Layout
Galley kitchens
Two parallel runs of bench with a working corridor between.
When it works
Long, narrow rooms — older villas, terraced houses, and any space where two cooks might want to share without colliding.
When it doesn't
Open-plan extensions where you want sightlines to the lounge. A galley turns its back on the room.
Cost matrix — 2026 NZD
All-in pricing: demolition, plumbing, electrical, cabinetry, benchtop, splashback, appliances install, painting. Treat them as bands, not quotes.
Compact
<8m² · apartment / sleep-out
| Tier | Cost band | Weeks on site |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh Doors, bench, splashback | $9k–$17k | 1–3 |
| Mid-tier reno Full new cabinetry | $22k–$38k | 4–6 |
| Premium full Layout changes, top finishes | $40k–$68k | 6–10 |
Medium
8–14m² · most NZ homes
| Tier | Cost band | Weeks on site |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh Doors, bench, splashback | $12k–$21k | 1–3 |
| Mid-tier reno Full new cabinetry | $28k–$48k | 4–6 |
| Premium full Layout changes, top finishes | $50k–$85k | 6–10 |
Large
>14m² · open-plan extensions
| Tier | Cost band | Weeks on site |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh Doors, bench, splashback | $15k–$26k | 1–3 |
| Mid-tier reno Full new cabinetry | $34k–$58k | 4–6 |
| Premium full Layout changes, top finishes | $60k–$105k | 6–10 |
Tier breakdown
Cosmetic refresh
Doors, bench, splashback
Cabinet boxes stay. Doors, drawer fronts, benchtop and splashback get replaced. Often new appliances. No structural work, no services changes.
Full scope detail →Mid-tier reno
Full new cabinetry
Full new cabinetry, benchtop, splashback, appliances. Services upgraded as needed. Layout broadly stays the same; walls don't move.
Full scope detail →Premium full
Layout changes, top finishes
Down to the framing. Walls open, services rerouted, structural where needed, top-tier appliances and finishes (engineered stone or solid surface, integrated everything).
Full scope detail →Renovators who specialise in galley kitchens
5 of 12 directory renovators list this as a speciality.
Auckland's go-to for villa walk-through galleys — works around weight-bearing walls without losing the kauri floor.
Mid-tier specialist — does refreshes and full renos with the same attention. Excellent for first-time renovators.
Hutt Valley value specialist — fair-priced laminate-and-Formica refresh work that lasts ten years, not two.
Dunedin's value-tier workhorse — kitchens that work for the city's older housing stock.
Manawatu's straight-shooter — refresh and mid-tier work for sensible Palmerston North families.