According to the latest Checkatrade Home Improvement Index – data analysis from nearly four million job enquiries – average fitting prices for kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms have dropped for the second quarter in a row.
KBB installations have all become significantly more affordable in the past six months. Bathroom fitting costs have fallen by 9%, from £6,062 in Q4 2024 to £5,525 in Q2 2025. Kitchens are down 7%, with the average job now priced at £6,803. Bedrooms have seen the biggest drop, with average fitting costs falling 10% to £3,631.
These reductions sit alongside other notable falls in areas such as painting and decorating (-13%), plastering (-10%) and window and door fitting (-12%).
There could be good news ahead for independent retailers, as the new figures from Checkatrade suggest falling installation costs for key home improvement areas may help unlock pent-up consumer demand and inject fresh momentum into the market.
While falling prices can sometimes raise concern among businesses, there are some who believe this trend could prove to be a much-needed catalyst to re-engage hesitant homeowners and kickstart projects that have been sitting on the backburner.
After a prolonged period of high inflation and squeezed household budgets, there will be questions about the market and if it could be reaching a turning point – with affordability returning, and confidence gradually picking up.
Jambu Palaniappan, CEO of Checkatrade, said: “The latest figures are brilliant news for homeowners. Last year we saw rising costs in the industry, propelled by high material and labour costs. A reduction in material costs in particular now appears to be having an impact on reducing the wider cost of work and we are starting to see a return to more normal levels.
“With costs down across so many key areas, now is a good time for homeowners to look to get work carried out on their home. It is likely this could lead to a good increase in demand, helping to stimulate the domestic building industry for the remainder of the year.”
The Index data was compiled by Checkatrade in July 2025, based on nearly 4 million job enquiries, and all jobs carried out in the platform in Q2 2025 versus previous quarters. Checkatrade says the vast majority of enquiries led to completed jobs.
