The short answer
Converting a garage into a kitchen or utility room typically costs £12,000–£25,000 or more in 2026, because plumbing, drainage and fitted units add significantly to the base conversion. A utility room sits toward the lower end; a full fitted kitchen with appliances sits at the top. The base conversion — insulation, damp-proofing and the door infill — is the same as any room; the extra cost is the wet-room services and fit-out. These are typical illustrations, not quotes — see the main cost guide for context.
A kitchen or utility is one of the more expensive garage conversions, because it combines the standard work of bringing the garage up to habitable standard with the plumbing, drainage, electrics and fitted units that a wet room needs. Where the garage sits relative to existing drainage has a big effect on the figure. This guide sets out realistic 2026 ranges and what drives them. All figures are typical illustrations, not quotes, and the work should be carried out by a garage conversion specialist who handles building control.
Kitchen or utility conversion at a glance
- Utility room £10,000–£16,000
- Kitchen (fitted) £15,000–£25,000+
- Kitchen-diner (double garage) £20,000–£35,000+
- Main extra cost Plumbing, drainage, units
- Drainage distance Affects price significantly
- Planning Usually permitted development
Why wet rooms cost more
The base conversion — insulating and damp-proofing the floor, walls and roof, and infilling the garage door opening — is the same whatever room you create. A kitchen or utility adds: supplying hot and cold water; running waste to the existing soil stack or drainage; the electrics for appliances; ventilation and extraction; and the fitted units, worktops and appliances themselves. These services and the fit-out are what lift a kitchen or utility above a dry room such as a living room.
| Option | Typical cost (2026) | Main cost drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Utility room | £10,000–£16,000 | Plumbing, drainage, basic units |
| Fitted kitchen | £15,000–£25,000+ | Units, worktops, appliances, services |
| Kitchen-diner (double garage) | £20,000–£35,000+ | Larger area, higher-spec fit-out |
Drainage and the position of the garage
The single biggest variable in a wet-room conversion is how far the garage is from existing drainage. If the soil stack is close, connecting waste is straightforward; if it is far away, or the garage floor sits low, a pumped waste system or new drainage run may be needed, which adds cost. Detached garages are usually the most expensive to plumb. A garage conversion specialist will assess this on survey and price accordingly.
Ventilation, regulations and sign-off
Kitchens and utility rooms have specific building regulations requirements for ventilation and extraction, as well as the usual standards for insulation, damp and electrical safety. The drainage and any gas work must also comply. A garage conversion specialist designs these in and arranges building control sign-off, and any gas or notifiable electrical work must be carried out by suitably registered trades. This is general information; your actual cost depends on your specific garage, its position relative to drainage, and the fit-out you choose, and the work should be carried out by a specialist who handles building control.
Compare garage conversion quotes
Wet-room conversions vary most on drainage and fit-out. Compare itemised quotes from FMB-registered or building-control-approved specialists in your area.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to convert a garage into a kitchen?
Typically £15,000–£25,000 or more for a fitted kitchen in 2026, because plumbing, drainage, electrics and units add to the base conversion. A utility room is cheaper at around £10,000–£16,000. These are typical illustrations, not quotes.
Why is a kitchen conversion more expensive than other rooms?
Because it adds wet-room services — water supply, waste drainage, ventilation and extraction — on top of the standard conversion, plus the cost of fitted units and appliances. How far the garage is from existing drainage has a big effect. See converting into a living room for a cheaper, dry-room option.
Do I need planning permission to put a kitchen in a converted garage?
Usually not for the conversion itself, as it normally falls under permitted development — though this excludes flats, listed buildings and conservation areas. Building regulations always apply, and a kitchen has specific ventilation and drainage requirements. See building regulations for a garage conversion.
Sources & further reading
- Federation of Master Builders (FMB) — garage conversion costs and finding registered builders
- Planning Portal — permitted development for garage conversions
- GOV.UK / Building Regulations Approved Documents F (ventilation), G (drainage/sanitation), L (energy) and P (electrical)
- RICS — guidance on home improvement costs and value
This is general information, not advice for your specific property or conversion, and not a quote. Figures are typical illustrations only. The work should be carried out by an FMB-registered or building-control-approved garage conversion specialist, with gas and notifiable electrical work by suitably registered trades. We are an independent information and introduction service, not a builder.