Budget
Is there a cheaper way than a full renovation?
Sometimes. If the carcasses are sound and the layout works, new doors, a new benchtop, a splashback, a sink and tapware can refresh a kitchen for considerably less. Where the carcasses have swollen, the layout is wrong or the services are old, a refresh can be money spent twice.
What makes the biggest difference to the cost?
Moving services, the joinery finish and hardware, the benchtop material and detailing, any structural change, and access to the site. The cost page explains each.
Can I supply my own appliances?
Generally yes, provided exact models are confirmed during design so the joinery is built to suit, and they arrive before installation.
Houses, heritage and councils
My house is in a heritage conservation area. What changes?
Mostly external work. Internal kitchen renovations are usually straightforward. New or enlarged rear openings, skylights and additions are where heritage controls tend to apply. Listed heritage items can have protected internal fabric, so they are checked first.
Which council am I in?
Mosman and Balmoral: Mosman Council. Neutral Bay, Kurraba Point, Cammeray and most of Cremorne: North Sydney Council. Chatswood, Willoughby and Artarmon: Willoughby City Council. Lane Cove, Longueville, Riverview and Greenwich: Lane Cove Council. Lindfield, Roseville and Killara: Ku-ring-gai Council. Boundaries do not always follow suburb names, so the property's planning certificate is the reliable reference.
Can a wall come out?
Often, after an inspection and, where the wall carries load, an engineer's design. In period houses, internal walls frequently carry ceiling or roof loads.
Apartments
What does the building control?
Plumbing stacks, exhaust routes, electrical supply, working hours, lift use and approvals. See apartment and strata kitchens.
Can a stone benchtop fit in the lift?
Slabs and long panels are measured against the lift car and stairwell before ordering. Where they will not fit, a join is designed in.
Materials
Which benchtop is best?
It depends on how the kitchen is used. Porcelain and granite handle heat and stains well; marble develops patina; stainless is hard-wearing and hygienic; timber is warm but needs care. See benchtops and splashbacks.
Two-pack or laminate?
Two-pack offers seamless colour and can be resprayed; high-pressure laminate is tougher against scratches and knocks and costs less. Many kitchens use both. See cabinetry and joinery.
Gas or induction?
Both work. Induction is efficient and easy to clean but needs electrical capacity that some older homes and units lack. Gas needs a licensed gasfitter and appropriate clearances.
Process
What is the order of work?
Measure, design, selections, quote, contract, approvals, manufacture, demolition, rough-in, joinery, benchtops, splashback and fit-off. See how a kitchen project runs.
Do I need a scullery?
Not always. If the house has the space and you entertain often, it keeps the main kitchen clear. See butler's pantries and sculleries.
Licensing and trust
Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder. Licence and insurance details are provided on request — ask at the first visit and verify them on the NSW Fair Trading register.
Call 02 5657 4821 or send your kitchen details through.
Questions people ask before they commit
How much does a kitchen renovation cost on the lower North Shore?
As a 2026 guide: around $28,000 to $45,000 for a new kitchen in the same layout, $45,000 to $75,000 for a custom kitchen with an island and natural stone or porcelain, and $75,000 to $130,000 or more for an architectural kitchen with a scullery or structural work. Apartment kitchens commonly fall between $30,000 and $60,000.
How long will we be without a kitchen?
Typically three to five weeks for a kitchen that keeps its footprint, because joinery is manufactured before demolition. The wait for benchtops to be templated and fabricated after the cabinets are installed is usually the longest part.
Do I need council approval?
An internal kitchen renovation in a house without structural change is generally exempt development in NSW. Structural alterations, external changes, and work on a listed heritage item may need approval from Mosman, North Sydney, Willoughby, Lane Cove or Ku-ring-gai Council.
Do I need strata approval?
For most apartments, yes. A kitchen renovation is generally a minor renovation under NSW strata law, needing notice and a general resolution of the owners corporation. Work affecting common property may need a special resolution and a by-law.
Can I still get engineered stone?
No. New engineered stone benchtops have been banned in Australia since 1 July 2024. Natural stone, porcelain, solid surface, stainless steel, timber and laminate remain available.
Should I worry about asbestos?
If the house or unit was built or renovated before about 1990, suspect materials such as splashback sheeting, wall linings, eaves and vinyl floors are tested before demolition. Any asbestos is removed by a licensed removalist.
What deposit can I be asked for?
No more than 10 per cent of the contract price for residential building work in NSW. For work over $20,000, home building compensation cover must be in place before the deposit is requested.
Who does the work?
Renovation work is carried out in partnership with Coastal Renovation Group, a licensed NSW builder. Licence and insurance details are provided on request.
Do you have reviews?
Not yet. This is a new website, and we have not invented ratings, testimonials or project counts. Ask for the builder's licence and insurance details and verify them yourself.