• By Hanover Plumbing
• In Plumbing, Tapware
• Tags Kitchen, NZ Homes, Renovations, Tapware

The Cost of a Kitchen Renovation

A Kitchen Renovation can set you back anywhere from $10K to $100K. It all depends what your goal for the renovation is and what parts of it are most important to you. Unless you are a seasoned home renovator, you may not realise that the features you’re set on could be the most costly upgrades. Conversely, you might be overlooking which features to funnel more budget towards. Here’s a rundown of some of the different expenses that you’ll be deciding on – and which ones can have the biggest impact on your budget.

If you don’t want to do a top-to-bottom kitchen renovation but still want an upgrade you can select a few things – getting new tapware, new appliances and adding a water filter can go a long way without too much interruption and work.

Flooring

A kitchen requires hard-wearing, durable flooring. It needs to be practical – there’s a lot more spilled or dropped on the floor in this room so carpet just doesn’t make sense. Remember, tiling tends to be more expensive than vinyl options but if you have the skills or a mate who can help, it could be a good option for you. There are lots of options with faux wood finishes in many vinyl products so you don’t have to compromise on looks if you select vinyl. Think about whether you’ll be replacing all of the floors in the house or any that adjoin the kitchen area. Shop around for sales as many flooring stores run specials year-round.

Appliances

Most people don’t want to re-install old appliances into a newly-renovated kitchen so keep aside a budget for these items. You might be replacing everything – fridge, stove, oven, dishwasher and microwave – so it can add up quickly. If you are upgrading to a gas hob, you may need to have your gas piping relocated to accommodate them. Hanover Plumbing can provide a quote on costs for any gasfitting that’s required. Also, think about whether you’ll need water running to your fridge for your automatic ice maker, we can help with that too!

Cabinets

Most kitchens have many cabinets so the look of the ones you choose set the tone for the space. Many people are opting for high-gloss finishes which upgrades the look a bit. Consider whether you’ll be doing a DIY install or hiring someone to put the cabinets in. What you might save on labour, you can put towards a quality cabinet option. If you are buying online, consider asking for a sample before placing your order. Think about whether you prefer drawers or cupboards – the drawers can make better use of the space but they tend to cost a bit more. The cabinets will likely be a big piece of your total budget, and you use them often so springing for the soft-close hinges will be well worth it.

Sink & Tapware

There are many options for your sink with all the new materials and colours out there. This could be a great design statement if you go for a contrasting benchtop, or matching tapware. If your current kitchen only has one sink, you might consider getting a double sink for ease of use. Or even increasing slightly by adding a half or quarter sink will allow for more convenience in food preparation and cleanup. The cost of sinks might be more than expect but again, consider that it’s one of the most-used parts of the kitchen so you might not want to skimp on it. Remember that not all sinks are compatible with waste disposal systems so chat with us before making your final call if you’re wanting a waste disposal in your kitchen. The tapware choices are wide ranging – and vary in cost just as much. Go for the highest quality you can as the kitchen tap gets a lot of use in most homes! Contact us and we can discuss which ones are worth spending on – and which you may find yourself replacing soon after the warranty has expired…

Plumbing

Will you be relocating the sink or adding a dishwasher? Have you been worried about the old piping in your house? If you aren’t sure, Hanover Plumbing can advise you on whether any of it needs replacement. And if you are adding an under-sink water filter, we can also advise on what additional considerations you will want to include in your plans. It’s much easier to perform these upgrades when you’re in the middle of a renovation rather than after the fact. The option to add chilled or hot water on tap is a luxury upgrade that is also very practical. It saves you from having to run the noisy kettle so often!

Benchtop

The benchtop is a feature than can be cheap as chips or cost a few thousand dollars. Consider how you use your space, what your budget is and how long you’ll be living in the house. Don’t forget that if you go for the Mitre 10 or Bunnings benchtops, you’ll likely still need a professional to install it and to do the cut outs for the sink and faucet. If you buy from a benchtop specialist, they will most likely install it for you as well.

Electrical & Lighting

If your house is older, it’s common to add powerpoints to the kitchen for all of the appliances. Lighting can be as expensive as you want it to be and often major lighting shops have regular sales so it pays to watch their website as you’re in the planning phases. Purchasing LED downlights can be cost effective and also cost you less to run so they are a great option. If your lighting is in the right place, and you aren’t adding new powerpoints or other new appliances, you might not need to factor in as much into this part of the budget.

Taking on a kitchen renovation is a big investment – in time and money. Plan your budget to make the most of it and get advice from experts before you’re too far along. Many homeowners won’t do two kitchen renovations in the same house so consider your lifestyle now and in the future!