Is a free kitchen design quote in Ireland worth it?

A free design from a showroom can be useful for getting a feel for layouts and prices, but remember that the cost of that design is built into the cabinetry quote. For a like-for-like comparison, ask for a full itemised quote, and consider paying a small fee for an independent designer if you want impartial advice.

What is the biggest hidden cost in an Irish kitchen renovation?

The most common hidden cost is remedial work behind the units: unlevel floors, outdated wiring, old plumbing, and damp walls. These are only visible once the old kitchen is stripped out. A pre-purchase survey and a 10–15% contingency are the best ways to prepare.

Should I buy appliances before or after the kitchen design?

Buy appliances after the design, but before installation. The designer needs the exact dimensions and specifications of each appliance to build the cabinets around them. If you buy after, you risk a fridge that does not fit the housing unit or a hob that clashes with the worktop cutout.

Can I save money by supplying my own worktop or appliances?

You can, but only if you compare the supplier's trade price against the retail price you would pay. Kitchen companies often get 20–30% off retail on appliances, so their quote may be cheaper than buying the same model yourself. If you do supply your own, make sure the installer accepts responsibility for fitting customer-supplied items, or you may void your warranty.

Kitchen Design Cost Checklist for Irish Homeowners

What should I check before any kitchen design quote in Ireland?

Before you compare quotes, you need a full picture of the room you are working with. An accurate floor plan with ceiling height, window and door positions, and the location of existing plumbing, gas, and electrics is the foundation of every cost estimate. Without it, quotes are guesses.

A professional survey is usually worth the fee, often €100 to €300 depending on the company and whether it is refundable against a purchase. The surveyor will check wall flatness, floor level, and the condition of existing services, all of which drive costs later. If you skip this, expect surprises once work starts.

Also check your BER rating and the age of the house. Older Irish homes often need more remedial work behind the units, such as re-plastering, rerouting pipes, or upgrading a consumer unit, and these costs belong in your kitchen budget, not your builder's contingency.

Floor plan with exact dimensions and ceiling height
Location of existing plumbing, gas, and electrical points
Wall and floor condition (plaster, tiles, level)
Age of the house and BER rating
Whether the survey fee is refundable against a kitchen order

A person measuring a kitchen wall with a tape measure while holding a floor plan

How much should I set aside for design fees and planning?

Kitchen design fees in Ireland vary widely by provider. Independent kitchen designers typically charge a fixed fee from €300 to €1,500, which is often offset against the final order if you buy through them. Some retailers offer free design with the expectation that you purchase their cabinetry, so the 'free' design is really a sales cost folded into the unit price.

A detailed design package should include a 3D visual, a full specification of every cabinet and drawer, a lighting plan, an appliance schedule, and a technical drawing for your builder or electrician. If you are only getting a sketch, you are not paying for a design, you are paying for a brochure.

For a full renovation, architectural input may be needed if you are moving walls or changing the layout significantly. Architect fees in Ireland typically run from 5% to 12% of the project cost, but for a kitchen-only project, a designer or kitchen company's technical team is usually sufficient.

Design service	Typical fee range in Ireland	What you get
Retail kitchen showroom	Free to €200	Basic layout, sales-focused, fee refundable on order
Independent kitchen designer	€300 to €1,500	3D visuals, full spec, lighting plan, technical drawings
Architect (structural changes)	5% to 12% of project cost	Planning drawings, structural calculations, project supervision

Which cost factors in cabinetry and worktops matter most?

Cabinetry is the largest single cost in most Irish kitchens. The price is driven by the material of the cabinet boxes (MDF, plywood, or solid wood), the door finish (thermofoil, laminate, painted, or solid wood), and the hardware (soft-close hinges and drawer runners). A standard flat-pack kitchen can cost €5,000 to €10,000, while a bespoke joinery-built kitchen in Dublin or Cork can exceed €30,000 for the same footprint.

Worktops follow closely in cost. Laminate is the budget option at roughly €50 to €120 per linear metre, quartz and granite sit at €200 to €400 per linear metre, and solid surface or porcelain can go higher. The edge profile, cutouts for sinks and hobs, and the number of seams all add to the price, so a simple rectangular worktop is far cheaper than one with a breakfast bar overhang.

Don't forget the extras that are often itemised separately: splashbacks, upstands, end panels, pelmets, and plinths. A supplier can quote a low price per cabinet and then add 20% to 30% in these finishing pieces. Ask for a full itemised quote, not a per-unit price.

Cabinetry type	Typical installed cost (small Irish kitchen)	Typical installed cost (large Irish kitchen)
Flat-pack (IKEA, B&Q)	€4,000 – €8,000	€8,000 – €15,000
Semi-bespoke (Irish showroom)	€8,000 – €15,000	€15,000 – €25,000
Fully bespoke joinery	€15,000 – €25,000	€25,000 – €40,000+

What appliance and fitting costs are easy to underestimate?

Appliances are often quoted as a package, but the installation costs are separate. A built-in oven, hob, extractor, fridge, dishwasher, and washing machine can cost €3,000 to €10,000 for the units themselves, and then another €500 to €1,500 for installation, including any new wiring for an induction hob or a dedicated circuit for an American fridge-freezer.

Plumbing and electrical work is where budgets slip. Moving a sink or dishwasher drain, adding a new socket, upgrading the consumer unit, or installing under-cabinet lighting all require a registered professional, and their day rates in Ireland are typically €250 to €450. A small kitchen with no service moves might need only €500 of tradeswork; a full rewire and replumb can add €3,000 or more.

Flooring, tiling, and painting are usually outside the kitchen fitter's quote. If you are replacing the floor, allow €30 to €80 per square metre for vinyl or laminate, €50 to €120 for tiles, plus installation. Backsplash tiling adds another €20 to €60 per square metre for labour, so get a separate quote for these finishes before you commit to the cabinetry.

Appliance installation (not just the appliance price)
New electrical circuits for induction hobs or large fridges
Plumbing moves for sinks, dishwashers, and washing machines
Flooring, tiling, and painting (often not in the kitchen quote)
Removal and disposal of the old kitchen (€150 – €400)
Skip hire or waste removal if not included

An electrician installing a built-in oven and checking the wiring

How should I budget for installation, VAT, and contingencies?

Installation labour in Ireland typically runs from €2,000 to €6,000 for a standard kitchen, depending on the size and complexity. A straight swap of units with no service moves is at the lower end; a full knock-out and rebuild with plastering, new services, and a complex island is at the upper end. Always get a fixed-price installation quote in writing, not a day rate.

VAT is a cost factor that catches many homeowners. The standard VAT rate in Ireland is 23%, which applies to kitchen units, worktops, and appliances. There is no reduced rate for kitchen renovations, unlike some other building works, so factor the full 23% into every quote you compare.

Finally, set a contingency of 10% to 15% of the total project cost. In older Irish homes, the most common overruns are discovering unlevel floors, outdated wiring, or hidden damp behind old units. A contingency is not a luxury; it is the difference between a finished kitchen and a half-finished one while you wait for the next pay cheque.