The Real Cost Breakdown: What You’ll Actually Spend on a Kitchen Refresh

Kitchen costs are one of those tricky ideas. Someone spent 5,000. Someone spent 40,000. Both of these statements can be true depending on what was done and how.

Most cost guidelines throw out a vague range that is not helpful to budgeting. Let’s get down to what costs are attached to certain kitchen refreshes when the costs are broken down into facts and not loose ideas.

What “Refresh” Actually Means

Before getting into costs, some clarification is in order about what is involved in a refresh versus a renovation. A refresh usually does not involve changing the structure of the kitchen. You are not moving plumbing, sinks, or walls. A refresh is about making it look good, not about improving functionality.

For most people with previously functional kitchens but dull aesthetics, many areas of their kitchen that can be found in a kitchen revamp are mostly related to aesthetics and potentially provide the most significant impact while still being budget friendly.

Cabinet Costs: The Major Expense

When budgeting for a kitchen refresh, cabinets will take up most of your budget. 40-50% of your costs can go toward cabinets.

The range is huge. Budget flat pack cabinets purchased from box stores will run you $2000-4000 for an average size kitchen. They are fine if you don’t mind assembling them and installing them yourself, but be prepared for various quality levels.

Mid-range cabinets with improved materials and fixtures will run you $5000-10,000. High-end custom cabinets will range from $15,000-25,000+.

The variation in costs comes down to the materials used and how they are constructed and how complex they are to install.

The most budget-friendly options involve particle board with a melamine coating. Going up a level, you have plywood with better hinges and sliding mechanisms; this will cost you more but last much longer. Finally, we have solid wood, fully finished, with soft close mechanisms on all drawers and cupboards and customized sizes, pushing you to the top end of the budget.

One point most cost guides don’t mention is installation, which is another 20-30% of your costs if you hire an installer. So, those $6000 cabinets will run you $7800+ once an average installer is done with them.

Countertop Cost Considerations

Cost-wise, countertops will be the second priciest expense. The price will vary immensely based on the material chosen for your countertop.

Budget laminate countertops will run you $40-80/meter square installed and have undergone a massive renaissance in terms of looks in the last ten years or two. Some excellent laminates now come close to stone looks. Standard size kitchens will typically require 8-12 meters of counter, putting your cost anywhere from $400-1000.

Engineered stone (e.g., Caesar stone) will run you $300-600/m2 installed. Expect this to come out to around $2400-7200 for an average kitchen upgrade. The same goes for natural stone (granite/marble) which usually runs between $400-800+/m2 depending on where you buy it.

Here’s where it gets complicated. Countertops aren’t a standalone cost. There’s the expectation of a new sink cutout, new taps/fixtures, and possible variations in thickness that require adjustments. This will add another $500-1000 to your costs.

The Appliance Cost Conundrum

The cost of new appliances can also vary immensely. A decent appliance package (cooking hood, range hood/dishwasher combo, etc.) will cost you anywhere from $2500-4000.

Quality appliances with worth paying attention to features will cost you around $5000-8000. Premium brand appliances will range in excess of $15,000.

Here’s one area where upgrades can easily be staged. If your appliances are still begrudgingly functional, leave them until later unless they are genuinely on their last legs. Upgrading them at a later stage won’t wreak havoc on your kitchen as long as you remember where all your appliances are stored.

This is one area where you can save 3000-5000 without blinking.

Splashback and Flooring

Splashback upgrades can be anything from low key to a major feature of your kitchen. Basic tiles will run around $400-800 fully installed for the average splashback area. Glass splashbacks will run you $600-1500+ Feature tiles or natural stone installations can easily go over $2000.

Flooring will depend on whether your floors are still functional or whether they need an upgrade of their own. If they still work, but you simply want to place a new floor covering that goes with your upgraded kitchen aesthetic, the type of floor you choose will also affect the expected cost.

Vinyl plank flooring will cost around $800-1500 for an average-size area that needs covering. Tiles will run between $1200-2500 for this same area depending on the type you choose. Timber floors will run you $2000-4000 to replace.

Other Potential Costs

This is where refresh budgets can go out of control. Replacing sinks and taps will cost another $500-1500 as some sinks require more work than others when installing. New light fixtures may also need to be considered and can run you around $300-1000 depending on how intricate your light needs are and how many lights need to be replaced.

Painting and minor repairs can add another $400-800 depending on what you need to be done. Don’t forget to budget another $200-600 for cabinet fittings (handles, etc.).

Finally, there are all the random expenses that come up once you start demolishing and doing your refresh.

Plan for repairs that you need to address, which can vary from water damage behind cabinets/countertops to electrical work needing attention or having to correct faults before you install any new pieces.

A smart planner factors around 10% +/- for other random things that may need budgeting for after the renovations begin.

Sample Scenarios

A budget-type scenario may look something like straightforward cabinets that require minimal installation skills being left intact or even painted to look refreshed = around an $8000-12,000 budget should suffice here.

This scenario would involve choosing a less expensive countertop (like laminate rather than engineered stone) along with no fuss fixtures, etc., needing upgrades while focusing more on other areas needing work most likely to ensure functionality.

An average remodel can easily run between $15,000-25,000 depending on what average levels of quality planners would opt for.

A high-end refresh can range between $30,000 and $45,000 for where everything needs to be focused on (even minor things) in order to make areas more functional while making dated areas trendy again.

This budget usually assumes no layout changes whatsoever. If you begin changing the layout (island installation or demolition of any existing fixtures), expect costs to be double or triple of what may come of replacing/upgrading occurring.

Most planners hover around 18K-22K depending what they feel should work first before they start having functionality issues along with what used to be usable storage spaces!

The trick is to plan and also factor in cash that may be wasted on items that aren’t as important as others.

Someone focused on aesthetics would care less about restoring the finishing on cabinets than someone focused on cooking might have been less functional within their cooking spaces.

How To Make the Budget Work

While it is tempting to follow your list of “wants” always be sure to follow an order of operations with your budget paying for necessary items before focusing on aesthetics as one’s cabinet function should be prioritized prior to anything else. Then you can truly enjoy peace within your cooking spaces once completed.

Make sure to open your budget around town and don’t only let one or two builders bid. Get your “bid” from a few experts as well-rounded suggestions from numerous perspectives regarding this upgrade may provide more ideas while also actively creating a more function filled kitchen than just placing emphasis on aesthetics there.

If you are handy enough do some minor labor yourself = save yourself anywhere from 2K -4K upwards (don’t sell yourself short if you are however desirous & resourceful)

Easy time and money saving option though for major tasks beyond painting/fitting will be a small course! Catch sale prices for cabinetries & appliances when stores are attempting to clear out old stock at the end of years coming around. Save yourself another 15%-20% respectively.