When your kitchen is out of action, most people default to one of two strategies: eat out and order takeaways, or muddle through with a microwave and a kettle in the living room.
Very few people think to hire a temporary kitchen — and those who do often assume it is an expensive luxury.
In reality, a temporary kitchen almost always works out cheaper than the alternatives. This guide breaks down the real numbers.
The Hidden Cost of Eating Out
Let us start with what most families actually spend when they lose their kitchen.
Scenario: Family of Four, 8-Week Renovation
Without a functioning kitchen, a typical family of four in the UK will rely on a combination of:
- Takeaways (2 to 3 times per week)
- Eating out at restaurants or cafes (1 to 2 times per week)
- Ready meals and microwave food
- Meal deals and sandwiches for lunches
- Breakfast from cafes or bakeries
Here is a realistic weekly breakdown:
| Expense | Estimated Weekly Cost |
|---|---|
| Takeaways (3x per week at £30 average) | £90 |
| Eating out (1x per week at £60 for 4) | £60 |
| Ready meals and microwave food | £40 |
| Cafe breakfasts and lunches | £30 |
| Weekly total | £220 |
Over an 8-week renovation, that is approximately £1,760.
And that is a conservative estimate. Many families report spending significantly more, especially if they have children who need regular hot meals.
The Cost of a Temporary Kitchen
Now compare that to hiring a temporary kitchen:
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Driveway pod hire (8 weeks at £80/week) | £640 |
| Delivery and collection | £100 to £150 |
| Gas bottle (if LPG hob — usually 1 refill) | £30 |
| Total | £770 to £820 |
Your grocery bill stays roughly the same as normal — around £80 to £100 per week for a family of four. You are cooking your own meals, eating at home, and maintaining your normal routine.
Total Comparison Over 8 Weeks
| Option | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| Eating out and takeaways | £1,760 |
| Temporary kitchen + normal groceries | £1,440 to £1,490 |
| Saving with temporary kitchen | £270 to £320 |
The temporary kitchen saves you money even before you factor in the non-financial benefits.
What About Shorter or Longer Renovations?
4-Week Renovation
| Option | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| Eating out and takeaways (4 weeks) | £880 |
| Temporary kitchen (4 weeks at £80 + £125 delivery) | £445 + normal groceries |
Saving: approximately £35 to £100 — roughly break-even for very short hires, but you get the convenience of home cooking.
12-Week Renovation
| Option | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| Eating out and takeaways (12 weeks) | £2,640 |
| Temporary kitchen (12 weeks at £80 + £125 delivery) | £1,085 + normal groceries |
Saving: approximately £350 to £500 — the longer the renovation, the more you save with a temporary kitchen.
The Costs You Cannot Put a Number On
Money aside, there are real quality-of-life costs to living without a kitchen:
Health
Weeks of takeaways, ready meals, and cafe food takes a toll. Families report weight gain, poor energy levels, and children becoming fussy about food after weeks of disrupted meals. With a temporary kitchen, you can cook fresh, healthy meals exactly as you normally would.
Stress
Deciding what to eat three times a day when you have no kitchen is genuinely stressful. The mental load of "where are we eating tonight?" adds up fast, especially for families with young children. A temporary kitchen removes this stress entirely.
Family Routine
Mealtimes are a big part of family life. Eating together at a table — even a small one in a kitchen pod on the driveway — is far better for family wellbeing than weeks of eating on the sofa from takeaway containers.
Waste
Takeaways and ready meals generate enormous amounts of packaging waste. Cooking your own food in a temporary kitchen is significantly better for the environment.
What If Insurance Is Paying?
If your kitchen is out of action due to an insured event (flood, fire, burst pipe), your insurance may cover the temporary kitchen hire in full. In this case, the temporary kitchen is essentially free — and you avoid spending your own money on takeaways.
Check if your insurance covers it →
The Break-Even Point
Based on typical UK costs, a temporary kitchen becomes cheaper than eating out after approximately 3 to 4 weeks of hire. Before that, the delivery and collection fees mean the costs are roughly similar.
If your renovation is expected to last 4 weeks or more, a temporary kitchen is almost certainly the better financial decision. If it is less than 3 weeks, you may prefer to eat out — but you will miss the convenience of home cooking.
Real Numbers From Real Families
While every family is different, here are some common patterns we see:
- "We thought we would save money by not hiring a kitchen. We spent over £2,000 on takeaways and eating out in 10 weeks." — This is the most common regret we hear.
- "The kitchen pod cost us £85 a week. Our food bill barely changed from normal." — Once you have a functioning kitchen, you shop and cook as usual.
- "We did not even consider a temporary kitchen until week 3 of our renovation. By then we had already spent £500 on takeaways." — The sooner you arrange a temporary kitchen, the more you save.
The Verdict
For any renovation lasting more than 3 to 4 weeks, a temporary kitchen hire is:
- Cheaper than eating out and ordering takeaways
- Healthier for your family
- Less stressful day to day
- Better for your routine, especially with children
- Potentially free if you are claiming on insurance
Ready to Compare Costs?
Tell us your situation → and we will provide free quotes from providers in your area. Most families are surprised by how affordable it is.