Kitchen Renovation Cost per m² in Australia 2026: Are You Overpaying?
You’ve got a quote from a builder. It’s a number that made you pause. Now you’re wondering whether it’s reasonable, whether you’ve been priced for a wealthy suburb when you live in a normal one, or whether you should just say yes before they get busier. This guide gives you the per-square-metre benchmarks used across the industry so you can tell the difference between a fair quote and an expensive one.
Why cost per m² matters now more than ever
Before 2022, kitchen renovation quotes were relatively predictable. Material and labour costs moved slowly, and the difference between a mid-range and budget quote for the same kitchen was maybe $8,000. Today that gap is significantly wider. Engineered stone prices have shifted following the silica ban on certain products. Cabinetry timber and hardware costs rose sharply through 2023 and 2024 and haven’t fully settled. Skilled tradespeople, particularly cabinetmakers and tilers, are commanding higher rates across every capital city.
The result is that homeowners who priced their renovation mentally based on what a friend spent three years ago are walking into conversations with builders and feeling blindsided. The per-square-metre metric cuts through the noise. It gives you a benchmark that’s independent of your kitchen’s exact dimensions and lets you compare quotes on a like-for-like basis.
One important note before we go further: kitchens are typically measured and quoted by linear metre rather than floor area, because the cost driver is the run of cabinetry, not the footprint of the room. You’ll see both measures used by different builders. This guide covers both so you can apply whichever your quote uses.
National benchmark rates by tier
These figures represent the installed cost per linear metre of kitchen cabinetry run, including joinery, benchtop, splashback and standard trade connections. They are based on a standard kitchen layout and do not include appliances, structural changes or plumbing relocation.
| Tier | Per linear metre | Per m² floor area | What drives it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $2,800–$4,500 | $3,200–$5,500 | Flat-pack or semi-assembled cabinetry, laminate or compact benchtop, ceramic splashback, basic tapware |
| Mid-range | $4,500–$7,500 | $5,500–$9,000 | Semi-custom joinery, engineered stone benchtop, tiled splashback, quality tapware and hardware |
| Premium | $7,500–$12,000 | $9,000–$14,000 | Custom cabinetry, thick stone benchtop, glass or stone splashback, integrated appliances, soft-close throughout |
| Luxury | $12,000–$18,000+ | $14,000–$22,000+ | Full bespoke fit-out, European appliances, premium stone or concrete surfaces, feature lighting, no compromises |
Take your builder’s total quote, subtract any appliances or structural work, then divide by your kitchen’s linear metres. If the result falls within the range for your nominated tier, the quote is broadly in line with market rates. If it’s significantly above, ask the builder to break down their pricing. If it’s significantly below, ask what’s been excluded.
How city affects the rate
The figures above are national benchmarks. Where you live applies a multiplier that shifts the number materially. A mid-range kitchen at $5,500 per linear metre nationally becomes $7,000 in Sydney after the regional cost adjustment. Understanding this is what stops homeowners comparing their Sydney quote against a Brisbane benchmark and drawing the wrong conclusion.
| City | Multiplier | Mid-range kitchen (5LM) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 1.28× | $38,000–$48,000 | Highest labour and access costs in the country |
| Brisbane | 1.32× | $39,000–$50,000 | Post-Olympics demand surge has kept trade rates elevated |
| Melbourne | 1.18× | $35,000–$44,000 | Strong demand, consistent labour market |
| Perth | 1.18× | $35,000–$44,000 | Resources sector competition for licensed trades |
| Adelaide | 1.08× | $32,000–$40,000 | Most affordable capital city market |
Want a personalised estimate adjusted for your city and kitchen size? The calculator handles all five cities automatically.
Run the numbersWhat’s not in the per-metre rate
This is where a lot of quote confusion happens. When a builder quotes a per-linear-metre rate, there are typically several items that aren’t included. If your quote doesn’t break these out separately, ask.
Appliances
Most kitchen quotes include appliance connections but not the appliances themselves. A mid-range oven, rangehood, dishwasher and cooktop package from a reputable brand runs $4,000 to $8,000. Fully integrated European appliances can add $12,000 to $20,000 on top of the joinery cost. When comparing quotes, check whether appliances are in or out of each number.
Plumbing relocation
If your sink, dishwasher connection or cooktop is moving to a new position, that’s quoted separately by a licensed plumber. Expect $2,500 to $6,000 for a single relocation point, more for slab penetration work. This can be a significant addition that doesn’t show up in the per-metre rate. For more detail on what this costs in Sydney specifically, see the Sydney kitchen cost guide.
Structural work
Opening up a kitchen by removing a wall is priced as a completely separate scope. It requires structural engineering, a building consent in most cases, and trade work that has nothing to do with the cabinetry run. If your quote includes wall removal, make sure it’s broken out so you can compare the kitchen-only portion with other quotes.
Flooring
Kitchen flooring is often excluded from joinery quotes. Whether you’re retiling, adding hybrid flooring or polishing the existing floor, that’s typically a separate line item. Tiling a standard kitchen floor adds $2,000 to $4,500 depending on tile choice and floor area.
Red flags in a kitchen quote
Knowing the benchmark rate helps you spot both overpricing and underpricing. Both should prompt questions.
The quote is 20% above benchmark. Ask the builder to walk you through the line items. There may be a legitimate reason: high-spec hardware, custom sizing, difficult access. Or it may just be margin. You won’t know unless you ask.
The quote is 25% below benchmark. This is more concerning. Either something has been excluded that you’re expecting to be included, the builder is planning to use lower-grade materials than specified, or the quote will change significantly once work starts. Get a detailed breakdown before signing anything.
No bill of quantities. A reputable builder will provide an itemised quote that lists cabinetry, benchtop, splashback, trade costs and any other line items separately. A single lump sum with no breakdown is not a professional quote. Ask for one.
Material costs that have shifted since 2023
A few specific materials have moved enough since 2022 and 2023 that they deserve a mention if you’re comparing against older benchmarks:
Engineered stone. The 2024 ban on high-silica engineered stone products removed several of the most popular and affordable benchtop options from the market. Compliant stone products cost more. If your benchmark was based on a Caesarstone or Silestone product that’s no longer available in the same form, your new quote will naturally be higher for a comparable result.
Timber cabinetry. Timber and board material costs rose significantly through 2022 and 2023 and have partially eased but not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Semi-custom joinery that was $2,800 per linear metre in 2021 is more likely to be $3,400 to $4,200 today for a comparable product.
Hardware. Quality European soft-close hinges and drawer runners have remained elevated in price due to supply chain factors. Budget hardware is available and functional, but there’s a noticeable quality difference at the premium end. If your joiner is quoting Blum or Hettich hardware, that’s a genuine cost input, not padding.
Also renovating a bathroom? See the Melbourne bathroom cost guide for a full tier breakdown.
All guidesSanity-check your kitchen quote
Enter your kitchen dimensions, tier and city to get a planning estimate you can compare against what you’ve been quoted.
Check My QuoteFrequently asked questions
The cost of a kitchen renovation is driven primarily by the run of cabinetry, not the floor area of the room. A kitchen with 5 linear metres of cabinetry in a 10m² room costs roughly the same as 5 linear metres of cabinetry in a 14m² room. Linear metre pricing reflects this reality. Floor area pricing is sometimes used by designers or as a rough comparison tool, but when a builder quotes your job, they’ll almost always base it on the cabinetry run plus any trade costs.
Three written quotes is the standard recommendation and a sensible minimum. Two quotes don’t give you enough information to understand whether one is high or the other is low. Four or more quotes can be useful for complex or high-value projects but creates a significant time burden on builders who are quoting at their own cost. For a standard kitchen renovation, three detailed quotes with matching scopes of work will tell you almost everything you need to know about the market rate for your job.
Not automatically. The lowest quote should prompt questions, not a signature. Ask what’s been excluded, what brand of hardware is specified, whether the joinery is locally made or imported, and what the payment terms are. A quote that’s 20% below the other two might reflect genuine efficiency, lower margins, or cut corners. You want to know which one it is before you commit. The right question isn’t "who’s cheapest" but "who gives me the best value for a clearly defined scope."
Yes. All figures in this guide and in the calculator include GST. When comparing builder quotes, confirm whether each figure is GST inclusive or exclusive before comparing. Some builders present initial estimates excluding GST. A reputable written quote will state clearly whether GST is included in the total.