There are more types of temporary kitchen than most people realise. If you are mid-renovation, dealing with insurance damage, or planning a commercial project, the right choice depends on your situation, your space, and your budget.
This guide walks you through every option and helps you narrow down which one is right for you.
Start With Your Situation
The single biggest factor in choosing a temporary kitchen is why you need one. Different situations suit different solutions.
Home Renovation
If your kitchen is being ripped out and refitted, you are probably looking at a 4 to 12 week hire period. You need something that can sit on your driveway or inside a spare room and give your family a functioning kitchen while the builders work.
Best options:
- Driveway Pod (Large) — the most popular choice for renovations. A fully equipped kitchen unit delivered to your driveway, typically including a hob, oven, fridge-freezer, microwave, sink, and often a washing machine or dishwasher. From around £80 per week.
- Driveway Pod (Compact) — a smaller version for tighter driveways or shorter hires. From around £50 per week.
- Indoor Capsule Kitchen — if you do not have a driveway or outdoor space, an indoor unit can be set up in a spare room, garage, or conservatory. From around £80 per week.
Compare driveway pods vs indoor capsules →
Flood, Fire, or Water Damage
If your kitchen has been damaged by an insured event, the priority is speed. You need a provider who can deliver within 24 to 48 hours and who understands the insurance claims process.
Best options:
- Driveway Pod (Large) — most providers offer emergency delivery within 48 hours.
- Indoor Capsule Kitchen — useful if external access is restricted due to ongoing repairs.
Your insurer may cover the full cost under your alternative accommodation cover. Read our insurance guide →
School, Hospital, or Care Home Refurbishment
Commercial refurbishment projects need a kitchen that can serve hundreds of meals per day, meet food safety regulations, and often operate for several months.
Best options:
- Modular Cabin Kitchen — pre-built kitchen units craned into position. The workhorse of commercial temporary catering, capable of 200 to 800 meals per day. From around £500 per week.
- Container Kitchen — shipping container conversions that work off-grid with their own power and water. Ideal for sites with limited infrastructure. From around £600 per week.
Events and Festivals
For short-term, high-volume catering at events, you need something that can be deployed quickly and moved between sites.
Best options:
- Trailer Kitchen — towable units that can be repositioned easily. Ideal for events and multi-site operations. From around £500 per week.
- Marquee Kitchen — flexible, scalable tent-based kitchens for large outdoor events. From around £1,000 per week.
- Lorry Kitchen — full-scale kitchens built into 40ft lorry trailers for maximum capacity. From around £2,000 per week.
Construction Sites
Temporary facilities for feeding workers on construction sites or temporary offices.
Best options:
- Container Kitchen — self-contained, robust, and designed for tough site conditions.
- Modular Cabin Kitchen — can be interlinked for larger facilities.
Consider Your Space
Before choosing, measure the space you have available.
Driveway Pods
Most driveway pods are approximately 3.6m long x 2.1m wide (roughly the size of a large trailer). You need:
- A driveway or hard-standing area at least 4m x 2.5m
- Access for a delivery vehicle (typically a flatbed truck or trailer)
- Proximity to an outdoor tap (within about 25m) for water supply
- Access to a power socket (standard 13A plug)
- A drain or gully within about 10m for waste water
If your driveway is too narrow, too short, or on a steep slope, an indoor option may be better.
Indoor Units
Indoor capsule kitchens and open-plan kitchen setups need:
- A spare room, garage, conservatory, or large hallway
- Minimum space of approximately 2m x 1.5m
- Access to a power socket
- Ideally, proximity to a water supply and drain (though some units have self-contained water tanks)
Commercial Units
Modular cabins and container kitchens need:
- A level hard-standing area (concrete or tarmac)
- Crane access for delivery (check overhead cables and trees)
- Power supply (usually 3-phase for commercial units)
- Water and drainage connections
- Clear access roads for delivery vehicles
Think About Duration
How long you need the kitchen affects which option makes financial sense.
| Duration | Best for |
|---|---|
| 1 to 3 weeks | Compact driveway pod or indoor capsule |
| 4 to 12 weeks | Large driveway pod (best value for typical renovations) |
| 3 to 6 months | Modular cabin or container (commercial), large pod (domestic) |
| 6+ months | Modular cabin with full installation (commercial projects) |
Most domestic providers offer flexible hire periods with weekly billing. Many will extend without penalty if your renovation overruns — just give them reasonable notice.
Compare Costs
Here is a rough guide to weekly costs for each type:
| Kitchen Type | Typical Weekly Cost | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway Pod (Compact) | From £50/week | Domestic |
| Driveway Pod (Large) | From £80/week | Domestic |
| Indoor Capsule Kitchen | From £80/week | Domestic |
| Modular Cabin Kitchen | From £500/week | Commercial |
| Trailer Kitchen | From £500/week | Commercial |
| Container Kitchen | From £600/week | Commercial |
| Marquee Kitchen | From £1,000/week | Commercial |
| Lorry Kitchen | From £2,000/week | Commercial |
For a detailed cost breakdown, see our temporary kitchen hire cost guide →.
What to Look for in a Provider
When comparing providers, check for:
- Delivery speed — can they deliver within your timeline? Emergency providers can often deliver within 24 to 48 hours.
- Setup included — does the price include delivery, installation, connection, and collection? Or are these charged separately?
- Appliances included — check exactly what comes with the unit. Most domestic pods include a hob, oven, fridge-freezer, microwave, and sink as standard. Some include a washing machine or dishwasher.
- Insurance documentation — if you are claiming on insurance, does the provider supply insurance-ready quotes and documentation?
- Flexibility — can you extend or shorten your hire period without penalty?
- Reviews — check Google and Trustpilot reviews for delivery reliability and customer service.
- Certifications — for commercial units, check for Gas Safe registration, CHAS, and relevant food safety certifications.
Still Not Sure?
If you are unsure which type of temporary kitchen is right for your situation, tell us what you need → and we will match you with the right providers. It takes less than 2 minutes and there is no obligation.