🍳 Kitchen Renovation Planning NZ (2026)
Kitchen renovations are deceiving — they look simpler than bathrooms but the joinery lead time alone means you need to start planning 3–4 months before you want a finished kitchen. Here's the full NZ planning guide.
Decisions to Make BEFORE Demo Day
- Kitchen layout and cabinet plan finalised with designer or cabinet maker
- Joinery order placed (allow 6–10 week lead time)
- Benchtop material selected — laminate, stone, timber, or engineered stone
- Appliances selected: oven, cooktop (gas vs. induction), rangehood, dishwasher, fridge space
- Sink and tapware selected (affects plumbing rough-in position)
- Splashback type — tile, glass, pressed tin (affects electrical rough-in for powerpoints above bench)
- Cooktop type confirmed: induction needs a dedicated 20A circuit; gas needs a gasfitter
- Lighting plan: downlights, under-cabinet, pendants — electrician needs positions before GIBbing
- All trades booked with confirmed dates
The Joinery Lead Time Problem
This is the issue that catches most NZ homeowners out. Custom or semi-custom kitchen cabinets from a NZ maker typically take 6–10 weeks from signed order to delivery. Imported flatpack joinery (IKEA, Freedom, Harvey Norman) is faster — 2–4 weeks — but limits your options.
What this means in practice:
- Sign your joinery contract → 6–10 weeks later, joinery arrives → install (1–2 days)
- During those 6–10 weeks: do demo, rough-in, GIB, paint, floor
- If you order joinery after demo, you're living without a kitchen for the full lead time plus fit-out
The sequence: design → joinery order → (week 1) demo → rough-in → GIB → paint → (week 7+) joinery arrives → install → second-fix plumbing/electrical → benchtop → appliances.
Week-by-Week Timeline (8-Week Mid-Range Kitchen)
Design & Joinery Order
Finalise the kitchen plan with a designer or cabinet maker. Place the joinery order. Select all appliances and get them on order. Book trades.
Demo & Strip Out
Remove old cabinets, benchtop, appliances, and splashback. Isolate water and gas. Asbestos test if pre-1990 home (vinyl floors were common; adhesive can contain asbestos).
Structural Work (if needed)
Removing a wall (island bench conversion)? This is the time — structural engineer, LBP, beam installation. Not needed for like-for-like renos.
Plumbing Rough-In
Relocate sink waste and supply pipes if layout is changing. New dishwasher waste connection. Any gas relocation.
Electrical Rough-In
New circuits for oven, cooktop, dishwasher. Rangehood wiring. Additional bench GPOs. Under-cabinet lighting conduit. Downlight locations marked and roughed. Electrician needs the exact joinery plan to position power points correctly.
GIBbing & Ceiling
Walls and ceiling lined after rough-in is complete. Stopping and drying time. Any ceiling bulkheads for rangehood or cabinets.
Painting & Flooring
Paint walls and ceiling before cabinets arrive. Lay flooring (vinyl plank or tiles) before cabinetry — cabinets sit on top of the floor. Timber flooring can wait until after cabinets are in.
Joinery Install
Cabinet maker delivers and installs. Usually 1–3 days for a standard kitchen. Filler panels, adjustments, and scribing to walls takes additional time.
Benchtop Template & Install
Stone benchtop: template is taken after cabinets are installed, then fabricated (1–2 week lead time from template to install). Laminate benchtop: supplied and fitted by cabinet maker.
Second-Fix Plumbing & Gas
Connect sink, tapware, and dishwasher. Connect gas cooktop (gasfitter). Issue Certificates of Compliance.
Second-Fix Electrical & Appliances
Install rangehood, oven, dishwasher connection, under-cabinet lighting, switches. Issue Certificate of Compliance.
Splashback & Finishing
Tile splashback (after cabinets and benchtop), or glass/pressed tin panel. Touch-up paint. Fit handles. Final clean.
Budget Guide — NZ Kitchen Renovation 2026
| Item | Flatpack/Budget | Mid-range custom | High-end custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demo & skip | $500–$1,000 | $800–$1,500 | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Joinery (cabinets) | $4,000–$8,000 | $12,000–$25,000 | $25,000–$60,000 |
| Benchtop | $800–$2,000 | $3,000–$8,000 | $8,000–$20,000 |
| Electrician | $1,500–$2,500 | $2,000–$4,000 | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Plumber | $800–$1,500 | $1,500–$3,000 | $2,000–$5,000 |
| GIBbing + painting | $1,000–$2,000 | $2,000–$4,000 | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Flooring | $800–$2,000 | $2,000–$5,000 | $4,000–$10,000 |
| Splashback | $300–$800 | $800–$3,000 | $2,000–$8,000 |
| Sink & tapware | $400–$800 | $800–$2,500 | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Appliances | $2,000–$4,000 | $4,000–$10,000 | $10,000–$30,000 |
| Total (incl. GST) | $12,000–$25,000 | $30,000–$65,000 | $60,000–$150,000+ |
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Get Quotes Free →Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I live without a kitchen during a renovation?
Typically 4–8 weeks for a mid-range renovation. Set up a temporary kitchen with a microwave, kettle, and portable induction cooktop in another room. Most homeowners manage with this — it's inconvenient but survivable. The key is having the joinery order placed before demo so the kitchen isn't out for 3+ months.
Should I use a kitchen designer or go direct to a cabinet maker?
For complex kitchens with island benches, structural changes, or premium fit-outs — an independent kitchen designer adds value (fee typically $1,500–$4,000) and can source products from multiple suppliers. For a standard straight-run or L-shaped kitchen, most NZ cabinet makers have in-house designers at no extra charge. Get at least 3 quotes including the design service.
What benchtop material is best value in NZ?
Engineered stone (Caesarstone, Smartstone) offers the best durability-to-cost ratio for mid-range kitchens — budget $3,000–$8,000 for a standard kitchen. Laminate is the cheapest ($800–$2,000) and has improved significantly in quality. Solid timber looks beautiful but needs regular oiling and is less water-resistant. Natural granite and marble are premium but porous — need sealing annually.
Do I need to upgrade my electrical panel for a new kitchen?
Often yes, especially in homes built before 1990. A modern kitchen needs: a 20A dedicated circuit for the oven, a circuit for the cooktop (or gas connection), dishwasher outlet, fridge circuit, and multiple bench power points. Older homes may have fuse boards that need upgrading to circuit breakers (switchboard upgrade: $1,500–$4,000). Budget for an electrician to assess your switchboard before finalising the kitchen plan.