A kitchen renovation in Sydney typically costs between $15,000 and $90,000. Where yours lands depends on four things: the size of the kitchen, whether the layout changes, the joinery you choose, and the benchtop and appliances that go in. This guide breaks down current Sydney prices, what drives them, and where you can save without regretting it later.
Kitchen renovation costs in Sydney at a glance
| Type of renovation | Typical cost | What you usually get |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | $10,000–$23,000 | New doors and handles, benchtop, splashback and paint. Same layout and plumbing |
| Budget renovation | $14,000–$29,000 | Flat-pack cabinetry, laminate benchtop, standard appliances, same layout |
| Mid-range renovation | $29,000–$52,000 | Mix of custom and flat-pack joinery, natural stone or porcelain benchtop, new lighting, minor plumbing changes |
| Premium renovation | $52,000–$92,000 | Fully custom joinery, integrated appliances, premium benchtop, layout changes |
| Luxury | $90,000+ | Architectural design, specialist finishes, structural changes |
Ranges include labour, materials and GST for Sydney metropolitan homes, based on current market data (What’s The Damage, October 2026). Every kitchen is different, so we only confirm a price after seeing your space.
What drives the cost of a kitchen renovation
Joinery is usually the biggest single cost. Custom cabinetry for a typical Sydney kitchen runs about $14,000–$40,000. Flat-pack is cheaper but has fixed sizes, which matters in older homes where walls are rarely square.
Moving plumbing, gas or electrical adds up quickly. Keeping the sink, cooktop and dishwasher where they are can save several thousand dollars. Moving them means new rough-in work, and sometimes new floor or wall penetrations.
Benchtops vary widely. A laminate benchtop costs about $900–$2,900 installed. Natural stone, porcelain or sintered stone usually runs $2,900–$10,000+ depending on size, edges and cut-outs.
Appliances. A standard package (oven, cooktop, rangehood, dishwasher) is about $3,500–$11,500. Integrated fridges and steam ovens push this higher, and they also need joinery built around them.
Older homes and apartments. Uneven floors, outdated wiring, asbestos in older linings and strata rules can all add time and cost. We check these at the first site visit so they don’t surprise you mid-job.
A note on stone benchtops
Engineered stone (often sold as “quartz”) has been banned in Australia since 1 July 2024 because cutting it releases silica dust that causes silicosis. If an older quote or article still offers engineered stone, ask for an alternative. Good options are porcelain or sintered stone, natural granite or marble, solid timber, and quality laminate (Queensland Government).
Do small kitchens cost less?
Not always by as much as people expect. A small kitchen needs fewer cabinets, but it still needs the same trades, the same appliances and the same benchtop fabrication setup. Small kitchens also leave less room for error, so careful planning and custom-sized joinery often pay off.
A small kitchen renovation for around $20,000 can work when the layout stays the same, plumbing stays put, and finishes are chosen early. It becomes hard to hit that figure once walls move or the joinery goes fully custom.
Example budgets for Sydney kitchens
- Apartment galley or L-shaped kitchen: about $20,000–$35,000 with flat-pack or semi-custom joinery, laminate or porcelain benchtop and standard appliances. Strata approval may be needed.
- Family kitchen in a house, same layout: about $35,000–$55,000 with custom joinery, stone or porcelain benchtop, new splashback, lighting and flooring.
- Open-plan kitchen with a wall removed: about $60,000–$90,000+. This adds an engineer’s design, a new beam and approvals before the kitchen work starts.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
Allow about 10–14 weeks from final design sign-off to a finished kitchen. Most of that is manufacturing: custom cabinetry typically takes 6–12 weeks to make, and benchtops are templated and cut after the cabinets go in. Your kitchen is usually out of action for 2–4 weeks on site.
Do you need council or strata approval?
Replacing a kitchen inside a house usually doesn’t need council approval in NSW. Approval is needed when you remove or alter a load-bearing wall, change the building’s structure, or the home is heritage-listed. In apartments, the owners corporation usually has to approve the work first, especially plumbing and flooring changes.
How to save without cutting corners
- Keep the layout. Leaving the sink and cooktop where they are is the single biggest saving.
- Mix custom and flat-pack. Use custom joinery where it matters (the island, tall pantry, awkward corners) and standard carcasses elsewhere. See custom vs flat-pack kitchens.
- Choose finishes before work starts. Changes mid-job cost the most.
- Spend on what you touch daily. Drawers, hinges and the benchtop surface matter more than decorative extras.
For the full step-by-step process, read our kitchen renovation planning playbook.
Why Sydney homeowners choose Blackwood
Blackwood Carpentry & Joinery is a licensed builder (NSW Lic. 502666C). Our own carpenters and joiners build and install your cabinetry, so the fit is right and you deal with one team from design to handover. For any job over $20,000 you get a written home building contract and Home Building Compensation insurance, as NSW law requires. We work across the North Shore, Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs and Inner West.
See our kitchen renovation service or call Fred on 0478 900 078 for a free site visit and detailed quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Sydney?
Most Sydney kitchen renovations cost $15,000–$90,000. A cosmetic refresh starts around $10,000, mid-range kitchens typically cost $29,000–$52,000, and fully custom kitchens with layout changes often exceed $60,000.
Is a $20,000 kitchen renovation realistic in Sydney?
Yes, for a small or apartment kitchen where the layout stays the same and finishes are chosen early. It’s rarely enough once walls, plumbing or custom joinery change.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen renovation?
Usually the cabinetry, followed by the benchtop and appliances. Moving plumbing or removing walls can outweigh all three.
Can I still get an engineered stone benchtop?
No. Engineered stone has been banned in Australia since 1 July 2024. Porcelain, sintered stone, natural stone, timber and laminate are the alternatives.
How long will I be without a kitchen?
Usually 2–4 weeks on site, after cabinetry has been made off site.