Quick Answer

A kitchen renovation in Melbourne costs $10,000–$20,000 for a cosmetic update, $20,000–$40,000 for a mid-range overhaul, and $40,000–$80,000+ for a high-end custom kitchen. The biggest cost variable is cabinetry (35–40% of total), followed by benchtops and appliances.

Time needed: 3–6 weeks for a full renovation (1–2 weeks for cosmetic update)
Cost: $10,000–$80,000+ depending on scope
Difficulty: Requires licensed plumber and electrician / Cabinetry can be DIY (flat-pack)

our building specialist and our safety expert planning a kitchen renovation in Melbourne
our building specialist and our safety expert help you budget for your kitchen renovation.

What You’ll Need to Budget For

Cabinetry (35–40% of total)

  • Flat-pack (IKEA, Kaboodle via Bunnings) — $3,000–$10,000 supply only for a standard kitchen
  • Flat-pack installed by a cabinet maker — $6,000–$15,000 total
  • Custom joinery (local Melbourne cabinet maker) — $12,000–$30,000+

Benchtops (10–20% of total)

  • Laminate — $200–$600 per linear metre installed
  • Engineered stone (Caesarstone, Essastone) — $400–$900/lm installed
  • Natural stone (granite, marble) — $600–$1,500/lm installed
  • Timber — $350–$800/lm installed

Appliances (15–25% of total)

  • Budget package (oven, cooktop, rangehood, dishwasher) — $2,000–$4,000
  • Mid-range package (Bosch, Fisher & Paykel, Westinghouse) — $4,000–$8,000
  • Premium package (Miele, SMEG, AEG) — $8,000–$20,000+

Trades Labour

  • Plumber — $100–$180/hour ($1,500–$4,000 for kitchen plumbing)
  • Electrician — $100–$160/hour ($1,000–$3,000 for kitchen electrical)
  • Tiler (splashback) — $500–$2,000 depending on area and material
  • Demolition and waste removal — $800–$2,000
  • Painting and plastering — $500–$1,500

Total estimated cost: $20,000–$40,000 for a standard mid-range kitchen renovation

Why This Matters

The kitchen is the highest-value room in your home when it comes to resale. Melbourne real estate agents regularly cite a modern kitchen as the single biggest factor in achieving a higher sale price. But kitchen renovations are also where the biggest budget blowouts happen — it’s easy to spend $15,000 more than planned once you start choosing premium appliances and stone benchtops.

In south-eastern Melbourne, many homes in established suburbs like Dandenong, Narre Warren and Frankston have original 1980s–1990s kitchens with laminate benchtops, basic builder-grade cabinets and outdated layouts. Even newer homes in Officer and Pakenham often come with minimal kitchen fit-outs that homeowners want to upgrade within a few years. Understanding the real cost of each component helps you make smart trade-offs — like choosing flat-pack cabinets with a stone benchtop instead of custom cabinets with laminate.

Kitchen Renovation Costs: Step-by-Step Breakdown

Step 1: Choose Your Renovation Tier

Like bathrooms, kitchen renovations fall into clear tiers. Define yours before seeking quotes:

Renovation Tier What’s Included Cost Range Timeline
Cosmetic Update New doors/handles, benchtop resurface or replace, splashback, paint $10,000–$20,000 1–2 weeks
Mid-Range Renovation New cabinets, benchtops, appliances, splashback, minor plumbing/electrical $20,000–$40,000 3–5 weeks
High-End / Custom Custom joinery, stone benchtops, premium appliances, layout changes, structural work $40,000–$80,000+ 6–10 weeks

Step 2: Decide Between Flat-Pack, Semi-Custom and Fully Custom Cabinetry

This is the single most impactful budget decision you’ll make. Here’s how the three main options compare:

Feature Flat-Pack (IKEA/Kaboodle) Semi-Custom Fully Custom
Supply cost $3,000–$10,000 $8,000–$18,000 $12,000–$30,000+
Installed cost $6,000–$15,000 $12,000–$22,000 $15,000–$35,000+
Carcass material 16mm melamine 18mm melamine 18mm plywood or solid timber
Door options Limited colours/styles Wide range Unlimited
Lead time Off the shelf 2–4 weeks 4–8 weeks
DIY friendly? Yes Partially No

One Whirlpool forum user reported completing an entire IKEA kitchen with Bosch appliances and laminate benchtop for under $10,000 as a full DIY project. At the other end, custom kitchens with stone benchtops and premium appliances routinely hit $40,000–$60,000.

our building specialist comparing flat-pack semi-custom and custom kitchen cabinetry options
our building specialist compares the three main cabinetry options for Melbourne kitchens.

Step 3: Budget for Benchtops ($1,500–$8,000+)

Benchtops are the second biggest line item and the surface you’ll interact with most. For a standard L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen (3–5 linear metres of benchtop), here’s what to expect:

Material Cost per Linear Metre 3–5 lm Total Durability
Laminate $200–$600 $600–$3,000 Good (10–15 years)
Timber $350–$800 $1,050–$4,000 Good with maintenance
Engineered stone $400–$900 $1,200–$4,500 Excellent (20+ years)
Natural stone $600–$1,500 $1,800–$7,500 Excellent with sealing
our building specialist examining laminate stone and engineered stone kitchen benchtop samples
our building specialist examines benchtop material samples to help you choose the right one.

Step 4: Factor in Appliance Costs ($2,000–$20,000)

Appliances are the easiest place to control costs. A complete set of budget appliances from a brand like Euromaid or Westinghouse costs $2,000–$4,000. Stepping up to mid-range brands like Bosch, Fisher & Paykel or Electrolux puts you at $4,000–$8,000. Premium brands like Miele, AEG and SMEG can easily exceed $15,000 for a full suite. Buy from The Good Guys, Harvey Norman or appliance clearance outlets in Melbourne for the best pricing. Avoid buying appliances from your kitchen company — their markup is typically 20–40% above retail.

Step 5: Account for Plumbing and Electrical ($2,500–$7,000)

Even if you keep the same layout, plumbing and electrical updates are usually needed. Replacing the kitchen mixer tap and connecting a dishwasher costs $500–$1,000 in plumbing. Adding or relocating a gas cooktop connection runs $300–$800. Electrical work for new LED downlights, additional power points, rangehood ducting and appliance circuits costs $1,000–$3,000. If you’re adding an island bench with a sink or cooktop, expect $2,000–$4,000 extra for plumbing and electrical to the island.

our building specialist installing kitchen cabinets with a cordless drill in a Melbourne home
our building specialist installs flat-pack cabinets — a genuine DIY option that saves thousands.

Step 6: Don’t Forget the Splashback ($500–$3,000)

The splashback protects the wall behind your cooktop and benchtop. Tiled splashbacks (subway tiles are the most popular) cost $500–$1,500 installed. A pressed metal splashback runs $300–$800. Glass splashbacks are the premium option at $800–$3,000 depending on size and whether it’s clear, coloured or printed. For a budget option, acrylic panels from Bunnings cost $200–$400 and are easy to DIY.

Troubleshooting

Problem Likely Cause Fix
Cabinet doors don’t align after installation Uneven walls or floor Use adjustable legs and filler strips; shim where needed
Benchtop has visible seam join Poor templating or installation Insist on colour-matched resin fill; get installer back under warranty
Splashback tiles cracking Movement in wall or benchtop Use flexible adhesive and silicone at benchtop junction, not grout
Dishwasher not draining properly Drain hose not looped high enough Create a high loop in the drain hose under the benchtop to prevent backflow
Budget blowout mid-renovation Scope creep or hidden issues Keep a 15–20% contingency; get variations in writing before approving
Flat-pack cabinets wobbly Not secured to wall studs Always fix wall cabinets into studs with 65mm+ screws, not just plasterboard

When to Call a Professional

Kitchen renovations involve both licensed and unlicensed work. In Victoria, plumbing (including gas fitting) and electrical work must be done by licensed tradespeople who provide compliance certificates. Cabinetry installation, painting, tiling and demolition don’t require licences but benefit enormously from experience.

If you’re confident with tools, flat-pack kitchen assembly is a genuine DIY option that saves $2,000–$5,000. IKEA and Kaboodle both provide detailed instructions, and there are Melbourne-based flat-pack installers who charge $1,500–$3,000 for assembly if you get stuck. For anything involving layout changes, load-bearing walls, gas connections or significant electrical work, use a registered builder or kitchen renovation specialist.

Gas work is strictly licensed in Victoria. Never attempt to disconnect, connect or modify gas lines yourself. Unlicensed gas work is illegal and can result in gas leaks, explosions and fines of up to $40,000.

Tips & Gotchas

  1. Buy appliances before ordering cabinets: Appliance dimensions vary between brands. A 600mm oven from Bosch is a different depth to one from Westinghouse. Get your appliances first and build the kitchen around them.
  2. Flat-pack quality has improved enormously: Modern flat-pack from IKEA and Kaboodle uses soft-close hinges, adjustable legs and decent carcass board. For most homes, the quality difference versus semi-custom doesn’t justify double the price.
  3. Don’t underestimate demolition mess: Kitchen demolition creates enormous amounts of dust and debris. Seal off the kitchen from the rest of the house with plastic sheeting and close all doors. You’ll be without a kitchen for 3–6 weeks, so set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere.
  4. Stone benchtops need proper support: Engineered stone and natural stone are heavy. Cabinets underneath must be structurally sound and level. Overhangs greater than 300mm need brackets or corbels for support.
  5. Avoid trendy colours on permanent surfaces: That dark green or terracotta cabinet colour trending now will look dated in 5 years. Stick to white, light grey or timber-look for cabinets and benchtops. Add colour through easily-changed elements like the splashback.
  6. Consider resale if renovating in the next 5 years: If you might sell within 5 years, choose neutral finishes and prioritise quality appliances over high-end cabinetry. Buyers notice a Bosch oven more than dovetail drawer joints.
  7. Get the rangehood ducting right: A rangehood that recirculates instead of ducting to outside is barely better than no rangehood. Run ducting to an external wall if at all possible.
  8. Safety note — turn off gas and electricity before any work: Before demolition, have your plumber cap off the gas line and your electrician isolate the kitchen circuit. Never attempt to disconnect gas appliances yourself — this is illegal in Victoria and extremely dangerous.
  9. Check if your home has asbestos splashback: Pre-1990 homes in Melbourne may have asbestos cement sheeting behind the splashback tiles. Before demolition, get a sample tested ($30–$50 at a local lab). If positive, licensed removal is required.
  10. Plan your storage before choosing cabinets: List everything that goes in your kitchen — appliances, pots, pantry items, cleaning supplies. Then design cabinets around your actual needs. Drawers are far more functional than cupboards for lower cabinets.
our safety expert in hi-vis vest pointing at kitchen renovation safety checklist
our safety expert reminds you: always isolate gas and electricity before starting kitchen demolition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a flat-pack kitchen really as good as custom?

For most homes, yes. Modern flat-pack kitchens from IKEA and Kaboodle use soft-close hardware, adjustable components and reasonable-quality board. The main trade-off is that flat-pack comes in standard sizes, so oddly-shaped kitchens or very specific storage needs may require custom filler panels. For a standard galley, L-shape or U-shape layout, flat-pack delivers 80–90% of the functionality at 40–60% of the cost.

How long does a kitchen renovation take from start to finish?

A cosmetic update (new doors, benchtop, splashback) takes 1–2 weeks. A full mid-range renovation with new cabinets, appliances and minor plumbing/electrical takes 3–5 weeks. High-end renovations with layout changes, structural work or custom joinery take 6–10 weeks. Custom cabinetry has a lead time of 4–8 weeks for manufacturing before installation even begins, so factor that into your planning.

Can I install IKEA or Kaboodle cabinets myself?

Yes, and many Melbourne homeowners do. Both IKEA and Kaboodle (sold at Mitre 10) are designed for DIY assembly. You’ll need basic tools — a drill, spirit level, clamps and a jigsaw for cutting filler panels. Allow 2–4 days for a confident DIYer to assemble and install a standard kitchen. However, plumbing and electrical connections must still be done by licensed tradespeople.

What’s the best benchtop material for the money?

Engineered stone (like Caesarstone or Essastone) offers the best balance of durability, appearance and cost for most Melbourne kitchens. At $400–$900 per linear metre installed, it’s non-porous, scratch-resistant, available in dozens of colours, and lasts 20+ years with minimal maintenance. Laminate is the budget champion at $200–$600/lm and has improved dramatically — modern laminates from Laminex look surprisingly good.

Should I renovate the kitchen before selling my house?

A mid-range kitchen renovation typically returns 50–80% of its cost at sale in Melbourne, according to real estate industry estimates. A $25,000 kitchen reno could add $15,000–$20,000 to your sale price while also helping the property sell faster. However, a full high-end renovation rarely recoups its cost. If selling soon, focus on a cosmetic update (new doors, handles, benchtop, paint) for the best ROI.

How much does adding a kitchen island cost?

A basic island with cabinetry and a matching benchtop adds $3,000–$6,000 to your renovation. If the island includes a sink, add $1,500–$3,000 for plumbing. A cooktop in the island adds $1,000–$2,500 for electrical and gas. A waterfall-edge stone benchtop on the island adds $1,500–$3,000. All up, a well-appointed island adds $5,000–$12,000 to the total kitchen cost. You need a minimum clearance of 1.2 metres around the island for comfortable movement.

Local Resources — SE Melbourne

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