“How much will this cost?” is usually the first question and the hardest one to answer honestly, because the real answer is always “it depends.” That said, homeowners deserve better than a shrug. Here’s a realistic breakdown of what renovation costs typically look like across New Zealand, what actually moves the number up or down, and how to budget sensibly before you get a firm quote.
Kitchen Renovations
A kitchen renovation is one of the more expensive rooms to redo, largely because of joinery, benchtops, and appliances. As a general guide:
- Minor refresh (new benchtop, splashback, paint, keeping the existing layout and cabinetry): roughly $10,000-$20,000
- Mid-range renovation (new cabinetry, benchtops, and appliances, same footprint): roughly $20,000-$40,000
- Full renovation (layout changes, premium finishes, plumbing and electrical moved): $40,000-$60,000+
Bathroom Renovations
Bathrooms carry a lot of cost per square metre because of waterproofing, plumbing, and tiling, all trades that can’t be skipped or done cheaply without real risk.
- Minor refresh (new fixtures, retiling, keeping the existing layout): roughly $12,000-$20,000
- Full renovation (new layout, waterproofing, tiling, fixtures): roughly $20,000-$35,000+
Home Renovations or House Extensions
Extensions are typically priced per square metre, and vary more than any other renovation type depending on foundation type, roofline complexity, and finish level.
- Standard extension: roughly $2,500-$3,500 per square metre
- High-spec extension (premium finishes, complex roofline, multiple services moved): $3,500-$4,500+ per square metre
What Actually Drives the Price Up or Down
The headline square-metre or per-room number is only ever a starting point. What moves it in either direction:
- Access and existing condition — a property with poor existing wiring, plumbing, or structural issues costs more to bring up to standard before the “visible” renovation even starts
- Layout changes — moving plumbing or load-bearing walls adds cost fast compared to working within the existing footprint
- Finish level — the gap between a standard fixture and a premium one can be several thousand dollars per room, multiplied across a whole renovation
- Consent requirements — projects needing full building consent take longer and cost more in fees and compliance than those that don’t
- Trade availability and timing — costs and timelines can shift depending on how in-demand trades are in your region at the time
How to Budget Sensibly
Get a written, itemised quote before committing to anything, not a rough verbal estimate. A proper quote breaks down labour, materials, and any consent or compliance costs separately, so you can see exactly where the money’s going and where there’s room to adjust if the total comes in over budget. It’s also worth building in a contingency, 10-15% of the total is a common rule of thumb, for the things that only get found once walls are opened up.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to renovate in stages or all at once? Doing everything at once is usually more cost-efficient overall, since you avoid repeat setup and mobilisation costs for trades. Staging makes sense mainly when budget, not efficiency, is the constraint.
Do these costs include GST? Get clarity on this directly in any quote you receive; some quotes are GST-inclusive and some aren’t, and it’s an easy detail to miss when comparing.
How much does a renovation typically add to a home’s value? It varies significantly by renovation type, location, and market conditions. Kitchens and bathrooms are generally considered the renovations with the strongest return, but a real estate agent familiar with your local market is a better source than a general rule.
Why do quotes for the same job vary so much between companies? Differences usually come down to what’s actually included, prep work, materials quality, and whether consent and project management are factored in, not just the trade’s hourly rate. Always compare what’s covered, not just the total.
Get a Real Number for Your Project
General ranges are a starting point, not a quote. Get in touch and we’ll walk your property, talk through what you’re after, and give you a proper written quote based on your actual renovation, not an industry average.