What is a cosmetic kitchen refresh in Glasgow?
A cosmetic kitchen refresh in Glasgow is a 1–2 week renovation that keeps the existing cabinet carcasses and replaces doors, drawer fronts, handles, worktops, splashbacks and paint.
A refresh works when the layout is right, the carcasses are structurally sound and the finish is what's aged. It's the cheapest way to modernise a kitchen and it rarely needs a Building Warrant.
What is a full kitchen refit renovation?
A full kitchen refit renovation removes every element down to plaster and replaces cabinetry, worktops, sink, tap, appliances, lighting, flooring interface and often first-fix services.
A full refit is the correct choice when cabinetry is past its life, services are non-compliant, or the layout needs to change on the existing footprint. It runs 3–5 weeks on site with 4–6 weeks of off-site manufacture beforehand.
What is an extension renovation in Glasgow?
An extension renovation in Glasgow combines a full kitchen refit with a new extension shell — usually a side-return or single-storey rear extension — to increase the floor area and open the kitchen into a living or dining space.
Extension renovations always need a Building Warrant and structural drawings. Budget an extra £2,500–£3,500 per square metre for the extension shell on top of the kitchen cost. Total programme is typically 10–16 weeks on site plus 3–4 months of planning and warrant time.
How do the three types compare on tenement flats?
On Glasgow tenements a refresh and a full refit are the standard renovation types, because an extension is usually only possible on a ground-floor flat with garden rights.
Tenement refits often involve reconfiguration inside the existing room — merging a scullery or utility corner into the kitchen — which needs a structural calculation and factor consent but not necessarily an external extension.
Which renovation type adds the most value?
An extension renovation adds the most absolute resale value in Glasgow because it increases square footage, but a full refit typically returns the highest percentage of outlay at resale in mainstream postcodes.
In premium areas — Bearsden, Newton Mearns, Hyndland, Pollokshields — a full refit can return 100% of outlay at resale. In areas with lower ceiling prices, a cosmetic refresh gives the strongest £-per-£ return on investment.
Kitchen renovation types compared
| Type | Cost band | Timeline | Warrant | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | £4,000–£8,000 | 1–2 weeks | No | Working layout, tired surfaces |
| Full refit | £12,000–£25,000 | 3–5 weeks | Usually no | End-of-life cabinetry |
| Reconfiguration | £20,000–£40,000 | 4–6 weeks | Yes | Wall removal, open-plan |
| Extension renovation | £30,000–£60,000+ | 10–16 weeks | Yes | Growing family, more floor area |