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Lets break it down.

Kitchen renovation Overview

Kitchen renovation costs in Ireland vary significantly depending on:

  • Cabinet specification
  • Worktop material
  • Appliance selection
  • Structural changes
  • Services relocation
  • Labour scope

For 2026, a full kitchen renovation typically ranges between:

€12,000 and €45,000+

depending on size and finish level.

This guide breaks down cost levels into:

  • Budget
  • Mid-range
  • High-end

and explains what each typically includes.

Cost per m² for Kitchen Renovations


While kitchens are rarely priced strictly per m², approximate benchmarks can be applied.

Spec LevelApprox €/m² (Full Renovation)
Budget€1,000 – €1,500
Mid-Range€1,500 – €2,200
High-End€2,200 – €3,500

Note:

Small kitchens often have higher effective €/m² due to fixed appliance and cabinetry costs.

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Budget Kitchen Renovation (Entry-Level)

Typical Total Cost Range

€12,000 – €18,000

Assumes:

Standard appliance package

Small to medium kitchen (8–15m²)

Minimal layout changes

No structural alterations

Basic cabinet system

Laminate worktops

ComponentTypical Cost
Cabinets€5,000 – €8,000
Worktops (laminate)€1,000 – €2,000
Appliances (standard package)€2,000 – €3,500
Plumbing & electrics€1,500 – €3,000
Installation labour€2,000 – €4,000
Total€12,000 – €18,000

Characteristics

  • Off-the-shelf cabinet systems
  • Limited customisation
  • No island (in most cases)
  • Minimal electrical upgrades
  • Standard splashback tiling
  • No structural wall removal

Budget kitchens focus on refresh rather than reconfiguration.

Mid-Range Kitchen Renovation

Typical Total Cost Range

€18,000 – €30,000

Assumes:

Upgraded lighting scheme

Medium-sized kitchen (12–20m²)

Some layout modifications

Island installation (possible)

Quartz or mid-tier worktops

Integrated appliances

ComponentTypical Cost
Cabinets (semi-custom)€8,000 – €15,000
Quartz worktops€2,500 – €4,500
Appliances (integrated)€4,000 – €7,000
Plumbing & electrics€3,000 – €6,000
Flooring€1,500 – €3,000
Installation labour€4,000 – €7,000
Total€18,000 – €30,000

Characteristics

  • Greater cabinet customisation
  • Island or peninsula
  • Integrated appliances
  • LED lighting upgrades
  • Possible minor structural alterations
  • Better finish quality

Mid-range kitchens represent the most common renovation tier in Ireland.

High-End Kitchen Renovation

Typical Total Cost Range

€30,000 – €45,000+

High-end kitchens often form part of:

  • Larger renovation projects
  • Extension builds
  • Full open-plan reconfigurations

Costs can exceed €50,000 where major structural work is involved.

  • Fully bespoke cabinetry
  • Large island with seating
  • Feature lighting plan
  • Underfloor heating (sometimes)
  • Structural wall removals
  • Premium appliance brands
  • High-end finishes throughout

Budget kitchens focus on refresh rather than reconfiguration.

ComponentTypical Cost
Custom cabinetry€15,000 – €25,000
Premium worktops (granite / premium quartz)€4,000 – €8,000
Appliance suite (premium brands)€7,000 – €15,000
Structural changes€5,000 – €15,000
Electrical & lighting scheme€4,000 – €8,000
Flooring€3,000 – €6,000
Installation & project management€6,000 – €12,000
Total€30,000 – €45,000+

Structural Impact on Cost Levels

Kitchen renovations become significantly more expensive when:

  • Removing load-bearing walls
  • Installing steel beams
  • Relocating plumbing
  • Altering external walls
  • Installing large glazing elements

Structural integration can add:

€5,000 – €20,000+

to an otherwise mid-range kitchen.

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Pitfalls to watch out for

VAT on Kitchen Renovations

Kitchen renovations fall under:

13.5% VAT on construction services
23% VAT on standalone materials

Appliance purchases from retailers typically incur 23% VAT.

VAT increases total project cost by several thousand euro in most cases.

Why Kitchen Costs Vary Dramatically

Variation is driven by:

  • Cabinet manufacturing method
  • Worktop material
  • Appliance brand
  • Layout reconfiguration
  • Structural requirements
  • Electrical upgrade scope
  • Installation quality

Two kitchens of identical size can differ by €20,000+ based solely on specification.

Kitchen Costs Examples by cost

Budget Kitchen (12m²)

ItemCost
Renovation€15,000
VAT (13.5%)€2,025
Contingency (5%)€750
Total€17,775

Mid-Range Kitchen (18m²)

ItemCost
Renovation€25,000
VAT€3,375
Contingency (7%)€1,750
Total€30,125

High-End Kitchen (25m² + Structural)

ItemCost
Renovation€40,000
VAT€5,400
Structural work€10,000
Contingency (8%)€3,200
Total€58,600
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For most Irish households in 2026:

Summary: Typical kitchen renovation costs in Ireland (2026):

Budget: €12,000 – €18,000
Mid-range: €18,000 – €30,000
High-end: €30,000 – €45,000+

Structural changes and premium finishes drive the largest cost increases.

Kitchen renovations are highly specification-dependent.


Other resources:

Cabinet and Joinery Costs

Worktop Material Costs

Appliance Package Costs

Understanding Kitchen Quotes

Upgrade Costs Explained

Labour Cost Breakdown

Layout and Structural Costs