How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Melbourne? (2026)
The short answer: $25,000 to $55,000 for most Melbourne kitchens. But that range is almost useless without context. Here is what actually drives the cost, what you get at each price point, and how to get a number you can plan around.
Kitchen renovation cost breakdown — Melbourne 2026
| Spec level | Price range | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $25,000 – $35,000 | Flat-pack cabinetry, laminate benchtop, standard appliances, ceramic tile, fresh paint. Functional kitchen, solid finish. |
| Mid-spec | $35,000 – $45,000 | Semi-custom cabinetry, 20mm stone benchtop, quality appliances (Bosch, Smeg), porcelain tile, soft-close everything. |
| Full-spec | $45,000 – $60,000+ | Custom joinery, 40mm engineered stone, premium appliances (Miele, Fisher & Paykel), large-format tile, feature lighting, structural changes if needed. |
Prices for metropolitan Melbourne. Heritage homes, structural changes, and custom joinery all add cost. These ranges assume a typical 3x3m to 4x4m kitchen footprint with no major structural work.
What actually drives the cost up
Structural changes
Moving a wall, relocating a window, or installing a structural beam adds $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the scope. If the open-plan kitchen you want requires removing a load-bearing wall, expect a structural engineer's report and a beam install before any cabinetry goes in.
Plumbing relocation
Moving the sink from one wall to another is not expensive in isolation ($1,500 to $3,000), but it triggers replumbing behind walls and under floors. If your kitchen is on a concrete slab, the cost goes up significantly. Get this quoted specifically, not bundled.
Material choices
The single biggest variable. A laminate benchtop costs $800 to $2,000 installed. An engineered stone benchtop in the same kitchen costs $3,500 to $7,000. The cabinetry gap is similar. Flat-pack vs. semi-custom vs. fully custom joinery can move the total cost by $8,000 to $15,000.
The tradie model you choose
A builder who project-manages three separate subcontractors (cabinet maker, plumber, tiler) will charge a margin on each. Each subcontractor also quotes with buffer. One crew that handles every trade in-house typically costs less and goes faster, because there is no handoff time and no margin stacking.
Period homes and heritage overlays
In Melbourne's inner west (Footscray, Yarraville, Seddon) and inner north (Fitzroy, Brunswick, Northcote), many homes have council overlays that restrict what you can change and how. This does not necessarily cost more, but it requires a renovator who knows the rules before they quote, not after.
What a good quote looks like
A phone quote is not a quote. A "ballpark" is not a quote. A written fixed price, itemised by trade and material, that does not change unless you change the scope — that is a quote.
Look for these items listed separately in any written quote:
- ✓Demolition and disposal
- ✓Cabinetry supply and installation
- ✓Benchtop supply and installation
- ✓Splashback (tile, glass or stone)
- ✓Plumbing rough-in and fixtures
- ✓Electrical rough-in and connections
- ✓Appliance installation
- ✓Tiling (floor and/or walls)
- ✓Painting
- ✓Final clean
If the quote bundles everything into one line item, ask for it broken down. A builder who cannot itemise the job has not thought through the job.
How to set a realistic budget
Three questions that will narrow the range before you contact anyone:
1. Are you moving any walls or plumbing?
If yes, add $10,000 to $25,000 to whatever spec level you choose. If no, the ranges above are more reliable.
2. What cabinet finish do you want?
Flat-pack (IKEA, Kaboodle) saves $6,000 to $12,000 compared to semi-custom. Semi-custom saves another $8,000 to $15,000 compared to fully custom. Pick a tier, not a vague 'mid-range.'
3. What benchtop material?
Laminate ($1,000 to $2,500), reconstituted stone ($2,500 to $4,500), engineered stone ($3,500 to $7,000+). This single decision moves your total quote by $4,000 to $5,000.
Common questions
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Melbourne?
A standard kitchen renovation in Melbourne runs $25,000 to $55,000. Standard scope (flat-pack cabinets, laminate benchtop, basic appliances, standard tiling) sits at $25,000 to $35,000. Mid-spec (semi-custom cabinetry, stone benchtop, quality appliances) runs $35,000 to $45,000. Full-spec (custom joinery, engineered stone, high-end appliances, structural changes) runs $45,000 to $55,000 and above.
Why do kitchen renovation prices vary so much?
Four things move the price: the size of the kitchen, the materials you choose, whether any structural work is needed (walls moved, plumbing relocated, electrical upgraded), and the tradie model. A single price from one crew that handles every trade gives you a reliable number. Three separate contractors quoting rarely produces a final cost that matches the sum of the quotes.
What is included in a kitchen renovation quote?
A complete fixed-price quote should cover: demolition and disposal, cabinetry supply and installation, benchtop supply and installation, splashback, plumbing rough-in and fixtures, electrical rough-in and connections, appliance installation, tiling (floor and/or walls), painting, and final clean. If a quote does not list these separately, ask what is excluded before you sign.
How do I avoid a budget blowout on a kitchen renovation?
Get a written fixed-price quote before work starts. Not a rough estimate, not a 'provisional sum,' and not a cost-plus arrangement. A written fixed price means the number does not change unless you change the scope. Any variation to the agreed scope should require your written approval before the work happens.
How long does a kitchen renovation take in Melbourne?
A standard kitchen renovation with no structural work takes 4 to 6 weeks from demolition to final clean. If structural changes are involved (walls moved, beams installed), allow 6 to 8 weeks. A written timeline in your contract, with a specific handover date, is a sign of a tradesperson who plans their work.