So you’ve decided to renovate your Melbourne kitchen but how much should you budget? It’s a question we’re often asked and it’s not always the easiest question to answer as there are many variables that will affect the final price. Here are some of the main areas to consider when working out how much your kitchen renovation should cost.

1. Why are you renovating?

There are many reasons Melbourne families decide to renovate – some of the most common are to resell the house, upgrading to suit your lifestyle, changes in family circumstances, the space feels outdated, and an investment for the future. Most people tell us they need more functionality or practical inclusions, want a room that is visually more appealing, need more space, want better storage and access, or sometimes it’s all of the above! There are an almost infinite number of reasons to renovate and we take those individual requirements into consideration.

The total cost will very much depend on what you want to do to the kitchen.

A cosmetic upgrade can cost significantly less but generally provides little in the way of adding functionality or modern conveniences. A full redesign and rebuild provides you with the opportunity to customise the space to suit your specific needs and incorporate a layout that celebrates the kitchen as the true heart of the home.

Consider your future plans – how long do you intend to live in your home? Are you expecting a change in family circumstances such as the expansion of your family which need to be included in your plans? Think about how your needs will change as you age and what additional functionality can be incorporated that helps you stay in your home for longer.

• The scope of the project

The cost of your Melbourne kitchen renovation will also be affected by the scope of the project – will building works such as extending the house or moving internal walls be required? While these may add to the cost of the project, consider if the end result of more space, better layout, increased storage etc… will be worth it.

The finishes you choose will also affect the final cost – materials such as natural stone, granite or marble are more expensive than laminate, for example, so it is important to consider where you want to invest your money. While laminate is a cost-effective option, finishes like granite and stone are more resistant to wear and scratch and can have a higher resale value.

You can expect your kitchen cabinets to cost anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000 depending on the size of the kitchen, the materials chosen and what internal hardware you choose. Benchtops can range from $5,000 to $30,000 depending on whether you choose reconstituted stone, porcelain, marble, or granite. The size and edge detail will also affect the price.

Trades are a huge part of the overall cost of your kitchen. Structural work will, of course, add to the base cost and, for larger renovations, you should allow for the services of a structural engineer as well as any planning permits required. If you’re looking at installation only, this should be around $2500 but can go right up to $12,000 (or more) for full trade services including rip-out/demolition of existing kitchen cabinets, plumbing, electrical, plastering, tiling, floor protection, insurances and certificates of compliance.

Kitchens are one of the top deciding factors for many people when buying a new home. A newly-renovated kitchen is proven to sell houses faster and for a better price so can be well worth the investment of time and money.

• How long will my Melbourne kitchen renovation take?

Again, the scope of work will play a key role in how long the kitchen renovation will take. In general, allow more time for a full renovation with building work involved. A standard kitchen renovation in Melbourne will take between 6-8 weeks (despite what you see on your favourite renovation show) from rip-out through to “ready to cook”. The length of the project will generally impact on the kitchen renovation cost as well.

Remember that with Mint Kitchens, you’re receiving a customised solution for the space, the home, your family, your lifestyle and your needs so we find the scope of the project differs from customer to customer.

• What to expect during your kitchen renovation

Be prepared to live without a main kitchen for at least a few weeks so think about a backup – in summer a barbecue can greatly assist, in winter maybe your slow cooker could be put to good use? Temporary bench space can also help to maintain your sanity – trestle tables or camping equipment are a great option. Is there an alternative location for the fridge (such as the garage) or can you sit a bar fridge on your deck (for example) to help with refrigerated items?

With any renovation, you’ll receive a full schedule of works which will help you plan out the renovation and show you how long yours will take. Always make allowance for little things that can blow out the timeline – for example, the weather (if the kitchen is a part of a larger renovation). Remember that the benchtops are usually the last of the big items to be installed so you won’t have usable workspace until the very end.

Stress and inconvenience is a necessary part of any renovation but, at Mint Kitchens, we do our best to keep this to a minimum. This comes down to communication – our goal is always to keep you informed, provide options, offer advice and work as much as we can to suit your other commitments. If you’re planning a larger renovation, some clients prefer to move to a serviced apartment or similar to escape the dust and noise. If you are planning to stay in the home, be prepared for early starts and a crowded home. Pack away or cover any valuables, use drop sheets and consider storing un-needed furniture in a storage facility.

• Your choice of renovator

The company you choose to carry out your renovation can have a huge influence on the final kitchen renovation cost in Melbourne. Budget blow outs most commonly happen with trades and trade scheduling so choose a kitchen design and renovation company that oversees the booking and management of the multitude of trades involved in a kitchen renovation.

Most homeowners find it difficult to make hard choices between what to put on their “must have” list and what’s negotiable when it comes to where to invest their money. Here’s where a specialist design company can help with expert advice and up-to-date product knowledge to make suggestions and guide your decisions.

Our award-winning Mint Kitchens team will look after your kitchen renovation from concept to completion so you will be informed at every stage of the process. We pride ourselves on our customer communication and our customers appreciate having their own Project Manager who is the one point of contact throughout the entire process. Our reputation is based on our feedback from customers, many of whom return to us again and again.

So, to answer the question of “how much does a kitchen renovation cost in Melbourne” we really need to know more about you and what you need or want. Our work is fully customised to suit the clients’ needs and with so many variables that can affect the end price, our best advice is to talk to us.

Check out our incredible portfolio of award-winning projects and then drop into one of our five Melbourne showrooms to experience the Mint Kitchens approach for yourselves