Scope 3 of 3
Full layout change
Walls open, plumbing moves, layout changes — island, scullery, the works.
The structural path. Walls come down, plumbing and gas rough-in moves, the kitchen becomes a different shape — typically opening into the dining or living room, often gaining an island and a butler's pantry/scullery behind. Council consent is required for any structural work; expect 6–10 weeks of design and consent before a builder breaks ground, plus the actual build.
What's included
- ✓Architectural drawings & council consent
- ✓Wall removal or repositioning (LBP-supervised)
- ✓Plumbing rough-in changes (gas certifier if applicable)
- ✓Electrical re-wire & new dedicated circuits for induction / oven
- ✓New cabinetry & island, often with scullery
- ✓Premium appliances (Fisher & Paykel Series 9, Bosch, Miele)
- ✓Stone benchtops with waterfall ends
- ✓Possible underfloor heating, integrated lighting, custom joinery
Not included
- ·Not always cheaper than starting fresh — be honest about the goal
- ·Consent timeline adds 6–10 weeks before any builder is on-site
- ·Insurance scope discussions if structural change affects rest of house
Cost & timeline by kitchen size
2026 NZD bands, before regional cost multiplier. Quotes vary — these are the band, not the bill.
| Size | 2026 NZD | On-site weeks |
|---|---|---|
Small ≤ 8 m² | $58k – $105k | 5–8 |
Medium 8–14 m² | $75k – $140k | 6–10 |
Large ≥ 14 m² | $110k – $220k | 9–14 |
Renovators who handle full layout change
8 of 12 directory renovators take this scope on regularly.
Auckland's go-to for villa walk-through galleys — works around weight-bearing walls without losing the kauri floor.
North Shore specialist — bigger footprints, bigger islands, bigger sliders out to the entertaining deck.
Wellington hill-suburb specialist — split-level villas, awkward access, structural surprises managed calmly.
Christchurch's volume mid-tier renovator — sharp pricing, predictable lead times, no nonsense.
Selwyn district new-build specialist — handles the full kitchen package from architect's plan to PC sum sign-off.
Hamilton's quiet quality option — small studio, careful work, books out 4 months ahead.
Coastal-spec specialist — humidity-aware finishes, marine-grade hardware, salt-air honest about what'll last.
Premium-tier only — holiday-home and high-end residential kitchens, alpine-spec finishes.