2026 bands for Hills District kitchens
These ranges are a guide for budgeting. Every kitchen is priced after a design consultation and measure.
| Project type | Typical 2026 range | What it usually involves |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen makeover | $14,000 – $24,000 | New doors, benchtops, splashback and hardware on existing cabinets |
| Like-for-like replacement | $24,000 – $38,000 | New cabinetry and benchtops in the same layout, mid-range finishes |
| Custom kitchen with island | $38,000 – $60,000 | Custom joinery, new or larger island, better hardware and surfaces |
| Showpiece kitchen | $60,000 – $110,000+ | Butler's pantry, wall removal or layout change, premium finishes |
| Butler's pantry add-on | $10,000 – $28,000 | Benches, shelving, power, and sink or dishwasher if plumbed |
| Alfresco kitchen | $10,000 – $45,000+ | Barbecue bench to full outdoor kitchen with sink and fridge |
Appliances are generally an allowance on top.
What sits inside the price
- Design and drawings.
- Demolition and waste removal.
- Plumbing, gas and electrical.
- Cabinetry supply and installation.
- Benchtops and splashback.
- Sink, tapware and appliance installation.
- Patching, painting and making good.
- Final clean.
The choices that move the budget
Layout. Keeping the plumbing and cooking positions is the biggest saving. Moving walls, sinks and gas adds trades, time and patching.
Cabinetry. Laminate, two-pack painted, timber veneer or thermoformed doors, the number of drawers, internal organisers and hinge and runner quality.
Benchtops. Laminate at one end, porcelain and natural stone at the other, with thickness, waterfall ends, mitred edges and cut-outs adding cost. Engineered stone has been banned since 1 July 2024.
Appliances. Integrated fridges, steam or combination ovens, ducted rangehoods and induction cooktops add up quickly.
Butler's pantry. A second workspace with its own benches, storage and potentially plumbing.
Structural changes. Load-bearing wall removal needs engineering, a beam and sometimes approval.
Extra costs in some Hills homes
- Asbestos testing and removal in homes built or renovated before about 1990.
- Switchboard upgrades for induction cooktops and extra circuits.
- Floor replacement where a wall has been removed or old cabinets sat on the slab.
- Removing existing engineered stone safely.
- Strata requirements in townhouses and apartments.
Payments in NSW
The maximum deposit for residential building work in NSW is 10 per cent. For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested, and there should be a written contract. Progress payments should line up with completed stages.
From a band to a fixed price
A design consultation turns these bands into a written, itemised quote for your kitchen. See the design and build process.
Call 02 4404 0243 or share your kitchen plans.
Questions people ask before they commit
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in the Hills District in 2026?
As a planning guide: makeover $14,000–$24,000, like-for-like replacement $24,000–$38,000, custom kitchen with island $38,000–$60,000, and showpiece kitchen with a butler's pantry or layout changes $60,000–$110,000 or more. Appliances are often extra.
What costs the most in a kitchen?
Cabinetry is usually the largest single item, followed by benchtops and appliances. Structural changes, relocating plumbing and gas, and premium finishes are the biggest multipliers.
What deposit can be requested in NSW?
The maximum deposit for residential building work in NSW is 10 per cent. For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested.
Are appliances included in these bands?
Installation is included, but appliances themselves vary so much that they are usually shown as a separate allowance. A standard package might be a few thousand dollars; integrated and premium appliances can cost tens of thousands.
How can we keep costs down?
Keep the sink, cooktop and dishwasher roughly where they are, choose laminate or a mid-range door finish, balance a premium island benchtop with a simpler back bench, and finalise selections before manufacture.