What Actually Drives Kitchen Renovation Costs
Where the money in a kitchen renovation actually goes, and what changes the price.
Kitchen renovation quotes can vary a lot for what looks like a similar job on paper, and the difference usually comes down to a handful of factors that aren't always obvious upfront.
Moving plumbing and electrical points is one of the biggest cost drivers. Keeping your sink, stove, and fridge roughly where they already are is significantly cheaper than relocating them to a new layout, because it avoids opening up floors and walls to reroute pipes and cables.
Cabinetry is usually the single largest line item, and the price gap between stock cabinet ranges and fully custom joinery can be substantial. Countertop material (laminate versus quartz versus natural stone) is the next biggest swing factor.
Structural changes — removing a wall between the kitchen and another room, for instance — add engineering, permit, and labour costs on top of the kitchen work itself, and often reveal other issues (like old wiring) once the wall is open.
The most reliable way to get an accurate number is a site visit rather than a phone estimate, since the existing plumbing and electrical layout, wall types, and floor condition all affect the final price.
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