The size of your kitchen is only one part of what determines its final cost. Two kitchens with a very similar footprint can have significantly different specifications, and therefore very different overall investments.

The amount and height of cabinetry can make a considerable difference. Extra-tall or floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, for example, requires more material than standard-height cabinetry, while also providing additional storage and creating a very different finished look.

Door construction and finish also influence cost. A solid painted timber door has a different material and finishing specification to an engineered door, even where the overall kitchen design and colour may appear quite similar.

Your choice of worktop can have an equally significant impact, from engineered surfaces and quartz through to porcelain, granite or natural marble. The amount of stone required, its thickness, edge profile and how it is used, perhaps across a large island, splashback or waterfall end, can all influence the final cost.

Then there is what you choose to include inside the cabinetry. Internal drawers, pull-outs, specialist corner storage, pantry solutions, breakfast stations and other integrated storage can transform how a kitchen functions, while also adding to its specification.

Appliance choices are another important consideration. A kitchen incorporating premium cooking appliances, integrated refrigeration, a BORA hob, Quooker tap or multiple ovens will naturally represent a different investment to one with a more straightforward appliance specification.

This is why comparing kitchens based on size alone rarely tells the full story. What matters is what has actually been specified within that space.

An experienced kitchen designer can help you understand where additional investment will make a meaningful difference to how your kitchen looks, functions and feels, and where a considered alternative can achieve the result you want at a different price point.

Good kitchen design isn't about spending more everywhere. It's about knowing where your investment will add the greatest value to your kitchen and making informed choices around the things that matter most to you.

Absolutely. Some of the most successful kitchen designs begin with a clear understanding of the budget available. It gives your designer a framework within which to make considered decisions, prioritise what matters most to you and maximise the value of your investment.

We work with a wide range of budgets, with kitchens starting from approximately €7,000. If you have a budget in mind, we encourage you to share it during your initial design consultation. This allows your designer to work realistically from the outset and consider how best to allocate your investment across the entire kitchen.

Knowing Where to Invest

An experienced designer can help you identify where additional investment will make the greatest difference and where a considered alternative could achieve the result you want for less.

You may decide, for example, that floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and additional storage are priorities, while choosing an engineered rather than solid painted door releases budget for other areas. Or you may have your heart set on a particular statement stone, appliance or feature island and want the wider specification considered around it.

If your initial wish list takes the kitchen beyond the budget you want to spend, it doesn't necessarily mean rethinking the entire design. Your designer can explore alternative materials, finishes or specifications, helping you understand where changes can be made while retaining the overall look, functionality and features that matter most to you.

See What Different Specifications Mean for Your Budget

At your second design consultation, you'll see your kitchen brought to life through immersive 3D visuals alongside a detailed, transparent quotation.

Where it adds value, your designer may present two quotation options, allowing you to compare different specifications and understand exactly what the difference in investment gives you.

You might compare standard-height with extra-tall cabinetry, an engineered door with a solid painted alternative, or different worktop specifications. This allows you to make decisions based not simply on price, but on what each option adds to your kitchen and whether that difference is important to you.

Our approach isn't about adding and removing features until we arrive at a figure. It's about understanding what you value most and using experienced design thinking to make your budget work harder.

The result should be a kitchen that looks beautiful, uses your space intelligently, works exceptionally well for everyday life and represents the right investment for you and your home.

At your second design consultation, you'll be presented with your kitchen design through immersive 3D visuals, alongside a detailed quotation, giving you a clear understanding of what has been designed and the investment required to bring it to life.

Where appropriate, your designer may present you with two quotation options, allowing you to compare different specifications and understand how particular design choices influence the overall investment. This gives you greater clarity around your options and helps you decide where you would most like to prioritise your budget.

At this stage, your quotation will typically include your cabinetry and worktops, together with any products already incorporated into the design and selected with your designer. This may include items such as a BORA hob or Quooker tap, where these form part of the initial kitchen specification.

Appliances are generally selected later in the design process and can either be purchased through Mark Lohan Kitchens or sourced independently, so they may not be included in your quotation at this stage.

Importantly, we don't believe you should have to work from a single headline figure without understanding what's behind it. Your designer will talk you through your quotation, explain the specification and help you understand how individual design choices contribute to the overall cost.

Your quotation also reflects much more than the cabinetry itself. It includes the wider service behind your Mark Lohan Kitchen, from the expertise of your dedicated designer and continued development of your design through to manufacturing, delivery and professional kitchen installation.

Comparing Your Quotation

We encourage you to seek and compare quotations before making your decision. A new kitchen is a significant investment, and we believe you should take the time to understand your options and feel confident in the kitchen and company you ultimately choose.

When comparing quotations, look beyond the final figure and consider what you're actually receiving for your investment. Compare the cabinetry and door specification, worktops and internal storage, as well as what's included in the wider service, from the quality of the design and expertise of your designer to manufacturing, delivery, installation and ongoing support.

It's also important to compare the design itself. The value of a well-designed kitchen isn't measured by the amount of cabinetry alone. Good design should make intelligent use of your available space, improve how your kitchen functions, maximise storage and create a room that works for the way you live.

We're confident in the individuality of our designs, the value of our pricing and the complete service we provide. By the end of your second design consultation, our aim is for you to understand not just what your kitchen costs, but why it costs what it does, where your investment is being made, what each design decision adds and where alternative choices are available.

Ultimately, we want you to have the information you need to compare confidently, ask the right questions and make an informed decision about the kitchen that represents the best overall value for your home.

Yes. We offer kitchen finance through Humm Finance, providing an additional way to plan and manage the investment in your new kitchen by spreading the cost over an agreed period.

Finance is subject to eligibility, approval and Humm Finance's terms and conditions, with the options available depending on factors such as the amount you wish to finance and your chosen repayment period.

If you're considering finance, we encourage you to discuss this with your designer during your initial design consultation. Having an open conversation about the overall budget you're comfortable working with, and whether you're considering financing some or all of your kitchen, gives your designer a clearer framework from the outset. They can then focus on creating a design that makes intelligent use of the investment available and reflects the priorities you've set for your home.

You can explore the available repayment options, applicable terms and application process directly with Humm Finance.

As with any financial commitment, it's important to look beyond the monthly repayment and consider the total cost of finance over the full term. Take the time to review the terms and choose an option that is appropriate for your circumstances before making your decision.