Last updated on March 31st, 2022
How much does it cost to build a commercial kitchen?
Wondering how much it costs to build a commercial kitchen? We’ll reveal what sort of costs you can expect to pay to complete this project.

Whether you own a hotel, nursing home, restaurant, or you want to build a professional kitchen in your home, a commercial kitchen is the bread and butter of everything you do. But before you move ahead with this project, rightly you want to understand how much a commercial kitchen will cost to build.
However small or large your kitchen, there are certain expenditures that you’ll have a fair amount of control over. Ultimately, the cost of running a bakery from home is going to be extremely different from managing a four-star restaurant, for example.
Cost provided item | Unit | Cost - Low | Cost - High |
---|---|---|---|
Cost to build a commercial kitchen | Small | £11,000 | £75,000 |
Cost to build a commercial kitchen | Large | £190,000 | £400,000 |
Cost to build a commercial kitchen | Per square foot | £190 | £250 |
Cost to build a commercial kitchen | 1,000-square-foot commercial kitchen | £190,000 | £250,000 |
Cost to build a commercial kitchen | Fit out fees | £550,000 | £15,000,000 |
Commercial kitchen | Equipment | £60,000 | £80,000 |
Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now
How much does it cost to build a commercial kitchen?
You’re probably looking at a cost of roughly £11,000 through to £75,000+ to build smaller commercial kitchens. That said, for larger commercial kitchens, it could easily take from £190,000 through to £400,000 or more to build a full-size restaurant kitchen.
Here are a few questions to consider before commencing your project:
- How small or large do you want your commercial kitchen to be?
- What will your establishment’s menu be?
- What are your general requirements?
- What are the legal requirements in your area?
- What equipment will you need?
Overall, capital cities will spend more on building a commercial kitchen, purely because of building expenses. For instance, you’ll most likely spend more to have a commercial kitchen built in London than you would in a small town based in North East England.
For accurate figures, it’s best to speak to local builders. On average, you’re looking at prices ranging between about £190 to £250 per square foot. So, if you have a 1,000 square foot space, expect to pay approximately £190,000.
Note, these costs are only estimates, so we recommend contacting your local commercial kitchen fitters for an accurate quote. You can see who fellow local business owners recommend for the job by searching your postcode below.
How to build a commercial kitchen in your home
First and foremost, you’ll need to know how much it’ll cost to build a commercial kitchen. To figure this out, you must ascertain the below:
- What equipment do you need?
- What will the design of your facility be?
- How large or small will your kitchen be?
- Where will your commercial kitchen be located?
A local tradesperson will be able to provide a quote based on the size of your kitchen, and whether any special equipment is needed to complete the job.
FAQs
How much would it cost to build a small commercial kitchen?
As mentioned above, it’ll cost between £11,000 to £75,000 to build and install a small commercial kitchen, however, you could pay more depending on the type of menu required and your overall needs.
How much does it cost to build a commercial kitchen at home?
Building a commercial kitchen at home will set you back at least £11,000.
To receive quotes from three local kitchen installers in your area, just enter the details of the job in our handy ‘Request a quote‘ tool.
How do you build a small commercial kitchen?
To build a small commercial kitchen, think about the following:
- Choose a location
- Make a list of the foods you want to prepare
- List all the equipment you’ll need
- Plan how the space will be used
- Measure the size of the space you’ll need
- Get in touch with your local building authority – they’ll need to assess your initial plans
- Reach out to an expert building contractor or architect to design the commercial kitchen
After you’ve made a list of jobs that you need to do, contact tradespeople in your area to request quotes. Take advantage of our request a quote tool to make it easier. Just enter info about the work you need and enter your postcode and we’ll send it to three Checkatrade members in your area.
How much does it cost to set up a restaurant kitchen?
To set up a restaurant kitchen, you’ll need to consider the following:
Rent on your premises
You can expect to pay a minimum of £75,000 on rent alone. What’s more, make sure the space you let has the correct planning licence. For instance, to serve hot food, you’ll need an A3 planning licence.
Facility fit-out fees
Arguably one of the most variable expenses you’re likely to face, you can expect to pay anything from £550,000 to fit out a high-street restaurant, while London-based restaurants could set you back a staggering £15,000,000!
And don’t forget things such as lighting, flooring, signage, and art – these are all items that can add that extra special touch to your commercial kitchen.
Kitchen equipment
Also, don’t overlook kitchen equipment like ovens, and utensils, all of which could see you forking out around £80,000. One of the most vital appliances in any professional kitchen is a dishwasher to keep the crockery sparklingly clean.
To have one installed, you’re looking at a cost of between £40 to £90, depending on which dishwasher you buy and how easy the task is. Take a peek at our dishwasher installation cost guide for further prices and information.
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