Melbourne · Kitchen Renovation Costs · 2026
How Much Does a Kitchen
Renovation Cost in Melbourne?
It’s the first question every homeowner asks, and most answers are useless. A range from $10,000 to $150,000 tells you nothing. So here is the honest version: real numbers, what drives them, and where budgets quietly blow out. Read it and you can plan with your eyes open.
The Short Answer. A guide to pricing.
A standard Melbourne kitchen renovation, meaning new cabinetry, a benchtop, appliances, a splashback and installation, starts at around $40,000 to $60,000 for a mid-range finish. A full custom kitchen with premium materials, an island bench and high-end appliances usually lands between $60,000 and $90,000. Larger or architecturally designed kitchens can pass $90,000 to $100,000.
Here’s how that breaks down by finish level.
Mid Range
$40,000 to $60,000
New cabinetry, laminate or entry stone benchtop, quality appliances, splashback, professional installation.
Custom / Premium
$60,000 to $90,000
Full custom cabinetry, stone benchtop, island bench, premium appliances, designer finishes.
High-end / Architectural
$90,000 to $100,000+
Ceiling-height joinery, natural stone, integrated high-spec appliances, layout or structural changes.
Where Your Money Actually Goes
When renovating a kitchen two things decide most of your budget: the cabinetry and the benchtop. Almost everything else moves the number less than people expect.
We take care of co-ordinating any required trades as well as the delivery and fit-out from start to finish.
Here’s the full breakdown of where your budget goes, based on a typical mid-range kitchen.
$15,000 to $50,000
Custom vs flat-pack, standard vs ceiling height, and the finish (melamine, two-pack, timber) can vary the price significantly.
$8,000 to $20,000
Price varies based on laminate vs engineered stone vs natural stone. Natural marble runs about $1,200 to $1,800 per metre.
$6,000 to $20,000+
Entry packages vs premium European brands such as Miele or Fisher & Paykel determine the cost of your appliances.
$1,000 to $6,000
The end cost of your splashback varies based on your choice of using tile, glass or stone, and the area you need to cover.
Pricing varies depending on your plans.
Moving the sink or adding power points and lighting costs more than keeping them in the place.
$1,200 to $2,500
Required for moving plumbing, removing walls, or work in a heritage overlay. Not every build will require permits.
What Makes One Kitchen $40,000 and Another $90,000?
Two kitchens the same size can cost wildly different amounts. These are the levers that decide which one you get.
Benchtop material
Laminate is the entry point, engineered stone is the popular middle, and natural stone like marble sits at the top. The choice shows up clearly on the invoice.
Cabinetry
Flat-pack is cheapest. Custom cabinetry built to ceiling height costs more, but it changes the whole feel and proportion of the room.
Layout
A straight or galley run is the most affordable. L-shaped and U-shaped kitchens run roughly 15% to 30% more. Add an island or a butler’s pantry and you’re looking at another 25% to 40%.
Appliances
An entry package starts near $6,000. Premium European brands can pass $20,000 on their own.
Structural changes
Moving the sink, removing a wall or opening up to the living area brings in plumbing, electrical, permits and sometimes an engineer.
The age of your home
Older Melbourne homes hide surprises behind the walls, from asbestos to tired wiring to failed waterproofing.
Roughly What to Expect by Kitchen Size
Size is a guide, not a rule. Finish and layout move these figures in both directions. A small kitchen finished in natural stone can cost more than a large one finished in laminate.
Small or galley
(under 10 sqm)
from $20,000
Standard
(Between 10-20 SQM)
$30,000 to $55,000
Large or open-plan
(over 20 sqm)
$50,000 to $80,000+
The Costs That Aren't in the Quote
Here’s the part most people learn too late. The quote is not the final cost. The changes you make after you sign are where budgets quietly expand.
Take a kitchen in Malvern quoted at $52,000. By the time the owners upgraded the benchtop stone, added soft-close runners to every cabinet and changed the splashback twice, the final invoice read $67,000. Not one of those changes was forced. Not one of them was in the original quote either.
This is why two numbers matter as much as the quote itself: a contingency of 10% to 15% for the unexpected, and a fixed-price contract, so the price only moves when you agree to it in writing.
Where to Spend &
Where to Save
If the budget has limits, and it usually does, spend it where you touch it every day and where it lasts.
Spend on
Cabinetry and the benchtop. They take the most use, last the longest, and do the most for resale.
Save on
Trend-led finishes and anything easy to change later, like handles, tapware and paint colour.
Think twice about
Moving plumbing. It's one of the fastest ways to add thousands for a change no guest will ever notice.
Never skip
The design. A detailed design before you quote is the single best protection against a blown budget.
The Only Real Number Is a Quote
Every figure on this page is a guide. Your real cost depends on your space, your choices and what’s behind your walls. The way to get a number you can rely on is a fixed-price quote built from a proper design.
That’s exactly what our free in-home consultation is for. We come to you, measure up, talk through your ideas and your budget, and turn it into a clear, itemised quote. No obligation, no pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a small kitchen renovation cost in Melbourne?
A small or galley kitchen (under about 10 square metres) typically starts from around $20,000 for a mid-range finish. Natural stone or premium appliances will lift that.
What's the most expensive part of a kitchen renovation?
Cabinetry, usually followed by the benchtop. Together they often make up around half the total budget.
How long does a kitchen renovation take in Melbourne?
From first brief to handover, usually 13 to 23 weeks. That covers design, manufacturing lead time and the build. The on-site build itself is normally 3 to 5 weeks.
Do I need a council permit to renovate my kitchen?
For a standard like-for-like renovation, usually not. A permit is generally needed if you’re moving plumbing, removing a wall, or your home sits in a heritage overlay suburb such as Toorak, Armadale, Malvern, Camberwell or Kew. Your builder should confirm this before the scope is locked in.
Does a new kitchen add value to my home?
Yes. The kitchen is one of the strongest drivers of resale value in Melbourne. As a rule of thumb, keep the spend proportionate to the value of the home.
How do I keep my kitchen renovation on budget?
Finalise the design before you get a firm quote, allow a 10% to 15% contingency, get a fixed-price contract, and check material lead times before you fall in love with anything.
Get a Real Number for Your Kitchen
Stop guessing from a website. Book a free in-home consultation and we’ll give you a clear, itemised, fixed-price quote for your actual kitchen.