A kitchen renovation is the single highest-impact upgrade you can make to a NZ home — and one of the most complex to cost accurately. Here's a realistic breakdown of what kitchens cost in NZ in 2026, from a simple refresh to a full gut renovation.
Kitchen Renovation Cost NZ 2026
| Scope | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh (new benchtop, paint, hardware) | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Mid-range (new cabinetry, benchtop, appliances) | $20,000–$45,000 |
| Full renovation, standard spec | $35,000–$65,000 |
| Premium / designer kitchen | $65,000–$150,000+ |
All prices GST inclusive. Auckland 15–25% above. Includes cabinetry, benchtop, and installation — appliances quoted separately unless stated.
What's Typically Included at Each Level
Cosmetic Refresh ($3,000–$8,000)
- New benchtop (laminate or stone veneer)
- Repaint cabinets or replace doors only (not carcasses)
- New handles and tapware
- Updated lighting
- New splashback (glass or tile)
Best for: Kitchens with structurally sound cabinetry in a good layout that just looks dated.
Mid-Range Renovation ($20,000–$45,000)
- New cabinetry (MR MDF carcasses, vinyl wrap or 2-pac doors)
- 20–40mm stone benchtop (engineered stone or granite)
- Undermount sink and quality tapware
- New appliances (oven, cooktop, rangehood, dishwasher)
- Tiled splashback
- New flooring (vinyl or engineered timber)
- Electrician for new powerpoints and lighting
Best for: Most NZ renovation projects. This is where the bulk of kitchen renovations sit.
Full Renovation ($35,000–$65,000)
Everything in mid-range, plus: - Layout changes (moving walls, island bench) - Custom cabinetry (joinery workshop to full specification) - Premium engineered or natural stone benchtop - Premium appliances (Fisher & Paykel, Miele, Smeg) - Integrated appliances (dishwasher, fridge hidden behind cabinet doors) - New plumbing (relocate sink, add pot filler) - New electrical (rangehood wiring, additional circuits) - Building consent if walls are moved
Premium / Designer ($65,000–$150,000+)
- Bespoke joinery (full cabinet maker workshop design)
- Waterfall stone benchtops, stone feature elements
- Top-tier European appliances
- Architectural lighting design
- Custom hardware and fittings
The Biggest Cost Items — Broken Down
Cabinetry (Supply Only)
The largest single variable. See Cabinet Makers NZ for detail.
| Cabinetry type | Cost (supply only, 10–15 cabinet kitchen) |
|---|---|
| Flatpack (IKEA, Kaboodle) | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Semi-custom (vinyl wrap, local workshop) | $8,000–$18,000 |
| Custom (2-pac, NZ joinery workshop) | $15,000–$40,000 |
Lead time: Custom cabinetry: 6–12 weeks from design sign-off. Plan your renovation around this — it's the long pole in the tent.
Benchtops
| Material | Cost per linear metre (installed) |
|---|---|
| Laminate | $150–$350/m |
| Engineered stone (Silestone, Essastone) | $500–$900/m |
| Natural stone (granite, marble) | $700–$1,500/m |
| Timber (oak, walnut) | $600–$1,200/m |
| Dekton / porcelain slab | $700–$1,100/m |
A standard kitchen with 4–5m of benchtop in engineered stone: $3,000–$6,000 installed, including a standard sink cut-out.
Appliances
Mid-range NZ kitchen appliance package:
| Appliance | Budget | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oven (60cm) | $700–$1,200 | $1,200–$2,500 | $2,500–$6,000 |
| Cooktop (gas/induction) | $500–$1,000 | $1,000–$2,000 | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Rangehood | $300–$700 | $700–$1,500 | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Dishwasher | $700–$1,200 | $1,200–$2,000 | $2,000–$4,000 |
Mid-range package total: $5,000–$10,000. Premium package: $12,000–$25,000+.
Labour Trades for a Full Kitchen Renovation
| Trade | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Builder / project management | $5,000–$15,000 |
| Cabinetry installation (if separate) | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Plumber (tap, sink, dishwasher connection) | $600–$2,000 |
| Electrician (oven, cooktop, rangehood, circuits) | $800–$2,500 |
| Tiler (splashback) | $600–$2,000 |
| Plasterer (stopping, if walls repaired) | $500–$1,500 |
| Flooring (installation only) | $500–$2,000 |
Timeline for a Kitchen Renovation in NZ
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Design and quotes | 2–4 weeks |
| Cabinetry manufacturing lead time | 6–12 weeks |
| Demolition and structural work | 3–5 days |
| Plumber rough-in (if pipes moving) | 1–2 days |
| Electrician rough-in | 1–2 days |
| Cabinetry installation | 2–4 days |
| Benchtop fabrication and installation | 1 week (measurement after cabinets in) |
| Splashback tiling | 1–2 days |
| Plumber fit-off (tap, sink) | Half day |
| Electrician fit-off (appliances) | Half day |
| Finishing and touch-ups | 1–2 days |
Total from start of work on site: 3–6 weeks. But account for the 6–12 week cabinetry lead time — you won't have a kitchen for 2–3 months from contract signing if starting from scratch.
How to Budget Accurately
- Get a fixed-price cabinetry quote first — it's the biggest variable. Everything else can be scoped around it.
- Choose benchtop material before getting quotes — stone benchtops are measured after cabinets are in (2-week delay for templating and fabrication).
- Get appliance quotes separately — you can often buy directly and supply to the tradies.
- Budget a 15% contingency — old kitchens hide problems (rotten substrates, non-compliant wiring, asbestos in vinyl flooring pre-1990).
Find kitchen renovators near you: Kitchen Renovators NZ | Post Your Job Free
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in NZ? A mid-range kitchen renovation (new custom cabinetry, stone benchtop, tiled splashback, mid-range appliances): $20,000–$45,000. A full renovation with layout changes: $35,000–$65,000. Auckland is 15–25% above these figures.
How long does a kitchen renovation take in NZ? 3–6 weeks of active site work, but the full timeline from design to completion is typically 3–5 months when you include the cabinetry manufacturing lead time (6–12 weeks). Plan early — popular renovation builders and joiners are booked 2–3 months ahead.
Does a kitchen renovation add value in NZ? Yes — a well-executed mid-range kitchen renovation typically adds more than it costs in value in most NZ markets. An outdated kitchen can lose $20,000–$50,000 on sale value. Get a real estate appraisal before renovating to confirm the numbers stack up for your property and suburb.
Should I renovate the kitchen before selling in NZ? It depends on the state of the current kitchen and the market. A minor refresh ($5,000–$10,000) almost always pays off. A full renovation ($40,000+) is worth doing if the kitchen is genuinely deterring buyers — ask your real estate agent for their view before spending.
What is 2-pac paint for kitchen cabinets? 2-pac (two-pack polyurethane) is a hard, factory-applied spray finish used on cabinet doors. It's the most durable and hardest-wearing painted finish for kitchen cabinetry — harder than standard paint and resistant to knocks and cleaning chemicals. The finish must be applied in a factory spray booth, not on site.
Related: Kitchen Renovation Mistakes NZ | Cabinet Makers NZ | Post a Job Free