Set the boundary of the job
Write down where the kitchen renovation starts and ends. Does it include the dining-room flooring, a wall opening, repainting the ceiling or changes to an external door? These details can explain why two apparently similar kitchen quotes differ.
Describe one base option first. For example, retain the room footprint, replace cabinetry and appliances, and complete the surrounding finishes. Price optional changes separately so their effect on the whole budget is visible.
Cost of a new kitchen in NZ: build the budget
| Workstream | Details to agree |
|---|---|
| Cabinetry and benchtops | Layout, storage fittings, materials, handles and installation. |
| Appliances | Exact models, supply responsibility and installation requirements. |
| Services | Plumbing, power, lighting, ventilation and any relocations. |
| Room finishes | Wall preparation, splashback, flooring, painting and making good. |
| Site arrangements | Protection, removal, delivery access, temporary facilities and waste. |
Mark each line as included, excluded or not yet decided. An undecided item needs a clear allowance or a next step, rather than disappearing from the total.
Compare like-for-like selections
Storage fittings, benchtop details and appliance specifications can change the price without changing the room's overall appearance. Keep a selection schedule with the product name, dimensions, supplier and who will order it.
If you are considering an island, first check whether it fits your routines and the room. Our island sizing guide helps avoid budgeting for a feature that needs a different layout to work well.
Allow for changes and temporary living
Ask how concealed conditions will be handled once old cabinetry is removed. Record who will advise you of a change, what information you will receive and how approval will be documented before extra work proceeds.
Keep your own contingency separate from optional upgrades. Include any temporary cooking arrangements and storage in the household budget. Use our guide to comparing renovation quotes to check allowances, exclusions and GST on the same basis.
Turn the worksheet into an enquiry
Send us photos, approximate measurements, your preferred layout and the appliances you will retain. Share your available budget and identify the features you value most so the scope conversation has a clear direction.
Our Wellington kitchen renovation service brings the room's building work and finishes into one project discussion. A detailed brief is the best starting point for a price that reflects your home.