Installing or repairing kitchen cabinets can be more time-consuming than expected, as the work often involves securing units to the wall, aligning doors, adjusting fittings, and ensuring everything is level and stable. The time required usually depends on the size of the cabinet, wall type, and whether existing units need to be removed or adjusted to fit correctly.
Below is a general guide to labour costs for kitchen cabinet installation and repair work.
Kitchen Cabinet Installation
Installing a kitchen cabinet normally involves securing the unit to the wall, aligning it with surrounding cabinets, and ensuring it is level and properly supported.
Typical labour cost: £180 — £320
Time: around 2–4 hours
Wall Cabinet Installation
Installing wall cabinets may take longer depending on wall type and fixing points, especially when working with plasterboard, brick, or tiled walls.
Typical labour cost: £200 — £360
Time: around 2–4 hours
Cabinet Door Adjustment or Repair
Adjusting cabinet doors, hinges, or alignment is usually quicker but can take longer if multiple doors need adjusting.
Typical labour cost: £80 — £150
Time: around 1 hour
Cabinet Hinge Replacement
Replacing cabinet hinges or hardware normally requires removing the door and installing new fittings correctly aligned.
Typical labour cost: £90 — £160
Time: around 1 hour
When costs can vary
Kitchen cabinet work can take longer depending on the condition of the existing installation and wall structure. Additional time may be required if:
wall fixings need reinforcing
cabinets need adjusting to fit
surrounding units need realigning
pipework or wiring is behind cabinets
worktops or panels need trimming
access is restricted
All prices shown are labour-only estimates intended as a general guide. The final cost is confirmed after seeing the job and checking the existing installation.
