It starts with a number in your head.
You just got the keys to your new place in Mount Austin or Eco Botanic. You’re excited. You start Googling at 11:30 PM: “Kitchen cabinet price Johor” “Cheap kitchen renovation JB”
You see a Facebook ad promising a “Full Kitchen for RM4,999.” You do the math. You think, “Okay, I can do this cheaply. I’ll hire that direct carpenter uncle my friend recommended. I’ll find my own wireman. I’ll buy my own hood on Shopee.”
You feel smart. You feel like you’re beating the system.
Six weeks later, you are standing in a kitchen that you hate.
The hood is mounted too low, so you hit your head every time you cook. The power point for the fridge is on the wrong wall because the cheap wireman couldn't read the carpenter's drawing. The “cheap” cabinets are already swelling because they used standard plywood next to the sink.
You wanted to save RM3,000. But now, to fix the wiring, move the plumbing, and repair the swelling, it’s going to cost you RM6,000.
This is the silent nightmare of Johor renovations. It’s not the price of the wood that kills you. It’s the price of the mistakes.
At AmpQuartz, we decided to stop hiding the cost. We are going to break down exactly what you are paying for, why “Per Foot Run” is a lie, and how our RM8,999 Full Package actually saves you from a nervous breakdown.
With that, let's get into the truth about kitchen pricing in 2026:
The “Per Foot Run” Scam: Why RM350 becomes RM750.
The Dangerous Wireman: When your electrician can't read a 3D plan.
The Real Cost: From RM10k to RM100k (and why people pay it).
Material Wars: Aluminum vs. Wood vs. Honeycomb.
The Hidden “Service” Cost: Why coordination is worth more than gold.
🗞 In the news: The “Add-On” Economy
Consumer Alerts on Renovation Bait-and-Switch Recent reports in Malaysia highlight a growing trend: Contractors quoting a low “bare unit” price to secure the deposit, then charging exorbitant fees for “extras” like drawer runners, handles, and installation labor.
Johor Homeowners Spending 40% More on Renovation Recent property data shows that while house sizes in JB are shrinking, renovation budgets are growing. Why? Because when space is limited, functionality is expensive. Homeowners now view the kitchen as the “social hub” of the home, not just a utility room.
AmpQuartz Standardizes Pricing To combat the confusion, we have standardized our entry-level pricing. No hidden “labor” fees. No “transport” surcharges for Johor Bahru districts.
🚀 The “Per Foot Run” Trap
“Uncle said RM350 per foot run only!”
Let’s talk about this famous “Per Foot Run” (PFR) metric. When you ask a traditional carpenter for a price, they might say: “RM350 PFR.” You measure your kitchen. 10 feet. RM350 x 10 = RM3,500. “Wow! So cheap!” you think.
Here is what they didn't tell you included in that RM350:
Drawers? No. (Add RM150 per drawer).
Dishrack? No. (Add RM250).
Soft-close hinges? No. (Add RM30 per hinge).
The Countertop? Definitely No. (That's just the wood body).
Plumbing hookup? No.
Wiring? No.
By the time you add the countertop (Quartz/Granite), the drawers, the sink tap hole cutting, and the installation… that RM350 PFR is now effectively RM800 PFR.
The AmpQuartz Difference We don't like math games. While our base calculation for a bare unit sits between RM350 – RM450 per foot run, we don't sell “bare units.” We sell Kitchens. We bundle the design, the hardware, the countertop, and the expertise into packages starting from RM8,999. When we give you a price, it’s for a functional kitchen, not a skeleton.
⚡ The Most Dangerous Person in Your Renovation: The Cheap Electrician
This is the pain point nobody talks about until it’s too late.
You hire a Carpenter. Then you hire a separate “Wireman” you found on a Facebook Group because he was cheap.
The Carpenter draws a plan on a piece of paper (or worse, just points at the wall). The Wireman comes in. He cannot read 3D drawings. He doesn't understand “ergonomics.” He sees a wall, he hacks a hole.
The Disaster Scenario:
The Oven Socket: He places the 15A socket directly behind where the oven goes.
Result: The oven can't be pushed all the way back. It sticks out 3 inches. The cabinet door won't close.
The Hood Point: He places the wire too low.
Result: The hood ducting covers the socket. You can't plug it in. You have to hack the tiles after the cabinet is installed.
The Water Filter: He forgets the power point under the sink for your Cuckoo/Coway.
Result: You have to run an ugly extension cord across your beautiful new Quartz countertop.
AmpQuartz Handles Everything. We don't let you manage the wireman. We include electrical and plumbing coordination. Our designers produce a M&E (Mechanical & Electrical) Plan. Our site supervisors ensure the socket is exactly 1200mm from the floor, not 1150mm. We save you from the “Safety Hazard” of cheap labor.
💭 Guess the riddle
I am the most expensive thing in your kitchen, but you cannot see me. If I am done wrong, I can burn your house down. If I am done right, you will never think about me again. (Answer is at the bottom of this article)
💰 The Real Price: RM10k, RM50k, or RM100k?
“Why is my neighbor's kitchen RM100,000?”
It sounds crazy until you see the data. Pricing depends on three things: Size, Material, and Complexity.
1. The Starter (RM8,999 – RM15,000) This is our base package.
Material: Solid Plywood body, Laminate doors.
Layout: Standard straight or L-shape.
The Vibe: Clean, functional, gets the job done. Perfect for BTOs.
2. The Custom Standard (RM18,000 – RM35,000) This is where most families land.
Material: High-grade Quartz stone countertops, Acrylic or 4G Glass doors.
Features: Soft-close Blum hinges, pull-out tall units for pantry, heavy-duty drawers.
The Vibe: “This feels solid.” It handles daily heavy cooking and still looks showroom-ready.
3. The “Dream” Tier (RM50,000 – RM100,000+) This is for the homeowner who wants their kitchen to be the centerpiece of the house.
Material: Full Aluminum Body (Waterproof, Fireproof, Termite-proof).
Design: Large central island with waterfall Quartz edges. Integrated smart lighting. Hidden “Speakeasy” pantry doors.
The Vibe: Luxury. You walk in and you feel like you're in a 5-star hotel suite.
Homeowners today are willing to spend. Why? Because the kitchen is now the Living Experience. It's where you host parties. It's where you bake with your kids. It's an investment in your daily happiness.
🛠 Material Choices: More than just “Wood”
A cheap contractor gives you one choice: Plywood with White PVC internal. We give you the world.
The Body (Carcass):
Solid Plywood: The gold standard for dry kitchens. Strong, holds screws well.
Full Aluminum: The ultimate solution for Johor's wet kitchens. Termite-proof. Water-proof. “Banjir”-proof.
Honeycomb/Stainless Steel: For specific, hygiene-focused needs.
The Doors (The Face):
Laminate: Thousands of choices. Matte, Glossy, Texture, Fabric look.
3G / 4G Glass: Shiny, easy to clean, modern.
Nyatoh / Solid Wood: For that classic, warm, European farmhouse feel.
Spray Paint / PU: Seamless, premium finish with no edge banding lines.
We don't just ask “What color?” We ask “What material suits your cooking style?”
💎 The RM8,999 Package: What do you actually get?
We created the RM8,999 Package to answer the question: “Can I get a good kitchen for under RM10k?”
Yes. And here is what it looks like:
Design Consultation: 3D Drawings & Space Planning.
Base Unit + Wall Unit: Standard straight run (localized to package specs).
Tabletop: Genuine Quartz Stone (Not cheap solid surface that melts).
Hardware: Soft-close hinges and runner tracks included.
Dishrack & Cutlery Tray: Included.
Installation & Transport: Included (JB Area).
The Coordination: We speak to the plumber. We guide the wireman.
Is it the cheapest in Johor? Probably not. You can find a “rogue carpenter” to do it for RM7,000. But that RM2,000 difference is the insurance premium against a crooked countertop, a missing contractor, and a socket that sparks when you turn on the kettle.
🧠 Wild card: The “Hood & Hob” Ergonomics
Why “Experience” Matters A carpenter cuts wood. A Designer plans “Flow.” We have seen too many DIY kitchens where:
The Hob is right next to the wall (elbow keeps hitting the wall when stirring).
The Hood is too high (suction is useless).
The Fridge door opens the wrong way (blocks the entrance).
AmpQuartz Design Logic: We calculate the “Work Triangle.” We ensure there is 300mm of landing space on both sides of your hob. We measure your specific appliances before we cut a single board. We don't guess. We engineer.
📣 Ad in the wild
Seen on a JB Community Facebook Group: User Post: “Help! My wireman install the socket inside the wall, now cabinet cover already, cannot find wire! Any recommendations for hacker?” Comment: “Next time take package la… save small money spend big money now.”💻 Website of the week (Pricing Transparency)
AmpQuartz.com/Packages We have updated our website with clear, transparent pricing packages.
The BTO/Starter Package
The Aluminum Wet Kitchen Package
The Premium Nyatoh Package No login required. No “PM for price.” Just clear numbers so you can budget properly. Check the Prices Here
🏝 Cool marketing jobs (We need Problem Solvers)
Project Coordinator (JB): Can you read a technical drawing? Can you spot a mistake before it happens? We need you.
Sales Designer: You don't just sell. You educate. You save homeowners from disasters.
The Final Reality Check
Renovating a kitchen is likely the second biggest purchase you will make after the house itself.
When you see a price that seems “Too Good To Be True,” ask yourself:
Who is coordinating the plumber?
Who checks the electrical load?
Who handles the defect liability?
Who do I call if the drawer falls off in 6 months?
If the answer is “Me,” then that cheap price isn't cheap. It's just a down payment on a future headache.
At AmpQuartz, our price includes the product, the design, the coordination, and the peace of mind. We handle the mess. You handle the cooking.
Okay, that's it for now 💜.
What did you think of this breakdown?
Opened my eyes 😳
It was okay 😐
I still want cheap 🙈
Stop guessing. Start building. Get our Full Price List & Catalog via WhatsApp Visit our Showroom to feel the materials
“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.”
Riddle answer: The Electrical Wiring.
Keep cooking, The AmpQuartz Team
