricing it in isolation will only mislead you. A whole-home plan, costed properly from the start, gives you the honest number.
Planning a whole-home renovation with a new kitchen?
A kitchen on its own is a single-trade job. A kitchen as part of a full refurbishment is exactly what we do. If you are renovating the whole house and want one team, one fixed cost, and an honest budget before any drawings, book a feasibility consultation or call 0818 333 443. You will know what your project realistically costs before you spend on design.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a new kitchen cost in Ireland in 2026?
A new kitchen in Ireland costs €10,000 to €30,000 for most homes, including units, worktops, fitting, and appliances. Budget kitchens start near €5,000, and bespoke kitchens with stone worktops and premium appliances run to €50,000 or more.
Is a kitchen renovation more expensive in Dublin?
Yes. Kitchen renovation costs in Dublin typically run 10 to 20% higher than rural counties, driven by higher labour rates, demand for skilled trades, and access and parking on city sites.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen renovation?
Cabinetry is usually the single biggest cost, taking 30 to 40% of the budget. Worktops and appliances are typically next. In a premium kitchen, high-end appliances can become the largest line of all.
Does moving the kitchen layout cost more?
Yes, and often significantly. Moving the sink, hob, or cooker means relocating plumbing, gas, or electrical lines. Keeping the existing layout is one of the simplest ways to reduce the overall cost.
Do I need planning permission to renovate my kitchen?
No, in most cases. Replacing units and finishes inside an existing room does not need permission. You only need to consider or structural sign-off if you knock a structural wall or extend the house.
Does BuildTech do kitchen-only renovations?
No. BuildTech takes whole-home renovations and extensions with a minimum project value of EUR 100,000. We renovate kitchens as part of a larger whole-home project, not as a standalone refit.
