Understanding Kitchen Renovation Quotes in Ireland
Kitchen renovation quotes can look similar on the surface while pricing very different scopes, allowances and assumptions.
Compare scope, inclusions and allowances — not just the headline total.
How Kitchen Quotes Are Structured
Kitchen quotes in Ireland often vary because contractors are not always pricing the exact same scope. Differences may come from inclusions, provisional sums, VAT treatment, appliance supply, structural allowances and services assumptions.
A quote total on its own does not show whether cabinets, appliances, worktops, flooring, painting, structural works or waste disposal have been included.
For a meaningful comparison, each quotation should be checked line by line so that the scope, specification and exclusions are aligned.
This is particularly important where one quote appears substantially cheaper than another, as the difference may come from omitted items rather than a genuinely lower price for the same work.
What a Typical Quote Includes
Most contractor quotes include cabinet installation, worktop fitting, basic plumbing and electrical reconnection, labour, overhead and margin.
Some may also include appliances, flooring, painting, structural works and waste disposal.
The more clearly these items are defined, the more reliable the quotation becomes.
Exclusions & Allowances
Common Exclusions
Cabinet supply, appliances, flooring, painting and professional fees are commonly left outside the main contractor quote.
Structural steel, drainage relocation, consumer unit upgrades and VAT may also be excluded or priced separately.
These omissions can materially increase the final project cost.
PC Items & Provisional Sums
Prime Cost (PC) items are allowances for supply items such as appliances or tiles.
Provisional Sums (PS) are allowances for work that is not yet fully defined, such as drainage relocation.
Low allowances can make the headline quote look cheaper while increasing the final cost later.
Allowance Comparison
A low allowance can create a significant difference between the initial quote and the final amount paid.
| Item | Allowance in Quote | Actual Cost | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appliances | €3,000 | €6,000 | +€3,000 |
| Worktop | €2,000 | €4,500 | +€2,500 |
| Drainage | €1,000 | €3,000 | +€2,000 |
In this example, the final project cost can exceed the quoted allowances by €7,000+.
When comparing quotes, check whether allowances are realistic for the level of finish you actually intend to buy.
Structural & Services Assumptions
Wall removal, beam installation, door enlargement and island extraction can create substantial structural allowances.
Quotes may also assume that existing plumbing, drainage and electrical capacity are suitable.
If those assumptions prove incorrect, variation costs are likely.
Comparing Two Kitchen Quotes
15m² Mid-Range Kitchen
| Category | Builder A | Builder B |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet installation | Included | Included |
| Cabinet supply | Included | Excluded |
| Appliances | Excluded | Included |
| Worktops | Quartz | Laminate allowance |
| VAT | Included | Excluded |
| Structural works | Included | Not priced |
| Total (headline) | €26,000 | €22,000 |
The cheaper headline quote is not necessarily the cheaper project. Once cabinet supply, worktop specification, VAT and structural work are aligned, the two totals may move much closer together.
Example Full Cost Scenario
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Cabinet supply & install | €18,000 |
| Appliances | €6,000 |
| Worktops | €3,500 |
| Services | €7,000 |
| Flooring | €2,500 |
| Subtotal | €37,000 |
| VAT figure shown on original page | €4,995 |
| Total | €41,995 |
An initial quote of €28,000 may therefore represent only part of the complete renovation scope.
Programme & Payments
Kitchen renovation programmes commonly range from 2–6 weeks, depending on scope and supply lead times.
Payment structures often include a 5–10% deposit, staged payments after cabinetry and worktop installation, and a final payment on completion.
Red Flags in Quotes
Watch for missing worktop specifications, unusually low appliance allowances, no reference to electrical upgrades, no waste-disposal detail, and no clear timeline or payment schedule.
Lack of documentation increases the risk of variations later.
Why Quotes Vary
Differences of approximately 10%–25% are common due to specification, allowances, risk pricing, structural assumptions and inclusion scope.
Larger gaps often indicate that the contractors are pricing different scopes rather than simply charging different rates.
Summary:
Kitchen quotes vary because they do not always price identical scope.
Check: inclusions, exclusions, PC items, provisional sums, VAT, structural assumptions, services and payment stages.
The lowest headline figure is not necessarily the lowest final project cost.
For a fair comparison, align every quote to the same specification and scope before deciding.