Planning a kitchen renovation raises a lot of questions. Below are honest answers to the ones Kapiti Coast and Wellington homeowners ask us most, from what a kitchen renovation really costs to how long it takes and what happens after we leave. They come from more than 40 years of designing, building and installing kitchens in our Paraparaumu workshop.
Can’t see your question? Call us on 04 902 9292 or book a free consultation.
Where most of our custom kitchens start. Many land between $25,000 and $70,000+.
From design approval to finished kitchen, with only the last part on site.
Family-owned and run by Justin and Lucy Williams, now three generations strong.
Designed and built in our own workshop at 46 Te Roto Drive.
Defects cover from completion, on top of your Building Act rights.
No obligation. Showroom open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.
It’s a relaxed, no-obligation conversation about how you want your kitchen to look and work. Most people start at our showroom at 46 Te Roto Drive in Paraparaumu, where you can see finished cabinetry, handle door and benchtop samples, and talk through budget and timing with our designers.
Bring photos of your current kitchen, rough measurements and any inspiration you’ve saved. When you’re ready to go further, we measure your space on site so the design fits your real walls, windows and services. Book your consultation here.
Either. Keeping your current layout is often the most cost-effective route, because the plumbing, power and gas stay where they are.
If the layout itself is the problem, such as a wasted corner, no bench space beside the cooktop or a fridge that blocks the walkway, we’ll show you what a new layout could do and what moving services would cost. That way you decide with the full picture.
Yes. We prepare detailed plans and 3D visualisations showing your layout, cabinetry, benchtops and finishes in your actual space.
It’s the easiest way to check proportions, test colour combinations and spot anything you’d like to change. Changes are simple at this stage, which is why we take the time to get the design right before anything goes into production in our workshop.
Start with your home’s architecture, then your own taste. Contemporary kitchens use clean lines, flat or handleless doors and minimal detailing, which suits newer builds and modern coastal homes. Traditional kitchens bring shaker or panelled doors, classic hardware and warmer detailing, which often sits more naturally in a villa or bungalow.
Plenty of our clients land somewhere in between. Browse finished kitchens in our project gallery, or see where design is heading in our 2026 kitchen design trends guide.
Yes, and it’s some of our favourite work. The Kapiti Coast has plenty of villas, bungalows and beach cottages where the kitchen needs to respect the original character while working like a modern space.
That usually means period-appropriate door styles and hardware, careful planning around fixed windows and chimneys, and allowing for walls and floors that are no longer perfectly square. Because we build every kitchen ourselves, we make the cabinetry fit the house rather than forcing the house to fit standard sizes.
Use height, corners and light. Taking cabinetry to the ceiling, fitting corner storage systems and choosing pull-out pantries over deep shelves will often add more usable storage than a bigger footprint would.
Lighter finishes, good under-cabinet lighting and integrated appliances also make a compact kitchen feel larger. Our guide to maximising space in small Kapiti Coast kitchens covers these ideas in more detail.
Allow at least 900mm of clear space between an island and the surrounding benches or appliances, and ideally 1,000mm to 1,200mm where people cook.
The wider measurement matters most opposite the oven, dishwasher and fridge, because doors need room to open while someone stands in front of them. If two people regularly cook together, plan towards the upper end. In a tight room, a narrower island or a peninsula often works better than squeezing in a full-size island.
Yes. We work from your architect’s or builder’s plans and can liaise with your builder so services are roughed in where the kitchen design needs them.
Getting us involved early, before plumbing and electrical positions are fixed, gives you the most freedom with layout and avoids costly changes on site later.
Yes. As well as kitchens, our Paraparaumu workshop builds bespoke cabinetry for wardrobes, bathroom vanities and home offices.
It’s made to the same standard as our kitchens, so finishes and hardware can carry through the house. See our services for more.
The big ones are too little bench space beside the cooktop and sink, walkways that are too narrow, storage that doesn’t suit how you actually cook, and lighting that leaves benches in shadow. Choosing finishes before the layout is settled is another.
We cover these in 10 kitchen design mistakes every Wellington homeowner must know, and our designers will flag them as we plan your kitchen. If you’re starting from scratch, our four-step design guide is a good place to begin.
Most New Zealand kitchen cabinets are built from melamine-faced board or MDF, with the door and drawer fronts finished separately. Moisture-resistant board is the sensible choice around the sink and dishwasher.
Fronts can be melamine, painted MDF, thermoformed, timber veneer or solid timber, each with a different look, durability and price. We work with New Zealand suppliers including Compac Panels, Sage Doors and Plantation Bamboo, and use premium hardware from suppliers such as Blum.
It depends on how you cook, your budget and the look you want. Engineered stone offers a wide colour range with low maintenance. Natural stone such as granite or marble has unique character but is porous, so it’s sealed and needs more care. Porcelain is very hard and heat resistant. Quality laminate gives the best value, and modern designs look convincing.
We’ll show you samples of each at the showroom and explain the trade-offs honestly for your kitchen and your budget.
Once it’s installed in your home, engineered stone is safe to live with. The health risk is to the people who fabricate it, because cutting and polishing it creates fine silica dust.
That’s why it matters who fabricates your benchtop. Reputable fabricators use water suppression and proper dust controls, and many manufacturers now offer lower-silica ranges. If you’d prefer a different material, we’re happy to talk through the alternatives.
Salt air and humidity are hardest on hardware, exposed edges and anything that can absorb moisture. We recommend moisture-resistant cabinet board, well-sealed edges around the sink and dishwasher, quality hinges and runners, and handle finishes that resist corrosion.
Ventilation matters just as much. A rangehood ducted to the outside keeps steam away from your cabinetry, which helps every material last longer, whether you’re on the beachfront at Raumati or further inland.
We use premium hardware from suppliers such as Blum, with soft-close mechanisms on drawers and doors. Good runners and hinges are what you notice every single day, so this is one area we never economise on.
Hardware carries its manufacturer’s warranty, which we’ll explain at handover.
Yes, and many clients choose their own appliances. We design the cabinetry around the exact models you pick, so have the model numbers ready before the design is finalised.
Items you supply are your responsibility for suitability and performance. If we store appliances for you before installation, that’s a courtesy only, so check your insurance covers them. These points are set out in our Terms of Trade.
More than engineered stone or porcelain. Marble and granite are porous, so they’re sealed for protection, but oils and acidic foods like lemon juice, wine and vinegar can still mark the surface if left sitting.
Wipe spills promptly, use a pH-neutral cleaner, and reseal when water stops beading on the surface. If that sounds like too much upkeep, engineered stone or porcelain can give a similar look with less care.
Warmer palettes are replacing stark white, with soft greens, creams, warm neutrals and natural timber all popular, along with matt finishes and benchtops that continue up the wall as the splashback.
Trends are worth knowing but shouldn’t drive every decision. We suggest timeless choices for the big-ticket items and personality in handles, lighting and paint. Our 2026 trends guide explains which ideas are likely to last.
Most of our kitchens take six to eight weeks from design approval to a finished kitchen. That’s typically one to two weeks to finalise drawings and orders, three to four weeks of manufacturing in our Paraparaumu workshop, and one to two weeks on site.
Your kitchen is only out of action for the on-site part. Larger projects with structural changes or several trades can take longer, and we’ll give you a realistic timeline before you commit.
We can. If you’d like us to manage the whole renovation, we coordinate the licensed plumbers, electricians and other trades so you have one point of contact. This is agreed up front and set out in your quote.
If you’d rather use your own trades, that works too. You arrange them directly, and we work alongside them and share the drawings they need.
Most kitchen renovations that replace cabinetry within the existing footprint don’t need building consent. Work that changes the structure, such as removing or altering a load-bearing wall, usually does, and some plumbing and drainage changes may too.
Under our Terms of Trade, obtaining any consent is the homeowner’s responsibility, but we’ll tell you early in the design process whether your plans are likely to need one. If you’re unsure, Kapiti Coast District Council can confirm what applies to your property.
Yes, almost everyone does. The kitchen can’t be used while the old one comes out and the new one goes in, so it helps to set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere with a microwave, kettle, toaster and a small fridge.
We’ll give you dates in advance so you can plan around the installation. Because your cabinetry is built before we arrive, the disruptive part is much shorter than the overall project.
Yes, taking out your existing kitchen is part of our installation work.
Disposal of the old cabinetry and site rubbish is agreed in your quote, so you’ll know beforehand whether it’s included or whether you’ll need a skip.
Changes are easiest before manufacturing starts. Once your cabinetry is in production, alterations become harder and may add cost or time.
Any change after you’ve accepted the quote is handled as a variation, confirmed in writing with its effect on price and timing, so there are no surprises. It’s one reason we spend time on the 3D design stage.
Ideally two to three months before you’d like work to begin on site. That allows time for the consultation, design, quote and manufacturing without rushing your decisions.
Timing around holidays matters too. Our guide to renovating in winter explains why the quieter months can suit a kitchen project, and our complete planning and budget guide walks through every stage.
Most of the custom kitchens we design and build cost between $25,000 and $70,000 or more. Where yours lands depends on the size of the room, the materials and finishes, whether services move, and the appliances included.
As a rough guide, a straightforward kitchen with mid-range materials starts around $25,000 to $35,000. A mid-range kitchen with more customisation sits around $35,000 to $55,000. Premium kitchens with high-end finishes and appliances run from $55,000 to $70,000 and beyond.
Work out what you can comfortably spend, then hold back 10 to 15 percent as a contingency, especially in older homes where surprises turn up once the old kitchen comes out.
Share your number with us at the first meeting. It lets us design to your budget rather than presenting something you then have to cut back. Our planning and budget guide breaks the costs down further.
For a compact kitchen with a simple layout and mid-range finishes, $20,000 can go a long way, particularly if the plumbing and power stay where they are. It’s also a workable budget for new doors, benchtops and hardware on sound existing cabinetry.
Most of the fully custom kitchens we build start from around $25,000, so we’ll tell you honestly at the consultation what your budget will achieve.
Yes, as a refresh rather than a new kitchen. At that level the money usually goes on two or three high-impact updates, such as a new benchtop, splashback, hardware and lighting, while keeping the existing cabinetry and layout.
Our guide Can I redo my kitchen for $10,000? explains what’s realistic and where to spend first.
Cabinetry is usually the largest single cost, followed by benchtops and appliances.
The cost that surprises people most is moving things. Relocating plumbing, drainage, gas or walls adds trade time and sometimes consent, so keeping the sink, cooktop and dishwasher roughly where they are is one of the easiest ways to protect your budget.
Our quotes cover design, cabinetry and joinery, benchtops, hardware and installation, itemised so you can see exactly what you’re paying for. Unless stated otherwise, prices exclude GST, and a quote stays valid for 30 days.
Items not usually included are appliances (unless requested), plumbing and electrical work beyond standard connections, structural changes, painting, flooring and consent fees. We talk through all of these up front so your budget covers the whole project.
A deposit is usually required before we order materials and begin manufacturing, with the balance invoiced against milestones set out in your quote.
The amounts and timing are confirmed in writing before you commit. Our full Terms of Trade are published on our website, so you can read them in advance.
Keep the existing layout, use standard cabinet sizes where they don’t affect function, and put your budget into what you touch every day, such as drawers, hardware and the benchtop.
Quality laminate or a mid-range stone can look excellent for less, and a phased approach lets you do the essentials now and add extras later. If your existing cabinets are sound, new doors and benchtops may be an option. We’ll tell you honestly what’s worth keeping.
We remedy any defects in our work or materials that you tell us about in writing within 12 months of completion. Your statutory rights, including the implied warranties for residential building work under the Building Act 2004, are not affected.
Appliances and hardware also carry their manufacturers’ warranties, which we explain at handover. For residential building work, you can also ask for our disclosure statement and the consumer protection checklist before you sign.
When the work is finished, we walk through the kitchen with you, check every door and drawer, and explain how to look after your finishes.
We then confirm completion in writing, and you have 10 working days to tell us about anything you feel still needs attention. Small adjustments are normal, and we sort them promptly.
Wipe spills promptly, use a soft cloth with mild, pH-neutral cleaners, and avoid abrasive pads or harsh chemicals on painted and laminate finishes.
Let the dishwasher finish and cool before opening it, so steam doesn’t hit the surrounding cabinetry, and keep an eye on appliance connections, as water leaks from appliances aren’t covered by our warranty. We give you care instructions for your specific materials at handover.
Just call us on 04 902 9292. Hinges and runners can settle slightly in the first few months as a new kitchen adjusts to your home’s temperature and humidity, and a quick adjustment usually sorts it.
Defects you report within 12 months of completion are covered.
Yes. Because we build in our own workshop, we can make extra cabinetry, replace a damaged door, or add a pantry or island later on.
An exact match depends on whether your finish is still available, and natural materials vary between batches, so we’ll show you samples before anything is made.
Yes. We’ve been here since 1982, and clients from our early years still call us for adjustments, replacement parts and advice.
As a local, family-owned business we’re easy to reach, and we have every reason to look after the kitchens we’ve built.
Chatswood Kitchens is a family business founded in 1982 by master craftsman Gareth Williams. It’s now run by his son Justin Williams and Justin’s wife Lucy as co-directors.
Justin grew up in the workshop learning the trade from his father, and a third generation is already finding its feet there. Read more about our story.
You’ll work directly with our own team, not a franchise or a call centre. Co-directors Justin and Lucy Williams and kitchen designer Vicki Upton guide the design, joiner Chris Moss and our workshop team build your cabinetry, and our employed installers fit it.
Keeping everything in-house means one team is accountable for your kitchen from the first sketch to the final handover.
We’re at 46 Te Roto Drive, Paraparaumu 5032, open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm, or by appointment.
The showroom and workshop share the same site, so you can see full displays, handle samples and see where your kitchen will be made.
We design and install kitchens right along the Kapiti Coast, from Otaki, Peka Peka and Waikanae through Paraparaumu and Raumati to Paekakariki, Pukerua Bay, Papakowhai and Whitby.
We also work in Porirua, Wellington city, the Hutt Valley and Horowhenua. See all the areas we serve, or give us a call if you’re further afield.
Yes. Every Chatswood kitchen is designed and manufactured in our Paraparaumu workshop, and we’re 100 percent New Zealand made and owned.
We source from New Zealand suppliers including Compac Panels, Sage Doors, Plantation Bamboo, ABI Interiors and FIT. Local manufacturing also means shorter lead times and easier support after installation.
Yes. Chatswood Kitchens is a certified member of the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NKBA), the industry body for kitchen and bathroom professionals in New Zealand.
We design, build and install every kitchen ourselves. Our installers are employed by us, not subcontracted, so the people fitting your kitchen take the same pride in it as the people who made it.
With more than 40 years and over 1,200 kitchens behind us, we’ve solved most layout problems before. And because we’re local and family-owned, we’ll still be here when you need us in 10 or 20 years.
Yes. We can specify options such as Plantation Bamboo panels and low-VOC finishes, and energy-efficient appliances and LED lighting can be built into your design.
Making your cabinetry locally avoids the freight of imported flat-pack kitchens, and precise workshop cutting keeps offcuts to a minimum.
Yes. Browse completed kitchens in our project gallery, or visit the showroom to see our cabinetry and finishes in person.
For ideas before you visit, our news and advice section has guides on budgets, timing, small kitchens and design trends.
These answers come from the Chatswood team: co-directors Justin and Lucy Williams, kitchen designer Vicki Upton and joiner Chris Moss. Between them they design, build and install every kitchen we make.
Chatswood Kitchens is a certified member of the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association. Costs and timeframes here are typical ranges, and your quote will confirm the details for your home.
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Costs, stages and decisions, from first idea to finished kitchen.
What a smaller budget can realistically achieve, and where to spend it.
Why the quieter months can suit a kitchen project.
Storage and layout ideas for compact villa and cottage kitchens.
Which trends are worth investing in, and which are fading.
The planning errors we see most, and how to avoid them.
From Otaki to Whitby, we design, build and install kitchens across the Kapiti Coast and wider Wellington region. Find local advice for Otaki, Peka Peka, Waikanae, Waikanae Beach, Paraparaumu, Paraparaumu Beach, Raumati Beach, Raumati South, Paekakariki, Pukerua Bay, Papakowhai, Whitby, or see every area we serve.
Talk it through with our team. Call 04 902 9292, email enquiries@chatswoodkitchens.co.nz, or visit the showroom at 46 Te Roto Drive, Paraparaumu.
