What Is a Kitchen Fitter Day Rate?
Kitchen fitter day rates in the UK typically range from £180 to £350 per day depending on experience, location and whether a team of two is involved. Day rates are distinct from fixed-price quotes, which are calculated based on the total scope of the job.
Day Rate vs Fixed Price
A day rate is an open-ended cost — you pay for however many days the installation takes. A fixed-price quote gives you a total cost regardless of how long the job takes. Most professional kitchen fitters prefer to quote fixed prices because they are clearer and fairer for the customer.
What Affects a Kitchen Fitter's Day Rate
- Experience and skill level
- Geographic location (rates are higher in London and the South East)
- Whether one fitter or a team of two is working
- The complexity of the kitchen and any specialist requirements
Why Fixed Quotes Are Usually Better
A fixed-price quote removes the risk of cost overruns from your side. If the fitter encounters additional challenges, they absorb the time cost rather than passing it to you. Fixed pricing requires a pre-installation survey to calculate accurately.
Cost Guide by Kitchen Size
| Kitchen size | Units | Typical duration | Labour cost guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 8–12 | 3–4 days | £1,800–£2,800 |
| Medium | 13–20 | 4–6 days | £2,800–£4,200 |
| Large | 21+ | 6–10 days | £4,200–£7,500 |
At an average day rate of around £350, these figures broadly line up. A small kitchen at 3–4 days lands close to £1,050–£1,400 for one fitter working alone, with the higher end of the guide price reflecting a two-person team or additional scope such as tiling prep and appliance integration.
Why Two Quotes at the Same Day Rate Can Differ
Two fitters quoting the same day rate can still arrive at very different total prices if one estimates the job will take two days longer than the other. This is exactly why the total number of days — not just the day rate — is the figure worth interrogating at quote stage.
Does a Team of Two Cost Double?
Not necessarily. A two-person team often completes the job in roughly half the time, so the total labour cost can end up similar to a single fitter working alone — but the job finishes faster, which matters if you're without a working kitchen in the meantime.
Related Questions
A small kitchen (8–12 units) takes 3–4 days; a medium kitchen (13–20 units) takes 4–6 days; a large kitchen (21+ units) takes 6–10 days.
Day rates have limited flexibility. Fixed-price quotes can sometimes be adjusted based on scope, but the best way to get value is to compare multiple fixed-price quotes after surveys.
Fixed price is generally preferable — it removes uncertainty about final cost and encourages the fitter to work efficiently.
Related Questions
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- About Pindi Sahota 30 years fitting kitchens across Coventry, Warwickshire and Berkshire.
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