Kitchen Renovation in Perth: What to Expect, What to Budget and How to Get It Right
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
The kitchen gets more use than any other room in most Perth homes. It's where the day starts, where families gather after work, and where buyers form their strongest first impression of a property. A well-done kitchen renovation pays off in daily enjoyment, in resale value and in the confidence that comes from having a space that actually works.
Getting it wrong shows up just as quickly. Poor joinery, benchtops that aren't level, plumbing that drips, a layout that doesn't flow — these things are noticed every single day. If you're thinking about a kitchen renovation in Perth, this guide covers what the work actually involves, what it's likely to cost, what compliance requirements apply and what to watch out for along the way.
What does a kitchen renovation actually include?
A kitchen renovation can mean anything from replacing the tapware and splashback through to a full structural redesign with a new layout. Most projects land somewhere in between, and being clear about scope before you commit to anything makes everything that follows easier.
A typical mid-range kitchen renovation in Perth includes:
New cabinetry or cabinet refacing
Benchtop replacement — stone, laminate, timber or composite
New splashback
Sink and tapware replacement
Appliance upgrades
Plumbing connections — dishwasher, sink relocation if needed
Electrical work for appliances and lighting
Flooring update
Painting and finishing
One thing many homeowners don't account for is the number of trades involved. A kitchen renovation typically needs a plumber, an electrician and a builder or cabinetmaker, and they all need to work in a specific sequence. The plumbing rough-in has to happen before the cabinets go in. The electrician needs access before walls are closed. The benchtop fabricator measures after the cabinets are installed, then comes back to fit.
When each trade is booked and managed separately, a delay in one creates a ripple through all the others. If you're also planning a bathroom or laundry renovation at the same time, combining the projects under one team is almost always the smarter move. This & That handles renovations, plumbing and carpentry together across Perth.
Do you need a building permit for a kitchen renovation in Perth?
Whether a building permit is required depends on the scope of work.
Under the Building Regulations 2012 (WA), a building permit is generally required if the renovation involves structural changes, alterations to load-bearing walls, changes to the drainage layout or modifications to the building's footprint. A cosmetic update — new benchtops, cabinetry, tapware and appliances — typically doesn't require a permit. Moving walls, relocating drainage or opening up to an adjoining room usually does.
The Building and Energy division of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) is the state-level authority overseeing building compliance in WA. Your local council is the relevant authority for permit applications. Useful starting points for Perth metro homeowners include:
For a full list of Perth metro local governments, the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) is a useful reference.
All building work in WA must be carried out by or under the supervision of a registered building practitioner, as required under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011.
Plumbing and gas licensing in a kitchen renovation
Kitchen renovations almost always involve a licensed plumber. Connecting or relocating a sink, installing a dishwasher, adding a filtered water tap — all of this must be carried out by a licensed plumber registered with Building and Energy under the Plumbers Licensing Act 1995 (WA).
Most plumbing work in a kitchen renovation also requires the plumber to lodge a Plumbing Notice with Building and Energy before or after the work is completed, depending on the nature of the job.
If the kitchen involves a gas cooktop, any gas work — connecting, relocating or replacing the gas point — must be carried out by a licensed gas fitter under the Gas Standards Act 1972 (WA). In Perth, Atco Gas manages the natural gas distribution network and can be contacted on 13 13 52 for network-related enquiries.
DIY plumbing or gas work is illegal in WA, voids home insurance in most cases and creates real problems at the point of sale. This & That works with licensed plumbers and gas fitters on all kitchen renovation projects and handles the required notices as part of the job.
Kitchen renovation costs in Perth
Costs vary depending on size, materials, layout complexity and finish quality. As a rough guide for Perth in 2024 to 2025:
Basic refresh — new benchtop, tapware, splashback and paint: $5,000 to $12,000
Mid-range renovation — new cabinetry, stone benchtop, updated appliances, tiling: $15,000 to $30,000
Full renovation with layout changes — structural alterations, premium finishes, full electrical and plumbing update: $35,000 to $60,000 and up
A small galley kitchen will sit at the lower end. A large open-plan kitchen with an island bench and premium stone will push toward the top. Labour, plumbing and structural changes are factored into these ranges where relevant, but always confirm exactly what's included in any quote you receive.
The best way to avoid cost surprises is to agree on a detailed scope of works before anything starts. Not a vague description, but a specific list of what's being done, what materials are being used and what's excluded.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
A mid-range kitchen renovation typically takes two to four weeks of on-site work. The overall timeline is often longer because of material lead times. Cabinetry and stone benchtops are usually made to order and can take three to six weeks to arrive once ordered.
This matters if you're planning around a sale or a specific date. Start the planning and ordering process earlier than you think you need to, particularly if you're ordering custom cabinetry or imported stone.
Layout change vs cosmetic refresh: which is right for you?
The decision between a cosmetic refresh and a structural layout change is worth thinking through carefully before any money is spent.
A cosmetic refresh with new benchtop, new cabinet doors, and new tapware, can transform a kitchen's appearance for a fraction of the cost of a full renovation. If the bones of the kitchen are in good shape and the layout works reasonably well, this is often the better financial decision.
A layout change, by moving the sink, adding an island, opening up to the living area, delivers a bigger result but involves more trades, more time, more cost and more compliance requirements. It's worth it when the existing layout genuinely doesn't work, or when the kitchen is being renovated as part of a broader whole-home project.
For investment properties, a cosmetic refresh usually delivers the best return on investment. For a family home intended for long-term enjoyment, a more substantial renovation is often worth the additional spend.
What separates a quality renovation from a poor one
The difference between a good kitchen renovation and a problematic one usually comes down to details that aren't immediately obvious at handover.
Cabinets that aren't properly squared will have alignment issues that become more noticeable over time. Benchtop joins that aren't tight collect grime and look cheap within a year. Plumbing that isn't done to code causes leaks that damage cabinetry before you even notice them. Grout around the splashback that isn't sealed properly discolours quickly and looks neglected.
Practical questions worth asking when evaluating any kitchen renovation quote:
Is the cabinetry locally manufactured or flat-pack, and what hardware is being used?
What's the benchtop material and thickness, and who is fabricating it?
Who is handling the plumbing and gas work, and are they licensed?
Is the quote fixed-price or subject to variations?
What does the warranty cover and for how long?
Kitchen renovations for investment properties
Investment property kitchen renovations have a different set of priorities. The goal isn't a dream kitchen. It's a kitchen that photographs well, attracts good tenants, holds up under regular use and doesn't need attention for years.
Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA), landlords are required to provide and maintain premises in a reasonable state of repair. The Consumer Protection division of DMIRS provides guidance on what that means in practice. A kitchen that's genuinely deteriorated — broken drawers, damaged benchtops, tapware that doesn't work — isn't just an aesthetic issue for tenants. It can become a compliance matter.
Practically, the investment property priorities are:
Neutral tones that appeal broadly and don't date quickly
Quality hardware on drawers and doors — the cheap stuff fails fast and generates maintenance calls
A durable benchtop — stone or quality laminate, not budget composite
Practical tapware and a sink that are easy to clean
Simple, clean cabinetry without fussy details that age poorly
The spend should be proportionate to the property's rental value and market position. If you manage multiple investment properties across Perth, take a look at how we approach property maintenance to keep everything in good condition between tenancies.
Pre-sale kitchen renovations
According to REIWA (Real Estate Institute of Western Australia), Perth's property market remains highly competitive and well-presented properties consistently sell faster and for stronger results. The kitchen is one of the first rooms buyers look at seriously, and a dated kitchen is one of the most common reasons buyers mentally reduce their offer.
That doesn't mean spending $50,000 before every sale. It means presenting a kitchen that looks clean, functional and cared for. In many cases, new benchtops, updated tapware, a fresh splashback and a coat of paint deliver more buyer confidence than a full renovation at a fraction of the cost.
Talk to your real estate agent before committing to a large spend. They'll have a direct read on what buyers in your suburb expect. If you're doing multiple rooms before listing, our guide to pre-sale property improvements is worth reading before you decide where to put the budget.
One team for the whole project
Kitchen renovations involve more moving parts than most homeowners expect going in. Getting the outcome right means having trades that communicate well, work in the correct sequence and take responsibility for the finished result rather than just their individual piece of it.
This & That handles kitchen renovations across Perth — renovations, plumbing, gas fitting, carpentry and all the coordination in between. One point of contact from start to finish.
If you're planning a kitchen renovation, get in touch for a quote: call 0487 606 491 or get in touch online.
