The kitchen is the most renovated room in Irish homes, and for good reason. It is where families spend most of their time, and a well-designed kitchen adds significant value to your property. But costs can vary enormously depending on your spec, so it pays to understand what drives the price before you start getting quotes.
Kitchen Renovation Cost Ranges
A budget kitchen refresh (new doors and worktops on existing carcasses, painting, new handles) costs between 3,000 and 6,000 euro. This is a great option if your layout works but the kitchen looks tired.
A mid-range full renovation (new units, worktops, appliances, flooring, tiling, painting, electrics, and plumbing) typically costs between 12,000 and 25,000 euro for a standard-sized kitchen. This is where most Irish homeowners land.
A high-end kitchen with premium cabinetry, stone worktops, high-spec appliances, and structural changes costs between 25,000 and 50,000 euro or more. If you are knocking through to a dining room or extending to create an open-plan kitchen-diner, add the extension costs on top.
What Drives Kitchen Costs?
Cabinetry is typically the single biggest cost, accounting for 30 to 40 percent of the total budget. Flat-pack units from budget suppliers start at 2,000 to 4,000 euro for a full kitchen. Custom-made units from Irish kitchen companies range from 8,000 to 20,000 euro.
Worktops range from 500 euro for laminate to 4,000 euro or more for natural stone or premium quartz.
Appliances typically account for 2,000 to 6,000 euro. The big-ticket items are the oven, hob, extractor, fridge-freezer, and dishwasher.
Labour for fitting, plumbing, electrics, tiling, and painting typically runs to 4,000 to 8,000 euro depending on the scope of work and your location.
Timeline
A straightforward kitchen renovation where the layout stays the same takes 2 to 3 weeks. If structural work, new plumbing runs, or electrical rewiring is involved, allow 4 to 6 weeks. Add 4 to 8 weeks lead time for custom cabinetry.
Tips for Saving Money
Keep the existing layout if possible, as moving plumbing and electrical points adds cost. Consider refacing existing carcasses if they are structurally sound. Buy appliances during sale periods. And always get at least 3 quotes for the fitting work.