Kitchens are detailed spaces. They involve a range of materials, appliances and trades; all of which need to be carefully planned. They also require an experienced designer to balance the aesthetics with functionality.
With this in mind, it shouldn’t be surprising that kitchens are one of the most expensive rooms to renovate. It’s also easy to see how some people end up spending tens of thousands of dollars updating their kitchen. It doesn’t have to be that way.
While the average cost of a kitchen renovation is about $29,000 (according to HIA), it’s possible to update for much less. However, there are a few tricks to renovating on a budget.
The cost of a budget kitchen renovation
The budget for your kitchen renovation will depend on a few factors. This includes how big the kitchen space is, the quality materials, appliances and accessories you choose. As such, it can be hard to predict the exact cost of a kitchen renovation.
That being said, data suggests that a budget kitchen renovation will usually cost between $15,000 and $25,000. As this is an average price, this range represents the variety of kitchen sizes that exist. Generally speaking, the larger your kitchen area, the closer to the top of this range your budget will be.
If you want to get a more accurate sense of the exact pricing, it’s best to look at the individual work that needs to be done. The following outlines some common renovation costs.
- Kitchen Cabinets & Benchtops: For a small L shaped kitchen with laminate benchtops you can expect to pay around $6,000. Prices vary depending on the style of kitchen cabinetry or the type of benchtop you select. You can see prices for one of our lower cost kitchen styles here.
- Paint: $400 – $600 (when painting yourself). This will vary depending on what you are painting and how much surface area you have to paint.
- Tapware: $200 – $250
- Tiles: $30 – $50 per square metre
- Lighting (LEDs): $25 each + installation
- Lighting (Pendants): $100 – $250 each + installation
- Tiling: $40 – $80 per square metre
Ideas to help keep the cost down
When you’re renovating on a budget, it’s all about fixing the most noticeable things and diy as much as possible to save cost. If funds are limited, you should consider:
- Sticking to the existing floorplan: Relocating services (like water and gas) can be expensive. Unless there are major functionality issues to address, it’s best to keep the layout the same.
- Use Assembled Flat Pack Kitchen cabinets: Custom made cabinetry and joinery can be expensive but it is possible to get your kitchen looking beautiful by using standard sized cabinetry. These can be designed to fit your space perfectly and the fact that they are assembled means you won’t have to worry about the stress or extra installation costs of assembly.
- Fresh coat of paint: Paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to make your kitchen sparkle.
- Choosing more cost-effective materials: There are cheaper alternatives to most common designer materials. For example, with high-quality laminates, you can get the look of natural stone or timber at a fraction of the price.
- Invest in the details: If you would like to add a little luxury, splash out on your handles or tapware. This shouldn’t impact your renovation budget but could have a significant impact on your kitchen’s overall look.
- Use existing appliances: If your appliances are in good working order use these and update later when you have funds.
If you’re relatively handy, you may be able to save huge $$$’s by doing some of the work yourself. That being said, certain things (like plumbing and electrical work) must be done by a licensed professional. With regards to installation, it is always easier and less headaches to use an experienced kitchen installer that knows what they are doing.
Consulting a professional could save you money
When most people think of the work of a professional kitchen designer, they generally picture stone and bespoke cabinetry. While this is a big part of the industry, some designers – like our Kitchen Shack team, specialise in budget designs. We will get you the look you want for less. We also have loads of advice on how to save along the way. After all, the majority of us don’t have unlimited cash at our fingertips.
When you work with Kitchen Shack Designers you will work with the same designer from start to finish. We also offer free in-store designs and quotation as part of our helpful service. So, if you need help planning your kitchen reno, but don’t want to blow the budget, contact Kitchen Shack today.
