Renovation quotes can vary 40% for the same flat. Understanding what each line item should cost puts you back in control of the conversation.
Itemised cost benchmarks (2026)
- Carpentry: $250–$450 per foot run for kitchen cabinets; $250–$400 for wardrobes. Usually the largest single category.
- Flooring: vinyl $4–$8 psf installed; tiles $10–$18 psf including screed; engineered timber $12–$25 psf.
- Wet works: bathroom overhaul $8,000–$15,000 each; kitchen $6,000–$12,000 excluding carpentry.
- Electrical: $80–$120 per point; full rewiring $3,000–$6,000.
- Painting: $1,200–$2,500 for a whole flat.
- Hacking & disposal: $2,000–$8,000 depending on scope.
Where homeowners overspend
Feature walls that date quickly, over-built carpentry in rooms that don't need it, and premium finishes in low-traffic zones. A good designer spends where hands touch daily — kitchen surfaces, wardrobe internals, bathroom fittings — and saves elsewhere.
Where not to cut
Waterproofing, electrical works and hinges/runners inside carpentry. Failures here cost multiples of the original savings to fix.
Getting honest quotes
Always compare quotes against the same written brief, and ask for per-item rates rather than lump sums. Better still, let us match you with firms whose pricing fits your declared budget tier — it's free.