Kitchen renovation cost in India in 2026 typically ranges from about ₹1.7 lakh for an essential full renovation of a 10'×8' kitchen to ₹5 lakh–₹7.8 lakh for a luxury one, while a light refresh without demolition can cost ₹40,000 to ₹1.2 lakh. The modular cabinets are the biggest single line item, but demolition, plumbing, electrical, tiling and ceiling work together typically make up 35 to 50 per cent of the total. This guide breaks the budget down line by line, explains what pushes an old kitchen renovation higher, and shows where you can save.
If you are fitting a kitchen in a new home with no demolition, our modular kitchen cost guide covers cabinet layouts, materials and finishes in detail. This article covers the full cost of tearing out and rebuilding an existing kitchen.
Kitchen Renovation Cost at a Glance (2026)
Indicative Delhi NCR ranges for a typical 10'×8' L-shaped kitchen with about 16 running feet of counter, before GST and appliances:
| Scope | Indicative cost | What it usually covers |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh (no demolition) | ₹40,000 – ₹1.2 lakh | New shutters or laminate on existing carcass, new countertop or backsplash, hardware, paint, lights |
| Essential renovation | ₹1.7 – ₹2.6 lakh | Tear-out, new plumbing and electrical points, vitrified tiles, laminate modular kitchen, granite top, gypsum ceiling |
| Premium renovation | ₹2.9 – ₹4.5 lakh | BWP plywood carcass, acrylic or matte shutters, quartz top, soft-close hardware, profile lighting |
| Luxury renovation | ₹5 – ₹7.8 lakh | PU or glass shutters, tall units, sintered stone or premium quartz, large-format tiles, layered lighting |
These ranges sit close to the kitchen figures in our interior cost calculator (about ₹1.6 lakh essential, ₹3.2 lakh premium and ₹6 lakh luxury for a kitchen fit-out), with the renovation adding demolition and civil work. Larger kitchens, U-shaped and island layouts cost proportionately more.
Flats and independent houses differ too. In an apartment, society rules on working hours, debris removal and lift use can slow the job and add handling charges, and shafts shared with other flats limit where the sink can move. In an independent house or builder floor you have more freedom, but also more responsibility for drain slopes, external ducting and waterproofing over the room below.
Line-by-Line Kitchen Remodel Cost Breakdown
The same 10'×8' kitchen, itemised. Modular cabinetry is priced at about ₹7,500, ₹12,500 and ₹20,000 per running foot for essential, premium and luxury specifications respectively, including carcass, shutters and hardware.
| Item | Essential | Premium | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demolition and debris removal | ₹8,000 – 15,000 | ₹10,000 – 20,000 | ₹15,000 – 30,000 |
| Plumbing rework (supply, drain, sink and RO points) | ₹10,000 – 25,000 | ₹15,000 – 35,000 | ₹25,000 – 50,000 |
| Electrical rework (new points, dedicated appliance circuits) | ₹10,000 – 20,000 | ₹15,000 – 35,000 | ₹30,000 – 60,000 |
| Floor and wall tiles, including waterproofing under the sink | ₹15,000 – 30,000 | ₹30,000 – 60,000 | ₹60,000 – 1.2 lakh |
| Modular cabinets, ~16 running ft | ₹1.1 – 1.3 lakh | ₹1.8 – 2.2 lakh | ₹2.9 – 3.6 lakh |
| Countertop (~35 sq ft) | ₹4,000 – 12,000 (granite) | ₹9,000 – 25,000 (quartz) | ₹25,000 – 50,000 |
| False ceiling and lighting | ₹10,000 – 20,000 | ₹20,000 – 40,000 | ₹40,000 – 80,000 |
| Painting and finishing | ₹5,000 – 10,000 | ₹8,000 – 15,000 | ₹15,000 – 25,000 |
| Indicative total | ₹1.7 – 2.6 lakh | ₹2.9 – 4.5 lakh | ₹5 – 7.8 lakh |
Not included: chimney, hob and other appliances (a chimney and hob together typically add ₹25,000 to ₹90,000), GST on the modular work (commonly 18 per cent), and design fees if charged separately. City factors apply too: Gurugram typically runs about 8 per cent above these figures, Delhi about 5 per cent, and Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Greater Noida about 3 per cent below.
Free toolInterior Design Cost EstimatorBudget range for home interiors — by BHK, rooms and finish level.Try it freeWhat Pushes an Old Kitchen Renovation Higher
Old kitchen renovation in a house or flat that is 15 to 25 years old usually uncovers work that a new kitchen never needs.
- Old GI pipes: galvanised iron supply lines rust from inside. Replacing them with CPVC while the walls are open is almost always worth it.
- Concealed seepage: a leaking trap or waste line often shows up as damp skirting, swollen cabinets or damage in the room below. Fix and waterproof before tiling.
- Undersized wiring: older kitchens were not wired for a chimney, microwave, oven, dishwasher and RO at once. Dedicated circuits and a load check by a licensed electrician are needed.
- Kota or stone platforms: removing a built-in RCC or stone platform takes more labour and debris handling than removing cabinets.
- Termites: old wooden cabinets and door frames may need anti-termite treatment before new units go in.
- Uneven walls and floors: re-plastering and levelling are needed for modular units to fit without gaps.
Keep a contingency of 10 to 15 per cent for older homes; it is usually needed.
Layout Changes: The Biggest Cost Swing
Keeping the sink, hob and window where they are is the cheapest renovation. Each layout change adds cost:
- Moving the sink: a new drain line needs proper slope, and may need core-cutting through a wall or floor.
- Moving the hob: piped-gas lines must be rerouted by the gas provider or an authorised technician, and the chimney duct needs a new wall opening.
- Opening the kitchen to the dining area: removing a wall is structural work in many homes. Get a qualified structural engineer to check it, and in apartments get society permission first.
- Adding an island: needs floor space of at least 3'6" around it and, often, new floor-level power or plumbing.
If you are relocating the sink or hob anyway, it is a good moment to fix their placement for Vastu too; our guide to kitchen sink and stove placement shows workable arrangements for each layout.
Partial Upgrades That Cost Less
If the carcass is sound and the plumbing is healthy, a partial renovation can transform the kitchen for a fraction of the cost.
- Replace shutters only: new laminate or acrylic shutters and soft-close hinges on the existing boxes.
- Swap the countertop: a new granite or quartz top with fresh sink and hob cut-outs.
- New backsplash: tiles or a toughened glass panel between counter and wall cabinets.
- Add under-cabinet lighting: LED strips on a separate switch, a small cost for a big difference while cooking.
- Upgrade internals: pull-outs, cutlery organisers and a tall pantry unit in place of an awkward corner.
Check the carcass carefully first. Swollen boards near the sink mean the boxes need replacing, and new shutters on a failing carcass waste money.
How to Keep the Budget Under Control
- Get a measured drawing: a site-measured layout with every plumbing, gas and electrical point marked is the only basis for comparing quotes.
- Ask for line items: demolition, civil, plumbing, electrical, tiling, cabinetry, countertop and ceiling priced separately, with material brands named.
- Spend on what is hard to redo: plumbing, waterproofing, wiring and the carcass; save on decorative shutters and trendy handles you can change later.
- Buy appliances before final drawings: chimney, hob and oven sizes decide the cabinet cut-outs.
- Plan the sequence: demolition, plumbing and electrical, waterproofing, tiling, ceiling, then cabinets. A kitchen typically stays out of use for a few weeks, so plan a temporary cooking area.
For renovating other rooms at the same time, our guide to house renovation cost in India gives per-sq-ft and room-wise budgets.
Get an Itemised Kitchen Renovation Estimate
A kitchen renovation quote is only reliable once someone has opened the sink cabinet, checked the pipes and wiring, and measured the walls. Panache Architect's renovation team handles kitchens end to end across Gurugram, Delhi, Noida and the NCR, from drawings and civil work to modular installation. Book a free site visit and estimate to get an itemised budget for your kitchen.
