Kitchen refurbishment · East Sussex
Kitchen refurbishment in Hove
Kitchen refurbishment in Hove starts with a free survey visit: we measure up, check the walls, floor and service positions, and explain what the job involves before anything is priced.

When does kitchen refurbishment make sense in Hove?
Landlords across East Sussex often refurbish rather than replace between tenancies, because new doors, worktops and a sink can be fitted in days and the units underneath are rarely the problem.
If the kitchen in your Hove flat is compact and well planned, there is little to gain from moving anything; new surfaces, a new sink and better lighting can do most of the work. Our East Sussex coverage reaches every part of Hove (BN3) and out towards Brighton.
What does kitchen refurbishment in Hove include?
Here is what usually goes into kitchen refurbishment, adjusted to your Hove kitchen after we have measured it:
- New handles drilled and fitted, with hinges and drawer runners adjusted or replaced
- Tiled, glass or panel splashback fitted once the new worktops are in
- Old worktops removed and new laminate, wood or stone worktops fitted
- New doors, drawer fronts, end panels and plinths fitted to the existing units
- Under-cabinet and ceiling lighting updated by an electrician and tested to BS 7671
- Sink and tap replaced on the existing supplies and waste
Guide prices for kitchen refurbishment in Hove
As a starting point for Hove, these ranges include VAT at 20% and allow for typical labour costs in the South East. Expect costs in the South East to sit somewhat above UK averages, reflecting local labour rates.
| Typical project | Guide price |
|---|---|
| New doors, worktops and handles on sound unitsCarcasses kept, everything you see replaced | £2,900–£6,900 |
| Refresh plus sink, tap, splashback and lightingA full visual refit without moving services | £4,600–£10,400 |
| Partial refit with some new units and appliancesDamaged units swapped, new appliances fitted | £6,900–£16,100 |
Guide ranges assume the existing layout and services stay in place with laminate or wood worktops; stone worktops, moved services, new circuits, flooring and plastering are priced as separate lines. Prices include VAT at 20%.
Fitting kitchens in older and newer Hove homes
You will find Regency townhouses and flats, Victorian terraces, 1930s semis and seaside bungalows throughout East Sussex. Regency and Victorian houses split into flats often have small kitchens in former reception rooms, while 1930s semis usually have a compact kitchen at the back.
East Sussex has hard water, so limescale builds up on taps, kettles and boiling water taps, and a filter or softener is worth considering. Seafront flats without lifts, permit parking and steep streets in the coastal towns can make delivery and waste removal slower, so access needs planning.
Building regulations, electrics and gas in Hove
Refurbishing a kitchen in England needs no planning permission or Building Regulations approval in itself, though a listed home may need listed building consent before historic features are removed. Swapping light fittings or adding sockets on existing kitchen circuits is not notifiable under Part P but must meet BS 7671; a new circuit is notifiable. A gas hob must be disconnected and reconnected by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Listed Regency buildings, conservation areas and homes inside the South Downs National Park may need consent for a new external vent, and flat owners usually need freeholder consent.
Practical advice for Hove homeowners
- In an older house in East Sussex, ask for the walls behind the worktop to be checked for level, as a new straight worktop can show gaps the old one hid.
- If your Hove kitchen has a tiled splashback, decide early whether it stays; removing old tiles often damages the plaster behind and adds a day of making good.
- Plan meals for the days the worktop and sink are out in your Hove home; a kettle, a microwave and a washing-up bowl in another room make those days easier.
- Measure replacement doors against your carcasses rather than the old doors, as widths, hinge positions and drawer box sizes vary between ranges.
Questions about kitchen refurbishment in Hove
How much does kitchen refurbishment cost in Hove?
Guide prices in Hove are about £2,900 to £6,900 including VAT for new doors, worktops and handles on sound units. The final price depends on the size of the kitchen and what is moving, and is set out in an itemised written quote.
Do you cover all of Hove?
Yes. We work across Hove, including the BN3 postcode district, and nearby towns such as Brighton and Portslade. Book a free survey visit and we will arrange a time that suits you.
Will a refurbished kitchen look like a new one?
It can come very close, because doors, worktops, handles and the splashback make up most of what you see. The differences show inside the cupboards and in the layout, which stays the same. Matching new end panels, plinths and cornice to the doors matters, because old panels left in place give the age of the kitchen away.
Can I keep my existing appliances during a refurbishment?
Usually, yes. Built-in ovens, hobs and integrated appliances can stay if they work well and suit the existing housings. If you replace one, the new appliance must match the housing dimensions and door-fixing method, and a larger oven or an induction hob may need a new cooker circuit. We check model numbers and sizes at the survey, before you buy anything.
How long will I be without a kitchen during a refurbishment?
Usually two to seven days on site. New doors and handles can often be fitted in a day or two with the kitchen usable between visits. Replacing worktops, the sink and the splashback takes longer, and stone worktops add about one to two weeks between templating and fitting. Ask about a temporary worktop so the sink can stay in use during that gap.
Also covering nearby towns
We also carry out kitchen refurbishment in these towns near Hove:
- Kitchen refurbishment in Brighton
- Kitchen refurbishment in Portslade
- Kitchen refurbishment in Shoreham-by-Sea
- Kitchen refurbishment in Rottingdean
- Kitchen refurbishment in Lancing
- Kitchen refurbishment in Peacehaven
- Kitchen refurbishment across East Sussex
