The formula
For each line item we multiply a quantity by a national unit cost, then apply a quality-grade factor. A regional labour multiplier is applied to the labour portion only; materials are priced nationally. We show the itemised result as a ±25% range.
National unit costs
| Line item | National unit cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition & disposal | $160.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Demolition & disposal) |
| Cabinetry (per linear foot) | $1,200.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Cabinetry (per linear foot)) |
| Countertops | $300.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Countertops) |
| Appliance package | $5,500.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Appliance package) |
| Flooring | $180.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Flooring) |
| Plumbing, gas & electrical | $4,000.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Plumbing, gas & electrical) |
| Backsplash & paint | $2,500.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Backsplash & paint) |
| Installation & project labour | $350.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Installation & project labour) |
| Permit & inspection | $1,800.00 / m² | hipages.com.au (source for Permit & inspection) |
Regional labour multipliers
Each state's labour multiplier is its private-sector earnings index relative to the Australian baseline, reused from au/hvac.ts pending human verification. Multipliers are bounded to a sane range and applied to the labour share of each line item, so materials stay nationally priced while labour tracks local wages.
Data vintage and limitations
Compiled June 2026 from public cost aggregators and government wage data. These are derived estimates, not live contractor quotes. Local prices vary with project complexity, access, and material availability; always confirm with a licensed contractor before budgeting.