What you need to know about renovating your kitchen this year
In Sydney, a kitchen renovation typically costs between $25,000 and $90,000+ depending on the scope, materials, and whether you’re changing the layout.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Budget kitchen renovation: $25,000 to $40,000 New cabinetry, laminate benchtops, mid-range appliances, cosmetic refresh. Layout stays the same.
Mid-range kitchen renovation: $40,000 to $60,000 Custom joinery, engineered stone benchtops, quality appliances, some layout tweaks. This is where most Sydney renovations land.
High-end kitchen renovation: $60,000 to $90,000+ Bespoke cabinetry, premium natural stone, top-tier integrated appliances, structural modifications like removing walls or relocating services.
These figures include labour, materials, and project management. They don’t include architect or design fees if you’re using external professionals.
Why the range? Two kitchens the same size can cost vastly different amounts depending on materials, layout changes, and finishes. A straightforward cabinet replacement is very different from moving plumbing and knocking down walls.
What’s Changed in 2026
If you’ve been researching kitchen renovation costs for a while, here’s what’s shifted:
Prices have increased 5 to 10% from 2025. Labour costs continue to rise, and some materials (particularly engineered stone) have seen price jumps due to supply chain pressures.
Engineered stone remains the most popular benchtop choice but expect to pay $700 to $1,200 per square metre, up from $650 to $1,000 in 2025.
Shaker-style cabinetry and matte finishes are dominating. If you want something current but not trendy, these are safe choices that won’t date quickly.
Integrated appliances are increasingly standard in mid-range renovations. What used to be a luxury inclusion is now expected in the $50K+ range.
Lead times have improved. Custom joinery that took 8 to 12 weeks in 2023 to 2024 is now back to 6 to 8 weeks for most manufacturers.
What Actually Affects Kitchen Renovation Costs in Sydney
Layout Changes
Keeping your existing layout is the single biggest way to control costs. Moving the sink, cooktop, or fridge means relocating plumbing, gas, and electrical, each adding $2,000 to $5,000+ to your budget.
Cost-effective: Same layout with new finishes
More expensive: Relocating services or removing walls
If you’re working with a small kitchen, layout efficiency becomes even more critical.
Cabinetry
Cabinetry typically accounts for 30 to 40% of your total kitchen renovation cost in Sydney. The range is significant:
Flat-pack cabinetry: $3,000 to $6,000 Best for tight budgets or rental properties. Functional but limited customisation.
Semi-custom joinery: $8,000 to $15,000 The sweet spot for most renovations. Good quality, reasonable flexibility, won’t break the budget.
Fully custom cabinetry: $15,000 to $25,000+ Worth it for unusual spaces, specific storage needs, or high-end finishes. Solves problems flat-pack can’t, including awkward corners, integrated appliances, and maximising every centimetre.
Benchtops
Your benchtop choice has a major visual and cost impact. For a typical Sydney kitchen (3 to 5m2 of benchtop space):
Laminate: $400 to $600 per m2 ($1,200 to $3,000 total) Durable, wide colour range, budget-friendly. Modern laminates look far better than they used to.
Engineered stone: $700 to $1,200 per m2 ($2,100 to $6,000 total) Most popular choice in 2026. Consistent colour, low maintenance, wide range of looks from marble-effect to concrete-look.
Natural stone: $1,200 to $2,000+ per m2 ($3,600 to $10,000+ total) Unique patterns, premium feel. Requires sealing and more maintenance.
Porcelain: $1,100 to $1,800 per m2 ($3,300 to $9,000 total) Newer option gaining popularity. Heat and scratch resistant, very thin profile possible.
Appliances
You can supply your own appliances or include them in the renovation quote. Typical ranges:
Budget appliance package: $3,000 to $5,000
Mid-range: $5,000 to $10,000
Premium/integrated: $10,000 to $20,000+
Integrated appliances (hidden behind cabinet panels) cost more but create a seamless look that’s become expected in higher-end Sydney kitchens.
Labour
Sydney labour rates run 30 to 40% above the national average. Labour typically accounts for 35 to 50% of your total kitchen renovation cost, often the single largest expense.
A kitchen renovation involves multiple trades: cabinetmakers, plumbers, electricians, tilers, painters, and potentially builders for structural work. Coordinating these trades properly is why project management and process matters.
2026 Kitchen Renovation Cost Breakdown (Sydney)
Here’s where your money actually goes in a mid-range Sydney kitchen renovation ($40,000 to $60,000):
Cabinetry: $12,000 to $20,000 (30 to 35% of budget) Custom or semi-custom joinery, soft-close hardware, quality finishes.
Benchtops: $3,000 to $8,000 (8 to 15% of budget) Engineered stone is the most common choice at this level.
Appliances: $5,000 to $10,000 (12 to 18% of budget) Quality mid-range brands. Integrated rangehood and dishwasher increasingly standard.
Electrical and plumbing: $4,000 to $8,000 (10 to 15% of budget) New power points, lighting circuits, plumbing connections. More if relocating services.
Splashback: $1,000 to $3,500 (3 to 6% of budget) Tiles, glass, or stone. Subway tiles at the budget end, full-height stone at the premium end.
Lighting: $1,500 to $3,500 (3 to 6% of budget) Under-cabinet LEDs, pendant lights, downlights. Good lighting transforms a kitchen.
Flooring and tiling: $2,500 to $6,000 (6 to 10% of budget) Often extends into adjacent living areas for continuity.
Labour and project management: $10,000 to $18,000 (25 to 30% of budget) Includes site prep, coordination, supervision, and cleanup.
What’s NOT included in these figures:
- Design fees (if using an architect or kitchen designer separately)
- Structural engineering (if removing load-bearing walls)
- Council or strata application fees
- Temporary kitchen setup during renovation
Budget Kitchen Renovations in Sydney: How to Save
If you want maximum impact for minimum spend:
Keep the layout. This is non-negotiable for a budget kitchen renovation. Moving plumbing and electrical quickly adds $5,000 to $10,000 to your Sydney kitchen renovation cost.
Mix your materials. Splurge on the benchtop (you see and touch it daily) and save on cabinetry with semi-custom options.
Use classic splashbacks. Subway tiles at $50 to $80 per square metre look timeless and cost a fraction of custom glass or stone.
Choose quality mid-range appliances. A $1,500 oven performs almost identically to a $4,000 one for most home cooks. Spend more on the rangehood if anything, as it actually affects daily life.
Consider open shelving. Replacing some upper cabinets with open shelves reduces joinery costs and opens up the space. Not for everyone, but effective if you’re tidy.
Keep your flooring. If existing floors are in good condition, a polish or professional clean can save thousands.
Avoid the false economy of going too cheap. Our guide on the real cost of low-cost renovations explains why the cheapest quote often isn’t the best value.
What It’s Actually Like Living Through a Kitchen Renovation
This matters more than most people realise when budgeting their Sydney kitchen renovation.
Timeline: Most kitchen renovations take 3 to 6 weeks once work begins. Add 2 to 4 weeks for design, ordering, and approvals beforehand.
The reality: You won’t have a functioning kitchen for most of that time. No sink, no cooktop, no oven.
How people cope:
- Set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere (kettle, microwave, bar fridge, portable induction cooktop)
- Meal prep and freeze before work starts
- Budget for more takeaway than usual
- Use a BBQ for cooking if weather permits
Dust and noise: Demolition is loud and messy. Even with plastic sheeting, fine dust travels. If you work from home, factor this in.
We can often phase the work to minimise disruption, keeping the sink functional longer, or completing demolition while you’re away. Talk to your builder about this early.
The disruption is real but temporary. Most clients tell us it was more manageable than they expected, especially when they knew what was coming.
Do You Need Council or Strata Approval for a Kitchen Renovation in Sydney?
Private Homes
No approval typically needed for:
- Replacing cabinetry and benchtops
- New appliances
- Cosmetic updates (paint, splashbacks, lighting)
- Like-for-like replacements
May need approval (CDC or DA) for:
- Removing or modifying walls (especially load-bearing)
- Moving plumbing more than 1 metre
- Changing the footprint of the kitchen
- Adding windows or altering external walls
Not sure about the difference? Our guide on DA vs CDC approvals breaks it down.
Apartments and Strata Properties
You’ll almost always need strata approval before starting. Even for cosmetic work.
Typical strata requirements:
- Written approval from the owners corporation
- Restricted working hours (often 8am to 5pm weekdays only)
- Lift booking for material delivery
- Protection of common areas
- Compliance with waterproofing standards
- Sometimes additional insurance requirements
Start the strata approval process 4 to 8 weeks before you want to begin work. This catches many apartment owners off guard.
For more detail, see NSW Fair Trading’s renovation guide.
How to Compare Kitchen Renovation Quotes
If you’re getting multiple quotes (and you should), here’s how to actually compare them:
Check the scope matches. Are they quoting the same benchtop material? Same appliance brands? Same extent of electrical work? Quotes only compare fairly when they’re for the same thing.
Look for itemised breakdowns. A single lump sum tells you nothing. You want to see cabinetry, benchtops, appliances, labour, and other items listed separately.
Ask what’s excluded. Electrical, plumbing, tiling, painting, these are sometimes excluded and quoted separately. Make sure you’re comparing total cost, not just the cabinetry.
Understand the difference between a quote and an estimate. An estimate is a ballpark that can change. A quote is a fixed price for a defined scope. Make sure you know which you’re getting.
Don’t automatically pick the cheapest. In Sydney’s kitchen renovation market, the lowest quote often means corners will be cut, or you’ll face variations later. The middle quote from a builder you trust is usually the best value.
How LikeSilk Prices Kitchen Renovations
We know the number one fear with any Sydney kitchen renovation is budget blowouts. So we build certainty into our process:
Fixed-price quotes. Once we’ve properly scoped your project, you get a fixed price. Not an estimate, not a ballpark, a number you can rely on.
Itemised proposals. We show you exactly where your money is going. Every line item, every cost. You can see what you’re paying for cabinetry versus benchtops versus labour.
Quality as standard. Our quotes include quality materials and finishes. We don’t lowball with cheap inclusions and then upsell you later.
Honest guidance on where to spend. If you’re putting money in the wrong places, we’ll tell you. Our job is to get you the best result for your budget, not the most expensive one.
Your project is protected. We’re a licensed builder (Licence 274849C), HIA member, and all projects over $20,000 are covered by the Home Building Compensation Fund. If something goes wrong, you’re not left stranded.
Common Questions About Kitchen Renovation Costs in Sydney
How much does a small kitchen renovation cost in Sydney?
A small kitchen (under 10m2) typically costs $20,000 to $45,000 in Sydney. Smaller doesn’t always mean cheaper. Labour and access costs stay similar, and you’re often working around tighter constraints. Per square metre, small kitchens can actually cost more than larger ones.
Is it cheaper to renovate my kitchen or replace everything?
For most Sydney homes, targeted renovation beats full replacement. Strategic upgrades, new benchtops, replacement doors, modern appliances, often deliver 80% of the impact at 50% of the cost. Full gut renovations make sense when the layout is fundamentally wrong or everything is beyond saving.
How much should I budget for unexpected costs?
Set aside 10 to 15% contingency on top of your quoted price. With a detailed fixed-price quote, you shouldn’t need it, but it’s smart planning for any discoveries once walls come down (old wiring, plumbing issues, asbestos in older homes).
Can I do some of the work myself to save money?
Demolition and painting are the most common DIY tasks. Be realistic about your skills and time. Anything involving plumbing, gas, or electrical must be done by licensed professionals.
What’s the average kitchen renovation cost per square metre in Sydney?
Expect $2,500 to $4,500 per square metre for a quality kitchen renovation in Sydney, depending on materials and complexity. A 12m2 kitchen at mid-range finishes works out to roughly $30,000 to $54,000.
Before You Get Quotes
The more prepared you are, the more accurate your quotes will be:
Know your budget range. Builders can’t help you if you don’t know what you can spend. Even a broad range ($40K to $60K) is useful.
Decide on layout changes. Are you keeping things as they are, or moving the island? This affects kitchen renovation costs dramatically.
Gather inspiration. Pinterest, Instagram, magazines, knowing what you like helps builders understand the finish level you’re expecting.
List your must-haves versus nice-to-haves. A boiling water tap might be essential to you, or it might be cuttable if budget gets tight.
Understand the process. Download our Ultimate Renovation Blueprint for a clear walkthrough of what to expect.
If building jargon confuses you, our Building Terms Dictionary explains everything in plain English.
Ready to Plan Your Kitchen Renovation?
If you’re thinking about renovating your kitchen, the best first step is a conversation. Not a sales pitch, a genuine discussion about what you want, what’s realistic, and what it might cost.
Book a free planning call and we’ll help you figure out the next steps.
Or if you have a quick question, get in touch, we’re happy to help.
