Carpentry in Sandton: Custom Kitchen Pricing in 2026
A Sandton custom kitchen costs R8,000-R18,000 per linear metre depending on materials and finish. Here's the line-item breakdown so you can read a quote properly.
"Custom kitchen" can mean R250,000 or R750,000 for the same square metres. The line items hide huge variability — and Sandton kitchens trend toward the premium end.
The line items
- Carcass material — chipboard with melamine R1,800-R2,500/m; supawood with paint R3,500-R5,500/m; plywood with veneer R5,500-R8,500/m.
- Door style — flat foil-wrap R1,500-R2,500 per linear metre; spray-painted MDF R3,500-R6,500/m; real wood R6,500-R12,000/m.
- Hardware — Blum or Hettich soft-close hinges and runners are R450-R900 per drawer/door.
- Worktops — laminate R2,500-R4,500/m; engineered stone (Caesarstone, Smartstone) R7,500-R14,000/m; granite R5,500-R10,000/m; marble R10,000-R20,000/m.
- Splashback — tile R650-R1,500/m run; glass R2,500-R4,500/m; stone-matched R6,500-R12,000/m.
- Installation labour — R8,500-R18,000 for a typical 4-5m kitchen run.
Realistic Sandton 2026 totals
Mid-range custom kitchen (5m of run, melamine carcass, foil-wrap doors, engineered stone tops, soft-close hardware): R130,000-R220,000 fitted. High-end (plywood carcass, spray-painted doors, premium engineered stone, Blum hardware, integrated appliances): R280,000-R480,000. Top tier (real-wood doors, marble or premium stone, brand-name hardware, custom integrations): R500,000+.
What separates good carpenters
- Detailed CAD drawings before cutting (Sketchup or KitchenDraw output)
- Hardware brand specified by name in the quote — Blum, Hettich, Salice (long-life)
- Stone fabrication with their own templater on-site (saves measuring errors)
- Realistic timeline — 4-8 weeks, not "next week"
Find Sandton carpenters on Handi-za — most post finished-kitchen photos that show the joinery details that matter.
Frequently asked questions
Should I supply my own appliances?
Yes — virtually always cheaper than letting the carpenter source them. Get exact appliance specs (width, depth, height, ventilation requirements) to your carpenter early so the carcass is built around them. Last-minute appliance changes cause expensive rework.
What's the difference between melamine, supawood and plywood?
Melamine (chipboard with foil) is cheapest but swells if it gets wet. Supawood (MDF) is denser, paints well, but heavy and still vulnerable to water. Plywood is the strongest, holds screws best, and water-resistant — best for under-sink units and high-use kitchens. Mixing materials by area (plywood low, melamine high) saves cost without compromising durability where it matters.