For many people who have never renovated before, the first question that plays out in their mind is, how much does a kitchen renovation cost?
It’s a logical question, and an important question that needs to be answered before you can truly start planning and moving forward.
To answer this question, you need to be mindful of what your expectations are, and how much flex you have in your hip pocket.
New Kitchen Price Ranges
The price for a complete kitchen renovation can vary dramatically.
A recent article written by HOUZZ Australia and featured on Domain provides ballpark figures for the three tiers of kitchen renovations.
The “BUDGET” small kitchen with basic cabinetry, laminate benchtops and economically priced appliances may fall within the price range of $10,000 up to $25,000
Tip: If you plan on utilising the existing kitchen footprint, and will not be relocating any plumbing or electrical, you are more likely to stay within this range.
The “MID-RANGE” kitchen as specified by approximately 70% of customers of Easy Living Kitchens will range from $20,000 up to $50,000
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 starts at $50,000 and can easily surpass $100,000 and more.
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.
Why Such a Variation in Prices?
Kitchens are made up of many different components, with considerable cost variation across the ranges.
Cabinet carcasses are made of melamine HMR (Highly Moisture Resistant) Particleboard with limited options apart from colour.
Door and drawer hardware can range dramatically from cheap, low quality and noisy hinges and drawer runners through to medium priced, high quality and whisper quiet soft close hinges and drawer runners, right up to higher priced, top quality electronic door and draw opening hardware.
Doors and drawers can range from basic to mid range melamine, thermolaminate or vinyl wrap, high end gloss and woodgrain boards, right up to two pac luxury finishes and solid timber.
Kitchen Benchtops vary from laminate to solid timber to quartz up to natural stone, granite and marble.
Kitchen Splashbacks vary from acrylic to glass, tiles, solid surface, natural stone or stainless steel.
Appliances vary massively from the budget end to the sky’s the limit. Generally, most people have a measured approach to buying appliances and spend between $2,000 and $10,000 depending on chosen brands and value perceptions.
Whilst materials make up the bulk of the cost of kitchen renovation, labour and installation can also vary considerably. If services such as electrical and plumbing require relocation due to a changed layout, you can expect to pay more than if everything stays the same.
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 without breaking the bank? Talk with your designer about your negotiable and non-negotiable wishes and be upfront if you are working to a strict budget.
Generally speaking, so long as your budget expectation is realistic, a kitchen can be designed to meet your budget. It really comes down to finishes and visible components you choose.
How To Save Money?
There’s a number of ways you can save money on your kitchen renovation. Here’s a few tips…
- Reduce your labour costs by removing your existing kitchen yourself. Maybe you have a friend or family member who is an electrician or plumber who is happy to help you out.
- Whilst drawers are certainly more popular and practical in a kitchen, they do 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 or thermolaminates or 2 pac.
- Choose a laminate benchtop in favour of quartz or stone. Laminate technology has improved immensely over the years and there are hundreds of colours and styles from which to choose.
Asking how much does a kitchen renovation cost is not a silly question, but with no two kitchens being the same, it’s a question that can’t be answered without a custom measure and design consultation with a specialist kitchen designer.
Your kitchen designer will guide you through the options to suit your budget and specify all components clearly and concisely.
Even if your chosen design goes over budget, you can always compromise and make changes that won’t affect the function or longevity of your new kitchen. But don’t compromise on the quality of construction. Cabinets must be well built and your door and drawer hardware is what keeps your kitchen together, so choose high quality hinges, drawers and drawer runners.