How much does a kitchen renovation cost in NZ?

In New Zealand, most kitchen renovations fall between $12,000 and $70,000+. A budget refit runs roughly $12,000–$20,000, a mid-range custom kitchen $20,000–$40,000, and a premium kitchen $40,000–$70,000 or more. The biggest drivers are size, cabinetry, benchtop, appliances and whether you change the layout. The only truly accurate figure is a measured, written quote.

What drives the cost of a kitchen

No two kitchens cost the same, because no two kitchens are the same. A handful of decisions do most of the heavy lifting on your final price:

• Size and number of cabinets. More cabinetry, more linear metres, more cost. A compact galley is far cheaper to fit out than a large open-plan kitchen with an island and scullery.
• Cabinetry construction and finish. Melamine, painted MDF, thermo-formed doors and real timber veneer sit at very different price points. Soft-close everywhere and clever internal fittings add up too.
• Benchtop material. Laminate is the budget-friendly workhorse; engineered stone, timber and porcelain cost more but transform the look and feel.
• Appliances. Your oven, cooktop, rangehood, dishwasher and fridge can range from a few thousand dollars to well over $15,000 for integrated, high-end European brands.
• Layout and structural change. Keeping the plumbing and electrical where they are is one of the biggest savings available. Moving a sink, relocating a gas or power point, or taking out a wall all add trades and cost.

Budget, mid-range and premium — what you get

Budget ($12,000–$20,000). A smart, well-built kitchen covering the fundamentals: a practical layout in your existing footprint, quality melamine cabinetry, a laminate benchtop and mid-range appliances. Done well, a budget kitchen still looks sharp and lasts for years.

Mid-range ($20,000–$40,000). Our most popular territory. More design detail, upgraded door finishes, an engineered stone or premium laminate benchtop, better hardware and the pull-outs and corner solutions that make a kitchen a pleasure to use every day.

Premium ($40,000–$70,000+). A true showpiece: stone or porcelain benchtops, timber detailing, integrated appliances, a scullery, statement lighting and the finest hardware — designed and built without compromise.

Where the money goes

As a rough breakdown of a typical custom kitchen, cabinetry is usually the largest share at around 35–45% of the total. The benchtop often accounts for 10–20%, appliances another 15–25% (entirely driven by what you choose), and installation, removal, plumbing, electrical and finishing make up the rest. Understanding this helps you aim your budget — a modest cabinetry spec with one statement benchtop can look far more expensive than it cost.

How to save without cutting corners

• Keep the existing layout and services where the room already works — redesign the look, not the plumbing.
• Choose a quality laminate benchtop; today's stone-look laminates are excellent value and hard-wearing.
• Spend on the doors, handles and benchtop you see and touch; save on carcasses and internal boxes you don't.
• Prioritise storage that earns its keep — a few well-placed pull-outs beat a kitchen full of gimmicks.
• Reuse appliances that are still in good condition rather than replacing everything at once.

Our advice is always honest: we will tell you where to invest and where you genuinely won't notice the difference. A good design saves money long before the first cabinet is built.