The kitchen is the heart of your home — and on the Gold Coast, a well-executed kitchen renovation can add serious value while completely transforming how you live. But what does it actually cost? Here’s our honest, no-fluff guide to kitchen renovation budgets in 2026.
Last updated: September 2026
How much does a kitchen renovation cost on the Gold Coast?
A high-end kitchen renovation on the Gold Coast typically costs between $45,000 and $220,000 in 2026. Premium kitchens usually land between $45,000 and $70,000, luxury kitchens between $75,000 and $120,000, and ultra-luxury kitchens from $130,000. Size, joinery, stone and any structural changes decide where your kitchen sits.
Complete Homes is a family-owned Gold Coast renovation business, operating since 1985 and run by Fouad and his father William. These ranges come from the kitchens we design and build across the Gold Coast. Recent examples include a navy shaker kitchen with a stone waterfall island in our Robina whole-home renovation, a white kitchen with a timber breakfast bar in Arundel, and a combined kitchen, dining and living renovation in Gaven.
That’s a pretty wide range — and deliberately so. Because the difference between a premium kitchen renovation and an ultra-luxury one isn’t just about nicer things. It’s about custom joinery versus stock cabinets, engineered stone versus rare natural stone, and standard tapware versus imported. Let’s break it down properly.
What are the three tiers of kitchen renovation?
We broadly categorise kitchen renovations into three finish levels. Here’s what each means in practice, and what you can expect to pay:
| Finish Level | Typical Cost Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | $45,000 – $70,000 | Quality stone benchtops, custom or semi-custom cabinetry, undermount sink, quality tapware |
| Luxury | $75,000 – $120,000 | Designer stone, fully custom joinery, butler’s pantry, feature lighting, bespoke splashback |
| Ultra-Luxury | $130,000 – $220,000+ | Rare or imported stone, full bespoke cabinetry, premium finishes throughout, no compromises anywhere |
Worth noting: these are per-kitchen figures. If you have a scullery or butler’s pantry in scope, that’s typically costed separately — usually $15,000–$45,000 depending on size and finish.
Want a range for your own home? Our free Gold Coast renovation cost estimator gives an itemised estimate in a couple of minutes, with the same 15% contingency built in.
What drives the cost of a kitchen renovation?
If you’re wondering why two kitchens of similar size can cost so differently, here are the biggest cost drivers:
1. Cabinetry and joinery
This is usually the single largest line item in a kitchen renovation, accounting for 35–45% of the total budget. The difference between stock flat-pack, semi-custom, and fully bespoke cabinetry is enormous — both in price and in result. Custom joinery is made specifically for your space, your preferences, and your life. It shows.
2. Stone benchtops
Engineered stone (Caesarstone, Silestone) typically costs $400–$900 per linear metre installed. Rare natural stones — think Calacatta marble or quartzite from Europe — can run $1,500–$3,500 per linear metre. For a large kitchen with island bench, that gap is significant.
3. Structural changes
If you’re removing a wall to open up your kitchen — common in Gold Coast homes built in the 1990s and 2000s — you’re looking at an additional $15,000–$40,000 depending on whether it’s a load-bearing wall. Always worth doing right, but always worth factoring in early.
The number everyone forgets
Always add 15% contingency on top of your kitchen budget. Once walls come off and floors come up, surprises happen. Old plumbing, substandard previous work, and hidden structural issues are common in Gold Coast homes — especially those built before 2005.
“The kitchens we’re most proud of aren’t the most expensive ones — they’re the ones where the brief was clear, the design was right, and every dollar was spent intentionally.”
How can you get the best value from your kitchen budget?
Practical tips for stretching your kitchen budget
- Lock in your selections before work starts. Last-minute changes to stone, tapware or joinery are the most common cause of kitchen budget blowouts.
- Don’t move plumbing unless you have to. Relocating the sink or dishwasher adds cost and complexity. If your current layout works, keep the plumbing where it is.
- Invest in joinery, save on handles. The quality of the joinery itself matters far more than whether your handles are $12 or $120 each.
- Get engineered stone in a premium colour. A great Caesarstone in a striking colour beats a mediocre natural stone every time, at half the cost.
What should you check before signing a kitchen renovation contract in Queensland?
In Queensland, any residential building work over $3,300 must be done by a QBCC-licensed contractor and is covered by home warranty insurance. Before you sign, check three things:
- The licence. Search the builder on the QBCC licence register and make sure the licence class covers the work.
- Home warranty cover. According to the QBCC, home warranty insurance is compulsory for residential work valued at more than $3,300, including materials, labour and GST.
- A fixed-price contract. The QBCC notes that non-completion claims under the home warranty scheme need a fixed-price contract with a licensed contractor.
Gold Coast humidity and salt air are hard on cheap board and hardware, so ask what the carcasses, hinges and drawer runners are made of. It matters more here than in a drier climate.
Planning more than the kitchen? A kitchen is often the start of a bigger renovation. See our whole-home renovations on the Gold Coast, bathroom renovations on the Gold Coast, or read 5 signs your Gold Coast home is ready for a full renovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kitchen renovation cost on the Gold Coast?
A high-end kitchen renovation on the Gold Coast typically costs between $45,000 and $220,000 in 2026. Premium kitchens usually cost $45,000 to $70,000, luxury kitchens $75,000 to $120,000, and ultra-luxury kitchens $130,000 or more. A butler's pantry or scullery is usually costed separately.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen renovation?
Cabinetry and joinery is usually the largest single cost, typically 35 to 45 per cent of a kitchen budget. Stone benchtops come next, and structural changes such as removing a wall can add roughly $15,000 to $40,000 depending on whether the wall is load bearing.
How long will I be without a kitchen during a renovation?
In our experience, a kitchen is usually out of action for around 3 to 6 weeks of the build. Design, selections and joinery ordering happen before demolition, so lock in every selection before work starts. Late changes are the most common cause of delays and budget blowouts.
Do I need approval to renovate a kitchen in Queensland?
Internal, non-structural kitchen work generally does not need building approval. Removing or altering a load-bearing wall affects the structure, so it needs an engineer and building approval, usually through a private building certifier. Plumbing and electrical work must be done by licensed trades.
How much contingency should I add to a kitchen renovation budget?
Add 15 per cent contingency on top of your kitchen budget. Once walls and floors are opened up, old plumbing, substandard previous work and hidden structural issues are common in Gold Coast homes, especially those built before 2005. The contingency keeps those surprises from derailing the project.
Get a free kitchen renovation consultation
We’ll visit your home, review your space, and give you an honest estimate — no obligation, no pressure.