Kitchen remodel cost.
Kitchen cost is driven by cabinets, counters, and whether you reconfigure the layout.
Kitchen remodel cost by project scope
| Minor (reface cabinets, new counters) | $12,000 – $25,000 |
| Mid-range full remodel | $25,000 – $50,000 |
| High-end / luxury remodel | $50,000 – $100,000 |
Typical installed range for a 150 sq ft project. Adjust the estimator for your own size.
Kitchen remodel cost by type
Cabinets are the budget, everything else is rounding
Cabinets account for roughly 29–40% of a kitchen remodel, the largest single line by a wide margin, and they are priced per linear foot. Stock runs about $75–$250 per linear foot, semi-custom $200–$600, and full custom $500–$1,200. Refacing, which keeps the existing boxes and replaces doors, drawer fronts, and hardware, runs $100–$350 and costs 40–60% less than new. On a 25-foot kitchen that one choice swings the project by more than $20,000.
What actually moves the price
Cabinet tier, and whether you need custom at all
Semi-custom lines often deliver most of the visual result of full custom at a fraction of the price. Custom earns its cost when the space has genuinely odd dimensions or you want a specific species and finish. Paying custom prices for a standard rectangular kitchen is the most common overspend in the trade.
How many trades the job wakes up
A kitchen involves a general contractor, plumber, electrician, tile installer, painter, and often a carpenter and countertop fabricator. Labor typically runs 30–40% of the budget. A general contractor adds 15–25% as a management fee and is genuinely worth it once plumbing or electrical moves.
Whether the footprint changes
Keeping the existing layout avoids design time, permits, and additional trades. Moving plumbing or taking down a wall triggers all three at once. Per-square-foot math (roughly $75–$250 in most markets) specifically excludes plumbing moves, electrical upgrades, and structural work.
Countertop material, the second visible line
Countertops run about 10–15% of the budget. Laminate installs at $15–$40 per square foot, quartz at $60–$150, granite at $50–$200, marble at $75–$250. Quartz dominates the mid-range because it is non-porous and needs no sealing.
What a complete quote names out loud
- Cabinet tier and linear footage, priced per linear foot so tiers are comparable
- Whether the general contractor's management fee is a line item or buried in unit prices
- Which trades are subcontracted and who schedules them
- Countertop fabrication and installation as separate from material
- Appliance responsibility: supplied by you or by the contractor, and who handles hookup
- A stated 15–20% contingency, because kitchens reliably reveal something behind a wall
The one to watch: A per-square-foot estimate quoted as a total price. That math never includes plumbing relocation, electrical upgrades, or structural work, which are exactly the items that turn a $30,000 kitchen into a $55,000 one.
Kitchen remodel cost: FAQ
How much does a kitchen remodel cost?
Kitchen remodels run roughly $15,000 to $75,000 and beyond. A cosmetic refresh lands near $15,000–$25,000, mid-range with semi-custom cabinets and quartz runs $25,000–$50,000, and a full gut with custom cabinetry and moved walls passes $75,000.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
Cabinets, consistently. They run 29–40% of the total budget. Custom cabinets cost $500–$1,200 per linear foot against $75–$250 for stock, which is why the cabinet decision moves the project total more than any other single choice.
Is cabinet refacing worth it?
If the existing boxes are solid and the layout works, yes. Refacing replaces doors, drawer fronts, and hardware and applies new veneer to exposed frames for 40–60% less than new cabinets, and it finishes in days rather than weeks. If the boxes are damaged or you are changing the layout, it is a false economy.
How much should I hold back as contingency?
Set aside 15–20% from the start. Hidden water damage, rough wiring, and surprises behind walls are normal rather than exceptional in kitchens. A funded contingency keeps the job moving instead of stopping it while you find money.