Scope 1 of 3
Refresh
New benches, doors, splashback, paint — boxes and layout stay.
The cosmetic-only path. Same layout, same cabinet boxes, same plumbing — but new bench tops, new doors and drawer fronts, new splashback, new tapware, new handles, new paint. The kitchen feels new without consent or structural risk. The smartest move when the existing carcasses are sound but the room looks tired.
What's included
- ✓New laminate or stone benchtop
- ✓New doors, drawer fronts and handles (existing carcasses retained)
- ✓New tiled, glass or stone splashback
- ✓New tapware, sink and waste
- ✓Repaint walls, ceiling and woodwork
- ✓Soft-close drawer runners (Häfele or Blum)
- ✓New under-bench LED strip lighting
Not included
- ·No new cabinet boxes
- ·No layout change
- ·No appliance replacement (unless additional)
- ·No plumbing rough-in change
- ·No building consent typically required
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 | $9k – $18k | 1–2 |
Medium 8–14 m² | $14k – $28k | 1–3 |
Large ≥ 14 m² | $19k – $38k | 2–4 |
Renovators who handle refresh
4 of 12 directory renovators take this scope on regularly.
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.