The Question Every Melbourne Homeowner Asks
Type “how much is a kitchen renovation in Melbourne” into Google and you will get a range so wide it is almost useless. Fifteen thousand dollars at one end. Over a hundred thousand at the other.
The reason the range is so broad is not because renovators are being evasive. It is because “kitchen renovation” means something entirely different depending on who is asking. A cosmetic refresh of an existing layout is not the same project as a full strip out and reconfiguration with custom cabinetry.
According to the Housing Industry Association’s annual Kitchens and Bathrooms Report, the average kitchen renovation in Australia costs between $22,000 and $40,000. But averages are misleading when the distribution is this wide.
This guide breaks kitchen renovation costs in Melbourne into three tiers based on scope, and examines what actually drives the price within each tier. No vague ranges. No hidden qualifiers. Just the real numbers and the real cost drivers.
Book a free measure and quote with James to get a price for your specific kitchen →Kitchen Renovation Cost Tiers in Melbourne
Cosmetic Refresh: $18,000 to $30,000
A cosmetic refresh keeps the existing layout intact. No walls move. No plumbing relocates. No structural changes. You are replacing the surfaces and finishes: new cabinet doors and drawer fronts, new benchtop, new splashback, updated hardware, and possibly new appliances.
This tier makes sense when your existing kitchen layout works well and the cabinetry structure is sound, but the finishes are dated or worn. It is the most cost-effective option but has hard limits. You cannot fix a poorly positioned sink, add a pantry where one does not exist, or reconfigure the work triangle.
What is included:- Replacement of cabinet doors and drawer fronts
- New benchtop (laminate or entry-level engineered stone)
- New splashback (tiles or acrylic panel)
- Updated handles and hardware
- Basic appliance swap (same positions, same services)
- Paint and minor electrical work
- Any relocation of plumbing or gas
- Custom cabinetry or modified layouts
- Structural wall removal
- Premium benchtop materials
- Integrated appliances
Mid-Range Renovation: $30,000 to $55,000
A mid-range renovation is where most Melbourne homeowners land. This tier involves replacing all cabinetry with new custom or semi-custom units, installing a new engineered stone benchtop, relocating some services, and potentially removing a non-structural wall.
This is the tier where the quality of your cabinetry supplier and installer starts to matter significantly. The gap between a good fit and a poor fit is measured in millimetres that become visible within six months of daily use.
What is included:- Full replacement of cabinetry (custom or semi-custom)
- Engineered stone benchtop
- Tile or glass splashback
- Relocation of plumbing or gas within the existing kitchen footprint
- New appliances
- Electrical upgrades
- Possible non-structural wall removal
- Painting and plastering
- Premium cabinet finishes (two-pack polyurethane, natural timber veneer)
- Integrated appliances
- Custom island benches with waterfall ends
- Pull-out storage systems
Luxury Kitchen Renovation: $55,000 to $100,000+
A luxury kitchen renovation is a full transformation. Every element is specified to premium standards: custom joinery, natural stone benchtops, integrated appliances, designer tapware, and often structural modifications.
At this tier the cost of the joinery alone can exceed the total cost of a mid-range renovation. Custom cabinetry in two-pack polyurethane or natural timber veneer with soft-close hardware, pull-out storage systems, and integrated LED lighting represents the single largest cost component.
What is included:- Fully custom joinery designed and manufactured to specification
- Premium finishes (two-pack poly, natural veneer, brass or black hardware)
- Natural stone or premium engineered stone benchtop
- Fully integrated appliance suite
- Custom island with waterfall ends or feature panels
- Comprehensive lighting design
- Structural modifications
- Heated flooring, custom ventilation, smart home integration
What Actually Drives the Cost of a Kitchen Renovation in Melbourne
Cabinetry: 40 to 50 Percent of Total Cost
Cabinetry is the single largest cost component in any kitchen renovation. The price is driven by three factors: materials, construction method, and finish.
The construction method matters more than most homeowners realise. Flat-pack cabinetry assembled on site is the cheapest option but also the least precise. Fully custom cabinetry manufactured to the specific dimensions of your space after a site measure delivers the most precise fit but commands a premium because every panel is cut to order.
Benchtops: 15 to 25 Percent of Total Cost
- Laminate: $300 to $500 per linear metre installed
- Engineered stone (Caesarstone, Silestone): $800 to $1,500 per linear metre installed
- Natural stone (marble, granite, quartzite): $1,500 to $3,000+ per linear metre installed
Appliances: 10 to 20 Percent of Total Cost
A basic freestanding oven and cooktop can be had for under $2,000. A premium integrated appliance suite can exceed $15,000. The decision between freestanding and integrated appliances is one of the earliest and most impactful budget decisions you will make.
Trades and Installation: 15 to 25 Percent of Total Cost
Plumbing, electrical, plastering, and painting are required in virtually every kitchen renovation. These costs are often underestimated in initial budgets because they are not visible in the way that cabinetry and benchtops are, but they are the costs that most frequently cause budget overruns.
Why Most Kitchen Renovation Quotes Do Not Tell the Whole Story
The most dangerous moment in any kitchen renovation is not when the demolition starts. It is when you receive a quote that looks comprehensive but is not.
Exclusions Disguised as Assumptions
Many quotes exclude costs the homeowner is expected to arrange separately: asbestos removal, building permits, structural engineering, floor preparation, and painting after installation. Their cumulative effect can add $5,000 to $15,000 to the total project cost that is not reflected in the initial quote.
When comparing quotes, the first question to ask is not “what is the total?” but “what is excluded?”
Allowances That Do Not Reflect Reality
Some quotes include allowances for benchtops, appliances, or tapware based on entry-level pricing. If you select anything above entry level, the difference is charged as a variation. This makes the initial quote look competitive while building in cost increases that are almost inevitable.
Scope That Grows After You Commit
The most insidious cost driver is scope growth that occurs after the project has commenced. It takes two forms: discoveries during demolition (asbestos, water damage, non-compliant wiring) and design decisions that were not documented before construction began.
The first is unavoidable but can be managed with contingency budgets. The second is entirely avoidable with a process that documents every decision before manufacture begins.
Want a quote where the number you get is the number you pay? Talk to James →How to Get a Real Kitchen Renovation Quote in Melbourne
The difference between a quote that surprises you and a quote that delivers what it promises is process. A real quote is built on three foundations:
- A site measure that captures the actual dimensions of your space
- A documented specification that records every material, finish, and hardware selection in writing
- A fixed scope that defines exactly what is included and excluded before you commit
When these three foundations are in place, the quote you receive is the price you pay. When they are not, the quote is a starting point that will increase.
Ask any kitchen renovator in Melbourne for their process before you ask for their price. The process tells you whether the number at the bottom of the page is a commitment or an estimate.
Source: Housing Industry Association, Kitchens and Bathrooms Report 2025
