Kitchen renovations cost: what the published figures show
Current Australian estimates place a typical kitchen renovation at roughly $15,000 to $50,000. Scope decides where yours lands. A kitchen that keeps its layout and gets new doors, benchtops and a few appliances sits near the bottom. A full rebuild with custom joinery and natural stone sits near the top.
For Victoria, the HIA Kitchens and Bathrooms Report 2024/25 gives an installed average of $42,630. That is a Victorian figure from one industry report. It is not a national average for 2026.
Treat both numbers as a planning guide. A written quote for your kitchen is the only firm figure.
Is your Melbourne South kitchen renovation budget in the right ballpark?
A budget in the low end of the published range suits a smaller or simpler job. The Victorian average of $42,630 is a long way above it, so expect to make some trade-offs.
The choices that stretch a dollar include keeping the existing layout and leaving the plumbing where it is. Flat pack cabinets, which arrive as boxes and are assembled on site, also cost less than made-to-measure joinery. A good flat pack kitchen with solid fittings does not have to look cheap. The finish depends on the doors, the benchtop and how well it is installed.
A full gut of an older kitchen is harder on a tight budget. A renovator can tell you on site which parts of your plan fit.
Why quotes can sit near the top of the range without plumbing changes
Quotes in the upper part of the published range do not depend on moving plumbing. Most of the money sits in cabinetry, the benchtop, appliances and the trades who fit them.
Cabinetry is usually the largest line. Stone benchtops, soft-close drawers and a tall pantry all add to it. Appliances can swing the total widely, from basic units to a full suite. Then come the plumber, electrician, tiler and painter, along with removal of the old kitchen.
If two quotes differ by thousands, the scope has usually changed. The materials, the appliances or the work included are not the same.
What does it cost to renovate a small kitchen?
A small kitchen usually costs less than a large one, but not always in proportion. Fewer cabinets and less benchtop cut the materials bill. The trades still have to attend, and the plumbing, power and tiling still need doing.
If the bench space is gone and the room feels cramped, the fix is often smarter storage rather than more floor area. Deep drawers, a corner solution and a rethought layout can give a small room a lot more working space. Smart design can matter more than size when you set the budget.
What drives the price up or down?
Five things move the total most.
Layout changes. Moving the sink, cooktop or gas point means more plumbing, gas and electrical work.
Cabinet style. Flat pack costs less than custom joinery.
Benchtop material. Laminate costs less than engineered or natural stone.
Appliances. The brand and type of oven, cooktop and rangehood change the total.
What turns up behind the walls. An older home, such as a 1980s kitchen, may hide damaged walls, old wiring or an uneven floor once the cabinets come out. That is why a fixed price covers an agreed scope but cannot rule out every surprise.
Getting a price you can rely on
A good quote lists the cabinets, benchtops, appliances and each trade in writing before anything is pulled out. It should show who does the plumbing, gas and electrical work. In Victoria those jobs must be done by licensed trades who issue certificates.
The contract matters too. In Victoria, a builder doing domestic work under a contract worth more than $10,000 must be registered with the Building and Plumbing Commission.
The lowest quote is only a saving if it covers the same work. A low price with items left out tends to grow once the job starts.
Next step for your budget
Tell the renovators your kitchen's age, size and the layout you want, and what budget you have in mind. That is enough for them to say whether your number fits the job. To get started, Request a Project Review.