Thinking about renovating your kitchen in 2026? You’re not alone. For many Sydney homeowners, the kitchen is the heart of the home – and upgrading it can dramatically improve functionality, lifestyle, and property value. But how much does a kitchen renovation really cost in Sydney?
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–$40,000New cabinetry, laminate benchtops, mid-range appliances, cosmetic refresh. Layout stays the same.
Mid-range kitchen renovation: $40,000–$60,000Custom joinery, engineered stone benchtops, quality appliances, some layout tweaks. This is where most Sydney renovations land.
High-end kitchen renovation: $60,000–$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.
If you've been researching kitchen renovation costs for a while, here's what's shifted:
Prices have increased 5–10% 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–$1,200 per square metre, up from $650–$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 8–12 weeks in 2023–2024 is now back to 6–8 weeks for most manufacturers.
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–$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 typically accounts for 30–40% of your total kitchen renovation cost in Sydney. The range is significant:
Flat-pack cabinetry: $3,000–$6,000Best for tight budgets or rental properties. Functional but limited customisation.
Semi-custom joinery: $8,000–$15,000The sweet spot for most renovations. Good quality, reasonable flexibility, won't break the budget.
Fully custom cabinetry: $15,000–$25,000+Worth it for unusual spaces, specific storage needs, or high-end finishes. Solves problems flat-pack can't—awkward corners, integrated appliances, maximising every centimetre.
Your benchtop choice has a major visual and cost impact. For a typical Sydney kitchen (3–5m² of benchtop space):
Laminate: $400–$600 per m² ($1,200–$3,000 total)Durable, wide colour range, budget-friendly. Modern laminates look far better than they used to.
Engineered stone: $700–$1,200 per m² ($2,100–$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–$2,000+ per m² ($3,600–$10,000+ total)Unique patterns, premium feel. Requires sealing and more maintenance.
Porcelain: $1,100–$1,800 per m² ($3,300–$9,000 total)Newer option gaining popularity. Heat and scratch resistant, very thin profile possible.
You can supply your own appliances or include them in the renovation quote. Typical ranges:
Budget appliance package: $3,000–$5,000
Mid-range: $5,000–$10,000
Premium/integrated: $10,000–$20,000+
Integrated appliances (hidden behind cabinet panels) cost more but create a seamless look that's become expected in higher-end Sydney kitchens.
Sydney labour rates run 30–40% above the national average. Labour typically accounts for 35–50% 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.
Here's where your money actually goes in a mid-range Sydney kitchen renovation ($40,000–$60,000):
Cabinetry: $12,000–$20,000 (30–35% of budget)Custom or semi-custom joinery, soft-close hardware, quality finishes.
Benchtops: $3,000–$8,000 (8–15% of budget)Engineered stone is the most common choice at this level.
Appliances: $5,000–$10,000 (12–18% of budget)Quality mid-range brands. Integrated rangehood and dishwasher increasingly standard.
Electrical and plumbing: $4,000–$8,000 (10–15% of budget)New power points, lighting circuits, plumbing connections. More if relocating services.
Splashback: $1,000–$3,500 (3–6% of budget)Tiles, glass, or stone. Subway tiles at the budget end, full-height stone at the premium end.
Lighting: $1,500–$3,500 (3–6% of budget)Under-cabinet LEDs, pendant lights, downlights. Good lighting transforms a kitchen.
Flooring and tiling: $2,500–$6,000 (6–10% of budget)Often extends into adjacent living areas for continuity.
Labour and project management: $10,000–$18,000 (25–30% of budget)Includes site prep, coordination, supervision, and cleanup.
What's NOT included in these figures:
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–$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–$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—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.
This matters more than most people realise when budgeting their Sydney kitchen renovation.
Timeline: Most kitchen renovations take 3–6 weeks once work begins. Add 2–4 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:
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.
No approval typically needed for:
May need approval (CDC or DA) for:
Not sure about the difference? Our guide on DA vs CDC approvals breaks it down.
You'll almost always need strata approval before starting. Even for cosmetic work.
Typical strata requirements:
Start the strata approval process 4–8 weeks before you want to begin work. This catches many apartment owners off guard.
For more detail, see NSW Fair Trading's renovation guide.
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.
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 licenced 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.
How much does a small kitchen renovation cost in Sydney?
A small kitchen (under 10m²) typically costs $20,000–$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 10–15% 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. A weekend warrior demo job that takes three days costs you time and may create problems for trades following. 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–$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–$54,000.
How do I choose a kitchen style?
Start with how you actually use your kitchen. A keen cook needs different things than someone who mostly reheats. Browse our inspiration gallery for ideas, or use our helpful tools to narrow down what works for your space.
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–$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.
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.
Thinking about renovating? Even if you're not entirely sure of the scope of your project yet, get in touch with us below with a few details and our licenced builder Cam will reach out to help your get started.
Want more expert insights? Explore these related articles to gain valuable tips and inspiration for your renovation journey.
