Renovation Education: The Cost of a Scandi Kitchen Revamp
A kitchen designer shares the real budget breakdown of a $44,000 kitchen revamp
Vanessa Walker
20 April 2020
Houzz Australia & New Zealand Editor-in-Chief
If you’re confused about the cost of a renovation, you’re not alone. Here, Zesta Kitchens provides a breakdown of costs for a classic timber and white Scandi-inspired kitchen the company completed in 2019. Read on to see the extent of works and be better informed about costs.
Kitchen designed by Mary Maksemos of Zesta Kitchens
Location: Mount Martha, Victoria
Year built: 2019
Design company: Zesta Kitchens
Kitchen size: 19 square metres
Approximate price of kitchen: $44,448 excluding appliances
Creative brief from clients: The client purchased a beach holiday house in Mount Martha back in 2017. At this time she identified that the kitchen, being the heart of the home, was in need of an update. The old design of the kitchen was lacking in flow and functionality. She knew that a steady flow of guests would use this space when the summer holidays approached and it wouldn’t work with multiple chefs in the kitchen at the same time. It was paramount to increase the flow and consistency of style to match the renovations to the rest of the home.
Location: Mount Martha, Victoria
Year built: 2019
Design company: Zesta Kitchens
Kitchen size: 19 square metres
Approximate price of kitchen: $44,448 excluding appliances
Creative brief from clients: The client purchased a beach holiday house in Mount Martha back in 2017. At this time she identified that the kitchen, being the heart of the home, was in need of an update. The old design of the kitchen was lacking in flow and functionality. She knew that a steady flow of guests would use this space when the summer holidays approached and it wouldn’t work with multiple chefs in the kitchen at the same time. It was paramount to increase the flow and consistency of style to match the renovations to the rest of the home.
The kitchen before works
Scope of work: Zesta Kitchens designed and supplied the cabinetry and benchtops in the kitchen.
Curious what your kitchen renovation budget will get you? Find a kitchen designer near you on Houzz to find out
Scope of work: Zesta Kitchens designed and supplied the cabinetry and benchtops in the kitchen.
Curious what your kitchen renovation budget will get you? Find a kitchen designer near you on Houzz to find out
Trade services
Total amount: $4205
Total amount: $4205
- Tiler: $830
- Plumber: $1,040
- Electrician: $1,500
- Plasterer: $835
Materials
Total amount: $30,245
Total amount: $30,245
- Tiles from TileCloud: $245
- Qualia white matt and Mondo sublime teak overheads and Caesarstone benchtops in Fresh Concrete: $30,000
Installation
Total amount: $9,998
Total amount: $9,998
- Installation of cabinets and benchtops: $9,998 (the stone installation cost more than usual due to an internal staircase and the pieces exceeding 2,100 millimetres in length).
Appliances
While this homeowner bought their own, below is the average cost for the kitchen appliances should you be buying similar items new.
Total amount: $9,400
While this homeowner bought their own, below is the average cost for the kitchen appliances should you be buying similar items new.
Total amount: $9,400
- Fridge: $1,800
- Oven: $1,800
- Induction cooktop: $1,800
- Range hood: $800
- Microwave: $300
- Sink: $700
- Tapware: $800
- Dishwasher: $1,400
What challenges did you work around?
A major problem was the existing support pole in the kitchen space (see second image). Maksemos therefore designed a larger island bench butting up to this pole so it wouldn’t stand out like a sore thumb (see first image).
By removing the return island bench the kitchen is no longer closed off but open to the flow of multiple chefs in the kitchen. Making sure the line of sight was adhered to gives this kitchen an extra lift. You don’t notice the column as it seamlessly disappears because of the clever use of symmetry.
A clear design was to position the fridge to the far left, out of the way of the kitchen preparation and cooking zones. In this way anyone can access the fridge and not disturb the chefs at hand.
A major problem was the existing support pole in the kitchen space (see second image). Maksemos therefore designed a larger island bench butting up to this pole so it wouldn’t stand out like a sore thumb (see first image).
By removing the return island bench the kitchen is no longer closed off but open to the flow of multiple chefs in the kitchen. Making sure the line of sight was adhered to gives this kitchen an extra lift. You don’t notice the column as it seamlessly disappears because of the clever use of symmetry.
A clear design was to position the fridge to the far left, out of the way of the kitchen preparation and cooking zones. In this way anyone can access the fridge and not disturb the chefs at hand.
What did you invest money in?
The client splurged on the stone benchtops and waterfall ends and the plastering to make sure it all looked like it was built-in. They also removed a window to get the fridge in the new position and make the area a brighter one.
What did you save money on?
The client kept their old appliances.
The client splurged on the stone benchtops and waterfall ends and the plastering to make sure it all looked like it was built-in. They also removed a window to get the fridge in the new position and make the area a brighter one.
What did you save money on?
The client kept their old appliances.
Your turn
Is this the kind of cost you expected for the kitchen in the photos? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Craving more kitchen stories? Take a look at this Renovation Education: The Costs Per Item of a Classic Kitchen
Is this the kind of cost you expected for the kitchen in the photos? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Craving more kitchen stories? Take a look at this Renovation Education: The Costs Per Item of a Classic Kitchen
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Great kitchen Sophie and certainly a great saving with the recycled messmate island bench. Large Caesarstone island benches with waterfal ends can become costly like in the article but well worth the spend if customer is happy. Enjoy your beautiful space.
Thanks @Zesta Kitchens 🙂 My island was a design choice in my case, rather than a cost saving, as I love the timber look!
Truth-be-known, I would have been happy with the "before" kitchen, although the renovated one is nice too.