Kitchens are the heart of the home – a place where we gather to cook, talk, eat and entertain our loved ones. If you’re thinking to renovate and turn your kitchen into a space that will make you feel as warm inside as a freshly-baked tray of muffins from your new oven, you’ll no doubt be wondering how much kitchen renovation will cost and what upgrades your budget will allow.

Renovating a kitchen can be a costly project to undertake, but with a bit of clever planning, you can revamp your kitchen on a small budget. A basic kitchen renovation in Australia is likely to cost in the region of $20,000 – $30,000.

To get a good idea of how much it costs to renovate a kitchen on a budget, read out our study below –

When should I renovate my kitchen?

While few people renovate kitchens less than five years old, but if you’re feeling about wanting to renovate your decade-old kitchen, it might help to know that you’re not alone.

The Housing Industry Association (HIA)’s Kitchens and Bathrooms survey conducted in February/March 2019 found the overwhelming majority of kitchen renovations in Australia last year – 78% – were performed in homes that were between 11 and 20 years old.

What affects the cost of a kitchen renovation?

“How much your new kitchen costs will vary based on your budget and the reasons why you are upgrading the kitchen”

The older your home is, the more extensive your kitchen renovations are likely to be. The physical size of your kitchen will also have an impact on the cost of upgrading it.

Prices will also depend on the quality of the materials, fixtures and fittings you choose, and whether you hire tradespeople to install your kitchen or do it yourself.

Also, it’s important to remember that quotes are estimates of what the work is expected to cost. These estimates could change as the project progresses, especially if there are delays caused by factors like supply issues or changes to your original plans. New work could also uncover existing problems, such as water-damaged house frames or mould infestations, which can also mean delays, the need for more materials and, subsequently, higher costs.

Also, when working on kitchen renovations costs, it’s important to consider appliances versus cabinetry and hardware. An eye-catching splashback, amazing layout or luxe-looking tiles and hardware can add wow-factor more than a fancy appliance hidden in a basic kitchen. 

What parts of the kitchen cost what?

The materials you choose will have a big impact on the cost of your renovation, whether it’s for your benches, splashbacks and cabinetry or your handles, tapware and sinks.

Price typically differs according to a product’s quality, style, popularity or a combination of these factors. Generally, the higher the quality of a product, the more it will cost, as those kinds of products are often marketed as being designed to perform better over time or to require less maintenance.

The styling of a product can also change the cost of a product. For example, tiles can differ in price depending on how they are decorated. Generally, hand-painted tiles or artisan-glazed ceramics are considerably more expensive than mass-manufactured options in standard colours. Natural stone also usually costs more than manufactured tiles, even though they may look similar.

The prices below will vary but could help give you a ballpark figure for some of the bigger-ticket items:

Benches:

• Laminate bench top, approx $350-$650 per square metre.
• Stone bench top, approx $700 to $2000 per square metre.
• Hardwood timber or stainless steel bench top, approx $600 to $1200 per square metre.
• Natural stone or marble bench top, approx $800 to $2200 per square metre.

Splashback:

• Tile splashback, approx $45-$250 per square metre
• Acrylic splashback, approx $150 per square metre
• Glass splashback, approx $450 per square metre

Cabinets:

• Melamine (made from compressed wood covered with paper and resin), approx $4,500
• Polyurethane (a more durable board covered in paint that has been mixed with a hardener), approx $7,000
• Two-pac (a special, two-part paint finish that is generally harder and more durable than other coatings), approx. $13,000

How long does it take to renovate a kitchen?

The majority of full kitchen installations take four to 12 days to renovate from the beginning of onsite work to completion. Again, this will depend on the extent of the renovations, who does them, and the materials chose.

It could be possible to stay in the home while the renovations are taking place unless you’re making some serious structural changes to the room. It’s a good idea to remember that you probably won’t have a kitchen to use during this time. While the toaster and kettle might do just fine on the dining table for a week, you may have to plan alternative ways of catering for your household. You might find yourself embracing the convenience of takeaway – which could become costly – or have some ready-to-heat meals prepared to pop in the microwave.

Get in touch with Hometrix to discuss your kitchen renovation project. If you would like to discuss options and ideas for your kitchen renovation project, please book a design appointment. We will get in touch with you at a time that suits you to discuss your project.