Kitchen cost calculator

Size of kitchen

Clicking on one of the radio buttons shown here is the same as clicking on one of the kitchen plans shown in the previous step, with the exception of "custom" which allows you set your own values for the splashback and bench top, etc.

Splashbacks

Splashbacks can be made of a variety of products and vary greatly in price. The standard splashbacks are made of tile or acrylic (e.g., see http://www.ozziesplash.com.au). Premium splashbacks can be made of stainless steel, glass, stone composite, natural stone or acrylic sheeting. An example of an opulent type splashback made of laminex can be found here: http://www.laminex.com.au/products.aspx.

To work out the area you need measure the lengths of all your bench space by the height you prefer. It can be 200mm high as show below or 600mm high it will depend on what is taking place in particular area of the kitchen. The most cost affective splashback for the DIY kitchen renovator is tiles as no trades are involved and tile splashbacks are back in vogue!

Benchtops

Tiled DIY benchtops can look fantastic and are the most economical option. For more benchtop options consider laminate (the most popular), stainless steel, granite, marble, terrazzo or even timber for a rustic look.

Sinks

There are four basic types of sinks. The standard is a drop in sink made of stainless steel and is very light in weight. The second is also a stainless steel but the sheet metal is thicker and stronger (premium). Undermounted sinks and ceramic sinks come into the "opulent" range.

Mixers

There are a million mixers to chose from and also many moving parts inside these devices which can make them less reliable than a standard tap and spout.

Taps & spout

This is a classic option and less liable to break than when compared to a mixer with all its moving parts.

Cabinet doors

There are many creative options. A great cost effective DIY option is curtain doors. Preformed and laminated MDF doors (premium) are the next most economical door option. Polyurethane coated doors are an "opulent" option as are glass inserts and hand painted solid timber doors.

Drawers

Everybody loves having drawers in the kitchen but it will cost you, and there are some areas such as under the sink where standard drawers just don't work. Yes there is the nifty drawer with cut-out options but remember anything non-standard is extra.

Soft drawer closers

These devices stop drawers from slamming shut. When pushed close they stop 20mm short of closing and then the drawer self closes.

Cabinet carcases

Cabinet carcases includes any open shelving and all cabinetry that sits behind the door and drawer fronts.

Cabinet handles

There is a virtual cornucopia of handles on the market so choose ones that will best suite the style of your kitchen.

Bins

Bins, bins, bins. Make sure you don't forget about integrating the bin into your cabinetry and if you choose not to integrate make sure that you design the kitchen plan with a good space for the bin, out of site, not in the pantry and out of the way of kitchen traffic. And do not forget about recycling and composting!

Dishwashers

The lower end dishwashers need regular maintence and cleaning and are generally very noisy so if you can afford a good quality machine, buy one!

Cooking ranges or uprights

Combined cook top and oven units are very popular at present and the higher end units can set you back many thousands of dollars. However if you are on a budget and just need a "cheapy to get you through" the lower end ranges are very economical and do their job just fine.

Range hoods

These devices help ventilate or circulate air in the kitchen over the cooking area. The ventilated options will need to be ducted to the roof or an external wall and are more expensive to buy and fit than a circulating unit. The circulating option does not vent any air out of the kitchen it just filters the air and pushes the air back into the kitchen.

Refrigerators

Most people already own a fridge so if that is the case, just put "0" (zero) in this field but if you don't have one, or the one you have is going to become a beer fridge and sit in the garage then happy shopping! Full size kitchen fridges vary in price from $450.00 to over $13,000 (hard to believe, but true nevertheless).

Kickboards

A vertical panel usually made of particle board covered with laminate and located above between the floor and the bottom of the cabinetry.

Microwaves

Microwaves can almost be categorised as a plug-in appliance like a toaster, but given the space they take up it is worth having a kitchen designed with a spot set aside for one.