You can come into problems if your home doesn’t hold its purchase value over time – and it can put you at risk of negative equity. This usually happens when property prices fall, and first-time buyers are most likely to be impacted.

But when does being in negative equity become a problem and can it prevent you from remortgaging? Here we look at negative equity in closer detail, including how to avoid it where possible.

What does negative equity mean?

Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles

Put in simple terms it means your home is worth less than your mortgage. In other words, if you sold it, you’d still owe money to your lender.

Karen Noye, mortgage expert at advice and wealth management company Quilter, says: ‘In a nutshell, negative equity is when the property you purchased ends up being worth less than the mortgage you took out on it.’

If you have equity in your home, that’s the percentage you own. If you have zero equity, you don’t own any of it. Negative equity means you owe more for the property than it’s worth.

For example:

• If you bought a home worth £200,000 with a £10,000 deposit, the mortgage is worth £190,000. Your equity is 5 per cent.
• If house prices fell, and your home was worth £180,000, you’d still owe £190,000 on the mortgage. Your equity is minus 5.6 per cent.

It can be a particular worry for first-time buyers who usually have a smaller slice of equity compared to homeowners who have been repaying the mortgage for many years.

What’s important to note, is that negative equity isn’t the same as falling house prices. Your home can lose value, but you’re only in negative equity when it dips below the outstanding mortgage balance. It’s a poor outcome for homeowners, but it’s not necessarily the death-knell of homeownership.

Some people won’t be impacted badly. If you’re happy in your home, and can still afford monthly repayments, you can wait it out.

Scott Clay, of specialist lender Together, says: ‘It might only be a moment in time. If house prices rise in future, and your house increases in value, then you will come back out of negative equity through the natural ebb and flow of the UK property market.’

When is negative equity a problem?

Image credit: Future PLC/Olly Gordon

It becomes and issue if you need to move house or change mortgage deals. Some homeowners will only find out they’re in negative equity when they try to sell their house or remortgage.

When you want to sell, you’ll need more money. Enough to settle the mortgage with your lender, and for a deposit on a new home.

Noye says: ‘This lack of flexibility can have big consequences, particularly for younger buyers. They’re more prone to changes in circumstances such as needing to relocate for a new job. Or needing extra space for a growing family.’

It can also prevent a problem for couples who want to separate. They can’t stay together but can’t afford to sell either.

If you pay an interest-only mortgage you could struggle, because you haven’t built equity in your home. At the end of the term, you have to pay the original property purchase price. If you need a new mortgage this will be difficult while in negative equity. If you sell, there won’t be enough money raised to pay off the final bill.

Do I have a chance of remortgaging?

Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore

If you’re in negative equity, your lender won’t offer you a cheaper deal when your existing mortgage rate ends. Neither would one of its rivals. You’re likely to move on to your lender’s standard variable rate, which is usually more expensive.

If you have enough savings to lift yourself out of negative equity and provide a deposit, then you could remortgage.

For example, if you’re in negative equity by £5,000, you need that sum of money, plus however much is required as a deposit on a new deal. Movers might be able to secure a special ‘negative equity mortgage.’ This allows you to transfer your situation to a new property. But it’s likely to be an expensive deal and you should seek advice from a mortgage broker first.

Is there anything I can do to avoid falling into negative equity?

If you’re looking to buy a home, a bigger deposit helps so you don’t overstretch yourself financially.

If you’re already a homeowner, then overpaying the mortgage can help. The more equity you build up in your home, the less of a threat negative equity is to you.

Clay says: ‘Mortgage lenders typically allow borrowers to overpay their mortgage by around five to ten per cent of the outstanding debt each year. ‘This can be a sensible use of any disposable cash.’

Ultimately, a shrewd property purchase, more money, or a wait-and-see approach will prevent negative equity from becoming too much of a problem.

The post Negative equity: what does it mean and how can I avoid it? appeared first on Ideal Home.

When it comes to durability, there’s no beating the best cast iron cookware. From casseroles to skillets, it’s perfectly possible to complete your entire kitchen with cast iron, and while some of the more premium picks from Staub and Le Creuset can set you back a fair bit, we’ve selected a variety of products that come in at under £100.

We think that cast iron cookware is the ultimate gift for those who take cooking seriously. You could opt for something enamelled that will look eye-catching in any kitchen, or go for a cast iron skillet that will season over time. Either way, these durable and enduringly stylish picks will cook up a perfect stew or hearty chilli, or sear your steak perfectly. What’s more, we’ve only included products that we’ve been fortunate enough to test in our kitchens for a prolonged period of time, so here is our complete lowdown of the best cast iron cookware you need for your kitchen.

While they are a little more high-mainetenance than the best non-stick frying pans or the best saucepan sets, the best cast iron cookware will last a lifetime and often comes with a guarantee to confirm just that. Even if you’re a non-stick lover, we recommend having at least one cast iron piece to get that seasoned flavour in your steak that other pans just can’t achieve.

Best cast iron cookware 2022

1. Samuel Groves Cast Iron Double Handle Skillet

Best cast iron skillet

Finish: Pre-seasoned
Suitable for: Gas, ceramic, electric, induction, BBQ & open fires
Weight: 1.43Kg at 20cm
Reasons to buy:
• Made in the UK
• Lifetime guarantee
• Hand-finished, artisan feel
• Pre-seasoned

Reasons to avoid:
• Quite weighty for the size

The Britannia New Cast Iron Frying Pan Skillet from Samuel Groves ticks just about all of our boxes: it’s made from 70% recycled material right here in the UK and is covered the brand’s Pan For Life scheme, meaning it can be refurbished. It’s also got a lifetime guarantee, because cast iron really is meant to last a lifetime. We liked that this skillet came pre-seasoned, and the hand finished design does give it a more rustic feel.

As with all of our cast iron, clean this one by hand and be sure to make sure it’s fully dried when you’re done. Samuel Groves has shared more expert cast iron tips which you can read below. For such a small cast iron (we tried the 20cm option with two handles) it was quite heavy, but this didn’t bother us too much. The lack of a long handle actually meant it worked very well on the BBQ, and could fit into the oven alongside a roasting tray or another pan.

Ideal Home rated 5 out of 5 stars

2. Le Creuset Cast Iron Shallow Casserole

Best enamelled cast iron casserole

Finish: Enamel
Suitable for: Oven and grill, gas, induction, ceramic and electric hobs
Weight: 5.56 kg at 30cm
Reasons to buy:
• Huge range of finishes
• Retains heat very well
• Dishwasher-safe
• Very versatile

Reasons to avoid:
• Use with caution at high temperatures

You know we had to include some Le Creuset, and the shallow casserole is our top pick. Why? Well for a start, it’s just so versatile. We love using it with the lid off in the place of a deep frying pan: ideal for shakshuka or an orzo bake. And when you do add the lid, it will easily slot into the oven to finish cooking your chicken or even baking a loaf of sourdough. Le Creuset warns that you should keep temperature at a medium, and always put your cast iron onto a cold hob before you start to warm it up. This is likely to prevent any shock or sudden temperature-changes, which can lead to cracking. Although they’re very durable, if you don’t follow these instructions you could compromise your new casserole, so stick to a more thin cast iron to sear your steaks.

The heat retention is unmatched, and because it’s enamel-coated it can go in the dishwasher – yay! As with Samuel Groves, the Le Creuset range is covered by a lifetime guarantee meaning it can be replaced if you have any mishaps. And you can choose from a mind-boggling range of colours. We’ve very keen on the latest shade, bamboo…

Ideal Home rated 5 out of 5 stars

3. Kuhn Rikon Black Star Cast Iron Frying Pan

Best cast iron frying pan

Finish: Pre-seasoned
Suitable for: All hobs, as well as ovens and grills
Weight: 1 kg at 20cm
Reasons to buy:
• Comparatively lightweight
• Easy to care for
• Great value
• Long, sturdy handle

Reasons to avoid:
• The handle will heat up

Coming into testing the Kuhn Rikon was definitely the black horse of our cast iron competition. It’s technically spun iron (explained below), but comes so well finished that we were instantly impressed when it came to using it. It’s comparatively quite an inexpensive choice, and although it’s very sturdy it’s also one of the lightest pieces we tested, which is ideal for those who would struggle to lift a weighty Le Creuset onto the shelf.

This one came pre-seasoned and it’s one of the easiest ones we found to keep seasoned. After every use, it polished up beautifully, and we also love the angle of the handle, which can go into the oven after you’ve got that lovely sear on the hob. A true all-rounder, and immense value for money given the quality Swiss construction.

Ideal Home rated 5 out of 5 stars

4. Stellar Cast Iron Grill Pan

Best cast iron grill pan

Finish: Enamel underside, cast iron grill
Suitable for: Gas, halogen, ceramic, induction & solid plate grills, and BBQs
Weight: 3.1 kg at 27cm
Reasons to buy:
• Deep grill lines for perfect char
• Enamel underside makes it easy to clean
• Reasonably priced

Reasons to avoid:
• Very heavy
• Marks are hard to remove

You just can’t beat those grill lines on a juicy steak or sliced aubergine. They replicate the grill marks of one of the best BBQs but with a lot less prep time. We got on very well with the Stellar Cast Iron Grill Pan. It’s hefty at over 3kg, but very sturdy, and the handle helps to balance the pan when in use.

There are pouring grooves on either side of the pan which will come in handy if you’re making a tasty sauce to go with your steak or saving juices for another dish. The underside is enamelled which saves a job when cleaning, but we did find it tricky to get marks off the inside of the pan when we’d used it for some char-grilling.

Ideal Home rated 4 out of 5 stars

5. Staub 24cm Round Cast Iron Cocotte

Best round cast iron casserole

Finish: Enamel coating
Suitable for: Induction, gas, electric / steel plate hobs, glass ceramic hobs and ovens
Weight: 4.6 kg at 24cm
Reasons to buy:
• Thoughtful French design
• Particularly good for baking bread
• Retains heat very well

Reasons to avoid:

• Unclear cleaning instructions
• A limited amount of sizes and colours

Another classic brand that’s known for its amazing cast iron, Staub really impressed us with its thoughtful design. The round cast iron roaster has a lid that can be flipped upside down to slot into the base, making for easy and secure storage. It’s understated, yes, but still a statement, and the French-made construction is resistant to scratches and daily wear-and-tear.

We also enjoy the grooves on the lid, which are designed to circulate steam and cook food evenly when in the oven or on the hob. Staub recommends placing ice cubes in these grooves to make this more effective. It’s more textured than the Le Creuset, but still dishwasher-safe thanks to the enamelled design. Although the website says it’s dishwasher-safe, it also says to clean by hand with soapy water. We opted for the latter and the Cocotte cleaned up well, but we didn’t feel confident that it would go through the dishwasher.

Ideal Home rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

6. Samuel Groves Enamel Cast Iron Oval Covered Casserole Dish

Best cast iron casserole for roasts

Finish: Enamel coating
Suitable for: Induction, gas, electric ,ceramic hobs and ovens
Weight: 5.12 kg at 27cm
Reasons to buy:
• A good size for roasts
• Versatile lid
• Dishwasher-safe
• Lifetime guarantee

Reasons to avoid:

• Limited colour choices
• Handles could be grippier

Another pick from British brand Samuel Groves, but this time not from its Britannia range. The set only comes black or in grey and white, but we thought that the grey exterior and white interior would slot perfectly into a lot of kitchen designs. We particularly love the lid on this one: it can be turned over and used as a shallower cooking surface if you wish, and it also sits securely to keep moisture in while you’re roasting.

Although it’s dishwasher-safe, the brand recommends hand-washing to keep the cast iron intact. This is true of any enamelled brand, but it’s nice to have the option of dishwasher cleaning if you’re in a rush. The range is extensive – we also like the look of the matching roasting dish, although we’ve not tried that one. It’s also a great price for a product that comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Ideal Home rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

7. Judge Speciality Cookware JST10 Skillet

Best value cast iron

Finish: Unseasoned
Suitable for: Induction, gas, electric, ceramic hobs, BBQs and ovens
Weight: ‎1.34 kg at 18cm
Reasons to buy:
• Reasonable price
• Doesn’t take up much space
• Well-balanced

Reasons to avoid:

• Handle heats up fast
• Needs seasoning

The Judge skillet is charming and inexpensive. It’s got an unusually short handle – in fact, we wonder if it’s so short that it’s essentially ineffective, so make sure you use an oven glove when removing from the oven. On the plus side, the short handle makes it very storage-friendly and well-balanced.

You’ll have to season it yourself which is to be expected for the price, but once you do it will develop a natural non-stick that’s great for searing meat or placing straight into the oven.

Ideal Home rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

How to look after your cast iron

If you’re new to the wonderful world of cast iron, there are some things you should know before getting started. Number one on this list is how to keep your cast iron well cared for, to make sure it lasts as long as possible. We spoke to Pam Ballone from Samuel Groves to bring you all their tips before you make your investment.

What is the best way to care for cast iron cookware?

“The best way to stop rusting is to season your pan and keep it in a dry place. To do this you need to apply a thin coat of a good quality vegetable oil, heat in the oven at 240 degrees centigrade for an hour or heat on a hob to a medium heat, for an hour, and leave to cool.

Once cool, wipe out any surplus oil and leave it in a cool dry place. Moisture causes cast iron cookware to rust, so it’s important you store it in a dry area, away from steam and water”

Can cast iron go in the dishwasher?

“Placing cast iron in the dishwasher will strip the seasoning from the pan and is not recommended, It is best to wash by hand in hot soapy water, rinse then dry and apply a thin coat of vegetable oil.”

Of course, a lot of the best cast iron cookware can also come enamelled, which means it has a layer protecting it from rusting, and won’t season in the same way. In this case, be sure to check with the manufacturer, but most of the time you can put it through the dishwasher.

What are the advantages of cooking on cast iron?

“High temperatures can be obtained with cast iron, so it’s ideal for searing steaks or grilling. Moreover, as the seasoning builds and absorbs into the pan there are desirable flavours build to make the tastiest burgers and steaks.

Cast Iron has amazing thermal properties and retains heat so it’s also very good as cook-and-serve ware and cooking casseroles at low long temperatures.”

How is cast iron cookware made?

“There is something incredibly alluring about watching the process of producing cast iron cookware. Red-hot molten iron and in the case of Samuel Groves, 70% of the molten iron comes recycled steel, including waste from the company’s own cook and bakeware lines. The molten iron is poured into a mould, which then rapidly cools to become an indestructible item of cookware. Samuel Groves are so proud to produce in the UK, what is more, it helps reduce carbon footprints, secure UK jobs and skills and provide a truly sustainable product ideal for back-to-basics cooking and Michelin Star Restaurants.

The production of cast-iron cannot be rushed; time, patience and skill can only be acquired over many years to create the perfect product. Britannia is created in a modest but scalable production process, that can be easily replicated with demand. The result is premium quality battleship-build pans manufactured, and hand-finished in the Midlands.”

What is the difference between cast iron and spun iron?

We chatted to Paul Marchant from Kuhn Rikon to find out about the different types of cast iron. Here’s what he had to say:

“Spun Steel, otherwise known as Black Iron (which is neither black nor iron!) or Blue Steel, is made of plain steel, either pressed or spun.  These are mostly used in restaurants as they are cheap and tough. They are not generally washed but are wiped clean. This helps to build a natural non-stick surface.

Cast Iron on the other hand is often coated with black enamel to make cleaning easier. Cast iron takes much longer to heat up than spun steel but has the benefit of holding heat well once it is hot. The cheaper cast iron products can suffer from uneven mould-filling resulting in cookware doesn’t heat evenly and is vulnerable to thermal shock.” This will mean it can crack when there is a sudden change in temperature, so be careful about submerging hot cast iron in water or putting it in the fridge when still warm.

According to Marchant, “Spun iron is the most expensive option as it needs highly skilled craftsmen to make. The Kuhn Rikon Black Star range is Swiss-made which also substantially mitigates the environmental impact. Spinning allows for very accurate manufacture and for thinner sides to cut down on weight. Spun iron will have a highly consistent material density, which gives very even cooking.”

Another difference between spun and cast iron is the weight. Generally speaking, a spun item will be lighter than cast iron, although products vary massively.”

The post Cast iron cookware: the best pieces to buy for 2022 appeared first on Ideal Home.

The AEG QX6 Animal is unlike any vacuum cleaner I have seen before. It’s a cordless vac with direct access to a handheld vac and onboard accessories, which is great for quickly switching between cleaning the floor to cleaning the stairs (for example).

As with all the best vacuum cleaners I’ve reviewed, the AEG QX6 Animal has been challenged with whatever gets thrown onto the floors of our home, and the general hardship which said floors endure on a daily basis. I’ve had it for a couple of months and used it as our main vac, which has really been a test for it. We’ve fairly recently had wool carpet fitted up the stairs, landing and in all three bedrooms so there’s been some fluff-balls to contend with, plus my long hair, so the brush bar has been put through its paces somewhat. Crumbs and rice crispies courtesy of my daughter have also been a contender, especially for the handheld vac. It’s not been an easy ride for the AEG QX6 Animal but it has been a good one to have nearby.

Intrigued? Read on to hear how it fared with the various challenges it faced.

Ideal Home rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The AEG QX6 Animal is one of seven vacuum cleaners from the brand, and one of five in the QX6 range.  It has a similar spec to the QX6 but comes with the motorised pet nozzle, making it suitable for homes with resident four-legged friends.

What we like

• Lightweight
• Useful hand unit and onboard accessories
• Stands up on its own
• Affordable

What we don’t like

• Short run time (on max speed)
• Small-capacity dust bin
• Loud
• Brush bar gets wrapped in hair

AEG QX6 Animal

Image credit: AEG

Product spec:

Runtime: up to 45 minutes
Charge time: 4.5 hours
Capacity: 0.3L
Accessories included: telescopic tube, motorised pet nozzle

Delivery, unboxing and set up

Image credit: Future plc / Jennifer Oksien

Using the AEG QX6 Animal

We’ve spoken about this being a 2-in-1 vac  so it makes sense to share how it performs as an upright and as a handheld. Both have pros and cons, depending on your vacuuming requirements. We’ll start with the upright…

Upright

It’s a cordless vacuum which stands upright. Such a plus. Especially if you like to frequently vacuum and need a vac nearby at all times. I haven’t come across this before and is a feature I really like.

Image credit: Future Plc / Jennifer Oksien

When in use there are two modes; Plus and Minus, which can be controlled on the handle. I found I used the ‘plus’ mode most of the time. It’s just something I feel more satisfied using, knowing its (trying) to work hard on the carpet pile to suck up dust, crumbs… all those little things our carpets endure on a daily basis. It did okay on our carpets and did take on small pieces of toast or rice cakes, courtesy of my daughter, especially on the hard floor. For the purpose of this review, though, I did give it a go on the ‘minus’ mode and it really struggled to vacuum our carpet, and hard floor for that matter – I didn’t see or hear anything being banished to the dust bin that I can vouch for.

The dust bin where all the debris, if you like, ends up is in the handheld unit. This is small in comparison to other vacuum cleaners I’ve reviewed. I found I was emptying it ( almost) after each time of use. If I’d vacuumed our entire 3 bed home, stairs and all, I’d be looking at emptying it two to three times during a session. Admittedly we had new carpets laid a few months ago up the stairs, landing and in 3 bedrooms which this vac really fell short when compared to my usual vacuum cleaner (a Dyson). Arguably it was the dust bin size, clogging up and battery life which was the problem here.

That battery life is just 13 minutes on a full charge on ‘plus’ mode, which is on par with the best handheld vacuum cleaners. As an upright, though, there were plenty-a times when I would be vacuuming and then the QX6 Animal cut out on me. There was no drop in suction, however, although it would have been good to have a more visible flashing light on the handle or something to tell me that battery is low. Instead there’s three small lights on the handheld unit to display the battery levels, which is a guessing game as to how much juice you actually have left but if you see just one light lit out expect it to cut out any minute.

The floorhead attachment is as the name suggests, for the floor. Another feature I like on this vac is that the floorhead has a light, which I know is something we’re starting to see more and more of but the novelty doesn’t wear off. We’ve managed this long without a light on a floorhead so it’s not really a necessity in my personal opinion, but a really nice to have. It’s particularly nice to have when vacuuming in the evenings or low light levels, under furniture, since it lights up anything that needs its attention.

Image credit: Future Plc / Jennifer Oksien

Cleaning and maintaining the AEG QX6 Animal

Image credit: Future Plc / Jennifer Oksien

Image credit: Future Plc / Jennifer Oksien

Depending on your frequency of use and what you’re vacuuming, you may need to give the brushbar some attention after each use. This goes the same for emptying the bin – the 0.3L isn’t much.

AEG advise to clean the progressive filter once a month, and the emission filter every two months with running cold water. This will help to keep the vac in tip-top condition. Over time the filters will ware so it’s also advised by the brand to replace the emission filter every year and the progressive filter every six months. This can be bought as a performance kit direct from the AEG website for £19.99.

Should you buy the AEG QX6 Animal?

I used this vac as my main one; it was my go-to for a quick vacuum and for the twice-weekly vacuum around the home. As the latter, it’s not cut out to vacuum an entire home. The dust bin is far too small, battery life on plus mode (my preferred) was frustratingly lacking and suction on carpet wasn’t the best compared to other vacs I’ve reviewed. However for a quick vacuum on hard floors, or as a handheld vac to go up the stairs or out to the car, it’s really useful.

Personally, I would recommend buying this vacuum cleaner if you were in need of a second and have hard flooring predominately throughout the home. It’s a good option if you’re on a tight budget, too, and want to try out an affordable vac before investing more into a model which is a more long-term solution.

Image credit: AEG

About this review – and our reviewer

The post AEG QX6 Animal cordless vacuum cleaner review – an upright and handheld vacuum appeared first on Ideal Home.

A new kitchen can change your life for the better. That’s no exaggeration! Having enough storage space for pots, pans, crockery and favourite foods, makes life calmer and less stressful. With the right layout and appliances, family mealtimes and hosting friends becomes a breeze. So how much does a new kitchen cost?

Of course, when it comes to new kitchens, prices vary wildly, depending on the size of your space and the styles or materials you like. We’ve canvassed opinion from experts across the board for a broad range of kitchen costs. After all, even those with big budgets will want to spend wisely.

We’ve you got covered, whether you’re planning an extension to incorporate a large kitchen-diner or just looking for small kitchen ideas.

How much does a new kitchen cost?

Image credit: Future PLC/David Parmiter

A new kitchen is one of the most expensive home improvements but it will add value to your property. Those wanting a custom design with quality materials, smart storage and top-notch appliances will be looking at a five figure start price. At the premium end, the cost can stretch into tens of thousands of pounds.

‘The price of a kitchen re-model is dependent on many factors, such as the size of your space, materials, products and how bespoke the finish. Our kitchens start from £20,000 including installation,’ says Graeme Smith, Head of Commercial Design, Life Kitchens. 

A mid-range kitchen can be upwards of £10,000. Yet it’s possible to replace a kitchen and get good results on a budget. Although, if you’re not using a design professional, it’s important to know what not to do when designing a kitchen.

‘For a small kitchen including the fitting, the cost would be around £7,000-9,000. This can go up to £13,000-18,000 for a larger space,’ says Rated People‘s Asad Choudhry of Glam Kitchens.

Image credit: Future PLC/James French

It may not even be necessary to replace the whole kitchen. If the layout works and the carcasses are good, you can upgrade the visible parts for a fraction of the cost of replacing the lot. It’ll not only save cash, it’ll slash kilos off your carbon footprint too.

‘A good way to keep costs down is by not ripping out the whole kitchen,’ says Rated People’s Asad Choudhry of Glam Kitchens. ‘By replacing the doors, pelmets, worktops and tiles you could save thousands and it would look brand new.’ Painting old kitchen cabinets is another way to save money. 

Customising an existing or new Ikea kitchen is easy. Companies such as Custom Fronts make doors, drawers and worktops to fit. These can provide a bespoke look at a more affordable price. ‘Buying fronts, handles and worktops for an Ikea Metod kitchen would cost from £2,000-£3,500,’ says Rachel Thurlby, Director, Custom Fronts.

How much do kitchen cabinets cost?

This varies on the quality, style, materials and whether they’re flatpack, factory-assembled or custom-made. It’s possible to buy eight units for a small galley kitchen for around £1,000-1,500 at retailers such as IKEA, B&Q, Wren, Magnet or Homebase. These are usually flatpack, so you’ll need to add the installation cost. This is where you can save money, if you’re able to fit them yourself.

Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole

Factory-assembled cabinets in customisable options, for example colours, sizes and textures cost more. Retailers such as Magnet and Wren offer these from around £3,500 for eight cabinets (excluding installation). The prices increase on the ranges with more options.

With a high end kitchen, bespoke cabinetry can be upwards of £10,000. ‘Kitchen furniture can often be the most costly part of a project, equating to 40-50% of the total amount,’ says Graeme Smith, Life Kitchens. ‘However, this depends on the style and finish of the door, the level of smart storage and tailored internals within your cupboards. Also whether your chosen colour is painted to order or bespoke.’

How much do worktops cost?

Image credit: Future PLC/Nicholas Yarsley

At the budget end are laminate worktops. These can be bought from around £100 per metre when made to fit, and for even less if you’re able to use a standard size.

In the middle are solid timber, bamboo and certain types of quartz and composite materials. These can range from around £150 per metre for oak up to £500 per metre or more for American walnut and stone composites. Although, some quartz composites can cost more than marble and granite. Expect to pay from around £300 per sq m, up to £900 or more.

‘Work surfaces can be anywhere from 10% of the project cost; dependent on the chosen specification,’ says Graeme Smith, Life Kitchens. ‘A good tip for managing budgets can be to mix work surface materials, breaking up runs of expensive materials with more cost-effective choices. This mixed material approach can also give unique look in your kitchen.’

How much do kitchen appliances cost?

This comes down to the quality and type of the appliances and the brands you want. Ikea’s most basic oven starts at £150, going up to £720 for a smarter one with more functions. At John Lewis, an American-style fridge-freezer can vary from £899-£7,7249.99 according to the functionality and manufacturer. ‘Appliances are a key investment typically equalling anywhere from 25-30% of the total kitchen cost,’ says Graeme Smith.

‘If customers are mindful of their budget, they should ask themselves how serious they are about cooking and if they actually need the high-tech gadgets,’ says Lizzie Beasley, Head of Design, Magnet.

How much does a budget kitchen cost?

Image credit: Howdens

Budget kitchens comprise mostly of flat pack furniture from the likes of Ikea, B&Q and Homebase. Once worktops, handles, appliances and installation are included the cost will be around £5,000 for a small to medium-sized kitchen.

However, that’s not your only option. Trade suppliers such as Howdens offer budget kitchens, but you’ll need a tradesperson to purchase it on your behalf. Find a reputable kitchen fitter at the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation, a government-sanctioned institute for the industry.

‘The KBB installation sector is largely unregulated which means that registration or certification is not required to be a kitchen fitter,’ says Damian Walters, Chief Executive Officer, The British Institute of KBB Installation. ‘Our registered businesses undergo stringent criteria and compliance checks, providing reassurance for consumers. It’s always sensible to request references and examples of previous work, and to carry out online research for reviews.’

How much does a mid-range kitchen cost?

Image credit: Wren Kitchens

At Magnet or Wren a small kitchen from one of their premium ranges including appliances, worktops and installation can be bought for around £6,500-9,000.

The Used Kitchen Exchange is another option. Here you can buy ex-display and second-hand kitchens from high-end brands such as Harvey Jones, Tom Howley and Smallbone. ‘The savings are typically 60-90% compared to a new kitchen,’ says Helen Lord, founder, Used Kitchen Exchange. ‘Our used kitchens have minimum wear and signs of use. We also sell ex-display kitchens which generally have never been used.’

How much does a bespoke kitchen cost?

Typically for most high-end brands, these start at £20,000. ‘Our top design-led and bespoke ranges, which are more luxurious and tend to suit larger kitchen can retail between £35,0000-60,000,’ says Mark Mills, Managing Director, Mereway Kitchens. ‘However, a small project would cost from £20,000.’

How much does it cost to fit a kitchen?

Image credit: Future PLC/David Giles

The location, size of space and number of units and appliances will all contribute to the cost of fitting a kitchen. ‘The amount a customer will pay for a kitchen installation varies wildly and will be dependent on many factors,’ says Damian Walters, BIKBBI.

‘Location, availability, preparatory works, product speciality and the property itself are just some of the factors that will affect the installation cost. In most instances, an installation will cost upwards of £2,000, which could increase to tens of 000’s depending on all those factors.

‘We recommend obtaining multiple quotations for installation. Make sure there’s a clear, itemised price for all elements of the install and a schedule of works. This should include preparatory works, fitting of appliances and, in some cases, clarification of materials to be used. There should also be a legally binding contract for service in place. This should specifically cover payment terms and the process required should a dispute arise.

‘It’s also recommended that some form of payment protection is in place. As an example, those that cover payments made by credit (cards and loans in particular). We would strongly advise consumers not to part with cash, regardless of the incentive as this offers no protection in cases of dispute.’

Can I fit a kitchen myself?

Image credit: Future PLC/Tom Meadows

This depends on your DIY skills and how complex the install. Fitting cabinetry is within the scope of someone with decent joinery capabilities. However, gas or electrical appliances have to be installed legally by a registered professional with the relevant certification.

‘Someone would need competent skills in carpentry, tiling, plumbing and building work,’ says Rated People’s Asad Choudhry, Glam Kitchens. ‘They’ll also need the right equipment. For example tools to cut and install worktops, cut tiles, and carpentry machinery. It’s important to note that a good kitchen fitter can make a cheap kitchen look beautiful and expensive. But an expensive kitchen in the wrong hands can have the opposite effect.’

Damian Walters, BIKBBI, highlights, ‘Some appliance manufacturers and retailers offer an installation service that includes the removal of old appliances. Otherwise, these will need to be done by a qualified gas engineer (Gas Safe registered) or electrician (NICEIC/other regulatory bodies).’

‘Our recommendation would be to appoint a professional installer. They’ll have a good understanding practical installations, legislation requirements and, importantly, trouble-shooting experience and expertise.  Installation is complex as it covers multiple trades, regulations and competencies.’

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