Renovating a kitchen can be an exciting prospect. But for many people who have never renovated before, the first question that comes to mind is, how much does a kitchen renovation cost?
We’ve all seen home renovation shows on TV where a tired, run-down old space is transformed into a designer kitchen with polished, high-end finishes and the latest trends and technology, seemingly overnight.
We all want those sorts of kitchens in our homes but, unfortunately, not everyone has a reality TV purse for a kitchen remodel.
So how do you get a kitchen that delivers on functionality and style while sticking to your budget? How much do kitchen renovations really cost? And where can budgets blow out?
Lighting, Materials, Appliances: What Goes into Kitchen Renovation Projects?
A kitchen renovation is not normally just a matter of removing your old cabinets and replacing them with new ones. It can be easy to overlook some aspects and neglect budgeting for certain parts of the planning stage.
Here are the main costs you need to be aware of:
- Demolition and disposal of your old kitchen, splashbacks, and appliances, depending on the overall renovation, could include removing flooring and walls and disposing of them
- Flooring installation or fixing flooring where cabinetry may be a different size
- Cabinetry and installation costs
- Benchtops and installation expenses
- New appliances (see below on installation costs)
- Plumbing fixtures and fittings
- Electrical fixtures and lighting options
- Plumbing and electrical labour (may include moving or replacing plumbing and electrical outlets, fitting new plumbing and electrical fixtures such as power points, installing sinks, the dishwasher and connecting kitchen appliances)
- Splashback tiling or glass and installation costs
- Plastering
- Painting
- Carpenter, if removing or adding walls
- Storage accessories and other items, such as rubbish bins
- Kitchen designer (Easy Living Kitchens offers a free, no-obligation design consultation and quote) Value at $600.
Price Ranges for Kitchen Renovations
The price for a complete kitchen renovation can vary dramatically. Your choices of features, materials, structural changes, installation methods and the extent of new plumbing or electrical fixtures will all greatly impact the final cost.
According to this article by HOUZZ Australia, featured on Domain, there are three tiers of kitchen renovations, “Budget”, “Mid Range” and “Luxury”:
The “BUDGET” Small Kitchen
The “BUDGET” kitchen includes basic cabinetry, laminate benchtops and economically priced appliances. The price range for the small kitchen may fall from $25,000 up to $35,000.
Tip: If you plan on utilising the existing kitchen footprint and will not relocate any plumbing or electrical aspects, you will likely stay within this range.
The “MID-RANGE” Kitchen
The “MID-RANGE” kitchen, as specified by approximately 70% of customers of Easy Living Kitchens, will range from $40,000 up to $65,000
Tip: For a Marble or Natural Stone look, engineered quartz surfaces such as Caesarstone replicate the look and finish of the natural product but at a fraction of the price.
The “LUXURY” Kitchen
The “LUXURY” kitchen starts at $65,000 and can easily surpass $100,000 and more.
Tip: Bespoke cabinetry, intelligent lighting, natural stone and finishes, and premium appliances contribute greatly to the luxe and feel of a kitchen deserving of its price.
How much should I spend on my kitchen renovation?
While a brand-new kitchen will add value to your home, you should be careful not to overcapitalise. To maximise your return on investment, have your home valued before you start a kitchen reno, so you can ensure you don’t spend more than 10% of the property value. Also, don’t forget to factor in kitchen size when planning your budget.
Estimate and Budget Considerations: Why Such a Variation in Prices?
Kitchens comprise a number of different components, with considerable cost variation across the range.
You’ll need to think about how different materials may impact on cost, which contractors are within your budget or time frame, any permits you require for your project and any extra quotes you’ll need for accurate measurements and quality assurance.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet carcasses are generally made of melamine HMR (Highly Moisture Resistant) particleboard. This means if they get wet, they won’t swell. They can sometimes be made of other materials such as solid wood, but this isn’t common.
While other companies use restrictive, flat-packed kitchen cabinetry, Easy Living Kitchens fully custom makes all of our designs, so you can be assured of the highest-quality kitchen when you renovate your space with us.
Doors and Drawers
Doors and drawers can use basic to mid-range melamine, thermolaminate or vinyl wrap, high-end gloss, and woodgrain boards, or more luxury up to two pac finishes and solid timber.
Hardware
Door and drawer hardware can range dramatically. From cheap, low-quality and noisy hinges and low-load-rated drawer runners to medium-priced, high-quality whisper-quiet, soft-close hinges. At the higher end of the scale are higher load-rated drawer runners, top-quality coloured drawers and even electronic door and draw opening hardware.
Benchtop Selection
Kitchen benchtops vary from laminate to solid timber, quartz, natural stone, granite, porcelain and marble.
Natural stone is known for its prestige and uniqueness, whereas laminate benches are easier to install and are more budget-friendly.
Splashback Material
Kitchen splashbacks vary from acrylic to glass, tiles, solid surfaces, natural stone or stainless steel.
TIP: Know your needs but not what you can afford? Ask your contractor for an estimate with high-quality options as well as a list of cheaper alternatives, so you can get a fair idea of what’s achievable and budget accordingly.
New Appliances
Appliances, sinks and taps vary massively. Most people have a measured approach to buying appliances, sinks and taps and spend between $4,000 and $12,000 depending on chosen brands and value perceptions.
Lighting Overhaul
A kitchen renovation will require a lighting plan to ensure optimal functionality and safety. Maybe it’s time to consider layered lighting in your kitchen, for example.
Tradespeople
While materials make up most of the kitchen renovation cost, the expense of trade can also vary considerably. When embarking on a kitchen renovation project, get quotes from more than one contractor.
Altered kitchen layouts will likely require essential services such as plumbing and electricity to be relocated. This not only adds to the cost for tradespeople to do this work, but it can also cause your timeframe to blow out if any unexpected problems arise, which is always a risk when renovating and trying to stay on track.
Kitchen Design Elements Are Key
Given the broad range of options that affect the final price of your new kitchen, how do you design a kitchen you’ll enjoy for many years while still affording to fill the fridge and pantry? Talk with your designer about your negotiable and non-negotiable wishes and be upfront if you are working to a strict budget.
So long as the budgeting is realistic, you can have a kitchen that meets your expectations. It comes down to the finishes and components you choose as well as the measurements of your kitchen layout. Thinking of designing your kitchen layout yourself? Read more about why kitchen designers are necessary in our Kitchen Renovation Guide for Brisbane Homeowners.
Permits may be necessary
In most cases, you won’t require building permits for a simple kitchen renovation. However, if doing major wall alterations and renovations you should check with your local council before remodelling as you may need approval for certain types of plumbing works or to block a footpath with a skip, for example. Do your research, so there are no budget surprises or timeline blowouts.
How Can I Save Money on My Kitchen Renovation Project?
If your kitchen renovation budget is tight, here are a few kitchen design ideas to help you save.
- Reduce your labour costs by removing your existing kitchen yourself. Maybe you have a friend or family member who is an electrician or plumber and is happy to help you out.
- While drawers are certainly more popular and practical in a kitchen, they cost substantially more than hinged cabinets.
- Choose less expensive finishes. If you like sheen or glossy cabinet doors, choose lower-cost alternatives such as sheen or gloss laminates instead of thermolaminates or 2 packs.
- Choose a laminate benchtop instead of quartz or stone. Laminate technology has improved immensely over the years, and there are hundreds of colours and styles to choose from.
- Consider a custom-designed kitchen by Easy Living Kitchens so that the cabinets are the right size for your space, and you’re not overspending on what you don’t need or paying more to fill the gaps. The best kitchen design is one that fits your home.
No Budget Surprises with Easy Living Kitchens
How much a kitchen renovation costs depends on the complexity of your remodelling project, the materials you choose and how you decide to tackle the renovation.
Moving the cooktop and the kitchen sink will cost more, so carefully consider how these decisions affect the work triangle and functionality of your kitchen.
Taking a DIY, flat-pack approach to your kitchen renovation? It likely won’t last as long, function as well or look as good as a custom-designed kitchen that’s made to fit your home, so it may not be cost-effective at all.
With an Easy Living Kitchen, we guarantee you’ll be 100% satisfied. We offer a fixed-price guarantee, our kitchens are 100% Aussie-made, locally manufactured, and custom-designed for your home. Get cooking on your Brisbane kitchen renovation by calling us today on 1300 650 681 and booking your free consultation.