Pricing & Budgeting
How Much Does a Kitchen Renovation Cost in South Africa?
Honest pricing breakdowns for 2025–2026, from budget refreshes to full custom builds
7 min read · Cupboards2Cabinets design team
Kitchen pricing in South Africa is quoted in so many different ways that comparing two quotes is genuinely difficult. This is a plain breakdown of what drives the number, with realistic 2025–2026 ranges for Gauteng.
01Typical ranges
These figures assume cabinetry, worktops, installation and basic plumbing adjustments — not appliances, flooring, or structural work.
- Door and worktop refresh on existing carcasses: R45 000 – R90 000
- New melamine kitchen, standard layout: R95 000 – R180 000
- Vinyl-wrap or sprayed MDF with quartz tops: R180 000 – R320 000
- Full bespoke with veneer, stone and premium hardware: R350 000 upward
02What actually moves the price
Linear metres of cabinetry, worktop material, and hardware brand account for most of the variance. Board thickness, edging quality and drawer-box construction matter enormously to longevity but only modestly to price — which is exactly why they are the first things a cheap quote cuts.
Site conditions matter too: an out-of-square wall, a rerouted gas point, or a first-floor installation without lift access all add labour hours.
03How to compare quotes fairly
Ask every supplier for the same five specifications and you will immediately see where a low number is coming from.
- Carcass board type and thickness (16mm vs 18mm, moisture-resistant or not)
- Edging: 0.45mm tape or 2mm ABS
- Hinge and runner brand, plus soft-close on every unit or only some
- Drawer box construction — metal-sided or timber
- Worktop material, thickness and edge detail
The takeaway
A kitchen quote is only comparable when the specification is comparable. Get the board, edging and hardware detail in writing before you look at the total.
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