Kitchen Fit-Out Cost Breakdown Ireland: Myth vs. Reality for Supply, Installation, Plumbing, and Electrics

The Myth of the 'All-In' Per Unit Price

Myth: A kitchen fit-out cost is simply the price per linear metre or per cabinet unit quoted by a showroom, and that figure covers everything you see in the finished room. Reality: The per-unit price you are quoted in an Irish kitchen showroom typically covers only the supply of the cabinets, worktops, and sometimes the appliances. It rarely includes installation, plumbing, electrics, or the preparation work your room needs before a single cabinet is hung.

In practice, the supply portion of a fit-out in Ireland usually lands between €8,000 and €20,000 for a standard mid-sized kitchen, depending on cabinet quality, worktop material, and whether you choose budget or premium appliance brands. That figure is the starting point, not the total. A realistic fit-out budget for supply, installation, plumbing, and electrics in Ireland is more often €15,000 to €35,000 for a like-for-like replacement in a typical semi-detached house.

The gap between the showroom quote and the final invoice is where most budget shocks occur. The reality is that every kitchen fit-out has four distinct cost layers: supply, installation, plumbing, and electrics. Each layer is priced separately, often by different tradespeople, and each has its own variables that can push the total up or down.

• Supply: cabinets, worktops, doors, handles, and sometimes appliances
• Installation: fitting the cabinets, worktops, and hardware
• Plumbing: moving or adding water supply and waste lines for sink and appliances
• Electrics: new circuits, sockets, lighting, and appliance connections

Supply Costs: Where the Showroom Quote Really Starts

Myth: The supply cost you are quoted is final because you chose the cabinets and worktop from a catalogue. Reality: Supply costs vary widely based on material choices, and the quote you receive is often based on a standard specification that changes once you select upgraded worktops, soft-close mechanisms, or taller wall units. In Ireland, a basic flat-pack supply package can start around €5,000, while a bespoke solid-wood or handleless German-style kitchen can exceed €30,000 before installation.

Worktops are the single biggest variable in the supply category. Laminate worktops are the budget option, typically costing €50 to €100 per linear metre fitted. Quartz and granite run from €200 to €400 per linear metre, and solid surface or sintered stone can push past €500 per linear metre. Cabinet quality also matters: thermofoil and melamine are entry-level, while lacquered, veneered, or solid wood doors add 20% to 50% onto the cabinet price.

Appliances are another supply-layer decision. A basic integrated oven, hob, and extractor fan package might cost €1,500, but a mid-range set from a recognised brand often lands between €3,000 and €5,000. If you choose a range cooker or a built-in coffee machine, add another €1,000 to €3,000. The reality is that supply costs are the most controllable part of a fit-out, but only if you lock down the specification before signing the order.

Installation Labour: The Myth of the Flat Fitting Fee

Myth: A kitchen fitter charges a flat fee per unit, so installation costs are easy to predict from the showroom quote. Reality: Irish kitchen fitters typically charge either a day rate of €200 to €350 or a fixed project price based on the complexity of the job. A straightforward 12-unit kitchen in a standard rectangular room might take 5 to 10 days, putting installation labour at €1,500 to €3,500. But that assumes the room is square, the walls are plumb, and the floor is level.

The reality is that most Irish kitchens are not perfectly square, and the fitter's job includes making the cabinets fit the room, not just assembling them. If walls need to be packed out, floors levelled, or old tiling removed, installation time increases. A project with uneven walls, a chimney breast, or a non-standard ceiling height can easily stretch to 15 days, pushing labour to €4,500 or more.

Another myth is that installation labour includes the removal of the old kitchen. In most cases, disposal and skip hire are separate costs, typically €200 to €500 depending on the size of the old kitchen and whether you use a licensed waste carrier. Some fitters include removal in their quote, but it is not standard. Always ask for a written breakdown of what the fitting fee covers before you commit.

Plumbing: The Myth That Nothing Needs to Move

Myth: If you are replacing the kitchen in the same spot, the existing plumbing connections are fine and the plumber just reconnects the sink and dishwasher. Reality: Even a like-for-like replacement often requires plumbing work. Old isolation valves may be seized, pipework may be the wrong size for a new dishwasher, or the sink waste may not align with the new cabinet layout. A plumber in Ireland typically charges €50 to €80 per hour, and a standard kitchen reconnection job runs €300 to €600.

The cost rises significantly if you move the sink or add appliances. Relocating a sink by even a metre means extending both the hot and cold supply lines and the waste pipe, which can add €400 to €800 to the job. Adding a boiling water tap, an instant hot water dispenser, or an ice-maker fridge requires new supply points and sometimes a pressure-reducing valve, adding another €200 to €500.

The reality is that plumbing costs are often underestimated because homeowners assume the existing connections are reusable. A plumber will also check that your water pressure meets the requirements of new appliances, and if it does not, a pump or pressure vessel may be needed. Budget €500 to €1,500 for plumbing in a standard fit-out, and more if you are changing the layout or adding appliances.

• Reconnection of existing sink and dishwasher: €300 - €600
• Moving sink or waste pipe: €400 - €800 extra
• Adding boiling water tap or extra supply points: €200 - €500 extra
• Pressure issues requiring a pump or vessel: €500 - €1,000 extra

Electrics: The Myth of 'Just Plug It In'

Myth: A new kitchen only needs the same sockets and lights as the old one, and the electrician's job is a quick swap. Reality: Modern kitchens need more circuits than older ones. A typical Irish kitchen now has a dedicated circuit for the oven, another for the hob if it is electric or induction, a separate circuit for the dishwasher and washing machine, plus lighting circuits and socket circuits. A registered electrician charges €50 to €80 per hour, and a full kitchen rewire or new circuit installation typically costs €800 to €2,000.

The biggest cost driver is the number of new points you want. Each new socket, switch, or light point costs roughly €80 to €150 installed, including the cable and the fitting. Under-cabinet lighting, pendant lights over an island, and multiple socket outlets for small appliances all add up. If your consumer unit (fuse board) is old and does not have RCD protection, you may need to upgrade it, which adds €300 to €600.

The reality is that electrics are a legal and safety issue, not just a cosmetic one. In Ireland, any work on fixed wiring must be carried out by a registered electrical contractor who will issue a completion certificate. That certificate is essential for your home insurance and for any future sale of the property. Skimping on electrics to save money is both unsafe and potentially invalidating your insurance, so budget realistically from the start.

The Reality Check: Building a Total Budget

Myth: You can add 20% to the showroom quote and have a realistic total budget. Reality: The percentage markup approach fails because the variable costs - plumbing, electrics, and preparation - are not proportional to the supply cost. A budget kitchen with expensive plumbing moves and a full rewire can cost more than a premium kitchen in a room where services are already in the right place. The only reliable way to budget is to get itemised quotes from each trade.

A realistic total for a standard Irish kitchen fit-out, supply and installation included, breaks down roughly as: supply €8,000 to €20,000, installation €1,500 to €4,500, plumbing €500 to €1,500, and electrics €800 to €2,000. That puts a typical total between €10,800 and €28,000. Add plastering, tiling, and flooring if you are doing those as part of the project, and the total can climb to €20,000 to €40,000 for a full room renovation.

The reality is that the cheapest quote is not always the best value. A lower supply price often means thinner cabinet carcases or lower-grade hinges, and a lower installation quote may mean the fitter is not insured or does not guarantee their work. When you compare quotes, compare the specification, not just the bottom line. Ask each trade for a written breakdown, and make sure the scope of work - including waste removal and completion certificates - is stated clearly.

Hidden Costs That Are Not Hidden If You Ask

Myth: Once you have the four main quotes - supply, installation, plumbing, and electrics - you have the full picture. Reality: Several costs sit outside those four categories and are often discovered only when work begins. Plastering is one of the most common: removing old wall tiles or cabinets almost always damages the plaster behind them, and replastering a typical kitchen wall costs €300 to €800. Tiling and flooring are separate trades, and unless you are keeping the existing surfaces, budget €500 to €2,000 for materials and labour.

Building control and certification are another often-missed cost. In Ireland, electrical work requires a completion certificate, and certain structural changes - like removing a load-bearing wall or altering the position of a sink - may require a building notice or planning permission. A registered architect or engineer can advise, and their fee for a kitchen project is typically €500 to €1,500 if structural changes are involved. If you are in an apartment or a managed development, you may also need management company approval, which can carry a fee.

The reality is that most of these 'hidden' costs are predictable if you ask the right questions before work starts. Get the plasterer, tiler, and flooring contractor to quote alongside the kitchen fitter, even if you plan to do those jobs later. A contingency of 10% to 15% of the total project cost is still a sensible buffer, but it should cover genuine surprises - not costs that were foreseeable from the start.