The Cost to Renovate a Kitchen: What Your Budget Can Get You
How much does it cost to renovate a kitchen?
An honest (and slightly unhelpful answer, we know) - it depends on your budget, your expectations and how much you want to change. A kitchen renovation doesn’t have to mean ripping everything out. For some homes, it’s a tidy-up and a handle change. For others, it’s a full rethink of how the space works.
In this series, we break kitchen renovations into realistic budget brackets, so you can see what’s possible before you start calling tradies.
This first article gives you the big-picture view and over the next couple of weeks we’ll look at kitchens for a $1k, $10k and $30k+ budget.
Kitchen renovation vs kitchen remodel - what’s the difference?
You’ll often hear both terms used interchangeably (and it’s not a huge deal), but for clarity they mean different things.
Kitchen renovation: Improving or upgrading what you already have. Same layout, better finishes, improved function.
Kitchen remodel: Changing the layout. Moving plumbing, walls, or appliances.
Most homeowners we work with are renovating, not remodelling.
Typical kitchen renovation cost ranges in New Zealand
While every home is different, here’s a realistic guide to kitchen renovation costs in NZ:
Under $1,000 - Spruce-ups and functional fixes
Around $10,000 - Solid, practical renovations using existing layout
$30,000-$50,000+ - Full, high-end kitchen renovations
Each level comes with different expectations, timelines, and plumbing considerations.
If you’re anything like us, the kitchen is the heart of your home. We love working with customers to make sure the space works for everyone in the family - even the littlest members.
What impacts the cost of a kitchen renovation?
1. Keeping or changing the layout
Keeping plumbing where it is saves money. Moving sinks, dishwashers, the gas, increases cost quickly. For example if you’re shifting a sink from one wall to be on an island in the centre of the room, we’re going to need to get water to somewhere it wasn’t before. This could mean cutting through the floor and shifting pipework to suit.
2. Age of the house
Older homes often need:
Plumbing/pipe replacements (dux quest/old pipe)
Pressure adjustments (low pressure cylinders don’t work with mains pressure taps - which are the most common tap)
These aren’t glamorous, but they matter and if walls need to be opened up you want to make sure this is done now before you paint or tile.
3. Cabinetry and benchtops
These are usually the biggest cost in a kitchen renovation.
Flat pack and off the shelf melamine benchtops v custom cabinetry and stone or stainless can swing the budget. You don’t need everything custom or high-end to create a great finish. Flat-pack cabinetry mixed with a stone benchtop is a great way to keep it budget friendly.
Top tip - We’ve seen many off the shelf kitchens from the Kaboodle Bunnings range installed and honestly, they look amazing, and they’re at a very budget friendly price point.
4. Plumbing quality (not just plumbing location)
Even when layouts stay the same, older plumbing may not meet current standards or suit new fixtures. Changing plumbing layout or upgrading old plumbing may mean cutting into the walls - this is where early advice pays off.
Timing your kitchen renovation properly
Kitchen renovations are disruptive - there’s no way around that. The key is planning. We like to work with homeowners and the other trades involved to keep disruption minimal but if you’re planning something more major than a spruce up, it’s ideal if you’ve got a BBQ to keep the house fed while work is happening.
As a rough guide for timing:
Small upgrades: half a day to one day (new tap, kitchen handles, or
Mid-range renovations: 1-2 weeks (cabinetry upgrade within existing layout, new tiling/splashbacks, appliance upgrade)
High-end renovations: 4-6 weeks+ (a complete remodel of the kitchen)
Ordering taps, sinks and appliances early helps avoid delays. Plumbing needs to be coordinated before cabinetry goes in, to avoid cuts in your new cabinetry.
DIY vs calling in the professionals
DIY can work for:
Painting
Handles and cosmetic updates
Cabinet assembly (if you’re confident)
Call a professional plumber for:
Any water or waste connections
Tap and sink installs
Moving plumbing points (moving a tap)
Gas connections
Older or unknown pipework
Other trades you might need to involve:
Kitchen company for more major renovations
Builder
Electrician
Tiler
Painter
Working with other trades
Most kitchen renovations require coordination with other trades. A plumbing company won’t typically manage a kitchen renovation, this would be done by the homeowner, builder or a kitchen company.
If you’re not confident at managing a renovation, we recommend outsourcing this to keep things on track. A project manager (a builder or kitchen company) will typically charge a small fee which is a % of the total project value, but this fee is worth it to make sure your project is in accordance with any compliance requirements, completed to a high standard, and importantly on schedule.
Want some help getting started?
If you’re planning a kitchen renovation and want clear, honest advice, fill out the Ka Pai Plumbing website form. We’ll work with you and your other trades to help you understand what your budget can achieve and make sure the plumbing side is done properly - no guesswork, no shortcuts.
We have a team of trusted trades we work with, so if you haven’t already got yourself a builder, electrician or tiler we can provide recommendations.
FAQs
What is the difference between a kitchen remodel and renovation?
A renovation improves what you have. A remodel changes the layout.
How to upgrade your kitchen on a budget?
Focus on plumbing fixes, a new tap, lighting, and finishes before replacing cabinetry.
Can I redo my kitchen for $10,000?
Yes, if you keep the layout and make smart product choices.
What is the biggest expense in a kitchen remodel?
Cabinetry and layout changes are usually the biggest costs.
Small kitchen renovation Wellington - is it worth it?
Absolutely. Small kitchens benefit hugely from smart planning and quality plumbing.