Kitchen refurbishment in March

Why do people in March choose kitchen refurbishment?

Some March households want a new look but cannot face two weeks without a kitchen; a refurbishment keeps the services in place and shortens the time the room is out of use.

Landlords across Cambridgeshire 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. Our Cambridgeshire coverage reaches every part of March (PE15) and out towards Wisbech.

What we cover for kitchen refurbishment in March

After the survey visit we write the scope down. For kitchen refurbishment in March it usually covers:

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
Free survey visit to check every carcass for water damage, level and fixings
New doors, drawer fronts, end panels and plinths fitted to the existing units
Sink and tap replaced on the existing supplies and waste
Damaged units or tired appliances swapped where the rest of the kitchen is sound

Kitchen refurbishment prices in March

Typical kitchen refurbishment prices for homes in March, including VAT and adjusted for the East of England. Your own figure depends on the size of the kitchen, the layout and what is moving. Prices in the East of England usually run above the national guide, mainly because labour and parking cost more.

Kitchen refurbishment prices in March
Typical project	Guide price
New doors, worktops and handles on sound unitsCarcasses kept, everything you see replaced	£2,700–£6,500
Refresh plus sink, tap, splashback and lightingA full visual refit without moving services	£4,300–£9,700
Partial refit with some new units and appliancesDamaged units swapped, new appliances fitted	£6,500–£15,100

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 March homes

Across Cambridgeshire you will often find Victorian terraces, 1930s semis, post-war estate houses and fenland bungalows and farmhouses, and each shapes the kitchen differently. Terraced houses in Cambridge and Peterborough often have a narrow galley at the back, while Fen bungalows tend to have a simple square kitchen beside the living room.

Water across Cambridgeshire is very hard, so limescale on taps and boiling water taps is common and a filter or softener is worth thinking about. Fen roads and farm tracks can be narrow for delivery lorries, and city-centre terraces often have permit parking and no rear access for long worktops.

Regulations for kitchen work in March

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 houses in historic centres such as Cambridge and Ely may need consent for internal changes or a new vent, although a straightforward kitchen fit needs no planning permission.

Practical advice for March homeowners

If you let a property in March, book the refurbishment between tenancies and choose durable finishes such as laminate worktops and wipe-clean splashbacks.
Choose handles after the doors and confirm the hole spacing, because drilling new doors for the wrong size of bar handle cannot be undone neatly.
Plan meals for the days the worktop and sink are out in your March home; a kettle, a microwave and a washing-up bowl in another room make those days easier.
Check whether the hinges and drawer runners can be reused; worn or mismatched fittings can stop new doors from sitting straight.

Questions about kitchen refurbishment in March

How much does kitchen refurbishment cost in March?

For new doors, worktops and handles on sound units, budget around £2,700 to £6,500 including VAT in March. That reflects typical costs in the East of England; we confirm the actual figure in writing once we have measured up.

Do you cover all of March?

Yes. We work across March, including the PE15 postcode district, and nearby towns such as Wisbech and Ely. Book a free survey visit and we will arrange a time that suits you.

How do you check whether my kitchen units are sound?

At the survey we check the carcasses one by one. We look for swollen or flaking board around the sink, dishwasher and kettle area, staining from old leaks, sagging shelves, damaged hinge holes, loose wall fixings and units that have dropped out of level. Sound carcasses are kept, and damaged ones are listed on the quote as replacements so nothing is left to chance later.

Is it worth refurbishing a kitchen rather than replacing it?

Often, yes, if the carcasses are sound and you are happy with the layout. A refurbishment keeps the hidden structure and spends the budget on what you see. It stops being good value when several units are water-damaged, when you want to move the sink, hob or walls, or when the units are an unusual size that new doors will not suit.

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.

Nearby places we cover

We also carry out kitchen refurbishment in these towns near March: