Planning a Sunshine Coast renovation and wondering what it costs to upgrade your kitchen? Whether you’re dreaming of a high-end luxury kitchen renovation or a smart makeover in a compact unit, understanding the price breakdown is essential to planning your project- and avoiding hidden surprises.

As an experienced renovation builder team offering full build and design services, we’ve put together this guide to help you get clear on costs, quality, and value.

Typical Renovation Costs on the Sunshine Coast

The cost of a kitchen renovation can vary greatly based on the size of the space, the quality of finishes, and whether structural changes are required.

We can define the types of renovations and their associated costs into three types:

Basic Update: refacing cabinetry doors, keeping the existing layout and plumbing, reusing appliances, laminate or budget stone benchtops, builders- range plumbing ranges.

Mid-Range Renovation: custom cabinetry (two-pack or laminate), changes to layout/ walls, re-plumbing, engineered stone benchtops, mid to high range appliances, modern tapware, new flooring.

High-End Luxury Kitchen Renovation: custom cabinetry (two-pack, soft close hardware, internal storage solutions), structural changes or reconfiguring layout, natural stone benchtops, high-end appliances (often integrated), butlers pantry, custom handles, premium flooring, smart technology.

Here’s a general breakdown of cost:

We would classify the kitchen in our Mooloolaba Penthouse Project as a High-End Luxury Kitchen Renovation. Some features included hand-glazed Mother-of-Pearl terracotta tiles, natural Quartzite benchtops, custom two pack cabinetry, premium handles and high-range plumbing fixtures. You can view the whole project here. Photography by Villa Styling

Understanding Cost Variations

Kitchen renovations are not one-size-fits-all. The final cost can vary widely based on several key points.  Obviously the size of the kitchen will impact on cost-the larger the kitchen, the more cabinetry and benchtop materials are required, as well as extra lighting, plumbing and labour costs. Structural changes are also a quick way to add cost. Removing walls, changing plumbing/ gas and electrical locations, and adding windows are all expensive but can also be hugely rewarding and create an outcome worth the expense.

Design selections can also make a big impact on your overall budget. Between cabinetry, benchtops, handles, lighting and appliances, it all adds up rather quickly. However, we believe that certain selections are a smart investment- for instance, custom joinery, especially in awkward spaces or luxury kitchens, adds significant value, storage and efficiency, and is well worth the cost in our opinion. You can read our article on where to save and where to splurge on your design selections here.

Site access and trade coordination can also influence the cost of your kitchen renovation. This is particularly true in unit renovations, where trades may need to carry materials up stairs when there is no lift in a building, the building has limited parking, or strata rules restrict noisy working hours. These logistical issues often increase labour costs.

Why We Believe Luxury Kitchens Are the Best Investment

At the heart of every home is the kitchen- and in our experience as a Sunshine Coast renovation builder and build and design team, a high-end luxury kitchen renovation isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s an investment in lifestyle, longevity, and property value.

We believe luxury kitchens are the best kind because they offer more than just visual impact – they transform the way you live in your home. Whether you love to regularly entertain for family and friends; cook and bake like a pro with high end appliances; or simply enjoy daily life in a spacious kitchen with thoughtfully designed workflows, beauty and comfort, we believe a luxury kitchen isn’t a trend – it’s a long-term investment that you should love to use everyday.

Let’s Build your dream kitchen

Ready to invest in a kitchen that elevates your entire home? We’d love to help. Contact us for a Free Discovery Call.