Bespoke cabinetry, project-managed
Kitchen renovation pricing in Canberra - 2026 cost guide
Kitchen renovations in Canberra sit between $18,000 (flat-pack, paint-and-refresh, keep layout) and $80,000+ (bespoke joinery, stone, structural changes, premium appliances). The 4× spread is mostly cabinetry choice and layout changes - moving the sink stack alone adds $4,500-$8,500.
Below are the realistic 2026 ranges by scope. We work to a fixed-price contract. Call (02) 7235 8484 for a site-specific quote.
Typical 2026 prices for kitchen renovations in Canberra
Realistic ranges for Canberra in 2026. Every quote we issue is itemised against the work below.
| Service | Typical range (AU 2026) | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Paint-and-refresh (keep cabinets) | $4,500 - $9,500 | Paint cabinets, new handles, new benchtop overlay, new splashback tile. |
| Standard reno - same layout (3-4m kitchen) | $18,000 - $32,000 | New cabinetry (flat-pack or builder-grade bespoke), benchtop, splashback, sink + tap, appliance install. |
| Bespoke reno - same layout (3-4m kitchen) | $28,000 - $48,000 | Australian-made bespoke joinery, stone benchtop, premium appliances, induction. |
| Layout change (move sink/cooktop within 1.5m) | +$4,500 - $8,500 | On top of base reno. Plumbing/electrical/gas re-stub. |
| Layout change (slab chase, full re-plumb) | +$8,500 - $18,500 | On top of base reno. Adds floor work + drainage redesign. |
| Wall removal (load-bearing) | +$8,500 - $18,500 | Engineer's beam spec, beam install, ceiling make-good, plaster, paint. |
| Benchtop - engineered stone (banned) | N/A | Engineered stone banned in AU since July 2024. We don't fit it. |
| Benchtop - natural stone (per linear m) | $650 - $1,400 | Granite, marble, quartzite. Includes fabrication + install. |
| Benchtop - porcelain slab (per linear m) | $580 - $1,200 | Engineered-stone alternative; ultra-thin and ultra-tough. |
| Benchtop - laminate (per linear m) | $280 - $480 | Modern HPL laminates are very durable; cheapest option. |
| Splashback - tile (per sqm fitted) | $180 - $380 | Subway, hex, mosaic, or large-format. Includes waterproofing. |
| Splashback - glass (full panel) | $480 - $1,200 per panel | Toughened, colour-back; saves grout cleaning. |
| Appliance package - mid-range | $4,500 - $7,500 | Oven, induction cooktop, rangehood, dishwasher (Bosch / Westinghouse tier). |
| Appliance package - premium | $9,500 - $18,500 | Miele / Smeg / Gaggenau / Falcon. |
| Project management fee | 8 - 12% | Of contract value. Co-ordinates plumber, electrician, tiler, fabricator. |
Prices indicative for Canberra in 2026. Final quote depends on your site - call (02) 7235 8484 for an exact number.
Need an exact price for your job?
Your quote follows the site visit. No-obligation, free, written.
What changes the price on your job
The ranges above are the starting point. These five factors are what move a quote up or down within (or sometimes outside) those bands.
- Cabinetry choice - flat-pack vs bespoke is a 2-3× cost difference and a 6-week vs 4-week lead-time difference.
- Layout change - moving the sink stack, cooktop, or fridge by more than 1.5m turns a 3-week job into a 6-week job.
- Appliance budget - mid-range to premium is a $5,000-$15,000 spread that's easy to overlook.
- Stone choice - natural stone (granite/marble/quartzite) and porcelain slab have replaced banned engineered stone since July 2024.
- Floor work - most kitchen renos don't replace floors, but if yours does, add $4,500-$12,500 for the room.
Red flags - what to watch for in quotes
We see these patterns every week from operators we'd never recommend. If a quote you've received contains one of these, ask before signing.
- Quotes without a fixed-price contract - DBI insurance requires one in VIC for any job over $16,000.
- Quotes that don't list every appliance by model number - leaves them free to swap on the day.
- '$15k kitchen' lead-magnet pricing - almost always excludes appliances, plumbing, electrical, tiling.
- A new benchtop specified as engineered stone needs an exact product check against the ACT prohibition. A low-silica label is insufficient. Read WorkSafe ACT engineered-stone guidance before accepting the material.
- Builders without DBI insurance - illegal over $16,000 in VIC; verify on the VBA public register.
How to get an accurate quote in 5 minutes
Have the following ready when you call (02) 7235 8484 (or jot it on the quote form) and we can give you a real number in one call, not five.
- Photos of the existing kitchen from 3 angles.
- Rough sketch of any layout change you're considering.
- Approximate budget - saves us all time if we know we're working to $25k vs $55k.
- Whether the home is fixed-term-tenanted (changes our access plan).
- Any planning permit restrictions (heritage overlay, body corp).
Frequently asked questions
How long does a kitchen reno take?
Same-layout: 3-5 weeks site time, 4 weeks cabinetry lead-time before that. Layout change: 5-7 weeks site time. Wall removal: 6-9 weeks site time.
Does the builder need insurance cover before I pay a deposit?
Yes, for most full renovations. In the ACT, residential building work over $12,000 must be covered by the builder's Statutory Warranty or a Fidelity Fund certificate. Ask for the certificate for your job and check the builder's licence on the Access Canberra register before you pay a deposit.
Can I live there during the reno?
Yes for a 4-5 week same-layout reno (no kitchen for ~3 weeks). No for major structural / layout-change jobs lasting 8+ weeks.
Do you supply appliances or do I?
Either - your choice. Most clients let us supply because we get trade pricing; some prefer to source themselves. We're flexible.
What's the deposit and payment schedule?
10% deposit on contract sign. Stage payments at: cabinet install, plumbing/electrical, tile/stone, final. Final 10% on completion + sign-off.
Can you keep the existing tile floor?
Usually yes if it's in good condition - saves $4,500-$9,500. We protect it during the reno.
How do I handle the gas changeover to induction?
Cap-off + abandonment certificate on the gas; new RCD-protected sub-circuit for induction. The gas work needs a licensed gasfitter and the new circuit a licensed electrician.
Ready for an exact quote on your Canberra job?
Free written quotes. No obligation.