Kitchens age faster than any other room in an Indian home. Twenty years of tadka, steam and water wear out the cabinets under the sink, crack the tiles behind the hob, rust the galvanised iron pipes inside the walls and overload wiring that was never designed for a microwave, a chimney, a water purifier, an induction hob and a dishwasher. Many families in older flats and bungalows still cook on a builder's platform — granite on a kadappa or RCC slab, with open shelves or a few shutters below — and want the storage, finish and convenience of a modular kitchen.
The question "how much does a kitchen renovation cost?" draws answers from ₹40,000 to ₹8 lakh, and all of them can be honest, because they describe different jobs. Replacing shutters and hinges on sound cabinets is one job. Fitting new modular cabinets under an existing platform is another. Breaking out the old platform, renewing the pipes and wiring, relaying the floor and building a new kitchen from bare walls is a third. This article prices all three, line by line, using the same rates as this site's modular kitchen guides, so that the numbers can be checked and compared.
The reference throughout is the kitchen used in this site's 3BHK kitchen cost guide: an L-shaped kitchen of about 8 × 10 ft (2450 × 3050 mm) with a tall unit, lofts and a small utility area. Smaller and larger kitchens are priced by layout later in the article. All prices are indicative October 2026 ranges for tier-2 cities such as Surat, excluding GST and appliances unless stated; metros typically run higher.
Three scopes of kitchen renovation
The first step in any budget is to name the scope. A refresh keeps the cabinets, the platform and the services, and changes what is seen and touched: shutters, hinges and handles, perhaps the backsplash, and paint. A partial renovation keeps the walls, floor and services but replaces the storage — typically new modular cabinets fitted under an existing granite platform, with a new sink, backsplash and some electrical points. A full renovation strips the kitchen to its walls and slab, renews water lines and kitchen circuits, relays the floor, repairs the walls and installs a complete new modular kitchen with a new counter.
| Scope | What changes | What stays | Indicative cost, reference kitchen (October 2026) | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refresh | Shutters, hinges, handles, backsplash tiles, paint | Carcasses, platform, plumbing, wiring, floor | ≈ ₹34,000–73,000 | 1–2 weeks |
| Partial renovation | New modular cabinets, sink, backsplash, some electrical points, paint | Existing granite platform, floor, main pipes and wiring | ≈ ₹2.66–3.82 lakh (mid-range) | 4–6 weeks |
| Full renovation | Everything to bare walls: platform, pipes, kitchen circuits, floor, walls, new kitchen | Structure, window, gas supply point | ≈ ₹2.66–4.13 basic · ₹3.63–5.56 mid · ₹5.61–8.68 lakh premium | 7–11 weeks |
| Full renovation with layout change | As full, plus moving the sink, hob or a wall | Structure | Full renovation plus plumbing, gas and civil quotes | Add 1–3 weeks; approvals may be needed |
How Indian kitchens got here
Most Indian homes built before the spread of modular kitchens had a masonry kitchen: a platform of granite, kadappa or polished stone laid on an RCC or stone slab, supported on brick or concrete walls, with open shelves or carpenter-made shutters beneath, a stainless-steel sink set into the stone, and white glazed tiles to full height on the walls. Water came through galvanised iron pipes, and the kitchen had perhaps two sockets. That kitchen was robust, but it was built for a different life — fewer appliances, more open storage, and cooking on a gas stove that stood on the platform. This site's history of the Indian kitchen traces that change in detail.
The modular kitchen arrived in Indian cities as factory-made cabinets, soft-close hardware, built-in hobs and chimneys became widely available, and it became the default in new flats over the last two decades. The kitchens now being renovated are therefore of two kinds: older masonry kitchens being converted to modular for the first time, and early modular kitchens — often in particle board or MDF — whose carcasses have swollen near the sink and whose hinges have failed. The two need different budgets. A masonry kitchen usually needs the full renovation layer; an early modular kitchen sometimes needs only new carcasses under the sink and a refresh elsewhere.
The full renovation, line by line
A full kitchen renovation is best priced as two parts added together. The first is the new kitchen itself, priced exactly as it would be in a new flat. This site's 3BHK kitchen guide puts a complete L-shaped kitchen with tall unit, lofts, counter, sink, backsplash, utility storage and kitchen electrical points at about ₹2.03–2.90 lakh basic, ₹3.00–4.33 lakh mid-range and ₹4.98–7.45 lakh premium. The second is the renovation layer — the work that exists only because there is an old kitchen to remove and old services to replace.
| Line (reference L-kitchen with utility) | Basic (₹ lakh) | Mid-range (₹ lakh) | Premium (₹ lakh) | Rate basis (indicative October 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New kitchen — cabinetry, counter, sink, backsplash, utility units, kitchen points | 2.03–2.90 | 3.00–4.33 | 4.98–7.45 | As this site's 3BHK modular kitchen guide |
| Remove old platform, cabinets and tiles; cart debris | 0.10–0.25 | 0.10–0.25 | 0.10–0.25 | ₹10,000–25,000 per kitchen |
| Renew water supply lines (GI to CPVC or PPR) | 0.20–0.30 | 0.20–0.30 | 0.20–0.30 | Kitchen and utility lines |
| Remove and relay floor, ≈ 120 sq ft | 0.12–0.24 | 0.12–0.24 | 0.12–0.24 | Removal ₹12–40 + vitrified laid ₹85–160 per sq ft |
| Rewire kitchen circuits back to the distribution board | 0.15–0.35 | 0.15–0.35 | 0.15–0.35 | Dedicated circuits for hob, oven, dishwasher, chimney |
| Wall repair and repaint, ≈ 300 sq ft | 0.06–0.09 | 0.06–0.09 | 0.06–0.09 | Premium emulsion ₹20–30 per sq ft all-in |
| Renovation layer subtotal | 0.63–1.23 | 0.63–1.23 | 0.63–1.23 | ≈ ₹63,000–1.23 lakh |
| Total, before appliances and GST | 2.66–4.13 | 3.63–5.56 | 5.61–8.68 | New kitchen + renovation layer |
Two points help in reading the table. First, the renovation layer is roughly the same at every level, because removing an old platform or renewing pipes costs about the same whatever the shutters are made of; it therefore weighs heavily on a basic kitchen (about a quarter of the total) and lightly on a premium one (about a seventh). Second, the kitchen-circuit line is the one most often cut and most often regretted. An older kitchen may have only one or two sockets on a shared circuit; a modern kitchen with a chimney, hob ignition, microwave or oven, water purifier, mixer and perhaps a dishwasher needs properly rated dedicated circuits with MCB and RCCB protection, installed by a licensed electrician.
The partial renovation in the scope table is built the same way, with the existing platform kept and utility storage excluded: mid-range cabinetry at ₹2.20–3.00 lakh, a new sink and faucet at ₹0.10–0.18 lakh, a backsplash at ₹0.15–0.30 lakh, kitchen electrical points at ₹0.15–0.25 lakh and a repaint at ₹0.06–0.09 lakh — about ₹2.66–3.82 lakh in all. It suits kitchens whose platform is sound and at a comfortable height, and whose pipes and wiring have been checked.
What comes out, and what goes in
The physical difference between an old masonry kitchen and a modular one explains much of the renovation cost. The old platform is a heavy stone slab on brick or concrete supports, often 600–650 mm deep and at whatever height the builder chose — sometimes as low as 800 mm, sometimes over 900 mm. Removing it means breaking the supports, lifting the stone, carting the debris and repairing the wall plaster and the floor where the supports stood. The modular kitchen that replaces it is a set of 18 mm board carcasses on adjustable legs behind a plinth, with the counter laid on top at a chosen working height, usually 850–900 mm.
The renovation layer, item by item
Each line of the renovation layer has a reason and a risk. The figures below are the per-item rates behind the subtotal in the main table, with notes on what drives them up.
| Item | Indicative rate (October 2026) | Reference kitchen | What drives it up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old platform, cabinets and dado tiles removed; debris carted | ₹10,000–25,000 per kitchen | ₹10,000–25,000 | Thick RCC slabs, society debris rules, upper floors without a lift |
| Water supply lines renewed | ₹20,000–30,000 for kitchen and utility | ₹20,000–30,000 | Long runs back to the shaft; concealed lines in old plaster |
| Floor removed and relaid in vitrified tile | ≈ ₹97–200 per sq ft (removal + laid) | ≈ 120 sq ft: ₹11,640–24,000 | Uneven screed, level changes at the door |
| Kitchen circuits rewired to the DB | ₹15,000–35,000 | ₹15,000–35,000 | Distance to the DB; a new DB if the old one is full or unsafe |
| Wall plaster repair and repaint | ₹20–30 per sq ft (premium emulsion all-in) | ≈ 300 sq ft: ₹6,000–9,000 | Hollow plaster, damp and salt marks behind old tiles |
| Gypsum false ceiling (optional) | ₹60–80 per sq ft plain | ≈ 80 sq ft: ₹4,800–6,400 | Coves, profile lights, access panels for ducts |
| Chimney duct core through the wall (optional) | Contractor quote | One opening | RCC wall or beam in the way — never cut structure without an engineer |
| Moving the sink or hob (optional) | Plumbing and gas quotes | Varies | Drain slope to the shaft; gas line changes by an authorised agency |
The optional lines are where budgets break. Moving a sink to another wall needs a drain with enough slope to reach the building's shaft, which may mean raising the floor or running a pipe through a wall; moving a hob means re-routing the gas line, which must be done by the gas company or an authorised installer, especially for piped natural gas. Cutting an opening for a chimney duct in an RCC wall or beam is a structural question and should never be done without a structural engineer's approval. Where these moves are not essential, a better layout around the existing sink, hob and duct positions is usually the cheaper path.
Costs by kitchen layout
Not every kitchen is an 8 × 10 ft L. The table below applies the same method to other layouts, using this site's 2026 cabinetry bands by layout, a mid-range figure of about ₹0.60–1.03 lakh for the counter, sink, backsplash and kitchen points (from the reference kitchen), and the same renovation layer. Utility storage is excluded here; add about ₹0.15–0.60 lakh if a utility area is fitted out.
| Layout (typical size) | Cabinetry band (₹ lakh) | Counter, sink, backsplash, points (₹ lakh) | Renovation layer (₹ lakh) | Indicative full renovation (₹ lakh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight, 8–10 ft single run | 1.2–2.0 | 0.60–1.03 | 0.63–1.23 | 2.43–4.26 |
| L-shape, 10 × 8 ft and up | 1.5–3.0 | 0.60–1.03 | 0.63–1.23 | 2.73–5.26 |
| Parallel, 8 × 10 ft, 1200 aisle | 1.5–3.0 | 0.60–1.03 | 0.63–1.23 | 2.73–5.26 |
| U-shape, 10 × 10 ft and up | 2.5–4.0 | 0.60–1.03 | 0.63–1.23 | 3.73–6.26 |
| Island, 14 × 12 ft and up | 4.0 + | 0.60–1.03 + | 0.63–1.23 + | 5.23 + (island services extra) |
Layout changes the cabinetry far more than the renovation layer. A U-shaped kitchen costs more mainly because of its extra corners and accessories, not because it is harder to strip out. An island adds its own services — a sink or hob on the island needs drain, water, power and sometimes ducting through the floor or ceiling — which should be priced separately after a site survey.
Refresh options: when the carcasses are sound
If the cabinets are dry, square and firmly fixed, and only the faces and hardware look tired, a refresh can transform a kitchen for a fraction of the cost. The test is simple: open the cabinet under the sink. If the base and sides are swollen, delaminated or soft, the carcass needs replacing at least there. If they are firm and dry, new shutters, hinges and handles on the existing boxes are usually a sound investment. The reference kitchen carries about 45 sq ft of base and wall unit fronts.
| Refresh item | Quantity | Indicative rate (October 2026) | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New laminate shutters | ≈ 45 sq ft | ₹350–650 per sq ft | 15,750–29,250 |
| — or acrylic shutters | ≈ 45 sq ft | ₹900–1,500 per sq ft | 40,500–67,500 |
| — or PU painted shutters | ≈ 45 sq ft | ₹1,000–1,800 per sq ft | 45,000–81,000 |
| Soft-close hardware upgrade | Two most-used units | ₹5,000–15,000 per unit | 10,000–30,000 |
| New backsplash tiles | ≈ 35–50 sq ft | Tile ₹65–160 per sq ft (basic band ₹0.02–0.05 lakh) | 2,000–5,000 |
| Repaint kitchen walls and ceiling | ≈ 300 sq ft | ₹20–30 per sq ft | 6,000–9,000 |
| Refresh total with laminate shutters | 33,750–73,250 |
The laminate refresh lands at about ₹34,000–73,000. Upgrading the shutters to acrylic or PU moves it to roughly ₹58,500–1.25 lakh, and a new counter — granite at about ₹10,000–15,000 or mid-range quartz at about ₹20,000–30,000 for the reference kitchen, as in the 3BHK guide — can be added if the old stone is cracked or stained. A refresh is not the right choice when the plumbing leaks, the wiring is unsafe or the layout does not work; spending on new faces for a kitchen that must be rebuilt in two years is the most expensive kind of saving.
What to keep and what to replace
| Element | Keep if | Replace if | Cost of getting it wrong |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carcasses | Dry, square, firmly fixed; no swelling under the sink | Swollen, delaminated, particle board near water | New shutters on failing boxes |
| Granite platform | Sound stone, right height and layout | Cracked, wrong height, poor layout | Living with a bad working height for years |
| Water pipes | Recent CPVC or PPR, good pressure | Galvanised iron, rust-coloured water, low pressure | Leaks inside new cabinets |
| Kitchen wiring | Dedicated circuits, earthing and RCCB present | Shared circuit, warm switches, no earth | Fire and shock risk; breaking new tiles later |
| Floor | Sound, level, no hollow tiles | Hollow, cracked, or units need a level floor | Cracked tiles under new units |
| Window | Seals well, opens freely | Leaking or corroded | Water damage to new wall units |
| Exhaust or chimney duct | Short, straight route to outside | Long bends, no outside wall | Poor extraction; grease on new cabinets |
How long a kitchen renovation takes
A full kitchen renovation is short compared with a whole-home renovation, but the family is without a kitchen for most of it, so the sequence matters. The key rule — the same one this site gives for home renovations — is to measure joinery only after walls and floors are final. That means strip-out, plumbing, wiring, floor and wall work come first; the final measurement follows; and factory production of the cabinets happens while the family cooks in a temporary kitchen.
| Stage | Typical duration | Why it cannot be rushed |
|---|---|---|
| Design, survey, selections | 1–2 weeks | Appliance models and sizes must be fixed before drawings |
| Strip-out and debris | 2–4 days | Noise limits and society debris rules |
| Plumbing and wiring | ≈ 1 week | Pressure test pipes and test circuits before closing walls |
| Floor, dado and plaster repair | ≈ 1–1.5 weeks | Adhesive and plaster need time before cabinets are fixed |
| Factory production | ≈ 3–5 weeks | Cutting, edge-banding and finishing after final measurement |
| Installation, counter, appliances, snags | ≈ 1–1.5 weeks | Counter is templated after base units are fixed and levelled |
| Total from design start | ≈ 7–11 weeks | Kitchen out of use for roughly 5–8 weeks |
Planning the renovation on the plan
Before any demolition, the renovation should be drawn on a measured plan that shows every service: the water inlet, the drain, the gas point, the window, the duct route for the chimney, the distribution board, and every socket with its height. Fig. 4 shows the reference kitchen marked up this way. A plan like this lets plumbers, electricians and the cabinet maker work from one drawing, and it is the single best protection against the expensive clash — a socket behind a tall unit, a drain under a drawer stack, a duct through a beam.
Living through a kitchen renovation
Families who stay at home during the work need a temporary kitchen for five to eight weeks. A table with an induction cooktop, a microwave, a kettle and a water purifier in the dining area, a basin or the utility tap for washing, and a few storage boxes covers most needs; plan sockets on a safe circuit and keep cooking away from dust. Dust control matters too: seal the kitchen door with plastic sheet, keep the work area under negative ventilation with an exhaust fan or open window where possible, and agree daily cleaning with the contractor. In housing societies, check the permitted working hours, the rules for carrying debris through the lobby and lift, and any refundable deposit; this site's renovation guides note typical society deposits and charges of about ₹10,000–30,000 for a whole-home job, usually less for a kitchen.
Where kitchen renovation is heading
Three changes are shaping kitchen renovation in Indian cities. Piped natural gas is replacing cylinders in many areas, which fixes the hob position more firmly and makes gas-line changes a job for the gas company. Electrical loads are rising, with induction hobs, built-in ovens, dishwashers and air fryers, so kitchen circuits are being designed rather than extended. And factory joinery is getting more precise and faster, with 3D measurement and CNC cutting shortening production times. In Aaditya Interior's renovation projects, the most reliable budgets come from the same discipline every time: survey the services first, fix the appliances and the layout, then price the renovation layer and the new kitchen separately, so that each can be compared with the market.
Rules for budgeting a kitchen renovation
- Name the scope — refresh, partial or full — and get every quotation for the same scope.
- Price a full renovation as new kitchen plus renovation layer; on the reference kitchen the layer is about ₹63,000–1.23 lakh.
- Open the cabinet under the sink before choosing a refresh; swollen or soft carcasses need replacing.
- Never skip dedicated kitchen circuits, RCCB protection or the renewal of old galvanised pipes.
- Keep the sink near the drain and the hob near the gas point unless the gain justifies new plumbing and gas work.
- Do not cut RCC walls or beams for ducts without a structural engineer's approval.
- Measure the cabinets only after floors, dado and plaster are complete, and fix appliance models first.
- Keep a 10–15 per cent contingency on the renovation layer, and check whether quotes include GST and debris removal.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to renovate a kitchen in India in 2026?
Indicatively, about ₹34,000–73,000 for a refresh, about ₹2.66–3.82 lakh for new mid-range cabinets under an existing platform, and about ₹2.66–4.13 lakh basic, ₹3.63–5.56 lakh mid-range or ₹5.61–8.68 lakh premium for a full renovation of an 8 × 10 ft L-shaped kitchen with utility, before appliances and GST.
What does it cost to convert an old kitchen platform to a modular kitchen?
Removing the old platform and carting debris costs about ₹10,000–25,000. If the granite is kept and modular units are fitted beneath it, the job is a partial renovation at about ₹2.66–3.82 lakh mid-range. If the platform is replaced with a new counter at a better height, it becomes a full renovation, about ₹3.63–5.56 lakh mid-range for the reference kitchen.
Can only the kitchen shutters be replaced?
Yes, if the carcasses are dry, square and firmly fixed. New laminate shutters for about 45 sq ft of fronts cost about ₹15,750–29,250, acrylic about ₹40,500–67,500 and PU about ₹45,000–81,000, plus hinges and handles. Check the cabinet under the sink first; swollen boards there mean at least that unit needs a new carcass.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
A full renovation typically takes about 7–11 weeks from design start, with the kitchen out of use for roughly 5–8 weeks while services, floors and walls are completed and the cabinets are made in the factory. A refresh takes one to two weeks, and a partial renovation about four to six.
Is a kitchen renovation worth doing before selling a flat?
Usually a refresh is enough — new shutters, hardware, a clean backsplash and paint make an old kitchen presentable for a modest outlay. A full renovation before sale rarely returns its full cost, because buyers often want to choose their own kitchen. Fix leaks and unsafe wiring in either case.
Sources & standards
- Bureau of Indian Standards — IS 303 (plywood for general purposes) and IS 710 (marine plywood), for carcass grades
- Bureau of Indian Standards — IS 732 (electrical wiring installations) and IS 12640 (residual current operated circuit breakers), for kitchen circuits
- Bureau of Indian Standards — IS 15778 (CPVC pipes for hot and cold water) and IS 15801 (polypropylene random copolymer pipes), for supply lines
- National Building Code of India 2016, Part 8 (Building Services) and Part 9 (Plumbing Services) — electrical, ventilation and plumbing in kitchens
- Neufert, Architects' Data — kitchen planning dimensions and counter heights
- Aaditya Interior blog — Modular Kitchen Cost for a 3BHK Flat; Modular Kitchen Price in India; Home Renovation Cost Per Sq Ft (for the kitchen and renovation rates reused here)
- Price ranges: indicative October 2026 estimates — confirm locally before budgeting
