Whether you're renovating your home kitchen, managing an insurance claim, or keeping a school canteen running during a refurbishment, the first question is always the same: how much will it cost?
The honest answer is that temporary kitchen hire costs vary significantly depending on what you need, how long you need it, and where you are in the UK. This guide breaks down real-world pricing so you can budget with confidence.
Domestic Temporary Kitchen Costs
If you're a homeowner hiring a kitchen pod while your kitchen is being renovated, expect to pay between £70 and £120 per day for a standard driveway pod. Most providers offer weekly rates that work out cheaper:
| Unit Type | Daily Rate | Weekly Rate | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor capsule (compact) | £45–£65 | £250–£400 | £800–£1,200 |
| Small driveway pod | £70–£95 | £350–£550 | £1,000–£1,800 |
| Large driveway pod | £90–£120 | £450–£700 | £1,400–£2,400 |
| Trailer kitchen (domestic) | £100–£150 | £500–£800 | £1,600–£2,800 |
Delivery and collection typically adds £150–£350 depending on distance. Some providers include this in the hire price for local deliveries.
What Affects Domestic Pricing?
Several factors push the price up or down:
- Hire duration: Longer hires are cheaper per day. A 12-week kitchen renovation will cost less per week than a 2-week emergency hire.
- Power type: Electric-only pods are generally cheaper than dual-fuel (gas and electric) units because they don't need a gas safe engineer for connection.
- Delivery distance: Most providers have a base delivery area. Beyond that, expect a mileage surcharge of £1–£2 per mile.
- Time of year: Summer is peak renovation season. Some providers charge 10–15% more between May and September.
- Appliance spec: A pod with a basic hob and microwave costs less than one with an oven, dishwasher, and fridge-freezer.
Commercial Temporary Kitchen Costs
Commercial temporary kitchen hire is a different market entirely. These units serve restaurants, schools, hospitals, and construction sites, and pricing reflects the scale of equipment involved.
| Unit Type | Daily Rate | Weekly Rate | Monthly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small modular cabin | £150–£250 | £750–£1,200 | £2,500–£4,500 |
| Large modular cabin | £250–£500 | £1,200–£2,500 | £4,000–£8,000 |
| Container kitchen | £200–£400 | £1,000–£2,000 | £3,500–£6,000 |
| Production kitchen (500+ meals/day) | £400–£800+ | £2,000–£4,000+ | £7,000–£15,000+ |
Commercial pricing often includes additional costs for:
- Site survey and installation: £500–£2,000 for groundwork, utility connections, and compliance checks
- 3-phase electrical connection: If your site doesn't have it, this can cost £1,000–£3,000
- Servicing: Weekly or fortnightly servicing of gas appliances and extraction systems
- Consumables: Water filtration, grease trap servicing, waste removal
Getting the Best Commercial Rate
For commercial hire, always get at least three quotes. Prices vary enormously between providers, and longer contracts always attract better rates. A 6-month school refurbishment hire will typically be 30–40% cheaper per week than a 4-week emergency hire.
How Insurance Affects Cost
If your kitchen has been damaged by flood, fire, or an insured event, your home insurance may cover the cost of a temporary kitchen under "loss of use" or "alternative accommodation" cover.
Key things to know:
- Many insurers will pay for temporary kitchen hire directly, but you need an insurer-approved quote from a provider who works with insurance companies
- Some providers (like Temporary Solutions Group and Kitchen Rescue) specialise in insurance work and will handle the paperwork for you
- The insurer will typically pay the provider directly — you may not need to pay anything upfront
- Average insurance-funded hire duration is 8–16 weeks
If you're making an insurance claim, always check with your insurer before hiring. Using a non-approved provider could mean you have to pay out of pocket and claim back later.
Tips to Reduce Your Costs
- Book early: Last-minute hires cost more. If you know your renovation start date, book the pod 2–4 weeks in advance.
- Choose electric-only: If you don't need gas cooking, an electric pod avoids gas connection fees.
- Negotiate longer terms: If your renovation is likely to take 8+ weeks, negotiate a monthly rate upfront.
- Compare multiple providers: Use FindAKitchen to get quotes from several providers in your area — prices can vary by 30% or more.
- Check your insurance: If you have building works insurance or home insurance with "loss of use" cover, you may be eligible for partial or full reimbursement.
- Ask about all-inclusive pricing: Some providers include delivery, collection, and consumables in their headline rate. Others charge these separately. Always ask for a fully itemised quote.
What You Get for Your Money
Even the most basic temporary kitchen pod typically includes:
- Hob (2 or 4 burner)
- Microwave or oven
- Fridge (some include fridge-freezer)
- Sink with hot and cold running water
- Worktop space
- Lighting and power sockets
- Weatherproof exterior
Premium pods add dishwashers, ovens, extractor fans, and more worktop space. Commercial units include industrial-grade extraction, multiple ovens, commercial dishwashers, and can serve hundreds of meals per day.
Next Steps
The best way to get an accurate price is to request quotes from providers who cover your area. Use our provider directory to find providers near you, or try the Driveway Fit Checker to see which units will fit your space before you start calling around.
If your kitchen was damaged by flood or fire, your insurer may cover the cost — see our insurance claims guide.