Kitchen Renovation Cost Australia 2026

Modern open-plan kitchen renovation with timber cabinetry, stone benchtop and large floor tiles in Australia

June 10, 2026 Kitchen renovation cost guide 7 min read

The most common question we get at Royal Tiles isn’t about tile sizes or grout colours. It’s: “How much is this kitchen renovation actually going to set me back?”

And fair enough. It’s the question that determines everything else.

The problem is that most of the answers online are either too vague to be useful or based on figures that don’t reflect what things actually cost in Australia right now. So we put this guide together. This guide is based on current market pricing, common renovation quotes, and the project conversations we see regularly through Royal Tiles.

Whether you’re at the “just curious” stage or already getting quotes, hopefully this gives you something concrete to work with.

Kitchen Renovation Cost Overview

In Australia, a full kitchen renovation in 2026 can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000+, depending on the layout, materials, labour, appliances and level of customisation.

A budget kitchen renovation usually sits around $10,000–$20,000, a mid-range renovation around $20,000–$40,000 and a luxury kitchen renovation often starts from $45,000+.

The biggest cost factors are cabinetry, benchtops, appliances, plumbing, electrical work, labour and kitchen splashback tiles.

What Does a Kitchen Renovation Actually Cost in Australia?

The honest answer is that it varies a lot, but not randomly. More than anything else, what you’ll spend comes down to three things: whether you’re touching the layout, what materials you land on and how much of the project you’re running yourself versus handing off to a builder.

Most kitchen renovations in Australia sit somewhere across three budget tiers, and in our experience, the gap between them rarely has much to do with how big the kitchen is. It’s almost always about material choices and how much of the existing structure you’re willing to change.

These figures are based on a full gut-and-redo, new cabinetry, benchtop, appliances, splashback, fixtures, the lot. If you’re after something more targeted, say a fresh set of kitchen tiles, a coat of paint and some new handles, you can get a result you’re genuinely happy with for quite a bit less.

Budget Kitchen Renovations ($10,000 – $20,000)

At this price point, the first conversation we have with almost every client is the same one: leave the layout alone.

Moving a sink sounds straightforward. It isn’t. Once plumbing gets involved, costs shift quickly and what seemed like a small change starts pulling money away from the things you can actually see and enjoy every day.

Work with the existing footprint and $10,000 to $20,000 goes further than most clients expect. Flat-pack cabinetry from IKEA or Kaboodle, a laminate benchtop, a decent freestanding oven and a new splashback. It won’t be a feature in a design magazine but it can feel like a completely different kitchen.

Where clients at this level tend to get the most out of their tile budget is by not trying to make the whole splashback do the work. A simple ceramic or subway tile across most of it and then something with a bit more character behind the cooktop. That one section draws the eye and the rest of the space just supports it.

Mid-Range Kitchen Renovations ($20,000 – $40,000)

Most of our customers end up in this range and for good reason. It’s where you can make real quality decisions without the project spiralling.

The step up from budget to mid-range usually shows itself in two places: the cabinetry and the benchtop. At this level, you can look at semi-custom cabinets or better-quality flat-pack with upgraded doors and hardware. You’re also getting into engineered stone benchtop territory, Caesarstone and Silestone being the brands our clients reach for most often. And the splashback gets a proper upgrade too, whether that’s a quality porcelain, a stone-look tile or something with a bit more personality.

Luxury Kitchen Renovations ($45,000 – $100,000+)

Custom joinery, waterfall benchtops, integrated appliances, butler’s pantry, high-end imported tiles. At this level, it’s really about craft and material quality rather than function. Labour alone can reach $20,000 or more and every material decision carries a premium.

Our clients at this end of the budget tend to invest heavily in the tiling too. Large format porcelain slabs on the splashback, feature tiles with handcrafted finishes and designer grout — these details add up but they’re also what defines the space.

Full Kitchen Renovation Cost Breakdown

Before we move on, let’s quickly have a look at the visualisation of the cost breakdown.

Cabinetry

Cabinetry is almost always the biggest, typically accounting for 30–40% of the total budget. What you spend depends largely on how much customisation you need.

Flat-pack (supply only): $3,000 to $8,000

Semi-custom cabinetry: $8,000 to $18,000

Fully custom joinery: $18,000 to $40,000+

Benchtops

The benchtop is one of those items where clients often make a decision based on looks and then feel the cost shock when they get a quote. Here’s what to expect:

Material

Installed Cost (per lineal metre)

Laminate

$200 – $500

Engineered stone

$600 – $1,200

Marble or natural stone

$900 – $2,000+

Porcelain slab benchtop

$800 – $1,800

Dekton or sintered stone

$1,000 – $2,200

Appliances

Appliances are one area where personal preference and brand loyalty drive a lot of the variation. As a rough guide:

Budget package (oven, cooktop, rangehood): $2,000 – $4,500

Mid-range (Bosch, Westinghouse, Electrolux): $5,000 – $10,000

Premium and integrated (Miele, Fisher & Paykel, AEG): $12,000 – $25,000+

A tip we give clients regularly: buy appliances during EOFY or Black Friday sales. You can save 20–30% on quality brands if you time it right and store them until the renovation is ready.

Labour Costs

Labour is honestly one of the trickiest parts of the budget to get right. It moves around a lot depending on where you are. As a rough guide for 2026:

Kitchen installer — $600 to $1,500 per day

Tiler — $50 to $100 per m²

General builder/project manager — $80 to $150 per hour

Full labour for a mid-range kitchen — $8,000 to $18,000

Plumbing and Electrical

If you’re keeping the layout the same, basic plumbing and electrical updates usually come in at $1,500 – $3,500. Move the sink, add a second power circuit for an island or upgrade the rangehood ducting and you can push this to $5,000 – $8,000.

Where costs usually increase is when clients discover that older homes have plumbing or wiring issues.

Tiles and Splashback Costs

This is where we can offer the most insight, because kitchen splashback tiles are our world.

The range in tile pricing is genuinely enormous and we help our clients navigate it every day. Here’s a realistic breakdown of supply costs:

Tile Type

What you'll pay per m² (supply only)

Standard ceramic

$20 – $60

Porcelain

$40 – $120

Subway / metro tiles

$30 – $80

Large format porcelain

$80 – $200

Feature and designer tiles

$80 – $350+

Handmade or imported

$150 – $500+

Installation adds roughly $50 – $100 per m² on top of supply, depending on tile format and how complex the installation is. Larger tiles, tricky cuts around windows or outlets and diagonal lay patterns all add to the installation cost.

For a standard kitchen splashback of 3 to 5 square metres, most of our clients spend $600 – $1,800 on tiles. If you’re adding a feature tile section behind the cooktop, which we highly recommend from a design standpoint, budget an extra $300 – $800 for that zone alone.

One thing we often see in real renovations is clients underestimating how much a tile choice transforms the whole kitchen. The benchtop and cabinetry create the structure, but the kitchen splashback tile is what gives the space its character. It’s worth spending a little extra here.

What Factors Affect Kitchen Renovation Cost?

Understanding these variables helps you see where your project falls on the cost spectrum and where you can adjust things.

Kitchen Size and Layout Changes

A compact galley kitchen and a large open-plan kitchen are entirely different propositions. Bigger kitchens obviously require more materials and more labour time. But the bigger cost factor is often a layout change rather than size.

Material Choices

The difference between a $15,000 kitchen and a $40,000 depends on the materials you choose. Things like laminate versus stone benchtops, flat-pack versus custom cabinetry and standard ceramic tiles versus imported porcelain can quickly add up across the whole space. If you’re on a tighter budget, it’s worth investing in those areas and keeping the cabinetry simple.

Labour and Location

As mentioned above, location plays a significant role from the capital city to other cities or outskirt areas.

Getting at least three quotes is essential. We’ve seen the same installation job quoted at $2,800 by one tiler and $5,500 by another. Quality matters, but a significant price difference often just comes down to how busy that trade is at the time.

Structural Changes

Beyond wall removal, structural changes include raising the ceiling height, changing the roofline for a new skylight, or relocating a chimney or flue. These are major works that require engineers and often council permits.

If structural changes are part of your plan, add a contingency of at least 20% to that portion of the budget. Structural work has a way of revealing things that weren’t visible in the original scope.

Custom vs Flat-Pack Kitchens

This debate comes up constantly. Our honest take: for most renovations, flat-pack is a genuinely excellent choice.

The quality gap between modern flat-pack kitchens and semi-custom joinery has narrowed considerably. IKEA’s SEKTION, Bunnings Kaboodle, and some of the online kitchen suppliers produce cabinets that look great, hold up well and can save you $8,000 – $20,000 compared to fully custom work.

Where custom joinery earns its premium is in unusual layouts, very specific storage requirements and high-end finishes, where every millimetre and material choice matters.

Cost Per Square Metre for Kitchen Renovations

As a rough benchmark for planning:

Kitchen type

Rough cost per m²

Budget

$1,500 – $3,000

Mid-range

$3,000 – $6,000

Luxury

$6,000 – $12,000+

These figures cover all trades, materials and appliances. For an average kitchen sitting somewhere between 10 and 15 square metres, they line up pretty closely with the total budget ranges we outlined at the top of this guide.

One thing worth knowing is that a smaller kitchen doesn’t automatically mean a cheaper one per square metre. Some costs show up on every job regardless of size, things like project management, waste removal and the basic plumbing and electrical work that just has to happen no matter what.

How to Save Money on a Kitchen Renovation

Most of our customers come to us having already made up their minds about where they want to spend and where they’re happy to pull back. These are the approaches we see deliver good value, time and time again:

Keep the layout

This is by far the biggest saving you can make. Not moving plumbing and electrical points can save $3,000 – $8,000 in trade costs alone.

Choose flat-pack cabinetry

For most kitchens, it’s a smart financial decision and the results look great with the right handles and benchtop.

Be strategic with tiles

You don’t need premium tiles across the entire splashback. Use a quality but affordable porcelain tile for the main area and invest in a run of feature tiles where they’ll have the most visual impact, usually directly behind the cooktop or as a full-height panel on a feature wall.

Source your own appliances

Builders and kitchen companies mark up appliances. Buying them yourself during sales events and having them on-site when needed puts money back in your pocket.

Use a tiler directly

If your project allows it, working directly with a tiler for the splashback rather than running it through a builder can save 20–30% on tiling costs.

Get your tiles right the first time

Measure carefully, order 10–15% extra for cuts and waste and double-check your tile choice before ordering. Use our tile calculator to get an accurate count before you buy. Re-tiling because of a wrong order or a discontinued tile mid-job is an avoidable cost.

Looking for affordable options that don’t sacrifice style? Explore our kitchen tile range at Royal Tiles for ceramic, porcelain and feature tiles across every price point.

Tiles vs Slab Splashbacks: A Practical Cost Comparison

This is one of the most common decisions our clients face and there’s no single right answer. It comes down to your budget, your maintenance preferences and the look you’re after.

Tiles

Stone or Engineered Stone Slab

What you'll spend installed

$400 – $2,000

$1,200 – $4,000+

Design options

Huge range

More limited

Grout upkeep

Now and then

Not an issue

Can you DIY it

Yes

How long it lasts

Really well

If something gets damaged

Swap one tile

Tricky to fix

Tiles win on price, flexibility and design range. Stone slabs offer a seamless look that’s genuinely easier to wipe down. And then there’s the middle ground option that we’ve seen a lot more of recently: large format porcelain tiles, often in 600x1200mm or larger formats, that replicate the look of a slab without the cost. The grout lines are minimal and the visual result is almost indistinguishable from a stone slab at less than half the price.

Browse our porcelain splashback tile range at Royal Tiles for large format options that deliver a premium look without stretching your budget.

A Final Note from the Royal Tiles Team

The splashback usually gets decided last and gets the least amount of thought. We’ve seen it happen on hundreds of jobs. And it’s the surface you look at every single day. It’s worth spending a bit more time on it than most clients do.

Ready to find your kitchen tiles? Browse the full range at Royal Tiles or request samples.

Visit Royal Tiles and we’ll help you choose kitchen tiles that suit your design, budget and renovation plans without overspending.

Contact Royal Tiles Auburn or Lidcombe Showroom

255 Parramatta Rd, Auburn NSW 2144

32 Parramatta Rd, Lidcombe NSW 2141

We work with homeowners across Sydney, Sutherland, Hurstville and throughout NSW.

Book Your Free Kitchen consultation. Get real numbers before you commit to anything.

FAQs

How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Sydney?

In Sydney, a full kitchen renovation usually costs around $15,000 to $100,000+, depending on the layout, materials, cabinetry, appliances, labour and splashback choices. Many mid-range renovations sit around $30,000 to $45,000.

What are the cheapest ways to renovate a kitchen?

Leave the layout alone. That's the one that makes the biggest difference. Moving plumbing and electrical costs a lot and you don't see any of it once the job is done. After that, flat-pack cabinetry over custom, porcelain tiles or ceramic tiles over stone on the splashback and buying your own appliances during EOFY or Black Friday. If you're willing to do your own painting and prep work, that saves on labour too. None of these feels like a big sacrifice, but together they can shift the total cost by thousands.

How much do kitchen tiles cost in Australia?

Anywhere from $20 per m² to well over $350 per m², depending on the tile. Standard ceramic sits at the lower end, premium imported or handmade tiles at the higher end. Most of our clients spend between $40 and $120 per m² on a quality porcelain splashback tile, and that's a range where you genuinely have good options. Installation is separate and generally adds another $50 to $80 per m² on top.

Tiles or a stone slab for the splashback?

Both are solid choices. Tiles give you more design flexibility and tend to cost less. A stone slab is seamless and easy to wipe down but you pay for it. What we've been recommending a lot lately for clients who want the clean slab look without the slab price is large-format porcelain. Minimal grout lines, similar visual effect and considerably more affordable.

What adds the most cost to a kitchen renovation?

Cabinetry is usually one of the biggest cost drivers in a kitchen renovation, especially if you choose custom joinery. Layout changes, moving plumbing or electrical points, premium benchtops, integrated appliances and structural work can also increase the total cost quickly.

Peter Yusuf

Peter Yusuf is a seasoned Sales and Business Development Manager at Royal Tiles in Sydney, Australia, with a proven track record of success in the global architectural and interior design sectors. With over a decade of experience, he possesses a rich understanding of tile selection and design that has helped countless clients transform their spaces. Peter's expertise spans a wide array of materials and styles, positioning him as a trusted authority in the tile industry.

Green Tiles: The Complete Style Guide for Sydney Homes