Does Sponge Kitchen charge extra for removing my old kitchen?

Usually yes. Removal, disposal, and any plaster repair work are typically quoted as separate service lines, not included in the cabinetry and worktop price. Always ask for these to be itemised so you can compare against independent tradesperson quotes.

What is the cheapest worktop option at Sponge Kitchen?

Laminate is the lowest-cost worktop material. Within that tier, a straight run with few cut-outs and standard edge profiling is the least expensive configuration. Any corner joints, upstands, or under-mounted sinks add fabrication charges.

Are soft-close hinges standard or an extra?

Soft-close hinges and drawer runners are generally included as the standard specification. Upgrades beyond that, such as full-extension heavy-duty runners or internal organiser systems, are charged as additional fittings.

How much of the total quote is cabinetry versus worktops?

As a rough guide, cabinetry accounts for roughly 40 to 50 percent of a typical Sponge Kitchen quotation, with worktops making up the second largest share. Appliances and installation services make up the remainder, though the exact split depends entirely on your specification.

Sponge Kitchen Cost Factors: A Stage-by-Stage Walkthrough

Stage 1: Why Sponge Kitchen Quotes Vary So Widely

Before any design work begins, it helps to understand that Sponge Kitchen does not publish a single price list. They operate on a made-to-measure model, which means your quote is assembled from several independent variables. This is why two kitchens of the same floor area can end up with very different final figures.

The three largest levers are cabinet construction, worktop material, and appliance specification. Each of these has its own price band, and each one interacts with the others. A large kitchen with entry-level laminate worktops, for example, may cost less than a compact kitchen with quartz surfaces and integrated premium appliances.

Working through the cost factors in the same order that Sponge Kitchen uses to build a quote will help you see where your money goes and where you have options to adjust the total.

A person sketching kitchen cabinet layouts on paper with a pencil

Stage 2: Cabinetry and Configuration Secrets

Cabinets typically make up 40 to 50 percent of a Sponge Kitchen quotation. The base price covers a standard range of flat-fronted doors in a small selection of finishes, with a set number of cabinets and drawers. Every restriction beyond that adds cost.

The configuration is the first hidden lever. A run of identical floor units is cheaper per metre than a layout with corner carousels, pull-out larders, or tall larder units. Each special unit replaces a standard box with a more complex mechanism bound by its own hardware and assembly time. Wall units above standard height, glass-fronted doors, and open shelving all break from the baseline.

Handle choices are a smaller but real factor. Integrated handles or push-to-open mechanisms add per-door charges that accumulate quickly across a full kitchen. If you want the sleek handleless look, budget for it line by line rather than as a single upgrade.

Standard flat doors are the price baseline; every finish change adds a fixed uplift per door.
Specialist units such as corner pull-outs and tall larders carry a premium over standard boxes.
Handleless doors with push-to-open hardware add a recurring per-door cost.
Adding crown moulding, plinth lighting, or lighting inside glass cabinets each has an individual line item.

Stage 3: Worktop Material Tiers and Their Effect

Worktops are the second biggest single line in most quotes, and they behave predictably: the material choice sets the price per square metre, and the layout determines how many square metres you need. Laminate is the entry tier, followed by solid wood, then engineered stone, and finally natural stone slabs.

The less obvious cost factor is the seam and cut complexity. A straight run with a single sink cut-out is the cheapest scenario. An L-shaped layout requires a corner joint, an island with a breakfast bar overhang needs a wider slab, and an upstand behind the hob adds both material and fabrication time. Every cut, joint, and edge profile is a separate charge.

Another hidden cost is the sink and tap integration. An under-mounted sink requires precise cutting and sealing that drop-in sinks do not. A boiling-water tap or a waste disposal unit changes the hole pattern and sometimes the thickness of the slab. These integration charges are usually quoted as extras, not included in the base material price.

Worktop Material	Relative Price Level	Main Cost Drivers
Laminate	Low	Seam type, edge profiling, cut-outs
Solid wood	Medium	Timber species, board thickness, finishing oil
Quartz engineered stone	Medium-High	Slab size, edge detail, sink integration
Natural granite or marble	High	Slab selection, transport, seam matching

Stage 4: Appliances, Fittings, and the Surcharge Trap

Sponge Kitchen offers appliance packages, but each brand and model is priced separately. The same physical space can hold a basic induction hob and integrated oven or a steam combi-oven and a full-size refrigerator column. The difference between the two appliance sets often exceeds the difference between entry and mid-range worktops.

Behind the visible appliances sit fittings that rarely appear in the headline price. Soft-close hinges and drawer runners are standard, but upgraded full-extension runners, internal organiser systems, and cutlery inserts each attract a supplementary charge. A pull-out recycling bin, a corner storage solution, and a plinth drawer all fall into this category.

Finally, check what the quotation includes for delivery, installation, and disposal. Sponge Kitchen's fitting team may charge separately for removing the old kitchen, connecting appliances, or making good plasterwork. These service lines can add 10 to 15 percent to the subtotal, so ask for them itemised before comparing quotes with another supplier.

Stage 5: Finalise the Specification and Get the Itemised Quote

By the end of the design process, you will have a full specification sheet listing every cabinet, drawer, worktop, appliance, and fitting. This is the point where you should request the itemised quotation, not just the total. A line-by-line breakdown lets you see the cost of each modification and decide which one to cut if the total exceeds your budget.

When you receive the itemised quote, check that every element from the specification appears exactly once. Duplicate lines and last-minute substitutions are common sources of quote creep. Compare the appliance list against the model numbers you chose, and confirm the worktop area matches the plan dimensions, accounting for waste and overhangs.

Only then move to payment terms and scheduling. Sponge Kitchen typically requires a deposit on order, with the balance due before installation. Ask about the cancellation policy and any variation charges for changes made after sign-off, as these can add a fixed fee per change request.