Cost guide
Kitchen Renovation Cost in NZ
What a kitchen renovation costs in the Waikato, and where the budget goes.
A kitchen is the most expensive room per square metre to renovate — there's cabinetry, benchtops, appliances, plumbing, electrical and tiling all packed into one space. Here's what to expect and where the money goes.
Typical ranges
A straightforward kitchen update commonly starts around $25,000, while a larger kitchen with a full reconfiguration, stone benchtops, a butler's pantry and quality appliances can run to $50,000 or well beyond. These are broad Waikato guides for 2026.
Where the budget goes
- Cabinetry — usually the single biggest line item
- Benchtops — laminate, engineered stone or natural stone, a big price swing
- Appliances
- Plumbing and electrical (more if you're moving anything)
- Tiling, splashbacks and flooring
- Any structural work to open the space up