We know from experience that starting a kitchen refurbishment can feel overwhelming. Your current kitchen might be functionally failing: perhaps the laminate is peeling, the drawers are sticking, or the appliances are on their last legs. You know you need a change, but the path forward is blocked by one huge, stressful question: how much is this all going to cost?

You’re not alone in this. The fear of a spiralling budget and hidden extras is one of the biggest anxieties homeowners in Cranleigh and the surrounding areas face. Many companies are reluctant to talk about price upfront, leaving you to guess.

We believe in a different approach. Our entire business is built on transparency and challenging the negative stereotypes of our trade.

To help you plan with confidence, we’re addressing that question head-on. Here are the key takeaways from our honest budget guide.

Key Takeaways

• Key Cost Factors: The biggest drivers that increase your budget are moving services (sinks, appliances), structural changes (removing walls), choice of appliances (ie. a new induction hob may need a new heavy duty electrical supply run to it) and your choice of premium materials* (like Quartz or Granite worktops).
• *’Premium materials’ will affect your quote from your kitchen supplier, not your quote from us.
• The “Lower Quote” Risk: A significantly cheaper quote often comes from a ‘one-man band’ who lacks the backup of a professional team. This creates a “single point of failure”: if your fitter falls ill, your project stops. Furthermore, without dedicated project management, there is a higher risk of corners being cut on the critical “unseen” work to save time, potentially leading to leaks or costly repairs down the line.
• Our Model (The Middle Way): We offer a comprehensive installation service. This gives you the freedom to buy your kitchen from any supplier you love, while we provide the fully managed, professional, and guaranteed installation your investment deserves, giving you peace of mind.

The Big 5: What Really Drives Your Kitchen Budget?

When comparing quotes, you’ll quickly notice they can vary wildly. This isn’t just about company markup; it’s about the scope of work and the business model you’re buying into. Here are the five key factors that determine the cost.

1. What Drives the Price UP?

A higher quote almost always reflects a more complex project. The main factors that will increase your installation cost are:

• Moving Services: If you want to move your sink, dishwasher, or oven to a new location, this can require significant new plumbing and certified electrical work.
• Structural Changes: Removing a wall to create an open-plan kitchen/diner involves structural engineers, steel beams (RSJs), and extensive plastering, which can add considerable cost.
• Premium Materials: The materials you choose have a huge impact. Specialist worktops like Quartz or Granite require specialist templating and fitting, which costs more than installing a standard laminate worktop. At Thomson Properties, we don’t fit stone worktops ourselves as this is considered a specialist trade which most kitchen fitters don’t do. Specialist stone work top fitters come in to do this.
• Room Size: A larger kitchen with more units, extensive tiling, and more flooring simply requires more labour hours and materials to complete.

2. What Drives the Price DOWN?

You can actively manage your budget by making a few key decisions during the planning phase. From our experience, here are the most effective ways to control costs without compromising on quality:

• Keep the Existing Layout: By far the biggest saving comes from keeping your sink, dishwasher, and cooker in their current locations. This minimises the need for expensive plumbing and electrical rerouting behind the scenes.
• Smart Wall Finishes: Consider plastering and painting wall areas rather than tiling the room from floor to ceiling. Plastering is generally quicker than tiling, which reduces the skilled labour time required for your project. Plaster is also a much cheaper material than tiles.
• Tile Size Matters: The type of tile you select impacts the installation speed. Perhaps surprisingly, larger format tiles are often quicker and cheaper for us to lay than standard or small tiles because they cover the surface area faster – we call a 300 x 300 tile a “standard sized” tile for a kitchen wall and a 600 x 300 for a kitchen floor and we find this size is the quickest to tile with. If your tiles are considerably bigger, or considerably smaller, then this will increase the time taken to lay them.
• Simplify the Layout: Intricate patterns like “herringbone” look fantastic, but they are complex and time-consuming to install perfectly. Sticking to a standard tile layout is simpler and much more cost-effective.
• Choosing Standard Materials: Opting for a high-quality laminate worktop instead of stone can save significant amounts on both the supply cost and the specialist installation fees often required for granite or quartz.

Where We Fit In: Because we operate on a comprehensive installation service model, we believe in total transparency regarding where your money goes. Our estimates cover all skilled labour and standard installation materials.

This means you have the freedom to make these strategic choices.

If you choose options that are quicker for our team to install, like larger tiles or a standard layout, we can reflect that efficiency in our planning.

We are always happy to discuss these trade-offs honestly during the estimation process, helping you balance your dream design with a realistic budget.

3. Why Are Some Companies So Expensive?

If you get a quote that seems astronomical, you are likely dealing with a high-end, full-service design firm. These companies sell a completely different, all-in-one product. Their service typically includes in-house designers, a high-end showroom, bespoke handmade furniture, and the complete supply of all products and materials. You are paying a significant premium for a fully curated, luxury design experience.

4. Why Are Some Companies So Cheap? (And What Are the Risks?)

The main advantage of a very low quote is obviously the price itself. A sole trader typically has far lower overheads than a larger company. Furthermore, smaller traders often fall below the VAT threshold.

This means you can effectively save 20% on the labour cost instantly compared to a VAT-registered company.

We know from experience that this is a significant saving. However, it is important to understand the trade-offs involved in this model. These are the risks you, as the homeowner, have to absorb

• No Backup: A “one-man band.” creates a single point of failure. If they fall ill, have a family emergency, or get delayed on a previous job, your project grinds to a halt because there is no team to step in and cover for them.
• No Project Management: You essentially become the project manager. It falls to you to find, vet, and coordinate the separate tradespeople required, such as the plasterer, electrician, and gas engineer.
• No Office Support: There is no administrative backup. If you have a query about an invoice or a schedule change, you have to try to reach the fitter on their mobile while they are working under a sink or driving. Unlike a professional company with a manned office, there is no dedicated team to answer the phone and resolve administrative issues immediately.

5. Where Thomson Properties Fits In (Our Pricing Explained)

We’ve built our company to fill the gap between the high-risk “one-man band” and the inflexible, high-cost design firm.

We know we aren’t the least expensive option, which, to be perfectly honest, is something we love being upfront about. Instead, we offer the best possible value by providing a professional, fully managed, and guaranteed comprehensive installation service.

Our estimates are for the complete installation. This gives you the freedom to buy your kitchen units, worktops, and appliances from any supplier you choose (like Howdens, Wren, or a local independent), knowing the installation is handled by a dedicated, professional team.

A typical project for us usually costs between £6,500 and £9,500 (plus VAT).

This price isn’t just for the fitting; it’s an investment in a stress-free process and total peace of mind. This is what it includes:

• A Tried and Tested Reputation: You don’t have to rely on blind faith. We have been trading since 2005 and have built a consistent track record of excellence. With hundreds of 5-star reviews across Google, Houzz, and Checkatrade, you are hiring a team that is already trusted by homeowners in Cranleigh and the surrounding villages.
• A Professional, Vetted Team: We hire for “character first, skill second.” Our fitters are all DBS-checked, courteous, and respectful professionals you can trust in your home.
• Team-Based Reliability: We are not a single point of failure. If your fitter is unwell, we have a team of other skilled craftsmen to keep your project moving.
• Full Project Management: You don’t have to manage anything. Our multi-skilled team handles the plumbing, electrics, plastering, and tiling. A dedicated Project Manager (Liam or Mark) and our office team (Victoria and Shannon) manage the entire process.
• A 3-Year Labour Guarantee: We stand by our “seen and unseen” quality. Our work is backed by a robust three-year labour guarantee, all detailed in your Charter Document.

We recently worked with a client, Mr. Mills in Bramley, who was apprehensive about renovating the dated kitchen in a house they had just purchased. They’d never undertaken a renovation before and had heard all the nightmare stories.

They told us that our calm, clear process was reassuring. Our fitter, Nick, installed their Howdens kitchen, and they described his work as “considered, neat, and skilled”. The project was completed “on schedule and on budget”. They were so pleased with their beautiful new kitchen that they told us, “when funds allow, they’ll be calling us about their 30-year-old bathrooms.” That, for us, is the perfect outcome.

6. A Quick Note: Why Have Costs Risen in 2026?

You’re not imagining it: the cost of all building work has risen. We know from experience that factors like material supply, fuel, and insurance costs have all increased over the last few years. This means a quote in 2026 will likely be higher than one from 2022, but a professional company will always be transparent about this.

Comparing Your Options: A Simple Breakdown

Example Budgets: What to Expect in Cranleigh (2026)

To help you build a realistic picture, here are three typical budget scenarios for a medium-sized kitchen in the Cranleigh area.

These are estimates, of course. The final cost will depend on your specific choices, but they provide a clear financial framework.

Tier 1: The Mid-Range Refurbishment

• Scope: Keeping existing layout, laminate worktops.
• Our installation, including plumbing / electrics, standard installation materials and rubbish removal: ~£5,000 – £8,000 + VAT
• Your Materials: ~£8,000 – £15,000
• Total Estimated Budget: £13,000 – £23,000

Tier 2: The Premium Refurbishment

• Scope: Moving appliances/sink, Quartz worktops.
• Our installation, including plumbing / electrics, standard installation materials and rubbish removal: ~£7,000 – £12,000 + VAT
• Your Materials: ~£15,000 – £30,000
• Total Estimated Budget: £22,000 – £42,000

Tier 3: The High-End Refurbishment

• Scope: Significant layout changes, removing walls, Granite worktops.
• Our installation, including plumbing / electrics, standard installation materials and rubbish removal: ~£9,000 – £15,000 + VAT
• Your Materials: ~£25,000+
• Total Estimated Budget: £34,000+

Answering Your Other Pressing Cost Questions

What about unforeseen costs?

We very much believe that customers don’t like surprises. If we rip out your old kitchen and find a problem (like a rotten floor from an old leak), our process is simple and transparent, as we explain in our Charter Document.

For significant remedial works (which we class as over £200 + VAT), we stop. We will inform you immediately, explain the problem, and provide a clear, written cost to fix it. We only proceed after receiving your written consent.

For minor issues (under £200 + VAT), if you are unreachable, we may proceed with the work to avoid holding up the entire project, and will inform you at the earliest opportunity. You are always in control of the budget.

What’s included in your “standard installation materials”?

Our comprehensive installation estimates include all the high-quality sundries needed to do the job right. This typically includes tile adhesive, grout, and trim; all waste fittings, traps, and pipework; copper pipes; plaster and plasterboard; all necessary screws, timber, and sundries; and waterproofing kits. This means you don’t have to worry about these items; you only focus on the main “big ticket” items like your units, worktops, and appliances.

How do you handle payments?

We believe the payment schedule should be fair and based on trust. Unlike many firms, we do not ask for 50% of the project cost upfront.

We ask for a £750 booking deposit to secure your slot in our schedule, and the remaining balance is paid in weekly interim payments for the completed stages of work.

This way, you are only paying for work that has already been done, keeping you in control and ensuring the process is fair from start to finish.

How to Decide If This Approach is Right for You

You can always find someone to do a job for less. But we’ve built our business on the belief that a kitchen renovation is about more than just the final price: it’s about the value of peace of mind and a truly stress-free process.

It’s about knowing the “unseen” work behind your units is as flawless as the finish you can see. It’s about knowing your team will show up on time, be respectful, and leave your home spotless every single day. And it’s about knowing that if you have an issue three years from now, we will answer the phone and honour our guarantee.

I suppose it comes down to what you value most. If you want the freedom to choose your own kitchen but also want the certainty of a guaranteed, stress-free process with a team you can implicitly trust, then we are likely the perfect fit for you.

Ready to Start Planning?

If you’re in Cranleigh or the surrounding areas in Surrey and West Sussex, we’d love to help you make your dream kitchen a reality.

Call us to book a free, no-obligation quotation. We’re here for a friendly chat to discuss your vision and provide you with a clear, transparent estimate for your project.

• Phone: 01483 272440 / 01403 752857
• Email: [email protected]