How Much Does a Kitchen Renovation Cost?

Average Kitchen Renovation Cost in Brisbane

The average costs to renovate a kitchen have increased post-COVID, thanks to a combination of material cost inflation, supply chain issues and ongoing labour shortages in the construction industry. In fact, a recent report by Ray White (using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics) found that construction costs rose 18.3% between 2022 and 2024.

Additionally, many homeowners have also adjusted their expectations when it comes to renovating a kitchen. Kitchen design used to focus primarily on functionality – now, there’s an added emphasis on sustainability and smart appliances. Homeowners are seeing the value of investing more in their kitchen renovations to achieve the right combination of functionality, lifestyle, sustainable living and long-term return on investment.

This trend was commented on by HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon, at the launch of the 2024 HIA Kitchen and Bathroom Report. “The building and renovation boom in recent years saw kitchens increase in size, with more appliances and premium fittings. As homeowners spent more time at home, they also spent more money on their home renovation.”

Mr Reardon also noted that while bathroom renovations are likely to keep the same room size, the majority of kitchen renovations “resulted in an increase in the footprint of the kitchen.” In other words, people want their kitchens to be bigger and better than ever.

How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a Kitchen?

So, how much does a kitchen renovation cost in Brisbane in 2025?

The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might hope, simply because there are so many different factors to consider. For starters, you need to think about how big your current kitchen is and whether you’re planning on expanding the footprint or keeping it the same size. As a rough average, homeowners in Brisbane should expect to pay the following for a kitchen renovation:

• A budget kitchen renovation will have an average price range of $25,000 to $35,000.
• A standard kitchen renovation will have an average price range of $35,000 to $55,000.
• A high-end kitchen renovation will have an average price range of $55,000+.

Other factors that will typically have a big impact on your kitchen renovation costs include:

• Quality of materials
• Choice of appliances
• Labour costs
• Job complexity
• Flooring choice
• Special kitchen dimensions
• Duration of renovation
• Project management

How Much Should You Spend on a Kitchen Renovation?

How much you spend on your kitchen reno is dependent on what the remodel is for.

• Is it for you and your family’s needs?
• Is it to fix something that’s broken?
• Is it for aesthetic purposes?
• Is it to increase your home’s resale value?

If you’re renovating your family home and you plan on remaining there for many years to come, it makes sense to invest in a quality kitchen that offers improved functionality and that matches your personal style.

If your focus is on improving the look of your kitchen or you’re seeking to fix surface or structural damage, then talk to an experienced professional about how you can strike the right balance of quality and style.

However, if you’re focusing on the future resale value of your home, you’ll want to aim for a good balance between future return on investment (ROI) and lifestyle improvement.

What Are Some Factors that Influence Kitchen Renovation Prices?

What are the different factors that influence kitchen renovation prices? And how do these elements impact the kitchen renovation cost?

Kitchen Size

A small kitchen will require fewer materials (kitchen cabinets, tiles, etc.) which means that it’s often possible to select higher-quality finishes without drastically impacting your budget. A larger kitchen, on the other hand, means more materials and more labour so, naturally, will come with a higher cost.

Layout Changes

Two kitchens that are the same size and use the same materials can have very different costs, depending on the layout that’s selected. Changing the existing layout of your kitchen could significantly increase renovation costs since the current plumbing, electrical and gas connections will have to be altered or moved to fit the new layout.

Kitchen Finishes

Finishes include all the smaller items that make up the finished kitchen. These include the kitchen taps, the sink, the splashback and wall/floor tiles. Drawer handles, door hinges, turntable-style storage solutions and other hardware can also be added to this list. These smaller items allow for a lot of variety in terms of design, usability, quality and cost.

Benchtops

Benchtops are now available in a wide range of materials, including timber, laminate and concrete. Other options include stainless steel, engineered stone, granite and marble. A good-quality laminate benchtop will have an average price of $350-$650 per square metre, while a marble benchtop may cost between $800 and $4,000 per square metre, depending on the style selected.

Custom vs. Flat-Pack Cabinetry

Kitchen cabinets are often one of the first design details that you’ll notice in a kitchen. The price of cabinetry will vary depending on the style, material and quality you choose. Custom cabinetry gives you more options to choose from and can come in higher-quality finishes. They also allow you to fully customise your storage solutions to make the most of the available space. With that said, you should expect to pay more for custom cabinetry.

An alternative solution is to opt for stock-standard, flat-pack kitchen cabinetry. While flat-pack cabinetry does have its place, savvy homeowners typically favour the quality and longevity pay-off associated with higher-quality cabinets. The preference is for a higher initial cost rather than having to constantly repair and replace cheaper items down the line.

Appliance Choices

In addition to your standard oven, cooktop and rangehood, the list of kitchen appliances you can include in your kitchen is now a lot more expansive. You can choose from customised dishwashers, fully incorporated smart fridges, inbuilt coffee machines and even chef-favoured steam ovens. Your appliance budget will depend on how many appliances you choose to have and what quality you want to invest in.

Energy Efficient Upgrades

With a growing emphasis on sustainability, more kitchen renovators are now including features like LED lighting, water-saving fixtures and high energy-rated appliances. While these upgrades may increase upfront expenses, they’re typically offset by the long-term savings (delivering reduced power and water bills for years to come). This is particularly appealing for owners who are planning to stay in their renovated home long-term, or for those who plan on marketing their property toward environmentally conscious buyers.

Labour, Design and Project Management

Going DIY on your kitchen renovation may save you a little money in the short term, but it can lead to higher costs later (should something start to go wrong). For a kitchen renovation that looks fantastic and can last a long time, it’s well worth investing in the work of experienced professionals.

It’s also a good idea to look for those who specialise in kitchen renovations, as opposed to a general contractor or labourer. This is because kitchen design and construction involves unique details, such as the need for moisture- and heat-resistant materials. An experienced professional can guide you through the entire process, from initial design through to material selection, project management and coordination of the various licensed trades.

What’s the ROI of a Kitchen Renovation in Brisbane?

It’s becoming increasingly common for homeowners to buy a property, live in it for a few years, then renovate and sell it in the hope of making a profit. If this is you, then it’s important to consider how much to allocate for a kitchen renovation cost.

Real estate experts suggest that you should spend no more than 10% of your property’s total value on a renovation. Since your kitchen may not be the only part of your home you’ll want to fix up, how you choose to allocate those funds (what percentage you spend on the kitchen) can impact your potential ROI.

Online platform Open Agent reports that with a kitchen renovation, homeowners can resell homes faster and can typically add up to $40,000 to a home’s overall value. This is thanks to the (cliched but true) fact that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses.

Things to Do Before You Renovate Your Kitchen

Before you start going through catalogues and imagining what your new kitchen will look like, some planning is in order. There are a few steps you need to take before getting that kitchen worked on, such as:

Estimate the Kitchen Renovation Cost

Create a budget that you know you can reasonably afford, then add around 10% to it as a buffer to cover any surprises along the way. When estimating costs to renovate a kitchen, include a high and low option for all the materials you need for the remodel. This will leave you with enough options for when you begin work on this project.

Decide Which Payment Option You Will Use

There are many options you can turn to when you’re planning on renovating your kitchen. Which one you eventually choose is dependent on the overall cost of the project and your personal circumstances. The options you have for funding your kitchen remodel include saving cash, utilising a credit card, taking out a personal loan or refinancing your home loan to access equity. If you’re thinking of taking out a loan, make sure to apply ahead of time and get lender approval before breaking out the sledgehammer.

Choose a Design, Layout, Materials and Appliances

This is the fun part! Picking out the new look of your kitchen and choosing your appliances, cabinetry and other finishes is the ultimate shopping experience! You can get ideas from magazines or check out the latest kitchen renovation trends to help you decide what to do. You can also visit the Craftbuilt Kitchens showroom to see ideas in real life and get expert advice.

Set a Time Frame and Hire Professionals

These two will work hand-in-hand, primarily because how fast your contractor works has a bearing on how long your renovation will take to finish. Craftbuilt Kitchens has been in the industry for over 45 years, and we have an established reputation for completing high-quality kitchen renovations on time and on budget. To find out the timeframe of your project, book an appointment with one of our renovation professionals today.