For a one-bed apartment kitchen at mid specification, the 2027 benchmark is about $3,500–5,500 per unit for cabinets only, excluding benchtop, appliances and installation. The range is wide because specification moves cost more than size. Use it to test whether a quote is plausible, not to replace one.
$3,500–5,500 per unit, mid-spec, cabinets only.
Specification moves cost more than size.
Excludes benchtop, appliances and installation.
Compliance is included in the range.
Use it to test a quote, not to replace one.
1. What the benchmark is
A benchmark is a reference point for a budget. It is built from a representative unit type, a defined specification and current costs. It is not a quote, and it should be replaced by one as soon as the design is fixed.
2. Unit and specification
| Item | Benchmark | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Unit type | 1-bed apartment | Kitchen only |
| Carcass | 18 mm, E0/E1 | HMR in wet areas |
| Hardware | Soft-close, 50k+ | Named or equal |
| Doors | Slab or shaker | Mid-range finish |
| Cost | $3,500–5,500 | Cabinets only |
The specification is deliberately mid-range. A premium door or a stone benchtop moves the number well outside the range.
3. What moves the cost
Door style, hardware brand, finish and order size move the cost more than the unit size. A shaker door with a premium hinge can add 20–30% to a slab door with a standard hinge. A 20-unit order can cost 20–30% more per unit than a 60-unit order, because setup spreads less.
4. What is excluded
Benchtop, appliances, installation, plumbing and electrical are excluded. Each is a separate line, and together they can exceed the cabinet cost. The landed cost guide shows how to add them.
5. Compliance
The benchmark assumes a compliant board and the standard documents: AS/NZS declaration, board report, labels and packing. Compliance adds a small amount per unit, but it is real and it is included in the range. The compliance guide lists the documents.
6. Lead time
The benchmark assumes a 16-week door-to-door schedule. A compressed schedule costs more, either through a production premium or through air freight. The lead time guide covers the schedule.
7. Using the benchmark
Test a quote against the range. A number far below usually means a scope gap; a number far above usually means a premium specification or a small order. Neither is wrong, but both should be explained.
8. Updating the benchmark
Update it annually with current factory, freight and duty inputs. A benchmark that is two years old is a guess. The Australia sourcing guide covers the route inputs.
9. A checklist before you commit
Before you sign, confirm six things: the board grade, the hardware model, the finish system, the packing standard, the inspection scope and the payment schedule. Each should be in writing, not in a call. The quote checklist turns the six into a one-page comparison.
10. Common mistakes
The most common mistake is comparing a factory price with a landed cost. The second is leaving the inspection out of the budget. The third is paying the balance before the inspection is signed off. Each is avoidable with a written scope and a pre-shipment inspection.
11. How to measure the room
Measure each wall at three points, top, middle and bottom, and use the smallest. Walls are rarely square, and a 10 mm bow over three metres changes the filler. Measure the ceiling at each corner and note sockets, radiators and soil pipes before drawing. A measured survey saves more time than a faster drawing, and the measuring guide has a printable sheet.
13. A specification checklist
Write four lines for every material: the product, the grade, the thickness and the surface or edge treatment. A material specified by name alone leaves the grade to the factory, and the grade is where the cost and the performance sit.
14. Questions the factory will ask
Expect four questions: which grade, which thickness, which edge and which batch. The answers should already be in the specification. If they are not, the factory will choose, and the choice will be the cheapest that meets the drawing.
Frequently asked questions
What does the benchmark cover?
A one-bed apartment kitchen at mid specification: cabinets only, excluding benchtop, appliances and installation. It is a budget test, not a quote.
Why a range rather than a number?
Because specification moves the cost more than size. Door style, hardware and finish can move the unit cost by 30–40%.
Is the benchmark for 2027?
It is a forward-looking benchmark based on current costs and expected input inflation. Treat it as a planning figure and update it with a quote.
Does it include compliance?
It assumes a compliant board and the standard documents. Compliance cost is small per unit but real, and it is included in the range.
Does it include installation?
No. Installation is a separate line, typically 10–18% of the cabinet cost.
How should I use it?
Test a quote against it. A number far below the range usually means a scope gap; a number far above usually means a premium specification or a small order.
