A kitchen renovation can enhance the comfort for your family and boost your home's value by up to 69%. While renovating your kitchen might require effort, it's a rewarding investment that brings both enjoyment and potential benefits. Understanding the potential kitchen renovation cost upfront is an important part of this process.

Here, we’ll explore things to consider about kitchen renovations and the factors influencing the kitchen renovation cost.

Affordable Kitchen Renovation - Kind Kitchen
Modern kitchen with white cabinets, open drawers, a double sink, and a visible dishwasher. Plant on countertop.

Cost Breakdown of a Kitchen Renovation

Past data indicated the projected cost for a kitchen renovation in Melbourne is approximately $52,500. For a mid-size kitchen renovation, you can expect costs ranging from $25,000 to $50,000. If you're considering a more luxurious kitchen upgrade, the expenses can start at $50,000 and potentially go even higher.

These figures are rough estimates, and the actual kitchen renovation cost may depend on the kitchen's size and materials used. Another factor affecting the cost is whether it involves constructing an entirely new kitchen or upgrading an existing one. Below is a detailed breakdown of typical kitchen renovation expenses that contribute to the overall kitchen renovation cost.

Kitchen Cabinets ($15,000 – $50,000)
You could opt for lavish high-end cabinets with a hefty price tag or explore more affordable alternatives that don't compromise aesthetics. The range will vary based on material, kitchen size, cabinet style, and internal hardware. Common materials include:

1. Melamine
2. Acrylics
3. Vinyl/vinyl wrap
4. 2-Pac paint

Kitchen Benchtops ($1,500 – $4,000)
Just like cabinets, various elements contribute to the cost and play a role in determining the price. Materials like granite or marble come with a higher price tag than laminate or engineered stone. A bigger kitchen with an expansive workspace incurs higher costs than a smaller one. Additionally, tailor-made options for uniquely shaped benchtops tend to be pricier.

Trades Expenses ($8.5-13,000 or more)
Trades Expenses ($8.5-13,000 or more) – In Melbourne, trade costs average around $8500 to $13,000. This covers plumbing, electrical work, plastering, tiling, touch painting, and demolition. The cost can vary based on the project's size and scope, possibly exceeding $15,000 for extensive projects. The following tasks could be an addition:

* New Flooring
* Moving Water services/ cutting concrete
* New High-amperage cable installations
* Insurance
* Removing or adding walls/load-bearing walls

Labour typically accounts for 40–50% of your renovation budget. Experienced tradespeople in Melbourne charge $100–150 per hour. Plumbers and electricians range from $110–140/hour for standard work, escalating to $160–200+ for complex relocations, such as moving drainage or adding high-amperage cable.

The tasks are usually quoted per job rather than per hour. These are rough estimates if you were to hire tradespeople yourself. KIND provides an overall package price that gives you a fixed figure on how much you would need for your project.

Kitchen Flooring ($2,000 – $6,000)
Kitchen flooring is often overlooked but represents a material cost when refreshing your space. Options include ceramic tiles ($50–100/m²), solid timber or engineered wood ($80–200/m²), and vinyl planks ($30–80/m²).

Your flooring choice should complement your new cabinetry and benchtops while considering durability and ease of maintenance in a high-traffic kitchen. Also, the sequence of the flooring work is important. Depending on the type of flooring, cabinetry can be installed before or after the flooring.

Our experts at KIND could provide you with the correct advice on the entire renovation process, which helps to avoid creeps in the budget and project delays

Estimated Duration of Your Kitchen Renovation Project

If you opt for surface-level upgrades, like painting or refacing cabinets, the timeline could be condensed to 2-3 weeks (including manufacturing). On the other hand, it would take 6 to 8 weeks for a comprehensive overhaul (involving complete gutting and starting anew). During this phase, builders need ample time to:

  1. Understand your vision and scope
  2. Establish the necessary groundwork
  3. Execute the renovation process

Our designers at KIND Kitchens will give you an estimated timeline during the consultation. With industry experience, we can estimate the time it'll take for each aspect of the project. Having an in-house manufacturing facility also makes it easier to build cabinetry with precise measurements and timing.

Modern kitchen corner with white cabinets, stovetop, oven, washing machine, knives, and toaster on counter.
Modern kitchen with white cabinets, patterned tile floor, a round mirror, and small plants on the counter.

How To Prepare for a Kitchen Renovation

As a general rule, consider extending any provided timeline by at least a week as a buffer period. This ensures you have the flexibility to relocate appliances and clear out spaces. Below are some guidelines to prepare your space before the renovation starts.

  • Space: Use an alternate room as a temporary kitchen to shield you from renovation activities.
  • Cooking: Lessen cooking challenges by incorporating a portable electric stove, microwave, air fryer or slow cooker into your temporary setup.
  • Preparation: Cook simple recipes that don't require using all your kitchen appliances.
  • Storage: Arrange for alternative storage solutions to safeguard your food from spoilage and pests.

At KIND Kitchens, we offer comprehensive schedules outlining the renovation's progression so you can strategise your temporary kitchen setup. Remain flexible as delays might arise due to weather or material availability. Benchtops are often the final component to be installed and signify that your kitchen is ready for use.

KIND Kitchens: Your Kitchen Renovation Experts

As the heart of your home, your kitchen deserves perfection. KIND Kitchens can help you build your kind of kitchen, whether you need cabinet refacing or new countertop installations. Our design experts will collaborate with you to devise the most efficient solutions for your unique project, keeping your budget and desired kitchen renovation cost in mind.

To learn more about our services, you can check out our portfolio. Visit our showrooms in Bentleigh, Blackburn, Chadstone, or Hawthorn for more kitchen renovation inspirations. For other concerns or queries regarding your kitchen renovation cost, call us on 03 9569 0411 or leave us a message here.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, built-in oven, cooktop, and wooden island with a sink under hanging lights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The primary factors influencing your kitchen renovation cost include the size of your kitchen, the materials selected (for cabinetry, benchtops, splashbacks), the quality and brand of appliances, the complexity of the design (e.g., custom vs. standard sizing), and the scope of trade work required, such as plumbing, electrical, and structural changes.

KIND Kitchens offers a FREE design and quoting process. You can contact us to schedule a consultation where our designers will discuss your vision, assess your space, understand your preferences, and then provide a detailed, transparent quotation outlining the specific kitchen renovation cost for your project.

While we aim for full transparency, potential unforeseen issues like discovering asbestos (in older homes), needing to upgrade old wiring or plumbing to meet current codes, or unexpected structural problems once demolition begins can sometimes add to the kitchen renovation cost. We discuss potential contingencies with you during the planning phase. What’s more important is that KIND’s costs are completely traceable, so you don’t have to worry about being charged ridiculous amounts for variations in the design or work.

Yes, significantly altering your kitchen’s layout (e.g., moving sinks, cooktops, or walls) will generally increase the kitchen renovation cost. This is because it often involves more extensive plumbing, electrical work, and potentially structural changes, compared to keeping the existing footprint.