New kitchen costs: how much do you need to pay?

Worried about your new kitchen costs? How much bang can you can get for your buck? Whether you go budget or 'sky's the limit', a brand new kitchen is a pricey venture.

With the myriad options available these days, estimating the cost of installing a new kitchen can be a bit daunting (perhaps a partial kitchen renovation is what you're after). Michael Kitchener, owner of Kitcheners Kitchens, says there are many cost areas to consider, from appliances, cabinetry, materials and finishes, to construction and the tradespeople required to put it all together.

So, what can you expect to achieve in a number of kitchen price brackets?

$15,000-25,000

"This is a realistic figure - it's what the majority of new kitchens cost," says Michael. As the average cost of kitchen installation, this price range is good value: "This range offers plenty of flexibility and a few 'bells and whistles' too."

New kitchen prices in this range might see you spend $7000-$10,000 on cabinetry (perhaps laminate or basic polyurethane), $2000-$2500 on a stone benchtop, $1200-$1800 on appliances, $3500 on tradespeople and $1500 upwards for a glass splashback. Opting for a laminate benchtop could even see you snap up a new kitchen for slightly less.

$25,000-$40,000

"New kitchen costs in this vicinity allow great attention to detail," Michael says. "For example, varying from a standard 20 millimetre thick benchtop to include edging detail or a waterfall effect can add thousands to the cost."

For this money you have more options with finishes and styles of doors and cupboards and superior brands of appliances. Internal accessories are also an option, from fully extended drawers to stainless steel soft-closing drawers.

"All the little things add up," Michael explains. "When you're designing to a budget, ask yourself, 'Do I want it or need it?'" Splashing out on a $250 item is one thing, but if you need eight to complete the look, you've just added $2000 and potentially blown your budget.

$40,000-$50,000

"Once you get to this price range service expectations are relevant," Michael says. "If you're on the frontline project-managing your kitchen renovation, you can save money, but for this amount you'd expect someone else to oversee the whole project."

Door selections and materials are relevant too - solid timbers, specialty veneers and hand-painted French provincial doors don't fit into the $25,000 price range.

$50,000+

New kitchen costs above $50,000 offer an almost certain design 'wow factor'. "There's attention to detail in fabrication and design, with a lengthy design process," Michael explains. "These kitchens are intended to surpass function and become furniture."

To discuss what you can get for your new kitchen budget, talk to a kitchen designer in your area: