Kitchen Renovation and Refurbishment in Ireland
A kitchen renovation in Ireland is one of the most disruptive and rewarding jobs you can take on in a home. It usually means stripping out old units, worktops, tiling and sometimes plumbing and wiring, then rebuilding the room around how you actually cook, store and gather. The work can be as simple as replacing cabinet doors and worktops, or as involved as moving a sink, adding an island, reconfiguring a wall and upgrading lighting and sockets. Because kitchens combine several trades — joinery, plumbing, electrical, tiling, plastering and sometimes gas — most homeowners ask a lead contractor to coordinate the whole job and give one price after seeing the room. That visit matters: the tradesperson can measure, check wall straightness, look at the existing services, and spot the awkward details that change the cost. The customer describes what they need, including budget range, style, appliances and whether the room must stay usable during the work. Posting a task on ShamFix costs nothing today. Your task stays open for 30 days. Providers registered in this category can see it. You can browse provider profiles by county and contact them directly to arrange a visit.
What shapes the price of kitchen renovation
- Kitchen renovation prices in Ireland move with a handful of practical factors, and a written quote after a site visit is the only reliable way to know your figure.
- Volume is the first: a small galley kitchen uses far fewer units, metres of worktop and tiles than an open-plan room with an island and a pantry run.
- Access matters too.
- A ground-floor kitchen with a wide side entrance is easier to work in than a first-floor flat with a narrow stairs and no parking, and that affects labour and waste removal.
- Condition of the existing room is another big one.
- If the walls are out of plumb, the floor is uneven, or old pipework and wiring need rerouting, the preparation time grows.
- Materials are the most visible variable: standard carcasses and laminate worktops sit at one end, while solid timber, quartz or granite worktops, custom joinery and high-end appliances sit at the other.
- Extras such as new sockets, underfloor heating, a boiling-water tap, splashback tiling, plastering and painting all add to the total.
- Ask for the quote to separate labour, materials, waste disposal and VAT so you can compare like with like.
How long kitchen renovation takes
A kitchen renovation in Ireland typically takes between two and six weeks on site, depending on scope. A straight swap of units and worktops in a standard room can be finished in about one to two weeks once materials arrive. A full strip-out with new plumbing, wiring, plastering, tiling and flooring usually runs three to five weeks, and a large open-plan project with structural changes or custom joinery can take six weeks or more. The bigger variable is often the lead time on materials: made-to-order kitchens, quartz worktops and some appliances can take several weeks to arrive after the final measurement. That means the realistic start date is usually set by when the tradesperson is free and when your chosen kitchen is ready to install, not by the day you accept the quote. Ask for a written schedule that separates delivery, first fix, plastering, second fix, tiling and snagging, and agree how delays will be communicated.
What to ask before you hire
- 01Before you commit to a kitchen renovation, ask each tradesperson for a written quote that lists what is included and what is not.
- 02A clear quote should name the units, worktops, appliances and finishes, state whether VAT is included, and show how long the price holds.
- 03Ask about insurance: a reputable contractor should carry public liability and, where they employ people, employer liability cover, and you can request a copy of the certificate.
- 04Ask whether they are VAT-registered and how VAT will appear on the invoice.
- 05Ask who is responsible for waste removal and skip hire, and who tidies up at the end of each day.
- 06Ask which professional body they are a member of, and whether they can share recent kitchen projects they have completed.
- 07Ask how changes are priced if you alter the design mid-job, and how payments are staged.
- 08Finally, ask for a start date and a realistic finish date in writing, and confirm who coordinates other trades such as plumbing and electrical work.
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Renovating a kitchen in Ireland
The kitchen is the busiest room in most Irish homes, and renovations range from a refresh of doors and worktops to a full rebuild with an extension. Older semi-detached houses in Dublin and Cork often have small galley kitchens that owners open into the dining room, while rural homes may add a utility room or larger island. New electrical circuits must be installed by a registered electrical contractor, and any gas hob or cooker by a Registered Gas Installer. The cost of a new kitchen depends on size, units, appliances and building work, so it pays to compare. Post a task and compare quotes free.
Popular kitchen renovation jobs
- Full kitchen design and fitting
- Kitchen door and cabinet refurbishment
- Worktop replacement
- Kitchen island installation
- Knocking through to a dining area
- Splashback and wall tiling
- Kitchen flooring
- Appliance installation
- Kitchen lighting and sockets
- Utility room fit-out
Kitchen renovation: common questions
How much does a new kitchen cost in Ireland?
Cost depends on the size of the room, units, worktops, appliances and any building or electrical work. Post your task with measurements and photos to compare quotes.
Is refurbishing cheaper than a new kitchen?
Replacing doors, handles and worktops while keeping sound carcasses usually costs less than a full new kitchen. A fitter can tell you if your units are worth keeping.
Do I need planning permission for a kitchen renovation?
Internal changes usually do not need planning permission, but an extension or changes to a protected structure may. Check with your local authority if unsure.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
A straightforward fit can take a week or two once units arrive, while projects with building work take longer. Lead times for units vary.
Who can install a gas hob or new sockets?
Gas work must be done by a Registered Gas Installer, and new electrical circuits by a registered electrical contractor who can certify the work.
Kitchen renovation questions people ask
How long does a kitchen renovation take in Ireland?
Most kitchen renovations take two to six weeks on site. A simple unit and worktop replacement can be done in one to two weeks, while a full refit with plumbing, wiring, plastering and tiling usually takes three to five weeks. Large open-plan projects with structural changes can run six weeks or longer, and material lead times often push the start date back.
Do I need to move out during a kitchen renovation?
You do not usually need to move out, but you will need a temporary cooking and washing arrangement. Most homeowners set up a microwave, kettle and fridge in another room and wash dishes in a bathroom or utility sink. If the water or power must be off for long periods, plan for a few difficult days, especially during first fix and plastering.
What is included in a kitchen renovation quote?
A good quote separates labour, materials, waste disposal and VAT. It should list the units, worktops, appliances, tiling, flooring, painting and any plumbing or electrical work. Check whether skip hire, plastering and making good are included, and ask for exclusions in writing. If something is not listed, assume it is extra and confirm the price before work starts.
Can I keep my existing appliances in a new kitchen?
Yes, many homeowners reuse ovens, hobs, dishwashers and fridges if they are in good condition and the new layout allows for them. Tell the tradesperson the exact models and dimensions at the quoting stage, because older appliances may not fit standard cabinet sizes or may need different ventilation. Reusing appliances can reduce material costs but may limit design choices.
How much deposit should I pay for a kitchen renovation?
Deposits vary, but a common arrangement is a modest deposit to secure the booking, followed by staged payments as the work progresses. Avoid paying the full amount upfront. Agree a written payment schedule tied to milestones such as delivery, first fix, second fix and completion, and keep a small retention until snagging is finished to your satisfaction.
Do I need planning permission for a kitchen renovation?
Most kitchen renovations do not need planning permission because they are internal works. You may need permission if you are extending the room, moving external walls or windows, or changing the use of the building. If your home is a protected structure, internal changes can also require consent. Ask the tradesperson whether they think a planning or building regulation query is needed.
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