How much does a kitchen renovation cost? [2024]

Expect to spend anywhere from $10,000 to $45,000+ or more on a kitchen renovation. 

Factors that affect the cost of your project include the size of your kitchen, the materials, and appliances you select as well as labour costs. Labour costs can vary quite widely, depending where you live. 

If you’re thinking of renovating your kitchen, you're probably wondering how much it is going to cost. It is a major expense and a room that gets a ton of use, so you want to get it right. Your kitchen should also last anywhere from 15 to 20 years, so you also need to factor that into your planning and budgeting. 

 

Read this guide to find out:

1. How much does it cost to renovate a kitchen in Australia?

2. Factors that affect kitchen renovation costs

3. Can I redo my kitchen for $10,000?

4. Estimating the cost of your kitchen renovation

5. Getting the designer kitchen look for less

6. How long will my kitchen renovation take?

7. Who do I hire for a kitchen renovation?

8. Does my kitchen builder need to be licensed?

9. Quality kitchen cabinetry - what to look for

10. What is the average cost of a kitchen renovation?

11. Complete kitchen renovation costs

12. Is a flat pack kitchen right for me?

13. Hiring the right tradies for your kitchen reno

How much does it cost to renovate a kitchen in Australia?

If you want a ballpark figure, expect to outlay anywhere from $10,000 to $45,000+ or more. Factors that affect the cost of your project include the size of your kitchen, the materials, and appliances you select as well as labour costs. 

You also need to factor in cost of living increases linked to the recent rise in inflation , which have made labour, materials and goods more expensive and/or scarce. 

Assuming a new kitchen includes all new appliances, cabinetry, plumbing and electrical installation, flooring and installation, expect to pay:

• $10,000 to $22,000 for a small, budget or cosmetic kitchen reno 

• $22,000 to $45,000 for a mid-range kitchen

• $45,000+ for a high-end kitchen

We will look at these three price points in more detail later in the article - let’s now dive into what impact your kitchen reno costs. 

Factors that affect kitchen renovation costs

The cost of a kitchen renovation can vary dramatically based on a few key factors in your design, such as:

• Cost of materials, for example laminate vs quartz benchtops

• Complexity of the job, for example if you are moving electrics/plumbing

• Labour costs, especially if there is high demand for certain trades

• Size and dimensions of the kitchen, with larger spaces tending to cost more

• Type of kitchen, with custom designed costing more

• Type of flooring, with solid timber the most expensive option

• Whether you are installing cabinets or not

• Gas installation, where you need to install new piping

• Project management, where an architect or kitchen designer is involved

If you are on a tight budget, you could be wondering if you can get away with a kitchen reno budget of $10k.

Can I redo my kitchen for $10,000?

You can definitely achieve a lot with a budget of $10k, especially if you are creative - but you also need to be realistic. 

The first thing to do is realise you will not be able to move any plumbing or electricals around,  and change your existing floor plan. Moving plumbing and wiring is time-consuming and therefore expensive. If you have a smaller kitchen, and/or a galley-style layout then this shouldn’t even be an issue. 

Items you can easily change out for with a $10k budget include the:

• Cabinetry, if you opt for flat pack or simply resurface/repainting your existing units.

• Flooring, if you  opt for laminate flooring, which starts at $20 per square metre including installation; or vinyl tiles which start at $30 per square metre including installation.

• Painting, which is a cost-effective way of refreshing any space. In the kitchen use an easily cleanable paint like a satin or semi-gloss finish with an anti-mould inhibitor.

• Benchtops, if you opt for laminate instead of engineered stone. You can get laminate designs which look just like natural stone or Caesarstone finishes. 

Andrew Hadi from Greater Sydney Electrical warns against trying to cut expenses when you're looking at the more practical elements of a kitchen makeover. 

He said, "I see a lot of people make mistakes, when they're on a budget, they want to stick to the budget package. They pay a little bit extra for a fancy splashback or a stone benchtop but they'll get the cheapest rangehood that they can find and then they wonder why the exhaust is not extracting well enough, because they've got a single motor pull-out rangehood instead of a twin-motor with adequate ventilation. That makes a huge difference."

"It's worth the upgrade, in my eyes, to spend that extra $400-$500 on the rangehood just because you're going to use that thing every single day when you're cooking. After five or six years, the splashback trend is out."  

Estimating the cost of your kitchen renovation

You may be wondering how to estimate the cost of a kitchen renovation. Start by:
1.    Making a list of all the work you want done. 
2.    Get prices for ‘fixed’ items like appliances, tapware, flooring and tiles.
3.    Get quotes from tradies for all the work involved.
4.    Add 15%-20% to your budget for contingency and unforeseen costs.

Detailing everything - preferably in a spreadsheet or app - is the best way to get an idea of costs and keep track of them.

By the time you've calculated the cost of your dream kitchen renovation, you might find it's going to cost way too much. Can you find ways to modernise or update your kitchen without breaking the bank?

Getting the designer kitchen look for less

What materials you choose can make a big difference to the final cost of your kitchen - and there are plenty of ways to save. 

Benchtops, for example, range from relatively inexpensive laminate to stainless steel. Similarly, the cheapest cupboard doors you can buy are melamine doors. At the other end of the scale, gloss white 2 pack polyurethane doors can easily cost four times as much.

How do you get the high end look for less? Here are some options to consider:

• Check out the designer ranges of laminates for a budget alternative to stainless steel. There are stainless steel look laminates, but for a hard-wearing benchtop that will still look great after it's been used and abused.
• Vinyl wrapped (also called thermo-formed) doors are almost indistinguishable from 2 pack polyurethane but at a fraction of the cost.
• If you like the granite look but not the granite price, consider a granite-look laminate. If that isn’t to your liking, check out the ranges of engineered stone (or quartz) benchtops that are on the market today. 
• As solid and durable as natural stone is (some argue more durable), engineered stone costs less and has a distinctive uniform appearance many kitchen designers prefer natural marble or granite.
• If you want the look of natural timber flooring but don’t want to pay the price, opt for laminate which is much cheaper and mimics the look.
• You could also look at flat pack kitchens, which can help you save on the cabinetry.

How long will my kitchen renovation take?

Depending on the scale of your project, the timeframe for your kitchen renovation could be impacted by a number of factors, including:

• Any structural works, and if permits are required

• Moving plumbing and/or electrical elements

• Having to get permission in a strata building

• Unforeseen events, like discovering asbestos in your wall or floor cavity

If you are working with a kitchen designer you should allow at least 6 to 8 weeks to design your kitchen. This includes time to meet with them, measure up and then develop and tweak the plans until you are happy with a final concept. Getting everything to fit, especially in a custom kitchen can take time. You also need to lock in your appliances, cabinetry and all the other finishes you want at this stage.

If you are ordering custom kitchen cabinetry, expect to wait anywhere from 4 - 12 weeks for these to be made. Imported lines may even involve a long wait. If you are going for a flat pack kitchen or an IKEA kitchen, then choosing the right combination of cabinets and having them delivered is all you need to take care of. Cabinetry is a major item that can hold up the whole project, so all timeframes need to be aligned around the delivery of this component.

For the demolish and prep work, simply removing old cabinets should take no longer than a day. Then the prep work for the installation actually begins. This includes any plumbing, electrical and flooring work that needs to be done. This stage could range from a few days for a simple project to 4 weeks or more if there are significant structural changes to be made.

The actual installation of your kitchen cabinetry, appliances and lighting can take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks, depending on how complex your job is. This includes the templating and installation of your benchtops. The lead time for your benchtops will depend on the material you choose. Stone or engineered stone (like Caesarstone) could take up to a week to deliver after a template is taken. There will typically be a shorter wait for laminate. Your splashback also goes in now. Here you need to budget for a day or two for the install of a glass or tile splashback.

Read more: Kitchen renovation checklist

Who do I hire for a kitchen renovation?

Wondering who you may need to hire for your kitchen makeover? These are the most common trades you will need to call on:

Benchtops

Having tons of space to work on is essential in the modern kitchen, so a kitchen benchtop specialist can install whatever surface is right for you, including laminate, timber, engineered or natural stone, amongst others.

Cabinetmaker

A dedicated kitchen cabinetmaker can help you get exactly what you want in terms of storage for your kitchen including a dedicated pantry, deep drawers and all the latest hardware like soft close drawers. Don’t forget to plan for that wine rack, a must for any kitchen. Expect to be charged a premium for custom cabinetry, anywhere from $120 per hour.

Electrician

An electrician or sparkie is a must-have tradie for any kitchen project no matter the size. Besides obvious elements like the lighting, you are also going to need tons of powerpoints and all your new appliances wired and installed. Expect to be charged anywhere from $70 - $95 per hour.

Andrew Hadi recommends getting in touch with an electrician early on in the process to make things smoother and most budget-friendly. 

He said, "A lot of houses might have existing wiring which is not capable of handling the demand of the newer, higher-powered induction cooktops, for example. A common mistake is that people don't make an allowance for the electrician before the kitchen goes in at the rough-in or wiring stage. It's much easier and cost effective to run the appropriate size cabling to meet the needs of whatever appliance that they're installing."
 

Kitchen designer

A kitchen designer can help you squeeze the most out of your space. Let’s face it a well laid out kitchen is an efficient kitchen. Expect to chat about the kitchen work triangle, layout and cabinet sizes.

 

A licensed plumber is one of the most crucial tradies for a kitchen reno. They can install your kitchen sink, tapware, dishwasher and that fancy fridge with a water/ice dispenser. Expect them to charge hourly rates anywhere from $100 - $150, depending on the plumber.

Splashback

A splashback installer or glazier can take care of a glass splashback. If you want a tiled splashback then a tiler will need to quote for that.

Tiler

Whether you are thinking of a snazzy tiled splashback or simply having tiles underfoot, an experienced tiler can lay these on walls or floors, which is totally up to you.

Kitchen builder

And if you want someone to take care of it all for you, then a dedicated kitchen builder is definitely for you. They can manage all the above trades and save you a heap of time trying to juggle it all. But expect to pay for the convenience.

Does my kitchen builder need to be licensed?

In short, yes. Most elements of a kitchen reno, such as plumbing and tiling require the use of a licensed contractor. For a complete kitchen renovation you will typically need to hire a licensed contractor, though some states have a licence specifically that covers kitchen renovations. If you use individual trades they all need to be appropriately qualified and licensed.

If in doubt check with your local state licensing authority.

Quality kitchen cabinetry - what to look for

The one place you don't want to cut corners is in the quality of construction of your kitchen cabinetry. Almost all kitchen cabinets are constructed from water-resistant MDF (medium density fibreboard). This is the least you should expect in either a custom or flat pack kitchen. Ideally, the backs of the cabinets should be sturdier than the 6mm vinyl covered backing used on some cheaper kitchens, but where you will really notice a difference is in the quality of the drawer construction.

The cheapest drawers have flimsy bottoms that are built into grooves along the bottom edges of melamine or vinyl wrapped drawer sides. They inevitably buckle and break under even a moderate load. Better drawers are solidly constructed and fitted with quality drawer runners. The best quality drawers are metal-sided drawer systems.

Most door hinges look very much alike but can differ dramatically in quality. If you've ever had kitchen doors that sag and bind, you've had inferior hinges. Most kitchen companies will be more than happy to offer you quality hinges if they don't come as a standard feature. You will have to pay a little more for them, but they are good value for money and won't break the bank.

What is the average cost of a kitchen renovation?

This is a very common question, though difficult to answer without saying ‘but’ - because everyone has a different budget and concept of ‘average’. That’s why these numbers are very much ballpark figures - and the only way of getting an answer is to get quotes for your job.

Bearing this in mind, the average cost of a kitchen renovation is between $18,000 to $22,000, but if you live in Sydney or Melbourne expect to pay at the upper end of this range. This budget will cover a mid-size space using mid-range material and appliances. 

To stay within this budget you are unlikely to be able to move any load-bearing walls or change the layout. You should also avoid any high-end appliances, natural timber flooring and the more expensive engineered quartz finishes. 

Let’s now dig into the costs a little more. 

Complete kitchen renovation costs

So how much will your kitchen reno cost? 

That really comes down to your budget, how much you want to spend or can afford. 

As a guideline, expect to spend in the region of:

• $10,000 to $20,000 for a smaller kitchen using budget materials and fittings

• $20,000 to $45,000 for an average size kitchen using a mixture of mid-range and some high-end materials/appliances

• $45,000+ for a large, high-end kitchen using top of the range materials and appliances. This figure could go as high as $100,000 if you want the very best materials and all the toys in terms of appliances. 

Let’s now look at some tips for budgeting.

Is a flat pack kitchen right for me?

A flat pack kitchen can help you save as they are substantially cheaper than a custom kitchen. 

There are a number of reputable brands, including IKEA, which are popular with homeowners. Many of them have decent construction and use brand name drawer hardware. The only thing you will need to do is spend some time working out how the standard sized cabinets fit into your space. You will still need to hire an electrician and a plumber, for those elements, but if you keep the sink, dishwasher, and appliances in the same places they were before, this will help keep your costs down.

You can hire a dedicated IKEA kitchen installer who has received training on installing their product line - so should be efficient at getting it all done asap.

The best way of finding out the cost of your kitchen makeover is to get quotes from local kitchen builders. This will give you a sense of what market rates currently are.

Hiring the right tradies for your kitchen reno

When it comes time to hire tradies, make sure they are right for your job. Some questions to ask include:

• Are you licensed?

• Are you insured to work in my home?

• How long will my job take?

• Can you provide a written quote?

• Do you have references I can follow up?

• Can I see examples of your work?

Remember, when you hire a tradie, you’re putting a lot of trust in them. You trust them to be on time. You trust them to finish the work. Most importantly, you’re trusting them with your home. When you do your homework and hire a top notch tradie, you’re doing more than just checking credentials. You’re making sure your home is in good hands.

We make hiring a tradie easy by doing a lot of the hard yakka for you, like:

• ABN and licences are checked for you

• You receive multiple quotes to compare prices

• Examples of tradies’ past work at your fingertips

• Ratings and recommendations from local homeowners

• Pay securely online

 

* All the costs and prices quoted were sourced at the time this article was written. They are indicative, may vary locally, are subject to market forces and should only be used as a guide.