2026 Melbourne Cost Guide
Kitchen Renovation Cost Melbourne 2026
Kitchen renovation pricing depends on far more than room size. Cabinetry, appliances, structural changes, services, benchtops, access and the amount of adjoining work all shape the final investment.
Brownlow Planning Reference
$55,000–$70,000 for a Kitchen + Pantry
Brownlow's current planning reference for a kitchen and pantry renovation is approximately $55,000–$70,000. It is a budgeting guide only and must be checked against the actual scope, site conditions, access, cabinetry, appliances, finishes and trade requirements.
A simple replacement kitchen and a kitchen that forms part of a major open-plan renovation are not the same construction project, even if the cabinetry footprint looks similar.
What Actually Drives Kitchen Renovation Cost?
The biggest cost movements usually come from the scope behind the visible finishes. The more the project changes the existing home, services and adjoining rooms, the less useful a basic online kitchen calculator becomes.
Cabinetry & Joinery
Custom cabinetry, pantry configuration, drawer hardware, internal storage and specialist joinery are usually one of the largest cost components.
Benchtops & Splashbacks
Material selection, slab sizes, edge details, waterfall ends, splashbacks and fabrication all affect the final price.
Appliances
Appliance allowances can vary dramatically depending on brand, integration requirements, electrical loads and ventilation.
Layout & Structural Changes
Removing walls, creating openings, relocating doors or changing the relationship between kitchen and living areas can trigger engineering and additional building work.
Plumbing, Electrical & Gas
Relocating sinks, ovens, cooktops, fridges, power points, lighting and ventilation adds trade work and can expose existing service issues.
Flooring, Ceilings & Adjoining Areas
A kitchen renovation often extends into flooring, plaster, painting, lighting and surrounding living areas so the new work feels integrated.
When Does a Kitchen Move Above the Typical Planning Range?
The investment can move materially above the guide range when the project includes major structural work, high-detail custom joinery, premium appliances, extensive service relocation, significant flooring and ceiling work, or a complete kitchen-and-living reconfiguration.
Why Brownlow Does Not Quote From a Photo
A photo does not tell us what is happening inside walls, below floors, above ceilings or behind the existing cabinetry. It also does not show whether structural work, service upgrades, access constraints or adjoining renovation work is involved.
Brownlow starts with the brief and an early budget direction, then develops the scope, selections and technical information far enough to price the project responsibly.
What to Compare Between Kitchen Quotes
Do not compare only the number at the bottom. Compare cabinetry scope, appliance allowances, plumbing and electrical work, demolition, flooring, painting, structural work, exclusions, provisional sums and who is responsible for selections and coordination.
Two quotes can look close in price while containing very different amounts of actual work.
How Brownlow Develops a Kitchen Budget
Understand the existing kitchen, project goals, budget expectations and whether other rooms are involved.
Review the room, access, visible existing conditions and likely structural or services implications.
Establish an early budget direction before detailed design and selections progress too far.
Develop layout, cabinetry, appliances, finishes and any consultant information required for the project.
Price the agreed scope once there is enough information to define inclusions, exclusions and allowances properly.
Planning a Kitchen as Part of a Larger Renovation?
If the kitchen also affects living areas, walls, flooring, lighting or the laundry, plan those works together. That gives a much clearer picture of the real construction scope than treating the kitchen as an isolated cabinet replacement.
Kitchen Renovation Cost FAQs
How much should I budget for a kitchen renovation in Melbourne?
As a Brownlow planning reference, a kitchen and pantry project often sits around $55,000–$70,000 depending on scope, cabinetry, appliances, services, finishes and existing conditions. This is an indicative planning range only, not a quotation.
Why can two kitchens of the same size cost very different amounts?
Floor area is only one part of the picture. Cabinetry detail, appliance integration, structural changes, plumbing and electrical work, benchtop selection, access and how much adjoining work is included can all materially change the construction cost.
Is $55,000–$70,000 a fixed Brownlow price?
No. It is a historical planning reference used to help homeowners understand likely budget territory. Brownlow develops an early budget direction first, then prepares a detailed quotation once the scope, selections and project information are sufficiently defined.
Does the kitchen price include appliances?
That depends on the project scope. Appliances may be client-selected, builder-supplied or carried as an allowance. The quotation should clearly identify what is included and what remains an allowance or client-supplied item.
Can Brownlow renovate the kitchen and living areas together?
Yes. Many kitchen projects make more sense when adjoining living areas, flooring, lighting, structural openings, laundry or broader home renovation works are planned together.
Related Planning Guides
Ready to Work Out Your Kitchen Budget?
Talk to Brownlow Building about your kitchen scope, layout, budget expectations and whether the project forms part of a larger renovation.
Indicative planning guidance only · Project-specific pricing follows scope development