The short answer: published 2026 guides put most kitchen renovations in Australia somewhere between $15,000 and $40,000, with budget kitchens from about $15,000 and high-end kitchens at $35,000 to $40,000 and beyond (Canstar, 31 July 2026). Where your kitchen lands depends mostly on three things: whether the layout changes, the cabinetry and benchtops you choose, and the appliances. These are published national ranges, not our prices. Every kitchen we do is quoted on site.
We renovate kitchens across Gawler and Adelaide's northern suburbs as a licensed builder (BLD 360698), with the plumbing and gas coordinated by us and the electrical done in-house by ASP Electrical Installations. This guide explains where a kitchen budget goes and how to plan yours.
Published kitchen renovation cost ranges for 2026
| Level | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average overall | $15,000 to $40,000 | hipages, cited by Canstar (31 Jul 2026) |
| Budget | $15,000 to $25,000 | Three Birds Renovations, cited by Canstar |
| Mid-range | $25,000 to $35,000 | Three Birds Renovations, cited by Canstar |
| Luxury | $35,000 to $40,000+ | Three Birds Renovations, cited by Canstar |
National ranges are a starting point, not a quote. A small galley kitchen and a large open-plan kitchen with an island are very different jobs, even with the same finishes.
Where the money goes
The same Canstar guide breaks a kitchen budget down like this (Canstar):
- Cabinetry: generally 30% to 40% of the total budget. It is usually the biggest single cost, and custom cabinetry costs more than flat-pack.
- Labour: usually 25% to 30% of the budget, covering the trades who strip, build, plumb, wire, tile and install.
- Benchtops: from as low as $1,500 to as high as $15,000, depending on the material and the size. Stone and waterfall ends sit at the top of that range.
- Splashbacks: anywhere between $500 and $5,000, depending on whether you choose tiles, acrylic, glass or stone.
- Appliances: anywhere between $2,000 and $25,000, depending on brand, specifications and energy rating.
What pushes the cost up or down
Keeping the layout, or changing it
A kitchen makeover keeps the sink, cooktop and oven where they are and replaces the cabinetry, benchtops and finishes. A full kitchen remodel changes the layout. Moving the sink, adding an island with a sink or cooktop, or relocating the oven means new plumbing, gas and electrical runs, and sometimes floor or wall work. That is where costs climb quickly.
Walls coming out
Opening a closed kitchen to the living area is one of the most popular changes, and one of the most variable in cost. If the wall is load-bearing, it needs an engineer, a new beam and possibly building approval. If it carries plumbing or wiring, those need moving too. It is worth having this checked before the quote, so it is priced in rather than found later.
Cabinetry and storage
Drawers cost more than doors, tall pantry units and appliance cupboards add up, and features like integrated bins, soft-close hardware and internal lighting all add to the price. They also make the kitchen far nicer to use, so it is worth deciding which ones matter to you.
Benchtops and splashbacks
Laminate is the budget option. Engineered or natural stone costs more, and thicker edges, waterfall ends and large islands add to it. A tiled splashback is usually cheaper than a single slab of stone or glass.
Appliances
Appliances are the easiest part of the budget to control. Choosing them early matters, because the cabinetry is built around their exact sizes, and integrated appliances need cabinetry made to suit.
The house itself
Older homes can hide surprises behind the old kitchen: tired wiring, old pipes, uneven floors or water damage under the sink. Homes built before 1990 may contain asbestos, which must be identified and handled safely before work starts (SafeWork SA).
How to plan a kitchen budget
- Decide whether you are keeping the layout or changing it. This is the biggest single decision for cost.
- Set a total budget, then keep 10% to 15% aside as a contingency for things found once the old kitchen is out.
- Choose your appliances early so the cabinetry can be designed around them.
- Spend on the things you touch every day: drawers, benchtop space and good lighting.
- Get an itemised quote so you can see the cabinetry, benchtops, trades and appliances separately, and compare quotes like for like.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
A typical kitchen renovation takes 3 to 6 weeks from start to completion, depending on the scope, the cabinetry lead times and the trades involved. Cabinetry and stone are made to measure, so they are ordered well before the old kitchen comes out, which keeps the time you are without a kitchen as short as possible.
How we quote kitchens at ASP Build & Co
We come out, measure up and talk through how your household uses the kitchen, then give you a detailed, itemised quote with no hidden costs. As licensed builders we coordinate the cabinetmaker, stonemason, plumber, gasfitter and tiler, and our in-house electrician handles the lighting and power. See our kitchen renovations page and the Torrens Park renovation for recent work. We renovate kitchens around Gawler, Elizabeth, Munno Para and the rest of the north.
Common questions
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Australia in 2026?
Canstar (31 July 2026), citing hipages, puts the average between $15,000 and $40,000. Budget kitchens start around $15,000 to $25,000, mid-range kitchens sit around $25,000 to $35,000, and luxury kitchens run $35,000 to $40,000 and beyond. These are published ranges, not ASP prices.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen renovation?
Cabinetry is usually the biggest single cost, generally 30% to 40% of the budget according to Canstar. Labour is the next biggest share, followed by benchtops and appliances, which vary widely with what you choose.
Is it cheaper to keep the same kitchen layout?
Usually, yes. Keeping the sink, cooktop and oven where they are avoids moving plumbing, gas and electrical, which is often where kitchen costs climb.
Do you need council approval for a kitchen renovation in SA?
A like-for-like kitchen renovation usually does not. Removing a load-bearing wall or other structural work can need building approval. When approvals are needed, we manage them as part of the job.
Related pages
Sources
- Canstar, How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Australia in 2026? (31 July 2026)
- SafeWork SA, A DIY guide to asbestos safety for home renovators (30 March 2026)
Rules and published figures checked on 19 October 2026. Third-party cost ranges are not ASP Build & Co prices; we quote every job individually after a site visit.
