Expert Eye: How Much Does a Kitchen Makeover (Really) Cost?
From budget to mid-range and luxury, we look at the prime ingredients that affect your reno budget bracket
Adam Scougall
16 June 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor. Director, Designer and Creative Artist at Adam Scougall Interior Design & Decoration, Sydney. My aim is to help people transform their homes into wonderful, inspiring and personal spaces; unpretentious places to relax in and enjoy
Houzz Australia Contributor. Director, Designer and Creative Artist at Adam Scougall... More
The cost of a kitchen renovation, much like any other renovation, can vary dramatically based on a number of different factors. The size, types of finishes, existing and potential plumbing situation, lighting needs and prices of appliances open the door to many different budget scenarios.
In saying this, it is always good to have a ballpark figure based on the three tiers that make up a kitchen design budget. Let’s discover what a ‘budget’, ‘mid-range’ and ‘luxury’ kitchen means in terms of your hip pocket, and what you should expect to achieve out of your investment (plus some tips to keep you within budget).
In saying this, it is always good to have a ballpark figure based on the three tiers that make up a kitchen design budget. Let’s discover what a ‘budget’, ‘mid-range’ and ‘luxury’ kitchen means in terms of your hip pocket, and what you should expect to achieve out of your investment (plus some tips to keep you within budget).
Tier 1: The Budget Makeover
Starting at the lower end of the pricing scale, the budget makeover may range anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on the size and scale of the work involved. A small kitchen with basic cabinetry, laminate benchtops and economically priced appliances may fall within this price range.
Tip: If you do not want to relocate your kitchen and are not moving plumbing, you are likely to stay within this budget range.
Starting at the lower end of the pricing scale, the budget makeover may range anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on the size and scale of the work involved. A small kitchen with basic cabinetry, laminate benchtops and economically priced appliances may fall within this price range.
Tip: If you do not want to relocate your kitchen and are not moving plumbing, you are likely to stay within this budget range.
Budget-saving ideas
- If you are a DIYer and have the resources to put the carcass together yourself, you could save money.
- Ikea cabinets now come in many different finishes and include standard sizes, so making the use of its cabinet system is a budget plus.
- This approach is ideal if you are looking to save on the cost and the labour of making custom cabinets. It’s always advisable though to know what you are dealing with when considering this as an option. Who’s going to assemble all of those flat pack cabinets? You will need to have fairly good DIY skills and/or resources (i.e friends and family) that will not ask to be paid to make this work.
Tip: Look at painting subway-tiled splashbacks in a gold tile paint. This gives the illusion of grandeur, as the metallic and reflective quality can produce a similar effect to the real thing.
Expense-inducing ideas
- Creating any form of custom cabinetry, benchtops in engineered-stone Corian or Caeserstone, and real wood cabinets will move your project into the mid- to high-end range of pricing.
Tier 2: The Mid-Range Makeover
When it comes to a mid-range budget you may be looking at anywhere between $20,000 to $50,000. Surprisingly, even in this price range you need to consider the finishes, as the price of these mounts up. We always get what we pay for, but with a tailored eye you can mix and match finishes and still come out in front in the style stakes.
When it comes to a mid-range budget you may be looking at anywhere between $20,000 to $50,000. Surprisingly, even in this price range you need to consider the finishes, as the price of these mounts up. We always get what we pay for, but with a tailored eye you can mix and match finishes and still come out in front in the style stakes.
Budget-saving ideas
- Caesarstone’s Calacatta Nuvo, a marble-look quartz, is an excellent substitute for a marble finish. The range works out to be significantly less than Calacatta marble.
- Using veneer (instead of timber) and marble-look finishes can assist with minimising budget blowouts.
- Laminex’s timber-veneer range replicates real wood finishes and is a good choice. Forgoing real wood cabinets for veneer can cut costs substantially, but you need to be aware of the outcome from the onset when it comes to wear over time. Veneer will eventually chip or peel, but this may not be a problem if you expect to renovate your kitchen again within 7-10 years.
- Marble-look tiles give a hint of the real thing without the price tag, but again, they are an imitation and need to be used thoughtfully.
Expense-inducing ideas
- Using natural stone such as Cararra marble and wood such as walnut or American oak will lift the budget significantly.
- Team these with intelligent lighting (i.e custom designed for your specific needs) and high-end appliances and you will move into the upper end of pricing for kitchens.
Tier 3: The Luxury Kitchen
High-end, luxe or luxury kitchens deserve their hefty price tags. With bespoke cabinetry, intelligent lighting, natural stone and real wood finishes, you can be looking at anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 plus for the ultimate luxury kitchen.
A kitchen that is integrated with an open-space living area will command the required fee, as you will need a designer to produce a plan that functions successfully. Ever heard of a Sub-Zero fridge or oven? High-end appliances can also catapult your kitchen into another pricing stratosphere.
High-end, luxe or luxury kitchens deserve their hefty price tags. With bespoke cabinetry, intelligent lighting, natural stone and real wood finishes, you can be looking at anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 plus for the ultimate luxury kitchen.
A kitchen that is integrated with an open-space living area will command the required fee, as you will need a designer to produce a plan that functions successfully. Ever heard of a Sub-Zero fridge or oven? High-end appliances can also catapult your kitchen into another pricing stratosphere.
Expense-inducing ideas
- Gold hardware and integrated appliances will amplify budget costs for your renovation project.
- Customising anything will command higher-end pricing and keep your kitchen firmly within the luxe budget tier, you will not be in danger of slipping down to mid-range budget.
This classic kitchen required an artisan-produced stone sink as well as top-of-the-line finishes for this Parisian-inspired kitchen project.
Browse more high-end kitchens
Browse more high-end kitchens
Custom Shaker-style cabinets, natural stone and an expensive range hood put this kitchen in the high-end price tier.
A kitchen island with an integrated sink and timber dining table requires a designer touch, and moves this kitchen into the higher-range tier.
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Amazing!
Found this old post at the bottom of an active post so just clicked it open to see the kitchens and the one with the gold tiled splashback looks so elegant. If I had only read a description I would have thought in my head that it might look OTT, not a suitable look for a kitchen but I never though it could be so nice!!
Thanks for the comment Barbara.I agree!