How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Melbourne?

Detailed Pricing — Melbourne 2026

Prices include GST. Based on Melbourne metro area, October 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.

Moving a sink to a new position requires extending water supply and waste lines. If you're on a concrete slab (common in Melbourne's west and north), cutting into the slab for drainage relocation costs significantly more than timber-floor homes. Gas line extension for a relocated cooktop adds $800–$2,500. A dishwasher in a new position needs both plumbing and electrical, typically $500–$1,000 combined.

Budget kitchen renovations in Melbourne — what $12,000–$25,000 actually buys

Budget is the dominant search modifier for kitchen renovations in Melbourne — far more so than Sydney or Brisbane — and it's a realistic frame. A budget kitchen renovation in Melbourne in 2026 typically costs $12,600–$26,250, and you can land a genuinely usable new kitchen at the lower end if you stay disciplined on three things: keep the existing layout, use flat-pack cabinetry, and pick an entry-level appliance package.

What a $12,000–$18,000 Melbourne budget kitchen looks like

At this tier you're working with flat-pack cabinetry (IKEA Metod, kaboodle from Bunnings, Kinsman, or Freedom Kitchens — all four are widely stocked in Melbourne), a laminate or thin engineered-stone benchtop, a basic appliance package ($2,500–$4,500 for an entry oven, cooktop, rangehood and dishwasher), tile splashback, and same-layout plumbing and electrical. Cabinetry typically lands at $3,500–$6,500 for a standard galley or L-shape footprint; install labour adds $2,000–$3,500 if you're not doing it yourself.

What a $20,000–$26,250 Melbourne budget kitchen looks like

This is the upper budget tier where Melbourne homeowners get the best value-per-dollar. You can step up to better flat-pack ranges (kaboodle Professional, Kinsman premium, or IKEA's Bodbyn line), a thin engineered-stone benchtop ($1,500–$2,800 for a standard 4–5m² benchtop), a mid-range appliance package ($4,500–$7,000 — Westinghouse, Beko, Bosch entry), and you can include some minor layout changes (sink relocation on the same wall, etc.).

Where Melbourne budget renos go wrong

Three failure modes recur in Melbourne budget renovations. Underestimating trade labour: cabinet supply is only 30–40% of the total. Even a $5,000 flat-pack kitchen needs $3,000–$6,000 of plumbing, electrical, tiling and install labour. Hidden issues in pre-1990 homes: Melbourne's older inner-suburb stock (anything in Carlton, Brunswick, Fitzroy, Richmond, Northcote pre-1990) frequently reveals asbestos in splashbacks ($1,500–$5,000 to remove) and degraded plumbing once you open up walls. Skipping the contingency: a 15% buffer is the difference between landing on budget and a $4,000 surprise.

Cheaper than budget — when refacing makes sense

Cabinet refacing (new doors and drawer fronts on existing cabinetry carcasses) is the cheapest "renovation" option in Melbourne, typically $4,500–$9,500 for a full kitchen. It works when your existing cabinetry boxes are structurally sound and the layout is fine — you're really just modernising the visible surfaces. Melbourne has a strong refacing market through specialists like Refresh Renovations, Doorhuggers, and several local cabinet refacers in the Eastern suburbs. Refacing won't change your layout, won't fix worn-out hinges or runners, and is a poor choice if the carcasses are particleboard that's swelled with moisture damage.

"Kitchen remodel" vs "kitchen renovation" — same project, different word

If you're searching for "kitchen remodel cost Melbourne", "kitchen remodel price" or "kitchen remodeling prices", you're looking for the same thing Australians call a kitchen renovation — the costs and scope are identical. "Remodel" is American English, and it's increasingly common in Australian search because of US home-improvement content. In 2026, a Melbourne kitchen remodel costs $8,400–$21,000 for a cosmetic refresh, $12,600–$26,250 for a budget remodel with flat-pack cabinetry, $26,250–$47,250 for a mid-range remodel, and $47,250–$84,000 for a premium remodel with custom joinery — exactly the same as the renovation pricing above.

Where terminology matters more is in describing the type of work: a "cosmetic remodel" keeps the existing layout and cabinetry carcasses; a "partial remodel" replaces some components (often cabinetry and benchtops while keeping appliances and tile); a "full remodel" or "gut renovation" strips the kitchen back to studs and starts fresh; and a "kitchen expansion" involves removing walls to enlarge the footprint. Each scope is priced separately further down this guide.

Kitchen renovation cost by Melbourne area

Melbourne isn't one renovation market — it's roughly ten distinct ones, and your suburb determines as much of your final cost as the scope of work does. A mid-range kitchen renovation that runs $32,000 in Box Hill can land at $48,000 in Toorak for an identical specification, simply because of property type, access conditions, heritage overlays, and trade rates at each end of the metro.

The figures below show typical mid-range project costs (semi-custom cabinetry, stone benchtops, mid-range appliances, same layout) adjusted for each Melbourne area's local conditions.

South-East Premium — Toorak, Armadale, South Yarra, Prahran, Malvern (+12–20% above Melbourne median)

This is Melbourne's most expensive kitchen renovation territory. The premium is driven by high property values that justify premium materials, restricted access in tight Victorian streets, and trades who charge accordingly. Heritage overlays through parts of Toorak, Armadale and Malvern can extend timelines if any external work is involved. Mid-range pricing in this band typically lands $32,000–$57,000.

Inner-East — Hawthorn, Camberwell, Kew, Balwyn, Glen Iris (+10–18%)

Established family suburbs with predominantly Edwardian, Federation and inter-war housing stock. Three cost drivers recur here: pre-1990 splashback areas with potential asbestos sheeting ($1,500–$5,000 for licensed removal), older copper plumbing that can need replacement once walls are opened, and heritage overlays in parts of Hawthorn and Kew. Mid-range pricing: $30,000–$55,000.

Bayside — Brighton, Sandringham, Hampton, Black Rock, Mentone (+8–15%)

Premium coastal suburbs with a mix of Victorian period homes (Brighton) and post-war stock (Sandringham, Hampton). Salt-air exposure shortens stainless-steel and tapware service life, so factor in marine-grade hardware on premium installs. Two-storey period homes in Brighton can have access challenges that add 5–10% to labour. Mid-range pricing: $30,000–$53,000.

Inner-North — Carlton, Fitzroy, Collingwood, Brunswick, Northcote (+5–12%)

Dominated by Victorian terraces and worker's cottages, almost all pre-1900, with compact kitchen footprints — galley or compact L-shape running off a hallway. Three things drive cost here: heritage overlays (Carlton, Fitzroy, parts of Brunswick) that can require a planning permit for external work, asbestos and lead paint in any pre-1970 layer, and cast-iron waste plumbing that frequently needs replacement when cabinetry is removed. Mid-range pricing: $28,000–$50,000.

Middle-East — Box Hill, Doncaster, Glen Waverley, Mount Waverley, Burwood (around Melbourne median)

Post-war and post-1980 housing stock with larger kitchen footprints (often 14–18m² vs the 8–12m² of inner-suburb terraces). Trade access is unrestricted, and the area sits close to the Dandenong–Moorabbin cabinetmaker corridor which keeps lead times short and prices competitive. Mid-range pricing: $26,000–$45,000.

Outer-East — Ringwood, Eltham, Templestowe, Croydon, Lilydale (around baseline)

Larger blocks, modern housing, simple construction. Trade rates run at the Melbourne median or slightly below. The main cost variable here is footprint — outer-east kitchens are often the largest in the metro, which scales cabinetry costs proportionally. Mid-range pricing: $26,000–$44,000.

North — Coburg, Preston, Reservoir, Pascoe Vale, Thornbury (around baseline)

Mixed housing — pre-1960 weatherboard and brick veneer through the inner-north strip, newer estates further out. Asbestos in pre-1990 splashback areas is common. Trade rates competitive. Mid-range pricing: $26,000–$44,000.

West — Footscray, Yarraville, Sunshine, Williamstown, Werribee, Point Cook (-5 to -10%)

Melbourne's most competitive kitchen renovation pricing. Mix of pre-war workers' cottages (Footscray, Yarraville) and modern estates (Point Cook, Tarneit). Heritage overlays in parts of Williamstown and Yarraville can add complexity. Trade access generally good outside of the dense inner-west pockets. Mid-range pricing: $23,000–$40,000.

South-East Outer — Dandenong, Casey, Cranbourne, Berwick, Pakenham (-5 to -10%)

Predominantly post-1990 estate housing with the lowest median renovation costs in Melbourne. Trade rates are competitive, access is straightforward, and the proximity to the Dandenong cabinetmaker cluster shortens supply chain. Mid-range pricing: $23,000–$40,000.

Mornington Peninsula — Mornington, Mount Eliza, Frankston, Sorrento, Rosebud (around baseline, with seasonal premium)

Mixed stock from beachside cottages to modern coastal homes. Salt-air exposure factors in on premium installs. Pricing baseline through most of the year, with a 10–15% summer premium (December–February) driven by holiday-home demand. Mid-range pricing: $27,000–$46,000.

Kitchen renovation cost by scope and project type in Melbourne

The cost tiers earlier on this page describe finish levels — cosmetic, budget, mid-range, premium. But Melbourne homeowners typically search by project type: how much for a small kitchen, a full gut, knocking out a wall, an electrical rewire. Each of those has a different cost profile.

How much does a small kitchen renovation cost in Melbourne?

A small kitchen renovation in Melbourne — defined as a galley or compact L-shape under 9m² — typically costs $12,000–$30,000. Small kitchens carry disproportionately high per-square-metre rates because cabinetry, appliances and trade fixed costs don't scale down proportionally. A 6m² inner-Melbourne galley with semi-custom cabinetry, a thin engineered-stone benchtop, mid-range appliances and a tile splashback typically lands around $16,000–$22,000. Refacing instead of full replacement drops the figure by 40–60%.

Full kitchen remodel cost in Melbourne

A full kitchen remodel in Melbourne — replacing every component including cabinetry, benchtops, splashback, sink, tapware, appliances, flooring and lighting — typically costs $26,250–$55,000+ for an 11–14m² standard footprint. This is the most common scope booked. The single biggest cost variable inside a full remodel is whether plumbing or electrical needs relocation: keeping existing service points saves $3,000–$8,000 versus moving them.

Partial kitchen remodel cost in Melbourne

A partial remodel — replacing cabinetry and benchtops but retaining appliances, splashback and flooring — typically costs $12,500–$26,000 in Melbourne. This is the most cost-effective way to modernise an older kitchen without a full gut. Where it can fall apart is aesthetic mismatch: new cabinetry next to a 2008-era splashback often reads poorly. Budget an additional $2,000–$4,000 if the splashback also needs updating.

High-end kitchen renovation cost in Melbourne

A high-end kitchen renovation in Melbourne — custom cabinetry, premium stone or porcelain benchtops over 30mm thick, integrated European appliances (Miele, Gaggenau, Sub-Zero, V-ZUG), and bespoke joinery details — typically costs $50,000–$100,000+. At this tier, custom joinery alone often runs $32,000–$65,000, integrated appliances $14,000–$28,000, and stone selection becomes the wildcard ($600–$1,500 per square metre installed for premium stones like Calacatta or Taj Mahal marble).

Kitchen gut renovation in Melbourne — what's involved

A gut renovation strips the kitchen back to studs, slab and ceiling joists. Beyond standard full-remodel scope, gut renos typically involve subfloor inspection (replacement of rot-affected boards), full electrical rewire of the kitchen circuit, new waste and supply plumbing, and replastering of all walls. Melbourne gut renovation costs typically run $32,000–$75,000, with variability driven almost entirely by what's discovered behind the cabinetry. Pre-1970 Melbourne homes have a 30–40% chance of containing asbestos cement sheeting; pre-1990 homes a 15–20% chance of non-compliant wiring; pre-1980 inner-suburb homes a high likelihood of degraded cast-iron waste plumbing.

Kitchen wall removal cost — knocking out walls in Melbourne

A kitchen expansion — removing internal walls to enlarge the footprint or open the kitchen to a living/dining area — adds $7,500–$23,000 on top of the underlying kitchen renovation cost. The variance is driven by whether the wall is load-bearing. A non-load-bearing wall removal costs $2,500–$5,500 including patch, paint and electrical re-routing. A load-bearing wall removal in Melbourne typically costs $11,000–$20,000 including the structural beam (steel RSJ), engineering certification, a building permit from a registered building surveyor (structural changes need one in Victoria), temporary propping, and reinstatement. Two-storey homes are at the upper end because the upper-floor load is greater.

Kitchen electrical work cost in Melbourne

Electrical work for a Melbourne kitchen renovation typically runs $1,200–$2,800 for a same-layout refresh (replacing power points, adding under-cabinet lighting, oven circuit verification) and $2,800–$5,500 for a renovation involving any relocation of appliances or new circuits. Specific cost drivers: a new dedicated 32A oven circuit costs $400–$800; downlights at $80–$140 each installed; under-cabinet LED strips $250–$500 supplied and fitted; a USB-equipped power point $120–$180. All kitchen electrical work in Victoria must be performed by an electrician licensed by Energy Safe Victoria, with a Certificate of Electrical Safety issued on completion. Verify any electrician's licence at the Energy Safe Victoria public register before signing a quote.

What Affects Kitchen Renovation Costs in Melbourne

What does $36,750 actually buy in a Melbourne kitchen?

The median Melbourne kitchen renovation in 2026 lands somewhere between $28,000 and $42,000 — that's the all-in cost for a same-layout renovation of a standard 11–14m² kitchen with semi-custom cabinetry, engineered-stone benchtop, mid-range appliances, and a tile splashback. Below is a realistic line-by-line breakdown of a $36,750 Melbourne kitchen, delivered through a project-managing renovator or builder. Figures include GST.

The line that surprises most homeowners is cabinetry — it consumes 35–45% of total budget regardless of which tier you land in. Contingency is the second surprise: Melbourne homes pre-1990 reveal hidden issues during gut work at high enough rates that a 15% set-aside is realistic, not pessimistic. Asbestos remediation can add $1,500–$5,000 if any pre-1990 wall sheeting is involved; re-stacking degraded cast-iron waste plumbing $2,000–$5,500.

Costs scale roughly linearly with tier. A $25,000 Melbourne kitchen drops cabinetry to flat-pack ($7,500–$10,000), simplifies appliances ($2,800–$4,500 entry package), and tightens contingency. A $50,000 Melbourne kitchen moves to custom cabinetry ($20,000–$26,000), 30mm stone or porcelain benchtops, and integrated appliances. A $75,000+ Melbourne kitchen adds bespoke joinery, premium stone selections, and integrated European appliances — Miele, V-ZUG, Gaggenau, or Sub-Zero.

How to Save Money on Kitchen Renovation Cost in Melbourne

Melbourne's kitchen renovation market in 2026

Melbourne has Australia's most efficient kitchen-cabinetmaking supply chain, and that benefits homeowners directly. The Dandenong–Moorabbin manufacturing corridor — running through Dandenong South, Hallam, Mordialloc, Cheltenham and Moorabbin in the south-east — houses the highest concentration of cabinet makers and stone fabricators in the country. There's a secondary cluster in Brunswick and Coburg for inner-north suppliers, plus growing capacity through the western corridor (Sunshine, Laverton). The combined effect: Melbourne's custom-cabinetry lead times typically sit at 4–6 weeks compared to Sydney's 8–12 weeks, and base trade rates run roughly 8–10% lower than Sydney for equivalent scope.

A realistic timeline for a mid-range Melbourne kitchen renovation is 8–12 weeks from design sign-off to completion: 1–2 weeks for design and final material selection, 4–6 weeks of cabinetry manufacturing running in parallel with site preparation, 5–10 business days for stone benchtop templating and fabrication after cabinets are installed, then 2–3 weeks of on-site work for demolition, plumbing/electrical, install, splashback and final fit-off. Cosmetic refreshes that keep existing cabinetry can be completed in 1–2 weeks total. Custom cabinetry is the longest single lead time — on-site work itself is typically 2–3 weeks.

Kitchen resurfacing in Melbourne — cost and when it makes sense

Kitchen resurfacing — also called cabinet refacing or kitchen resprays — is the most cost-effective alternative to a full kitchen renovation in Melbourne. Instead of replacing cabinetry, benchtops or splashback, you spray, wrap or skin the existing surfaces. It's a strong fit for kitchens where the layout works, the cabinetry carcasses are sound, and only the visible surfaces are tired or dated.

What kitchen resurfacing in Melbourne actually costs in 2026

A basic Melbourne kitchen resurfacing package — door and drawer-front respray plus benchtop respray on a standard 10–14m² kitchen — typically costs $3,500–$7,500. A more comprehensive resurfacing (doors, drawer fronts, side panels, plus a benchtop overlay rather than respray) lands $5,500–$12,000. Specific components: cabinet door respray runs $80–$150 per door; benchtop respray $500–$1,800 for a standard 4–5m² benchtop; full vinyl-wrap door replacement (new doors with vinyl skin over MDF) $2,500–$5,500 supply-and-fit.

Where resurfacing works in a Melbourne kitchen

Resurfacing is the right choice when: your cabinetry boxes are structurally sound (no swelling, no water damage); the layout already works for how you cook; hinges and drawer runners are functional or replaceable; you want to modernise colour and finish without changing footprint. Typical use case: an early-2000s Melbourne home with original timber-veneer doors, laminate benchtop, and tile splashback that you'd like to take to a contemporary matte-white or soft-grey finish.

Where resurfacing doesn't work

Resurfacing is a poor choice when cabinet carcasses are swollen MDF or chipboard from moisture damage, when hinges and runners are failing across the kitchen (cheaper to replace cabinetry than re-engineer the carcasses), when the layout is fundamentally wrong for how you cook, or when you need to change the footprint. It also doesn't address dated appliance placement or undersized benchtops. If more than 30% of the kitchen needs structural attention, full replacement is usually better value.

Melbourne resurfacing specialists

Melbourne has a strong resurfacing market through mobile franchise operators (Refresh Renovations, Renew Kitchens), several Eastern-suburb-based door specialists (Doorhuggers, Cabinets+, Just Cabinet Doors), and a growing independent network through Bayside and the Inner-East. Most resurfacing projects complete in 5–10 working days from quote to finish — far faster than the 8–12 weeks of a full reno.

Building permits, BPC registration and consumer protections in Victoria

Most Melbourne kitchen renovations don't need a building permit, provided the work doesn't change the floor area or height or affect the building's structure. Under the Victorian Building Regulations, internal kitchen renovations are exempt from permit requirements where the work doesn't affect structural elements, the building footprint doesn't change, and the property isn't heritage-listed. The main exceptions: removing or modifying a load-bearing wall (which needs a building permit), changes to the building's floor area or height, and external work in a Heritage Overlay area (parts of Carlton, Fitzroy, East Melbourne, South Melbourne, Brighton, Toorak, Hawthorn, Kew, and many more — check your local council's planning scheme map), which can need a planning permit.

Builder registration in Victoria is administered by the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC). For domestic building work valued over $10,000, the principal contractor must hold a current Domestic Builder registration. Plumbing and gas work — regardless of project value — must be done by a plumber licensed or registered with the BPC, who must give you a compliance certificate for gas appliance and gas piping work and for other plumbing work above a set value. Electrical work must be performed by an electrician licensed by Energy Safe Victoria with a Certificate of Electrical Safety issued on completion. You can check a builder's or plumber's registration or licence with the Building and Plumbing Commission (bpc.vic.gov.au) and an electrician's licence on Energy Safe Victoria's public register (energysafe.vic.gov.au).

Two consumer protections apply to Melbourne kitchen renovations specifically. Under the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995, work worth more than $10,000 that involves more than one trade needs a written major domestic building contract setting out, among other things, the contract price, a detailed description of the work, and the start and completion dates. For contracts signed before 1 July 2026, work over $16,000 was covered by Domestic Building Insurance if the builder died, became insolvent or disappeared; from 1 July 2026, domestic building work above the threshold set by the regulator is covered by the Building and Plumbing Commission's Home Warranty insurance, which covers incomplete, faulty or non-compliant work. Domestic building disputes go first to the Building and Plumbing Commission's dispute resolution service (formerly Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria), which must certify the dispute before any VCAT application.

Apartment renovations in Melbourne strata schemes need owners corporation approval before work commences. Most cosmetic kitchen renovations (cabinetry, benchtops, splashback, appliances) are minor renovations and typically clear within 4–6 weeks. Renovations that alter common property, or a service that serves more than one lot, need the owners corporation's authorisation, and you must notify the owners corporation if the work needs a building or planning permit.

Does a Melbourne kitchen renovation add to your property value?

Melbourne's median house price sat near $1.0 million in early 2026 — substantially below Sydney's $1.6M — which means a $36,750 kitchen renovation represents about 3.7% of typical asset value (versus 2.5% in Sydney). CoreLogic and Domain agent data consistently show kitchen renovations adding 5–15% to Melbourne sale prices when the renovation is mid-range or better and completed within the prior three years. The variance is geographic: inner-east and bayside renovations frequently return 80–110% of cost at sale because buyers in those markets are highly kitchen-sensitive; outer-suburb renovations typically return 55–75%. Apartment kitchen renovations have a lower ROI ceiling than houses because apartment buyer pools are less differentiated by kitchen quality. If selling within five years is part of the calculation, prioritise neutral materials over trends, quality cabinetry over flashy appliances, and avoid over-capitalising relative to your suburb's median sale price.

Frequently Asked Questions

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