Kitchen Renovation Costs in Australia: Realistic Budgets for 2026

A kitchen renovation in Australia costs anywhere from $15,000 for a basic refresh to well over $120,000 for a bespoke fit-out — and understanding where that money actually goes is the most reliable way to avoid blowing your budget before a single cabinet is hung.

Kitchen renovation cost ranges (indicative, 2026)

Budget tier	Indicative cost range	What you get
Entry-level	$15,000–$30,000	Flat-pack cabinetry, laminate benchtops, standard appliances, ceramic floor tiles, basic splashback tiling
Mid-range	$30,000–$65,000	Semi-custom cabinets, engineered stone benchtops, quality appliances, new flooring, feature splashback
Premium	$65,000–$120,000	Fully custom joinery, stone benchtops, premium appliances, integrated fridge, statement lighting, island bench
Prestige	$120,000+	Bespoke joinery, marble or rare stone, high-end European appliances, custom island, full architectural fit-out

These ranges assume a standard suburban kitchen in a capital city. Regional builds can be 10–20% lower on labour; inner-city Sydney or Melbourne can push costs higher due to access constraints, parking levies, and contractor demand.

Cost by component

Cabinetry (typically 40–50% of total budget)

Cabinetry is the single largest line item in almost every kitchen renovation. The tier you choose here largely determines the overall project cost.

• Flat-pack (IKEA, Kaboodle, Freedom Kitchens): $3,000–$12,000 supply-only, or roughly $420 per lineal metre indicative for flat-pack product. Budget separately for installation labour.
• Semi-custom (Kinsman, Polytec and similar): $10,000–$30,000 supplied and installed. Better finish options, more flexibility on sizing and door profiles.
• Custom joinery: $20,000–$60,000 or more. Made-to-measure by a local joiner or cabinet maker; appropriate where ceiling heights, architectural detailing, or unusual layouts make off-the-shelf products impractical.

Benchtops (typically 10–15% of budget)

• Laminate: $1,000–$3,000 installed. Durable and low-maintenance, though limited in perceived value at resale.
• Engineered stone (Caesarstone, Silestone, Quantum Quartz): $3,000–$8,000 installed, or around $680 per lineal metre indicative. Currently the most popular mid-range choice in NSW and VIC.
• Natural stone (marble, granite, travertine): $5,000–$15,000 or more depending on slab origin, thickness, and edge profiling. Requires sealing and more careful maintenance.

Appliances (typically 15–25% of budget)

• Entry package (freestanding oven, gas or induction cooktop, rangehood, dishwasher): $3,000–$6,000
• Mid-range (Bosch, Fisher & Paykel, AEG): $8,000–$15,000 for the full suite
• Premium (Miele, Gaggenau, Wolf, V-ZUG): $20,000–$50,000 or more for a full fit-out

Price your appliances before finalising cabinetry — appliance dimensions drive cabinet openings, and changing specifications mid-build is an expensive mistake.

Trades: plumbing, electrical, tiling, and plastering

Allow $8,000–$20,000 for trade work on a standard kitchen scope. This covers a licensed plumber to connect or relocate the sink and dishwasher, an electrician to upgrade the board and install new circuits, a tiler for the splashback and floor, and a plasterer to patch or replace walls. Ceramic floor tiles run around $45 per square metre indicative for supply; installation adds further cost depending on tile format and substrate condition.

What blows kitchen budgets

Relocating services

Moving a sink, gas connection, or waste outlet is the most reliable way to escalate costs. Plumbing relocation typically adds $2,000–$8,000 depending on how far services need to travel and whether concrete needs to be cut. If your layout can work around existing service locations, it almost always should.

Structural changes for open-plan or island layouts

Removing a wall to open the kitchen to a living area can require a structural engineer's report, a steel lintel or beam, and council involvement in some circumstances. In NSW and VIC, check whether the work is compliant development or requires a development application (DA) — an experienced builder or certifier can advise quickly. Budget $5,000–$20,000 for structural wall removal depending on the span and load involved.

Integrated appliances

An integrated fridge, dishwasher, or rangehood requires purpose-built cabinetry panels and precise internal dimensions. This locks you into custom or semi-custom joinery and significantly narrows your ability to substitute appliances later without further joinery work.

Appliance upgrades mid-project

Upgrading from a 60 cm oven to a 90 cm oven after cabinetry has been templated means remaking at least two cabinet carcasses. Agree on all appliance sizes before the joiner measures up.

Long lead times on custom work

Custom joinery in most states currently carries lead times of 8–16 weeks from order to installation. Delays to one trade can cascade across plumbing, electrical, and tiling. Build a realistic programme before committing to a move-in date.

Approvals: when do you need one?

Most kitchen renovations that stay within the existing footprint and do not involve structural changes are exempt development or complying development in NSW, and equivalent low-risk categories in VIC and QLD. However, if you are moving external walls, cutting into a load-bearing structure, or the property is heritage-listed, you will need a DA or CDC. Always confirm with your local council or a registered certifier — the cost of getting it wrong is far higher than the cost of asking early.

Practical budgeting rules

• Hold a 15% contingency as a genuine cash reserve, not a wishlist buffer. Hidden water damage, asbestos in old splashback adhesive, and subfloor rot are common in kitchens older than 20 years.
• Get three cabinetry quotes — this is the line item where price variation between suppliers is greatest, sometimes 30–40% for comparable specifications.
• Separate supply from install when assessing flat-pack quotes. A $7,000 supply cost plus $3,500 in installation labour is a $10,500 commitment, not a $7,000 one.
• Confirm your electrician's scope early. Upgrading to induction cooking, adding under-bench lighting, and installing a rangehood with a dedicated circuit can all require switchboard work that adds cost and time.
• Allow for flooring continuity — if you are replacing kitchen flooring and the adjoining living or dining area has the same material, patching rarely looks good. Factor in extending the floor finish across the open-plan zone.

Getting accurate numbers for your project

Indicative ranges are a starting point, but your actual cost depends on your suburb, your existing layout, and the specific suppliers and trades you engage. Use the DesignBuildSource cost calculator to generate a scope-based estimate for your kitchen size and tier, then browse the professional directory to find licensed builders, joiners, and kitchen designers with verified project history in your area.