Renovations
Complete kitchen renovation guide for Australian homes
Plan your kitchen renovation from concept to completion with this step-by-step guide covering design, trades, timelines, and budgets.
Planning your kitchen renovation
Start by assessing how you use your kitchen. Consider cooking habits, storage needs, entertaining patterns, and traffic flow. Create a wish list and then prioritise items by importance. Measure your current space carefully, noting the positions of plumbing, gas, electrical points, windows, and doors. Set a realistic budget early — kitchen renovations in Australia typically range from $15,000 for a cosmetic refresh to $50,000+ for a complete overhaul.
Design and layout options
The work triangle (sink, stove, fridge) remains the foundation of good kitchen design. Common layouts include galley (ideal for narrow spaces), L-shaped (versatile for most rooms), U-shaped (maximum bench and storage space), and island (great for open-plan living but requires adequate floor area). Consider engaging a kitchen designer for complex layouts — their fee ($1,500-$5,000) is often offset by better space utilisation and avoiding costly mistakes.
Choosing materials and finishes
Benchtop options include laminate ($200-$600/m), engineered stone ($400-$1,200/m), natural stone ($600-$2,000/m), and timber ($350-$800/m). Cabinetry ranges from flat-pack ($3,000-$8,000) to custom-built ($15,000-$40,000+). For splashbacks, consider tiles ($50-$200/sqm installed), glass ($300-$600/sqm), or stone ($200-$500/sqm). Choose materials that balance your budget with durability and maintenance requirements.
Managing the renovation timeline
A typical kitchen renovation takes 6-12 weeks from demolition to completion. The sequence generally follows: demolition (1-2 days), plumbing and electrical rough-in (3-5 days), plastering and painting (3-5 days), flooring (2-3 days), cabinet installation (3-5 days), benchtop templating and installation (1-2 weeks), splashback (2-3 days), appliance installation (1-2 days), final plumbing and electrical fit-off (1-2 days). Build in buffer time for material delivery delays.
Coordinating multiple trades
Kitchen renovations involve multiple trades working in sequence: demolition, plumber, electrician, plasterer, painter, flooring installer, cabinetmaker, stone mason, tiler, and appliance installer. Coordinating these trades is crucial to avoid delays. Many homeowners hire a project manager or builder to handle scheduling. If managing yourself, create a detailed timeline and confirm each trade's availability before the project starts.