Kitchen renovation costs vary more than almost any other home improvement project, because “kitchen renovation” can mean anything from swapping benchtops and handles to a full layout change with new plumbing, electrical, and custom joinery. This guide breaks down what Wellington homeowners are actually paying in 2026, tier by tier, and what pushes a project from one budget bracket into the next.
Kitchen Renovation Cost Tiers
| Tier | Typical Cost | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | $12,000 – $22,000 | New benchtop, cabinet doors/fronts, splashback, tapware, paint — same layout and footprint |
| Mid-range full replacement | $25,000 – $45,000 | New cabinetry, benchtop, appliances, flooring — same footprint, no structural change |
| Premium / custom | $60,000 – $100,000+ | Layout changes, custom joinery, premium appliances, possible wall removal or plumbing relocation |
A flat-pack kitchen supply-and-install sits at the lower end of the mid-range bracket, typically $15,000–$28,000, while fully custom NZ-made cabinetry pushes costs toward the premium tier.
What Drives Kitchen Renovation Costs in Wellington
Cabinetry
Cabinetry is consistently the largest single line item in a kitchen renovation, typically making up 30–45% of the total budget. Imported flat-pack cabinetry is the most affordable option; NZ-made custom cabinetry costs more but offers better fit, longer lead-time flexibility, and generally better long-term durability.
Benchtops and appliances
Engineered stone benchtops are now the most common mid-to-premium choice, sitting above laminate but below natural stone in cost. Appliance packages vary enormously — a mid-range oven, cooktop, and rangehood package might run $3,000–$6,000, while a premium integrated European appliance package can exceed $15,000 on its own.
Layout changes
Keeping the existing footprint — same sink location, same appliance positions, same walls — is the single biggest cost saver in any kitchen renovation. Moving plumbing or gas lines, relocating power points, or removing a wall adds plumbing, electrical, and potentially structural costs on top of the kitchen fit-out itself, and can also trigger building consent requirements.
Wellington’s older housing stock
A significant share of Wellington’s housing is pre-1980s, including a large number of villas and bungalows in suburbs like Mount Victoria, Berhampore and Newtown. Renovating a kitchen in an older home often uncovers issues that don’t show up in a quote until the old kitchen is stripped out — outdated wiring that doesn’t meet current code, old or corroded plumbing, and subfloor issues from moisture. Budgeting a contingency of 10–15% on top of the quoted price is sensible for any pre-1980s Wellington home, more so than for a newer build.
Cosmetic Refresh vs Full Renovation
A cosmetic refresh keeps the existing cabinet boxes and layout, updating doors, benchtop, splashback, tapware and paint. It’s the fastest and most affordable route to a kitchen that looks and functions significantly better, provided the underlying cabinetry is structurally sound and the layout already works for how you use the space.
A full replacement removes everything back to the studs (or close to it) and rebuilds with new cabinetry, benchtop, appliances and flooring on the same footprint. This is the right call when the existing kitchen has failed cabinetry, an outdated or impractical layout you’re happy to rebuild on the same footprint, or when you’re renovating as part of a wider home update and want everything matching and current.
Refacing — replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts while keeping the existing boxes — typically costs 40–60% of a full cabinetry replacement and is worth considering if the cabinet boxes themselves are in good structural condition.
Do You Need a Building Consent for a Kitchen Renovation in Wellington?
A like-for-like cosmetic refresh — new doors, benchtop, splashback, on the same footprint with no plumbing or structural changes — generally doesn’t require a building consent. Moving plumbing or gas fittings, removing a structural wall, or making changes that affect the building’s structure typically does. Wellington City Council’s building consent process can add several weeks to a few months to a project timeline when required, so it’s worth confirming consent requirements with your renovation team early, before cabinetry is ordered.
Typical Timeline
Most kitchen renovations in Wellington take 3–8 weeks on site, though this can extend significantly if plumbing or electrical work is being moved, if custom cabinetry has a longer lead time, or if a consent is required and hasn’t been factored into the schedule from the start. It’s common for homeowners to be without a functioning kitchen for at least part of this period — worth planning around, particularly for families.
How to Budget and Avoid Blowouts
- Get a written, itemised quote that breaks down cabinetry, benchtop, appliances, plumbing, electrical and labour separately, not just a single lump sum
- Set aside a 10–15% contingency, higher for pre-1980s homes where hidden issues are more likely
- Decide on layout changes early — every change to plumbing or wall position after cabinetry is ordered gets more expensive to accommodate
- Order long-lead items first — custom cabinetry and imported appliances can take weeks to arrive, and delays here hold up the whole project
- Separate “must-haves” from “nice-to-haves” before getting quotes, so it’s clear where the budget can flex if needed
Planning a kitchen renovation? Get a free, no-obligation quote or explore our kitchen renovation services.