Kitchen Rewiring in London — Sockets, Circuits & Costs (2026 Guide)

Why the kitchen is the electrical heart of the house

A modern kitchen easily draws 20 kW at peak — induction hob, oven, kettle, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, boiler, extractor, microwave, coffee machine, plus a strip of USB-C outlets on the island.

Get the wiring wrong and you will trip breakers every time somebody boils the kettle. Get it right and you have a kitchen that will still be safe and code-compliant when your grandchildren cook in it.

The circuit list every proper kitchen should have

At minimum, we specify the following dedicated circuits on every kitchen rewire:

• Cooker / oven — 32 A dedicated radial (6 mm² T&E to a 45 A DP switch)
• Induction hob — 32 A dedicated radial (7 kW+ hobs may need 40 A)
• Ring or radial for worktop sockets — 32 A ring (2.5 mm²) or dedicated 20 A radials
• Dishwasher — dedicated 20 A radial (2.5 mm²)
• Washing machine — dedicated 20 A radial
• Fridge / freezer — dedicated 16 A radial, un-switched fused connection above worktop
• Boiler & controls — dedicated 6 A radial with FCU
• Extractor / cooker hood — 6 A FCU
• Undercabinet & plinth LED — 6 A LED driver on lighting circuit
• Ceiling downlights — 6 A lighting circuit, Zone 1/2 IP-rated

Every high-current appliance needs its own RCBO on the consumer unit. Nuisance tripping is almost always caused by too many white goods sharing one RCD.

Socket positioning — the rules that actually matter

• Minimum 6 double sockets above worktop for a 3 – 4 m run
• 300 mm horizontal clearance from sink and hob edge (best practice, not law)
• Sockets 150 mm above worktop for tidy look and to clear splashbacks
• FCUs above worktop for every fixed appliance (dishwasher, washing machine, boiler) so they can be isolated without pulling the unit out
• Island sockets — must be RCD protected and installed with drip-loop cable

Do not let a kitchen fitter run 4-way extension leads inside plinths. It is a fire risk and voids most manufacturer warranties.

Induction hobs — the number-one call-out mistake

7 kW induction hobs are now standard. On a 32 A radial they run fine. Push to a 10 kW premium hob and you need a 40 A circuit — which usually requires:

• 10 mm² cable instead of 6 mm²
• A 40 A RCBO
• A 45 A DP isolator
• Sometimes a consumer unit upgrade if the incoming supply is only 60 A

Always ask the electrician to size the circuit from the actual hob manual, not a generic estimate.

Under-cabinet lighting done right

• CRI 90+ LED strip (colour-rendering is critical for food)
• 24 V constant-voltage driver hidden above the wall unit
• Trailing-edge dimmer or smart Shelly module
• Warm-white 2700 K – 3000 K for classic kitchens, 3500 K – 4000 K for contemporary schemes

USB-C sockets and island power

MK, BG and Schneider all now make 13 A + USB-C PD sockets rated 30 – 45 W. Fit two on the island and you never see a phone brick again. All island power must be RCD protected and installed with a drip-loop and gland.

Kitchen electrical costs in London (2026)

Guide prices, fully fitted with certification:

• Small kitchen (single wall, up to 6 circuits): £2,200 – £3,200
• Medium kitchen (L-shape, island, 8 – 10 circuits): £3,200 – £4,800
• Large kitchen (double island, boot room, utility): £4,800 – £7,500
• Plus new consumer unit if required: £700 – £950
• Plus supply upgrade to 100 A (DNO): £250 – £600

Everything issued with an Electrical Installation Certificate and Building Control notification via NICEIC.

Ready to plan your kitchen electrics?

Send us your kitchen layout and appliance list and we will produce a circuit schedule and fixed-price quote within 48 hours. Get in touch or call 0203 503 1240.