How much does a kitchen renovation cost in New Zealand?

Kitchen renovations come in all shapes, sizes, finishings, and styles - and their costs would vary accordingly. However, there are a few common factors that have the biggest impact on the price of a kitchen renovation: the size of your kitchen, layout alterations, quality of materials, and the overall purpose.  
In this article, we’ll explain exactly how these main budget drivers affect the cost of a renovation. This will help you get a better idea of what you may spend according to your priorities. For example, if you have an expansive kitchen, you may automatically assume your renovation will be costly. But if you’re happy to maintain the existing layout and opt for budget-friendly finishings, your final cost could end up well below the assumed price that you’re dreading.
There are several ways to achieve your desired result within your allocated budget. Working with a Refresh Renovation Consultant is the best way to get an accurate quote for your specific project, but here, we’ll provide details and actual renovation costs and sizes to help you get a better understanding of what can be accomplished at different price points. 

How much does a kitchen renovation cost in New Zealand?

Depending on the size of the kitchen, the quality of materials used, and the extent of the renovation, a kitchen renovation in New Zealand will cost between $20,000 - $80,000+*.

Main budget drivers

• Size of your kitchen
• Layout of your new kitchen ‍
• Kitchen products used‍
• Type of kitchen renovation 

Read on to find out how much your kitchen renovation may cost depending on the changes you are looking to make.

Size of your kitchen

Less than 10m2

With less space to renovate, it stands to reason that a smaller investment is required. However, saving money on square footage may mean that you decide to invest in higher-end finishings. See how this 6m2 kitchen was transformed for $43,000*. (MAY 2022)

Maree and John de Latour - Small Kitchen with Big Impact in Remuera

10m2-20m2 

The most common size kitchen renovation we see at Refresh runs between 12m2-20m2. This presents plenty of space to work but can still be executed cost-effectively. See how this 20m2 kitchen was transformed for $57,000*. (OCT 2021)

Wayne Gordon - A Radical Kitchen Transformation in Feilding

Over 20m2

The larger the kitchen, the more opportunities to spend money. This doesn’t mean that a big space will always be more expensive, but it is a consideration. See how this 42m2 space was transformed for $63,000*. (JUL 2022)

Maree and John de Latour - A Bespoke Kitchen Design in Auckland CBD

Layout 

A well-thought-out layout is the foundation for a successful kitchen renovation. Open-plan kitchens are ideal for entertaining and socialising but, for many families, closed kitchen designs make more sense. Neither option costs more than the other by nature; the most expensive aspect of a kitchen layout is changing it. 

Changing your kitchen layout

Changing the layout of a kitchen means moving key elements, such as plumbing, electrical, and joinery, to accommodate the new footprint and that often requires council consent and speciality contractors. While these alterations are costly, they can improve a kitchen’s functionality tenfold. Alternatively, if you’re happy with your kitchen’s footprint, renovating within the existing layout is a cost-effective solution to refresh your space for less. 
Manoeuvring around a kitchen that hasn’t been intuitively designed can take the joy out of cooking and cause chaos at mealtimes. So, while a new layout calls for a more substantial investment, it’s likely to be invaluable. For $150,000*, this 20m2 renovation (SEP 2022) combined the kitchen and lounge, enabling the homeowner to reallocate space to create a new laundry area; the open-plan layout is transformative. 
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Mark Morrison - An ultra-modern open-plan living area in Rānui, Porirua

Keeping your kitchen layout

Working within a kitchen’s existing layout still presents plenty of opportunities for creativity and bespoke design. Benchtops, cabinetry, flooring, splashbacks, lighting, fixtures, fittings, and appliances are just some of the ways you can upgrade your kitchen, leaving you with a fantastic new look without going over budget. In this 20m2 kitchen renovation  (SEP 2021), see how utilising the existing floor plan achieved a fresh new look on a $38,000* budget. 
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Wayne Gordon - Freshening up a Kitchen in Fielding

Products Used

Daydreaming about the final result - what your new kitchen will look like, and what materials you’re going to select is often the catalyst for cost concerns. Your heart may be set on marble benchtops, minimalist cabinetry, natural timber flooring, and high-end chef’s appliances but once you start tallying up the figures in your head, your budget will have ballooned. Yet while the quality of materials you choose matters, that’s not the deciding factor of your kitchen’s final look. 
These homeowners spent $55,000* for their 12m2 kitchen renovation (AUG 2022). Opting for LVT (luxury vinyl tiles) and wood-look laminate benchtops allowed them to splurge on other elements, such as pendant lighting and a matte black sink, which resulted in a refined and stylish design. 
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Steve Roper - A Fresh Look for a 1970s Home in Riverlea, Hamilton
LVT has become a popular flooring solution because of its budget-friendly price tag, versatility, durability, and high-end design options. Here, we see another example of utilising LVT to save money in order to upgrade other design elements. This 14m2 renovation has both custom shelving and lighting, a vintage-inspired tile splashback, and a kitchen island with a beautiful waterfall-edge marble benchtop, all for $44,000* (MAY 2022). 
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Lia Boersma - Contrasting Colours and Striking Features Create a Stylish Kitchen in Wellington

Type of Renovation

A simple cosmetic kitchen renovation that focuses on design aesthetics will be more budget-friendly than undertaking extensive functional improvements. Replacing benchtops and installing new cabinetry and fixtures can be relatively inexpensive: no need for costly council applications or specialist tradespeople. Upgrades like these can transform a space, as in this 14m2 $17,000* cosmetic kitchen makeover (JUN 2021). 
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Dominic Hollands - A Contemporary Kitchen in Sunnyvale, Auckland
On the other end of the spectrum, this 10m2 $120,000* (JUN 2022) renovation is a prime example of how unforeseen remedial work can incur a significantly higher cost than a cosmetic upgrade alone; read more here. Outside of unexpected remedial work, major restorative renovations can involve issues such as poor water pressure, asbestos, little-to-no insulation, mould and water damage, rectifying unpermitted or unprofessional work, and Healthy Homes compliance. 
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Lia Boersma - Cosmetic Upgrade turned Property Rescue in Miramar, Wellington

Interested in the cost of a kitchen renovation of your own?

Refresh’s proven 5-step approach to renovations begins with a consultation and ends with a fantastic kitchen. The steps in between include thorough planning and, before construction starts, you’ll be provided with a fixed quote for the cost of your project so there are no surprises.

To start your kitchen renovation journey, get in touch with a local Renovation Consultant to arrange your free consultation! 

*Costs are shown as an indicative guide of what previous projects have cost. The price of renovating a home is increasing each year as material and labour costs rise. For an estimate / quote on your specific project, please consult your local Refresh Renovations specialist to find out more about our planning, design and build process.
**All Refresh Renovations franchises are independently owned and operated.