At some point, a home’s kitchen will show visible signs of wear and tear. It’s one of the key areas in a house; it sees a lot of activity, which may run it down sooner than other rooms.
Renovating is a great way to revive a kitchen. Not only does it update the area or upgrade its features, but it also adds significant value to your home.
The average cost of a kitchen renovation in Melbourne is around $50,000. It can be costly seeing as it’s already a large fraction of the cost to knock down and rebuild a house in Melbourne or the price of new homes for sale in Australia (Melbourne, specifically), both of which come out to about $350,000.
Still, the return-on-investment (ROI) you get from a kitchen renovation outweighs the expense, and it’s a convenient option for when you only want to change this part of your house.
Explore our general guide on kitchen renovation costs for more detailed information on renovating in Australia.
How Much Does a Kitchen Renovation Cost?
You can expect to pay an average of $50,000 for a kitchen renovation, though this can be split into three ranges:
- Budget renovation: $20,000 to $35,000
- Mid-range renovation: $35,000 to $50,000
- High-end renovation: $50,000 to $90,000
Budget renovations only involve basic changes, rather than a full remodel. You’ll only typically deal with a few additions, such as an updated backsplash, new bench tops, or higher-end appliances. Though you might miss out on the bells and whistles, you get a functional kitchen that will last you through the years.
Mid-range renovations are where homeowners can start incorporating ideas that will bring their dream kitchen to life. You can have structures redone and custom-designed outfits made, plus you can spend a bit more on higher-quality materials and components installed by specialist tradesmen.
High-end renovations give you custom-designed everything using top-of-the-line materials and finishes. In this range, walls can come down for restructured kitchens (e.g. open-concept kitchens), you can incorporate European designs (which usually have intricate finishes), and install high-tech fixtures and appliances.
Factors That Affect the Cost of a Kitchen Renovation
As illustrated, the cost of a kitchen renovation can vary greatly depending on what you want out of it. To break it down, here are some factors that affect the expenses:
- Kitchen size
- The complexity of the design
- Materials
- Cabinets and bench tops
- Trades (including labour)
- Kitchen appliances
- Custom fixtures
You may also have to budget for designer or architect expenses, the cost of pest inspection in Melbourne and other unexpected additional services (e.g. re-do plumbing, etc.).
How to Save on a Kitchen Renovation
Here are some easy ways to maximise your kitchen renovation budget:
Keep It Simple
You don’t always have to have custom-made fixtures or fancy add-ons to make a beautiful kitchen. Stock models can do the trick for new cabinets and efficient mass-market appliances can give you function at a fraction of the cost.
Put in Some of the Work Yourself
Renovating some parts of your kitchen yourself can keep your bills down. If you have the time, tools, and skill, consider demolishing old parts, painting walls or frames, or even building some cabinets. That said, do go over your DIY projects with your contractor to ensure everything comes together correctly.
Retain the Layout
Changing the layout of your kitchen isn’t simply moving cabinets. It involves relocating fixtures such as plumbing and electricity, which will incur additional labour costs (and time). Try to keep the underlying features the same to save.
A Step Closer to Your Dream Kitchen
If you need some inspiration or are looking for a new home already equipped with your dream kitchen, check out Soho’s search page to find what you’re looking for. You can also download the app for the full experience—you can save and shortlist properties that catch your eye. You never know, it might just be your next home!
