What does a kitchen renovation cost, and how do you find a contractor?

Short answer: floor area alone cannot give a reliable kitchen renovation price. Request an itemised quotation based on the property. Replacing cabinets in their existing positions is a different project from relocating water or electrical connections.

Build the budget from the work

List what stays and what changes. Take measurements and photographs, and identify appliances whose connections will move. Give each contractor the same specification so the offers are comparable.

This guide does not quote a national average because no official figure matching your project’s scope has been verified. Comparable quotations provide a useful basis for your own budget.

Understand the price type

KKV’s pricing guidance distinguishes fixed prices, maximum prices and estimates. An estimate may be exceeded by up to 15% for justified reasons. That is different from an agreed fixed price or permission to add new work without discussion. Checked on 11 November 2026.

For hourly work, establish the rate, chargeable travel, material markups and progress reporting. Request an update before the original scope changes. Agree extra work in writing before it is carried out.

Finding a contractor

Build a shortlist from local businesses and previous customers’ recommendations. Ask for examples of similar work and identify the company that will sign the agreement. A recommendation helps find a candidate; it does not replace checks.

KKV recommends written requests and contracts. Record scope, completion, payment stages and subcontractors. Do not compare only totals when one offer includes removal and another does not.

For electrical work, Tukes instructs consumers to use a registered contractor with the appropriate rights. Separately check the Tax Administration’s conditions and prepayment registration if you intend to claim household tax credit.

Plan everyday life during the work

Agree how water or electricity interruptions will be communicated, how belongings are protected and which access route workers use. Consider where you will prepare food and store refrigerated items. These practical arrangements are not automatically included in the contractor’s price.

The building services guide covers shared building arrangements. See also the heating and ventilation guide.

Official sources

Checked on 11 November 2026.

• KKV: quotations and contracts
• KKV: agreeing service prices
• Tukes: home electrical safety
• Vero: household tax credit conditions