How much does a new kitchen cost? Most Smith & Smith kitchens fall between $24,000 and $95,000, with some smaller projects below that range and larger or more elaborate renovations above it. That range is consistent with the wider industry. Our most recent award categories, judged by the Housing Industry Association (HIA), the Australian Cabinet & Furniture Association (ACFA) and the Cabinet Makers and Designers Association (CMDA), span $30,000 to $100,000, and the 2023 Houzz & Home Australia study found the median spend on a kitchen renovation was $30,000. Where your kitchen sits depends on its size, the finishes you choose and the work needed in your home.
Many renovators find themselves a little stuck when it comes to deciding what to spend on a new kitchen. Kitchen companies find it hard to design a kitchen for you if you are unclear on the budget they are to work within and renovators find it hard to come up with a budget in the first place because television renovation shows, (where favours are called in and huge discounts are given) and stealthy kitchen advertising campaigns perpetuate an unrealistic notion of what a new kitchen really costs. So, what do Australians spend on a new kitchen?
Kitchen Budget Versus Actual Spend
Choosing a kitchen manufacturer is tricky. Kitchens are not mass-produced in 4 standard sizes ready to purchase and slot neatly into an empty room. There are a number of variables to factor in and that is why people are often taken by surprise when a kitchen cannot be delivered for the same price and time frame as seen on ‘The Block’.
Setting a budget can be a difficult task. When people ask us what a new kitchen costs, “how long is a piece of string” comes to mind. Budgets vary greatly depending on the desires of the homeowner, the size of the kitchen and the extent of the renovation. One person’s ‘basic medium sized kitchen’ may be another’s ‘tiny kitchen with little storage space’.
To give an idea of what other Australians actually spend on a new kitchen, there is no point in looking at the budgets people set for themselves. A far clearer picture is gained if we look at what they have spent once the kitchen is installed. If you take this into account when setting a budget for your kitchen renovation you will be able to stick to it because it is a true reflection of the cost of a kitchen, not a hopeful figure plucked out of thin air.
Kitchen Renovation Costs
According to an earlier study by Houzz.com.au, almost a quarter of homeowners spent more than $40,000 on their kitchen renovation. However, the most common spend (38% of homeowners) was between $20,001 and $40,000. On either side of that common spend were 23% spending $10,001 – $20,000 and another 23% spent above $40,001. Only 16% spent less than $10,000 (most likely for small-scale cabinet additions and kitchen facelifts).
Unsurprisingly, nearly 30% of kitchen renovators budgeted to spend $10,000 or less. Yes! – Almost double the number that managed to spend so little. It is not because homeowners were ‘sucked in’ by clever salespeople that forced unnecessary additions upon them. Australians know what they want and don’t want in a kitchen, our problem is simply that we haven’t been given a true sense of what a new kitchen costs.
Looking at the lower end of budgets, it is worth bearing in mind that kitchen renovators surveyed covered a variety of kitchen renovations from an update of cabinet doors or benches to a full kitchen overhaul. As with all statistics, it is important to take them with a grain of salt.
How much should I expect to spend on a new kitchen?
Most Australians spend $20,000 – $40,000 on a full kitchen renovation. As this covers all kitchen sizes, it can be presumed that smaller kitchen renovations are on the lower end of this range and larger kitchens closer to the top of this range. Higher end kitchens featuring more premium finishes would be found in the $40,000+ bracket. Basic kitchen renovations (such as those specifically for rental properties) and minor kitchen renovations (such as a few new cabinets rather than an entire kitchen replacement) would be in the range below $20,000.
More recent figures sit higher. The 2023 Houzz & Home Australia study found the median spend on a kitchen renovation was $30,000. Keep in mind that survey figures like these include cosmetic updates, such as new doors or benchtops, alongside complete replacements, so they tend to understate the cost of a full made-to-measure kitchen.
How much will a new Smith & Smith kitchen cost?
Most Smith & Smith kitchen projects fall between $24,000 and $95,000. Some smaller projects cost less, while larger or more elaborate renovations can exceed that range. The right budget depends on your kitchen, your choice of finishes and the work required in your home.
What affects the price?
The size and layout determine how much cabinetry is needed and whether walls, plumbing or electrical services need to move. Door and panel finishes, benchtops, splashbacks, storage fittings and custom details also make a substantial difference. On-site work may include removing the old kitchen, building and plastering, plumbing and electrical work, and installing the new kitchen.
Appliances are another important part of the budget. A basic selection might cost around $5,000, while premium appliances can add substantially more. Ask your designer to identify what is included in the kitchen estimate and what you will pay separately for appliances and trades, so you can compare your total investment properly.
What is a sensible budget for my home?
There is no set price for a suburb. The following figures are broad examples of budgets for different types of homes and specifications, not suburb averages or a valuation rule:
In Knox, Wantirna or Ferntree Gully, a project might be planned around $30,000 to $45,000; a more extensive or highly specified kitchen could be around $65,000.
In Camberwell, Balwyn or Surrey Hills, a larger renovation might be budgeted at $40,000 to $65,000, with some projects around $75,000 or more.
In Brighton, Toorak or Canterbury, larger homes and more elaborate finishes may lead to budgets of $50,000 to $95,000, with exceptional projects reaching $145,000 or more.
These examples should help you begin the conversation, but two homes in the same street can call for very different kitchens. We will discuss what you want to achieve and where the investment will make the greatest difference to daily use and appearance.
How do I get an estimate for my kitchen?
Call Smith & Smith on (03) 9755 4888 to arrange a designer visit. At present, there is no charge for that visit. Your designer can discuss your needs, look at the space and provide an estimate based on the layout, materials and scope you are considering. A final price depends on the agreed design and specifications.
If you already have plans, measurements or photographs, have them ready when you call. They will help us make the first discussion more useful.
What different budgets actually deliver
Industry award categories are a useful guide to what different budgets deliver, because they group real kitchens by project value and are judged independently. Here are ten of our most recent award-winning and finalist kitchens, and the categories they were recognised in:
Eton: Finalist, New Kitchen $40,000 to $80,000 (HIA)
Blyth: Winner, Best Renovated Kitchen up to $40,000 (HIA)
Portsmouth: Winner, Best Renovated Kitchen up to $30,000 (HIA), and Finalist, Best Kitchen Renovation up to $35,000 (ACFA)
Southampton: Finalist, Renovated Kitchen $40,000 to $80,000 (HIA), and Finalist, Best New Build $60,001 to $80,000 (ACFA)
Tipton: Winner, Renovated Kitchen up to $40,000 (HIA)
Derby: Winner, Best New Kitchen $30,001 to $50,000 (HIA)
Windermere: Finalist, Best Renovated Kitchen $30,001 to $50,000 (HIA)
Bedlington: Finalist, Best Renovated Kitchen up to $30,000 (HIA)
Buckingham: Winner, Best New Kitchen $30,001 to $50,000 (HIA), and Finalist, Best Kitchen $35,000 to $60,000 (CMDA)
Bishops Castle: Winner, Best Renovated Kitchen $50,001 to $100,000 (HIA), and Finalist, Best Kitchen Project Renovation $35,000 to $60,000 (ACFA)
Each project name links to photos of the finished kitchen. You can see every award we have received on our awards page.
Fashion Versus the Choices Real Australians are Making
Some desire an on-trend kitchen to match their carefully curated home, others want a timeless kitchen to serve them many years into the future. The research from Houzz reveals that Australians are fans of the timeless in their styling choices.
Kitchen Colour Choices
Australians love a white kitchen. About a third of kitchen renovators chose the crisp freshness of a white kitchen. On-trend grey and black cabinets came in at 18% and 12% respectively.
For more information about colour choices, see our handy guide here.
Bench-top Materials
Stone and engineered stone bench-tops constitute 50% of new kitchen counters. The clear favourite for bench-tops is engineered quartz followed by granite and laminate. Timber is making a comeback in feature bench-tops or a contrasting shelf.
For more information about bench-top materials, see our handy guide here.
Kitchen Flooring
Wood (natural, engineered or bamboo) is the clear first choice of over 50% of renovating households and tiles a distant second at 19%. Like all natural materials, there is a timeless element about them that ensures your kitchen renovation will stand the test of time rather than date quickly.
For more information about kitchen flooring, see our handy guide here.
As always ensure you visit the showroom of the kitchen manufacturer you intend to use before trusting their product. Even the most budget-focused kitchen manufacturers will tell you they deliver a quality product. You can make your own assessment of their product if you see it in the flesh.
Considerations to Make Before Deciding What to Spend on a New Kitchen
The extent of your kitchen renovation
Is it a complete renovation or a facelift?
If it is just a facelift, are your cabinets structurally sound?
Can you remove the offending elements of your kitchen without compromising the integrity (structural or cosmetic) of the elements that are to remain? Even removing a seemingly small element such as a splashback can be a difficult task. The glue is so strong that it can remove chunks of the plasterboard beneath.
Will you be changing the layout of the kitchen? A change in layout means plumbing/gas/electricity access must be considered.
Building works – are there any modifications to the walls/ceiling/windows that need to be addressed?
The elements you would like to include in your new kitchen
Materials for bench-tops, cabinets, doors and floors. Make yourself familiar with what the economical, mid-range and premium materials are so that you can ensure the look you love falls in the right price bracket.
What large appliances do you use, or would you like to use. Do some groundwork to find out what your outlay is likely to be. Will they be integrated or not?
What do you need to store in your new kitchen? The beauty of renovating a kitchen is that it is built for you and your storage needs. Make sure you take the measurements of all large items in your kitchen so that you can find the perfect place to store them. There is nothing worse than the excitement of new furniture being dampened by items it is too small to accommodate.
Choosing a Kitchen Manufacturer
Buy Australian made – kitchens constructed in Australia must adhere to strict standards, kitchens constructed overseas do not have to adhere to these standards. Australian made ensures a higher quality product and ensures Australians are employed.
Ensure hardware is high quality and covered by warranty. Test the drawers and doors in the kitchen showroom and ensure your kitchen will be fitted with the same. Some companies have the best on display, but it must be specifically requested to be installed in your kitchen – don’t get caught!
Materials and finishes on offer should be high quality and long lasting. Showrooms are there to give you an idea of the quality of finish and the strength of construction.
Be wary of salespeople who are overly pushy. Make sure you give yourself enough time to feel you are comfortable with your decision. It is too easy to end up with a lower quality product and less of your own input into the design. Getting swept up with a pushy salesperson can make you regret the decision later because you haven’t had enough time to ensure all your boxes are ticked.
A new kitchen is far more than a new set of cupboards. Set your budget carefully and get the kitchen you were expecting, not a shadow of what you’d hoped for.
