When upgrading your kitchen, a reasonable starting point is deciding whether you are relatively happy with what you have or determined to make the space work for you from scratch. Next, assess the potential of your kitchen and renovation costs in NZ and consider different options to figure out which is more feasible or worthy of investment.
Seems like a daunting task? Only to the untrained eye!
Kitchen renovations come in all sizes – from small fixes and touch-ups to full-gut projects in older homes that involve replacing the drywall and insulation. When dated finishes, fixtures or appliances have to make way for a modern look, it can be a DIY job. Hiring a professional for only some parts of the project is an option if ripping out old floors or assembling cabinetry is what you are eager to tackle on your own. But if you have a larger-scale remodel where modifications to the existing structure are required, you’ll need a building consent and a registered builder/electrician/plumber to do the work.
So, a lot of things determine the timeframe and the final kitchen renovation cost in NZ. For a clearer perspective, it is best to get expert help early on.
Do sizes and materials matter the most
While square footage is the key value used in online NZ kitchen renovation cost estimators, it isn’t always a multiplier. More often than not, it’s a limiting or confusing factor. That number will do you no justice if you have:
- Odd-shaped areas
- Angled walls or those that are not plumb
- Openings or corners that are out of square
- Water-swollen structures
- Uneven floors
Estimating kitchen renovation costs in NZ is much more than just doing the math using a bunch of measurements and a list of materials. In cases of uneven-shaped rooms and walls, even creating a level paint line may be problematic, let alone installing kitchen cabinets. Weird floor plans and awkward spaces may require custom-built pieces, and standard-sized appliances may not fit, which results in a significantly higher price tag.
Consider the number of items to replace, add and remove
Whether you need a quick upgrade or can manage without a fully functioning kitchen for longer is the common consideration when weighing your options and deciding on hiring professionals – which is an essential part of kitchen renovation costs in NZ. Depending on how many outdated or faulty fixtures, cabinets, appliances or surfaces you have, swapping these out for better-performing counterparts can be a breeze, a headache, an affordable option or a budget-buster.
And remember, cabinets and appliances are the most expensive part.
So, your kitchen makeover can be as simple as minor repairs, cabinet refacing or:
- Plumbing, electrical and appliance upgrades
- Cabinet and countertop replacement
- Adding a backsplash, kitchen island or new flooring
If you are planning to reinstall your existing appliances after changing your kitchen’s layout, style or colour scheme, it’s a thrifty move. If you have your mind set on buying new and shiny tech wonders, these could account for the lion’s share of your kitchen renovation costs in NZ.
At Ideal Renovations, we can help you do the math with a free on-site consultation. Schedule it for your kitchen project!
