Professional Kitchen Fitting Prices Ireland: What Fitters Charge in 2025

How Irish Kitchen Fitters Price Their Work

Professional kitchen fitters in Ireland generally charge in one of three ways: a fixed price for the whole installation, a daily rate, or a price per unit. Fixed quotes are the most common for complete kitchen installations because they give the homeowner certainty. Daily rates typically range from €250 to €400 per day, while per-unit pricing usually lands between €60 and €120 per unit, depending on the complexity of the cabinet and the finish.

The rate you are quoted depends heavily on where you live. Fitters in Dublin and the greater Leinster area tend to charge at the upper end of these ranges, while fitters in rural Munster or Connacht may quote lower daily rates. However, travel time is often added to the bill, so a cheaper daily rate from a distant fitter can end up costing more than a local professional charging a higher rate per day.

Most established fitters quote a fixed price after visiting your home and taking measurements. A quote given over the phone without a site visit should be treated with caution, as it will likely change once the fitter sees the room, the condition of the walls and floor, and the access to the property. Always ask for a written itemised quote before any work begins.

• Fixed price for the whole job – most common, gives certainty
• Daily rate – €250 to €400 per day typical in Ireland
• Per-unit rate – €60 to €120 per cabinet or appliance
• Hourly rate – less common, usually €40 to €60 per hour for smaller jobs

Average Total Costs for a Professional Installation

For a typical mid-range kitchen of 10 to 15 units, professional fitting in Ireland usually costs between €2,500 and €5,000. This figure covers the labour only and assumes a straightforward installation in a room that is already prepared. A smaller kitchen of six to eight units might cost €1,500 to €2,500, while a large bespoke kitchen with 20 or more units, integrated appliances, and complex lighting can easily exceed €7,000 in labour alone.

The national average for professional kitchen fitting in Ireland sits around €3,500 for a standard 12-unit kitchen. This aligns with the typical daily rate when you consider that a complete installation takes between eight and twelve working days. That timeframe includes removing the old kitchen, preparing the room, fitting the base and wall units, installing worktops, connecting appliances, and finishing with trims and adjustments.

These figures do not include the cost of the kitchen units themselves, worktops, appliances, or plumbing and electrical work that requires a registered tradesperson. A professional fitter will install what is supplied, but they will not usually move plumbing or wiring without extra charges. If your project requires moving a sink or adding new sockets, budget an additional €500 to €1,500 for a plumber and electrician.

What Drives the Price Up or Down

The single biggest factor in fitting cost is the condition of the room before work starts. A fitter who has to remove an old kitchen, strip wallpaper, level uneven floors, or replaster walls will charge more. Old Irish houses often have walls that are not square and floors that are not level, and a professional will need to spend time shimming cabinets and scribing worktops to make everything fit properly.

The type of worktop has a major effect on the labour cost. Laminate worktops are relatively quick to cut and join, but quartz, granite, and solid surface materials are heavy, require specialist cutting, and often need two or more people to handle them. Fitters may charge an extra €300 to €800 for installing stone worktops, and some will insist on subcontracting that part to a specialist fabricator.

Access to the property and the layout of the kitchen also matter. A ground-floor kitchen with wide doorways and street parking is straightforward. A kitchen on the third floor of a building with a narrow staircase, no lift, and limited parking will add time and therefore cost. Similarly, a galley kitchen with awkward corners and tight spaces takes longer to fit than an open-plan room of the same size.

Regional Differences Across Ireland

Prices vary noticeably across the country. Dublin and the commuter belt have the highest rates, with daily rates of €300 to €400 common. Cork, Galway, and Limerick sit slightly lower at €280 to €350 per day. In smaller towns and rural areas, you may find fitters charging €220 to €300 per day, but there are fewer of them and they are often booked up weeks in advance.

Travel and accommodation costs can erase the savings from hiring a cheaper rural fitter. A fitter travelling from 100 kilometres away will typically charge for the travel time, and if the job takes more than a week they may add accommodation costs. Getting three quotes from fitters within 30 kilometres of your home is usually the best way to balance price and reliability.

VAT is another factor that catches some homeowners out. Professional fitters who are registered for VAT will add 13.5% to their labour costs, which is the reduced rate for construction services in Ireland. Some smaller operators are not VAT-registered and will not charge it, but you should confirm this when comparing quotes. A quote that does not mention VAT will usually be subject to it at invoicing time.

How to Get Accurate Quotes and Avoid Surprises

Get at least three written quotes from different fitters before committing. Each quote should itemise the labour, any materials the fitter will supply (such as screws, sealant, and adhesive), VAT, and a timeline. A vague quote that simply says 'kitchen installation – €3,500' leaves too much room for extras later. Ask each fitter what is included and what is not, and get the answers in writing.

Before the fitter quotes, have your kitchen design finalised and know exactly which appliances you are buying. Fitters price more accurately when they know the exact dimensions of the oven, the type of hob, and whether the dishwasher is fully integrated or has a visible door panel. Changes to the design after the quote is accepted will almost always result in a higher final bill.

Ask about what happens if problems are discovered during installation, such as a wall that is not plumb or a floor that is out of level. A professional will flag these issues before starting and give you a price for addressing them. If they discover them mid-job and present you with a surprise bill, you have no obligation to pay without prior agreement, but the work still needs to be done. Clear communication at the quoting stage prevents most of these disputes.

• Get three written, itemised quotes
• Confirm whether VAT is included
• Ask what materials the fitter supplies
• Agree on a price for unexpected issues before work starts
• Check the fitter's insurance and references

What a Professional Quote Typically Includes

A comprehensive professional quote should include removal and disposal of your old kitchen, preparation of the room, fitting of all base and wall units, installation of worktops, connection of appliances, and final adjustments to doors and drawers. It should also cover the fitter's own materials such as screws, fixings, silicone, and sealant. Some fitters include a warranty on their workmanship, typically six to twelve months.

Plumbing, electrical work, and gas connections are almost always excluded from a kitchen fitter's quote. These require registered tradespeople who can certify their work for building regulations. Tiling, plastering, and flooring are also separate trades. If your project needs any of these, budget for them separately and coordinate the scheduling so that the kitchen fitter arrives after the walls and floor are ready.

A professional quote will also state a start date and an estimated completion date. While delays can happen due to supply issues or unforeseen problems, a fitter who cannot give you a timeline is a warning sign. Ask how many other jobs they are running at the same time, because a fitter who is juggling three kitchens may take much longer to finish yours than the quoted timeframe suggests.