Kitchen Cabinet Cost Guide: What to Budget for a Kitchen Renovation in Sydney in 2026

Renovating a kitchen is one of the best investments you can make in a Sydney home — but it is also one of the hardest to budget for, because no two kitchens are the same. After designing and building kitchens across Sydney since 2009, here is an honest, plain-English guide to what a new kitchen costs in 2026 and what actually drives the price.

What a Sydney kitchen costs in 2026

As a broad guide, most custom kitchens we build in Sydney land between $15,000 and $35,000 for cabinetry and installation. That range is wide for a reason — the same floor space can cost very differently depending on the choices you make. Here is roughly how it breaks down:

• Budget / laminate kitchen: around $12,000–$18,000. Laminate doors and carcasses, a laminate benchtop, and standard (but quality) soft-close hardware.
• Mid-range kitchen: around $18,000–$28,000. Polyurethane doors, a stone benchtop, a modest island and more drawers.
• Premium kitchen: $28,000–$45,000+. Full 2-pac or mixed finishes, a large island, butler’s pantry, integrated appliances and premium hardware.

These figures are for the kitchen itself. If you are also moving plumbing, rewiring, replacing flooring or knocking out a wall, add those trades on top.

The big cost drivers

Cabinetry finish

The single biggest lever is the door finish. Laminate is the most cost-effective and surprisingly durable, with a huge range of colours and woodgrains. Polyurethane (2-pac) is a sprayed paint finish that gives a seamless, premium look and can be colour-matched to anything — but it costs more and takes longer to make. Many of our clients mix the two: laminate carcasses with polyurethane doors, or polyurethane on the island and laminate elsewhere. Our materials and finishes guide explains the trade-offs in detail.

Benchtops

Benchtops are the second big-ticket item. Engineered stone is the most popular for its durability and finish, but a quality laminate benchtop with a realistic stone look can save you thousands. Natural stone and timber sit at the higher end. The benchtop is templated and fabricated after the cabinets are installed, so it is usually a separate line in your quote.

Hardware and drawers

It is easy to overlook, but hardware is what you touch every day. Soft-close hinges and full-extension drawer runners should be standard — we fit them on every kitchen. The cost rises with the number of drawers (drawers are more expensive to build than cupboards, but far more usable), and with extras like internal cutlery systems, corner solutions and push-to-open mechanisms for a handleless look.

Size and layout

More cabinets cost more — but layout matters as much as size. An island bench, a tall pantry, overhead cabinets to the ceiling and appliance housings all add cabinetry. A galley kitchen in a Newtown terrace will cost less than an open-plan kitchen with a large island in a Ryde family home, simply because there is less to build.

Appliances and integration

Appliances are usually supplied separately, but integration affects cabinetry cost. Integrated (panelled) dishwashers and fridges, built-in ovens and concealed rangehoods all require custom housings. The more seamless the look, the more joinery is involved.

What can bring the cost down

You do not have to spend at the top of the range to get a kitchen you love. The smartest savings come from spending where it matters and economising where it does not:

• Choose laminate doors in a finish you love rather than defaulting to polyurethane.
• Use a quality laminate benchtop instead of stone, or stone only on the island.
• Keep the existing layout where possible to avoid moving plumbing and electrical.
• Prioritise drawers in the zones you use most, and cupboards elsewhere.
• Avoid unnecessary curves, glass and feature lighting unless they earn their place.

A good cabinet maker will tell you honestly where your money is best spent — that conversation is part of our free design stage.

What can push the cost up

On the other side, these are the choices that lift a quote:

• Full 2-pac polyurethane throughout, especially in high gloss.
• Large stone islands and waterfall ends.
• A butler’s pantry or scullery (effectively a second small kitchen).
• Integrated appliances and concealed rangehoods.
• Premium hardware: internal drawers, electric push-to-open, specialty corner units.

None of these are wrong — they are exactly what many Mosman and premium-suburb clients want — but it helps to know where the dollars go.

How long does a kitchen take?

Budget is only half the question; timing is the other. Once your design is finalised, manufacturing in our workshop typically takes three to four weeks, with on-site installation of the cabinetry running two to four days. If benchtops, splashbacks, flooring and plumbing are involved, the full renovation usually spans a few weeks as trades follow on in the right order.

Getting an accurate number

Online guides — including this one — can only give ranges. The only way to know what your kitchen will cost is a measure and quote, because it depends on your exact space, your finishes and your layout. That is why we offer a free measure and quote: we visit your home, take precise measurements, prepare a 3D design, and give you a fixed written price with no hidden costs.

If you are weighing up a kitchen renovation, the best next step is to see our custom kitchen cabinets service and then book a free measure and quote. We will give you a realistic number for the kitchen you actually want — not a vague ballpark.