Keen Builders: Kitchen Renovation Costs Guide (Kapiti Coast & Wellington)
Planning a kitchen renovation? At Keen Builders, we specialise in transforming your kitchen efficiently, beautifully, and to budget. Costs in New Zealand vary depending on design, materials, and scope. Here's a breakdown to help you plan.
Estimated Costs
Renovation Type
Description
Basic Refresh
Full / Luxury Renovation
Typical NZ Cost
Cosmetic updates like new cabinet doors, benchtop resurfacing, paint, and minor fixtures.
$18,000 – $28,000
Mid-Range Renovation
Cabinet replacement, new benchtops, flooring, lighting, and appliances; may include minor layout changes.
$28,000 – $45,000
Complete redesign, custom cabinetry, high-end appliances, structural layout changes, premium finishes.
$50,000+
What Affects the Cost?
Prices are indicative for Wellington & Kapiti Coast and may vary depending on site conditions and material choices.
Cabinetry: Stock vs custom-made.
Appliances: Mid-range vs premium brands.
Layout changes: Moving plumbing or electrical increases cost.
Materials & finishes: Benchtop, flooring, tiles, and hardware.
Labour & trades: Skilled trades for carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and painting.
Tile: Back Splash
Timeline
Small updates: 2–3 weeks
Mid to lux - range renovation: 4–6 weeks
Areas That Reflect Your Kitchen Renovation Cost
Kitchen renovations can vary widely in complexity, and each upgrade can add to your budget. A simple renovation might involve off-the-shelf cabinets, updated appliances, and fixtures in their existing positions. More complex projects naturally increase both materials and labour costs.
Cabinetry: Cabinets are often the largest single cost in a renovation. Off-the-shelf options are more affordable but come in standard sizes and may be lower in durability. Custom cabinetry costs more but provides a perfect fit, superior workmanship, and almost unlimited finishes and layouts to suit your home.
Labour and Installation: Skilled trades are essential. Builders, plumbers, electricians, painters, and cabinetry installers all contribute to the cost. Complex renovations require more hours, but experienced trades deliver higher-quality results and can save time and potential issues in the long run.
Appliances and Fixtures: Upgrading appliances or choosing premium fixtures can quickly increase your budget. Consider energy-efficient options and ask your builder about trade discounts. A smart approach is to select one or two statement pieces and balance these with more cost-effective options elsewhere.
Countertops and Backsplashes: The type, quality, and extent of surfaces affect cost. Standard benchtops with splashbacks behind the sink and hob are cost-effective, while waterfall-edged islands or full-length splashbacks with natural stone or tiled finishes increase both material and installation costs.