Kitchen renovation cost breakdown (2026)
Plan your budget by understanding the big-ticket items first. Totals include GST and typical metro labour.
Typical project totals
| Level | Spend (incl. GST) | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Budget flat-pack | $15,000 – $25,000 | Flat-pack cabinets, laminate tops, basic splashback, standalone appliances, minimal electrical/plumbing moves. |
| Mid-range custom | $25,000 – $45,000 | Custom cabinets, stone benchtop, tiled or glass splashback, integrated lighting, appliance upgrade, minor layout tweaks. |
| Premium | $45,000 – $80,000+ | Full custom joinery, high-end stone/porcelain or timber tops, integrated appliances, butler’s pantry, extensive services moves. |
Line-item ranges (mid-size kitchen)
| Component | Budget | Mid | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinetry & hardware | $6k – $12k | $12k – $20k | $18k – $35k |
| Benchtops | $1.5k – $3k (laminate) | $3.5k – $7k (engineered stone) | $8k – $18k (stone/porcelain/timber) |
| Appliances (set) | $2k – $4k | $4k – $8k | $8k – $18k |
| Splashback | $500 – $1.2k | $1.2k – $2.5k | $2.5k – $5k (stone/feature tile) |
| Plumbing & gas | $800 – $1.6k | $1.5k – $3k | $3k – $6k (relocations) |
| Electrical & lighting | $900 – $1.6k | $1.5k – $3k | $3k – $6k (rewire, LEDs, pendants) |
| Flooring allowance | $1k – $2k | $2k – $4k | $4k – $8k |
| Demolition & disposal | $800 – $1.5k | $1.2k – $2.5k | $2.5k – $4k |
| Painting & patching | $400 – $800 | $700 – $1.2k | $1.2k – $2k |
Cost levers
- Layout moves: Moving sink/cooktop walls adds plumbing/gas/electrical; island power adds coring in slabs.
- Carcase material: Moisture-resistant particleboard vs plywood; the latter can add 10–20% to cabinetry.
- Benchtop choice: 20mm stone with build-up vs full 40mm slab; porcelain and natural stone sit higher than engineered.
- Appliance spec: Integrated fridges/dishwashers add cabinetry labour and panels.
State labour multipliers
- NSW / ACT / VIC: 1.00x baseline
- QLD / SA: ~0.95x
- WA: ~0.92x
- Regional/remote: add 5–12% for travel and access.
Tip: In RenoCalc, add a “Kitchen†package and adjust cabinetry run length and finishes. The confidence range shows expected low/high before you add contingency.
Contingency
Carry 8–12% for: switchboard upgrades, unexpected plumbing conditions, slab coring, levelling, and appliance availability swaps.
How to brief your cabinetmaker
- Provide a measured plan with appliance models, hinge type (soft-close as standard), and drawer vs door preferences.
- Nominate benchtop material/thickness, edge profile, and splashback material.
- Confirm lead times and whether appliances are supplied by you or by the builder.
- Ask for exclusions in writing (e.g., electrical, plumbing, painting) to keep quotes comparable.