2026 price ranges
These are guide ranges for Central Coast homes, not quotes. Your price comes from a design consultation and a written quote.
| Type of kitchen | Typical 2026 range | What that usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Makeover | $12,000 – $22,000 | New doors, benchtops, splashback, sink and tapware on existing cabinets |
| Replacement, same layout | $18,000 – $32,000 | New cabinets and benchtops, standard finishes, services mostly unchanged |
| Custom family kitchen | $32,000 – $52,000 | Island, more drawers, better hardware, porcelain or stone tops |
| Larger or reconfigured kitchen | $52,000 – $85,000+ | Butler's pantry, wall removal, premium finishes |
| Butler's pantry (add-on) | $8,000 – $22,000 | Size, sink, dishwasher and materials dependent |
Appliances are extra unless included as an allowance.
What is normally in the number
- Design and selections.
- Removal and disposal of the old kitchen.
- Plumbing and gas disconnection and reconnection.
- Electrical, lighting and extra power points.
- Cabinetry manufacture and installation.
- Benchtops and splashback.
- Sink, tapware and appliance installation.
- Painting and making good.
Choices that move the price most
Layout. Keeping the sink, cooktop and dishwasher where they are is the cheapest path. Moving them adds plumbing, gas, electrical and floor work, especially on concrete slabs common in estate homes.
Walls. Opening a closed kitchen to the living area can mean an engineer, a beam and possibly approval.
Cabinetry. Laminate costs less than two-pack or timber veneer. More drawers, internal organisers and premium hardware add up.
Benchtops. Laminate is the budget option. Porcelain and natural stone cost more, and waterfall ends, thicker edges and big islands add fabrication. Engineered stone is not an option since the national ban on 1 July 2024.
Appliances. Integrated fridges, pyrolytic ovens, induction cooktops and ducted rangehoods can add many thousands.
Extras to allow for on the Coast
- Asbestos removal in homes built or renovated before about 1990.
- Switchboard upgrades when adding induction or more circuits.
- Floor repairs under old sinks and dishwashers in cottages on timber floors.
- Access for hillside homes in Terrigal and Gosford, or walk-up units.
- Strata requirements for units and villas.
Where to save, where to spend
Save: keep the layout, choose quality laminate for doors, pick standard-sized tiles for the splashback.
Spend: drawer runners and hinges, a benchtop suited to how the family uses it, good task lighting and a ducted rangehood.
Payments in NSW
The deposit for residential building work in NSW can be no more than 10 per cent. For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested, and a written contract is required. Progress payments should match work actually completed.
Getting an accurate price
A site visit and design consultation turns these ranges into a fixed written quote. See how a project runs on the renovation steps page, or read the FAQ.
Call 02 4307 6053 or send your kitchen details through.
Questions people ask before they commit
How much does a kitchen renovation cost on the Central Coast in 2026?
As a planning guide: a makeover on existing cabinets $12,000 to $22,000, a replacement kitchen in the same layout $18,000 to $32,000, a custom family kitchen with an island $32,000 to $52,000, and a larger kitchen with a butler's pantry or layout changes $52,000 to $85,000 or more. Appliances are usually additional.
Where does most of the money go?
Cabinetry is normally the largest cost, followed by benchtops, then trades such as plumbing, electrical and installation. Appliances can be a big extra depending on what you choose.
What is the maximum deposit for a kitchen renovation in NSW?
Under NSW home building law the deposit cannot be more than 10 per cent of the contract price. If the work is over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before a deposit is requested.
Are appliances included in the price?
It varies. Some quotes include an appliance allowance; others price installation only and you buy the appliances. Either way, the models need to be confirmed during design so the cabinetry fits.