What is the average kitchen fit-out cost per square metre in Ireland?

Most contractors quote between €350 and €700 per square metre for a full kitchen fit-out, with Dublin at the higher end and rural areas at the lower end. The rate covers labour and installation materials, but not usually the cabinets themselves.

Does the per-square-metre rate include kitchen units and appliances?

Usually not. The fit-out rate covers the work to install the kitchen, including prep, labour and installation materials. Units and appliances are quoted separately by the kitchen supplier and can cost €8,000 to €25,000 for a typical Irish kitchen.

Why do contractor quotes for the same kitchen vary so much?

Quotes vary because of differences in what is included, the quality of materials, the condition of the room, and regional labour rates. Always compare itemised breakdowns rather than just the per-square-metre figure.

How can I reduce the kitchen fit-out cost per square metre?

Keep the existing layout and services, do your own strip-out and waste removal, choose standard-sized units and laminate worktops, and get at least three itemised quotes. A well-prepared room saves the contractor time and lowers the rate.

Kitchen Fit-Out Cost per Square Metre in Ireland: What Contractors Charge

What the Per-Square-Metre Rate Really Covers

When an Irish contractor quotes a kitchen fit-out cost per square metre, they are usually pricing the labour and materials to strip out the old kitchen, prepare the room, and install the new units, worktops, appliances and finishes. The rate rarely includes the cabinetry itself, which is quoted separately by the supplier. A typical fit-out rate in Ireland falls between €350 and €700 per square metre, depending on the specification and the condition of the room.

The lower end of that range covers a straightforward installation: standard units, laminate worktops, basic tiling and a like-for-like layout. The upper end reflects bespoke joinery, stone worktops, underfloor heating, upgraded electrics and a full plaster and paint finish. Contractors price per square metre because it spreads the fixed costs of labour, site prep and materials across the floor area, giving both sides a rough baseline before the detailed quote is drawn up.

It is important to ask what the per-square-metre figure includes. Some contractors quote a bare installation rate and add extras like waste removal, plastering, tiling and electrical work as separate line items. Others bundle everything into one rate. The difference can be €150 per square metre or more, so a low headline figure does not always mean a cheaper job.

A contractor measuring a kitchen floor with a laser measure

Comparing Contractor Rates Across Ireland

Rates vary noticeably by region. In Dublin and the greater Leinster area, contractors commonly quote €450 to €700 per square metre for a full fit-out. In Cork, Limerick and Galway, the range is closer to €400 to €600. Rural areas in the west and northwest often sit at the lower end, from €350 to €500, partly because labour rates are lower and there is less pressure on tradespeople's schedules.

The difference is not just about geography. A Dublin contractor may charge more because of higher overheads, insurance and travel costs, but they may also include project management and a warranty that a cheaper rural operator does not offer. When comparing quotes, look at the breakdown of labour hours, materials and profit rather than the per-square-metre number alone. Two contractors can quote the same rate and deliver very different quality.

For a typical Irish kitchen of 12 to 16 square metres, the fit-out cost lands between €4,800 and €11,200 using those rates. That is the labour and installation side only; the cabinets and appliances add another €8,000 to €25,000 depending on the supplier and specification. Knowing the split helps you compare like with like when talking to contractors.

A kitchen under renovation with units being installed

How Specification Drives the Per-Square-Metre Price

The single biggest factor in the per-square-metre rate is the specification of the finish. A standard fit-out with high-street units, laminate worktops and ceramic tiles might cost €350 to €450 per square metre. Move to a semi-bespoke kitchen with quartz worktops, a breakfast bar and integrated appliances, and the rate climbs to €500 to €650. Fully bespoke joinery, solid stone, designer fixtures and complex lighting push it to €700 or more.

The condition of the room matters just as much. If the old kitchen is being removed, the walls need replastering, the floor is uneven or the electrics are outdated, the contractor has to spend more time on prep. That extra work is often charged as a supplement to the per-square-metre rate, sometimes adding 10 to 20 per cent. Getting the room to a 'shell' state before the fit-out begins can keep the rate lower, but only if you can manage the strip-out and disposal yourself.

Layout changes also add cost. Moving a sink or cooker requires new plumbing and electrics, which increases the labour time and the per-square-metre rate. Keeping the existing services in place is the cheapest option. If you are planning a major reconfiguration, expect the contractor to quote a higher rate to cover the extra trades and coordination.

Labour vs Materials: Where the Money Goes

In a typical fit-out, labour accounts for roughly 40 to 50 per cent of the per-square-metre rate, and materials the rest. That split shifts depending on the finish. A high-end stone worktop or a bespoke island can push the materials share well above 60 per cent, while a basic fit-out is more labour-heavy because the same hours are spread over cheaper materials.

The labour component covers a range of trades: carpenter, electrician, plumber, tiler and often a plasterer. A contractor may use their own team or subcontract some of the work. When the rate is quoted per square metre, it is worth asking which trades are included. Some contractors quote a 'dry fit' that excludes tiling and plastering, leaving you to arrange those separately. That can be cheaper in cash terms but adds coordination on your side.

Materials in the fit-out rate typically include fixings, adhesives, sealants, plasterboard, paint and sundries, but not the kitchen units themselves. Worktops are sometimes included and sometimes not. Clarify this before signing, because a stone worktop can add €2,000 to €5,000 to a typical kitchen, and that cost is often quoted separately even when the per-square-metre rate appears competitive.

Getting Accurate Quotes and Avoiding Surprises

To get a reliable per-square-metre quote, measure the floor area of the kitchen yourself and send the dimensions to three or four contractors. Ask each for a written breakdown that states the per-square-metre rate, what it includes, and what extras are not covered. A vague quote that just says '€500 per sqm' is a red flag. A detailed one that lists prep, installation, finishes and waste removal is far easier to compare.

Beware of quotes that seem too low. A rate below €350 per square metre in Dublin or €300 elsewhere may mean the contractor is cutting corners on prep, using cheap materials or planning to charge extras later. The lowest quote is rarely the best value once you factor in the cost of fixing poor workmanship. Check the contractor's insurance, ask for references and visit a recent project if you can.

Finally, add a contingency of 10 to 15 per cent to the fit-out budget. Hidden issues like damp walls, outdated wiring or an uneven floor are common in Irish homes, and they are almost always discovered after the old kitchen is removed. A contingency turns a stressful surprise into a manageable cost, and it lets you choose a contractor who is thorough rather than one who is simply cheap.