A complete residential kitchen renovation averages between $24,000 and $65,000. Custom cabinetry accounts for the largest proportion of total expenditure (35% to 45%), followed by stone benchtops (15% to 20%), specialized trade labor (20%), and appliances (15% to 25%). Modifying structural partition walls to create an open-plan kitchen adds an additional $4,000 to $9,000.

A renovation contingency fund is an allocated reserve—typically 15% to 20% of your total contract sum—set aside exclusively to absorb unforeseen structural defects and statutory compliance upgrades. In older dwellings, stripping back wall linings frequently exposes historical termite damage, non-compliant electrical wiring, asbestos, or unreinforced masonry that builders cannot inspect prior to demolition.

In 2026, residential home extensions range from $2,200 to $4,200 per square metre for ground-floor construction, and between $2,800 and $4,800 per square metre for second-storey additions. Key variables determining your final cost include foundation soil classifications, roof tie-in complexity, custom architectural glazing, and wet-area plumbing installations.