What’s the Average Cost of a Kitchen Renovation?

So it’s time to update your kitchen—you’re tired of the peeling laminate benchtop and the lacklustre splashback, and the dazzling pictures of polished kitchens on your instagram feed and pinterest board have inspired you to finally embark on your long overdue renovation. No doubt your new dream kitchen will serve you well, but as you begin to plan it out you think—well, how much does it cost to renovate my kitchen?

This is the question that customers ask us most frequently, and no surprises there—everyone wants their dream kitchen within the bounds of their real budget! While every project is different and the costs of a kitchen can vary due to factors ranging from the cost of materials and finishes chosen, the fees you pay tradespeople, the size of your kitchen, the Archicentre Australia 2020 Cost Guide estimates that kitchen renovations will cost on average between $15,000 and $43,000, not including any additional appliances.

It’s nearly impossible to come up with an exact answer for how much a kitchen renovation will cost without the specifications of your kitchen, but let’s take a look at what kind of kitchen you can expect with your budget, as well as the components that you’ll be spending your money on.

Categories of Kitchen Renovations: From Budget to Luxury

Budget Kitchens
With prices ranging from $15,000 to $25,000, this category either consists of customers looking to buy flat pack kitchens and have them installed, or seeking to strategically updating existing parts of their kitchen and breathe life into their old kitchens. The new additions can range from new appliances, cabinetry or splashback, to a brand new benchtop!

While those opting to go for a flat pack kitchen can spend less than $10,000 on the kitchen, the additional costs will consist of any new appliances, plumbing, electrical work and installation charges. With this option, a certain amount of compromise is inevitable. For example, you’ll likely get fewer drawers and more cupboards, and structural changes and customisation that can improve your space to guarantee the best functionality will probably be out of your budget.

However, you can get a good renovation in this budget range if you invest in great quality where it’s really important—be sure to go for well-made Australian cabinets and drawers as well as trustworthy components such as hinges. For your flooring, you can look for options in vinyl and laminate, as well as browse for entry level appliance brands

Mid-Range Kitchens
The median prices of a mid-range kitchen range from $25,000-$45,000. With a higher budget range to invest, you can get a professional kitchen designer to design your dream kitchen which is fully functional as per your needs and makes the best use of the space you have available. Within this price-range, you’ll be at ease with your designer keeping an eye on your budget while designing your dream kitchen and specialist tradesmen manufacturing and installing it with precision.

In this budget range, you can spend on higher quality components and materials which will not only look and feel great, but also last a lot longer. For a kitchen renovation in this range you can choose to spend on stone benchtops from brands like Caesarstone, glass splashbacks and two-Pac doors, as well as changing your flooring and lights! With a trusted kitchen designer and careful planning, there’s no reason why you can’t achieve the kitchen of your dreams within this budget range, as you can afford both customisation and high-quality materials!

Luxury Kitchens
The price range for higher-end kitchen renovations is $45,000-$90,000, and if the budget isn’t a problem for you, you can expect to create a truly stunning, custom-designed space that looks and feels premium on every level! Kitchens with ornate woodwork, rich wooden flooring, bespoke cabinetry and splashbacks, as well as premium decorative lighting often fall into this category. The quality you can access in this range from the top-notch bespoke materials and finishes, as well as hi-tech appliances will ensure the durability and longevity of your kitchen.

Your high-end kitchen might include premium natural or engineered stone benchtops from exclusive ranges like, high-end finishes like timber veneers, as well as premium appliances such as internet-connected refrigerators or natural hardwood floors!
A luxury kitchen beautifully incorporates the architectural elements of your house in the design, making your kitchen feel like a natural extension of your home, with fridges, dishwashers and ovens blending seamlessly into the surroundings.