Kitchen Renovation Costs
How Much Does a Kitchen Renovation Cost?
If you’re considering putting an offer on a house that needs a new kitchen, or you’re at a point where you’re ready to renovate the kitchen in your current property. One of the first things you’ll want to know is how much it will cost.
The cost of a kitchen renovation in Auckland is usually the thing that influences a decision of whether to go ahead with the renovation or not. If you’ve got an older kitchen, you may be tolerating certain features you don’t like simply because you’re apprehensive about what it might cost to renovate a kitchen in Auckland.
Let us help make it easier for you to get started on those kitchen renovations by breaking down what goes into the kitchen renovation cost.
In short, the cost of a kitchen renovation in Auckland is whatever you want it to be. If you only want to spend $10,000, then there are things you can do that will make a huge difference to your current kitchen. If you’re looking to spend more, anywhere up to $100,000, there are a lot of ways to add the wow factor to your kitchen.
We find that most people in Auckland sit somewhere in the midrange with their budget for kitchen renovations. So we’re going to use a low-mid-high analysis and break down the costs of a kitchen renovation to help you with your renovation planning.
The overall budget for a kitchen renovation
- Low: If you don’t want to spend a lot on your kitchen renovation. (Perhaps you’re just renovating to get your house ready to sell). Then you’re probably looking at modernising or freshening up the appearance of your kitchen. A lower end kitchen renovation would include painting the walls, painting the cupboard doors, changing cupboard and drawer handles, replacing window blinds, changing tapware, etc.
- Mid: If you want to spend a bit more on a kitchen renovation but don’t want or need to change the size or layout. You might look at removing old cabinetry and replacing it with a new full set of kitchen cabinetry, upgrading appliances, installing new benchtops, etc.
- High: A higher-end kitchen renovation would most likely include structural changes. Here you’re changing the appearance as well as the size and/or layout. There are additional costs in removing or adding structural or load-bearing walls. You may also be looking at changing doorways, adding a kitchen island, adding a built-in laundry, or including a butler’s pantry.
So the first thing to do when you’re looking at starting a kitchen renovation is to determine why you’re renovating and what you don’t like about the current kitchen. Are you looking to freshen up the appearance, or do you need a new layout to make the kitchen function better?
Cabinetry
- Low: Melteca and melamine are two common and affordable materials used in NZ kitchens and are available in a great range of colours.
- Mid: Vacuum-formed vinyl is slightly more expensive because of the steps involved in manufacturing and painting the cupboards, but they look fantastic in a new kitchen. Soft-close doors and drawers add extra expense, but most clients swear they are worth the cost.
- High: Custom-made cabinets are the most expensive option, as are timber veneer and solid wood.
Flooring
- Low: Linoleum and vinyl kitchen flooring is inexpensive and quite durable against spills and dropped dishes.
- Mid: Higher-end vinyl, faux wood, standard tiles are all common in kitchens in the mid-range budget.
- High: Ceramic tiles, timber and bamboo add a designer look to any kitchen.
Appliances
We’re not brand advocates for any particular brand, but you’ll quickly learn that there are low, mid and higher-priced options when you shop around. Apart from which brand you select, extra costs come in when you consider added features. Such as a larger size fridge, whether to include a wine fridge, options for a single or double oven, wall-mounted or stand-alone oven/hob, dishwasher vs dish drawers, wall-mounted vs island range hood, etc.
This part of the kitchen renovation budget comes down mainly to personal preference, how much you use your kitchen, how many people are in your household, how much you love to cook, etc. A good kitchen designer will talk through options with you and help you figure out what is worth the money based on your circumstances.
Sink/tapware
- Low: A single sink with standard tapware will be the most economical option if you’re looking to renovate on a smaller budget.
- Mid: There are a few things you can add if you can spend a bit more. Such as an additional half sink or a double sink, a waste disposal unit, a pull-out spray mixer, etc.
- High: If you’re splurging in this area of the kitchen, you might consider porcelain or ceramic over stainless steel. You may want to add an additional sink to the kitchen island or the butler’s pantry, and you may look into add-ons like a filtered water tap for either cold or boiling water.
Lighting
- Low: Depending on the extent of your kitchen makeover, you may be able to keep the existing ceiling and lighting intact. Otherwise, a bit of functional recessed lighting above your working triangle may be all you need.
- Mid: If you do a lot of entertaining around the kitchen, you may want to add pendant lights above an island bench. Add strip lighting under the bench where the bar stools are, or add dimmer switches near the kitchen.
- High: For extra pizzaz, you can add lights to the inside of glass door cabinets to show off special pieces on display. LED strips above overhead cabinets to create subtle mood lighting or lighting inside the pantry that automatically turns on and off when the pantry door is opened or closed.
Countertops/benchtops
- Low: To keep costs down, you might want to repurpose an existing benchtop if it’s still in good condition and it’s the right size and shape for your renovated kitchen. Or you may want to look into an updated stainless steel or laminate countertop. Costs can be kept under control, as well, by sticking to a standard size and depth and avoiding too many cut-outs.
- Mid: There are so many options here in engineered stone, quartz composite, polished concrete, bamboo. You can get the look of a high-end benchtop without paying the price.
- High: Natural stone, granite, and marble look beautiful and add a luxury feel to your home. But they add significantly to the cost of a kitchen renovation. Make sure your kitchen design works with the weight of the stone by talking to your designer or builder. You might also want to talk to your electrician as it’s a bit trickier cutting into or around a natural stone benchtop for power points.
Splashback
- Low: A glass splashback is probably your cheapest option. If you’re really looking to save here, consider a partial splashback rather than covering the full width of the wall behind the hob or sink.
- Mid: Ceramic tiles or tiling sheets are a good in-between option that won’t break the bank. It’s worth spending money on having a professional tiler do this work for you, however, if you’ve never tiled before.
- High: Custom tiles, a mosaic or other form of artwork are a great way to create a signature piece for your kitchen. They’re also great motivation to keep the splashback clean!
Plumbing and Gasfitting work
The amount you spend on plumbing and gasfitting (as well as electrical work, for that matter) will depend somewhat on how much you’re moving things around and how many new appliances need to be plumbed in.
Other than that, it’s hard for most homeowners to distinguish between low, mid and high priced plumbing and gasfitting. It’s best to get a few quotes from different suppliers and see how they can help the kitchen renovation project run smoothly.
You should always aim for a high standard of work and exceptional quality. This is where Sumich Plumbing & Drainage comes in. Over the past three decades, we’ve worked on multiple kitchen renovation projects and have seen a diverse range of kitchen projects.
We can advise you on different layout and product options, and our certified gasfitters and plumbers are qualified to install and service gas hobs and stoves.
Before you begin your kitchen renovation project, give us a call.