A kitchen remodel is easily one of the most popular home improvement projects out there, but the price tag can swing wildly depending on your plans. Most folks spend somewhere between $14,600 and $41,500, with the average project landing around $27,000.
Of course, budget-friendly makeovers can start as low as $8,000, while luxury renovations can blow right past $130,000 if you let them. The final tally depends on your kitchen’s size, the quality of materials, and how much you hire out versus tackle yourself.
A minor renovation usually costs $10,000 to $20,000, while major overhauls go from $20,000 to $65,000. If you’re gutting everything, expect the highest bills.
Kitchen Remodel Cost Overview
Kitchen remodels usually fall between $10,000 and $130,000, mostly depending on scope and materials. Minor kitchen renovations average $27,492, while the big, splashy remodels can hit $79,982 or even more.
Average Cost Ranges
Kitchen remodeling costs really run the gamut—project size, materials, and labor all play a part. Most people end up spending between $14,000 and $41,500 for a typical renovation.
Budget-friendly projects start around $8,000 to $10,000, focusing on easy wins like painting cabinets or swapping out hardware. Mid-range remodels? Think $15,000 to $50,000, including new appliances and maybe cabinet refacing or replacement.
Luxury makeovers can easily top $130,000. That’s where you’ll see custom cabinets, high-end appliances, and maybe even knocking down a wall or two.
The cost range is so broad because it all depends on kitchen size, finish levels, and how much labor you’re hiring. Where you live matters, too—some places are just pricier.
Kitchen Remodel Costs by Project Scope
Minor Kitchen Remodel: $10,000 – $20,000
Minor updates are mostly cosmetic—think painting cabinets, adding a new backsplash, or updating the hardware. The layout stays the same, which definitely helps the budget.
Appliances are usually the biggest ticket item in these smaller makeovers. If you stick with laminate or butcher block counters, you can keep costs pretty manageable.
Major Kitchen Remodel: $20,000 – $70,000
Major remodels mean swapping out cabinets, floors, and appliances, but usually without moving everything around. Granite or quartz counters start to show up here.
Islands and upgraded electrical are common. Having pros handle the install keeps things up to code (and your sanity intact).
Full-Gut Renovation: $65,000 – $130,000+
Gutting the kitchen means structural work—moving walls, relocating plumbing, and starting fresh with the layout. It’s a whole new kitchen, really.
Upscale projects get all the bells and whistles: custom cabinets, top-tier appliances, and often a pro designer to pull it together.
Cost per Square Foot
Full renovations usually run $150 to $250 per square foot. Handy if you want to guesstimate based on your kitchen’s size.
Budget updates? Figure on $75 to $150 per square foot, mostly using affordable materials and keeping the layout as-is. Mid-range jobs fall between $150 and $200 per square foot, with better finishes and pro installation.
High-end remodels can go over $250 per square foot—materials and custom work drive that up fast. A 100-square-foot kitchen might cost $15,000 to $25,000, while a 200-square-foot space could hit $30,000 to $50,000.
Key Factors Influencing Kitchen Remodel Costs
There are a handful of big things that sway your kitchen remodel price. Size is obvious, but layout changes, material choices, and labor all stack up fast.
Kitchen Size and Layout
Bigger kitchens cost more, plain and simple. More cabinets, more counters, more flooring—it all adds up.
A small 70-square-foot galley kitchen is a totally different animal than a sprawling 200-square-foot open plan. Expect to pay $100 to $400 per square foot depending on your finishes.
Changing the layout? That’s where costs can snowball. Moving plumbing for a sink or dishwasher runs $1,500 to $5,000 per fixture.
Electrical for new appliances or extra outlets adds another $500 to $2,000. Designers will often tell you to stick with the current layout if you’re watching your budget.
Want to go open-concept? Removing walls means hiring a structural engineer. Taking out a load-bearing wall can tack on another $1,000 to $5,000.
Material Quality and Finish Choices
Materials are a huge chunk of the budget—and they matter for durability, too. Cabinets and hardware can eat up 25% to 40% of your total spend.
Stock cabinets from big box stores are $100 to $300 per linear foot. Semi-custom options jump to $300 to $650, and custom work can go well over $1,000 per linear foot.
Countertops? Laminate is $20 to $50 per square foot, quartz is $50 to $100, and natural stone like granite or marble can run $60 to $150. Flooring’s all over the place, too—vinyl is $3 to $8, hardwood is $8 to $15, and high-end tile can be $10 to $25 per square foot installed.
Labor and Installation Costs
Labor eats up 20% to 35% of the budget, give or take. How much you pay depends on how complex the job is and what people charge in your area.
General contractors charge $50 to $100 an hour for basic work. Plumbers? $75 to $150. Electricians are $80 to $120 per hour.
Kitchen designers add 10% to 20% to your bill, but they can help you dodge expensive mistakes. They also wrangle the contractors and keep things moving.
Permits and inspections are a necessary evil for bigger projects. Building permits cost $300 to $1,000, with electrical and plumbing permits adding $100 to $500 each.
If you’re handy, you might want to DIY some of it—like painting or swapping out hardware. For the complicated stuff, though, it’s usually best to call in the pros.
Regional Price Variations
Where you live can make a huge difference. Coastal and big city areas are 15% to 30% pricier than average.
Places like New York, San Francisco, and LA are the most expensive. Rural Midwest or Southern towns? Much more affordable.
Material costs shift, too—local stone is cheaper where it’s quarried, and cabinet prices drop if there’s a manufacturer nearby.
Some cities have stricter codes and more permits, which means higher costs. Urban areas can be a hassle, honestly.
Contractor availability matters. In-demand areas with fewer skilled tradespeople mean you’ll pay more. Rural spots might have fewer contractors, but they usually charge less per hour.
Cost Breakdown by Kitchen Features
Different features eat up different chunks of your budget. Cabinets are often 35-40%, appliances another 15-20%. The rest—counters, flooring, fixtures—depends on how fancy you get.
Cabinets: Stock, Semi-Custom, and Custom
Stock cabinets are the cheapest route. These pre-made units run $100-$300 per linear foot and come in set sizes.
Big box stores always have stock options in the usual finishes. They’re easy to install since they’re ready to go out of the box.
Semi-custom cabinets offer more flexibility for $150-$650 per linear foot. You get more choices on size, styles, and hardware.
Custom cabinets are $500-$1,500 per linear foot, but you get exactly what you want—special wood, clever storage, or oddball dimensions.
Labor is $100-$300 per linear foot no matter which type you pick. Most 10×12 kitchens need about 25 linear feet of cabinets, just for reference.
Countertops and Backsplash Options
Countertop prices are all over the place—laminate is $20 per square foot, but premium quartzite can be $200+. Granite ($40-$100) and quartz ($50-$120) are the most common picks.
Marble is $70-$150+ per square foot, but it’s a bit high-maintenance. Butcher block is $40-$100 and gives a warm, natural feel.
Installation adds $10-$30 per square foot, especially if you need fancy edge cuts or sink cutouts. Backsplash tile starts at $5-$15 for ceramic, $10-$30 for glass, and $15-$50 for marble.
A typical 20-30 square foot backsplash costs $500-$2,500. If you want intricate patterns or a slab backsplash, expect to pay more.
Kitchen Appliances
Appliance packages are all over the map. Budget sets start at $3,000-$5,000 for basics from familiar brands.
Mid-range appliances run $8,000-$15,000 for a full suite—fridge, range, dishwasher, microwave. They usually have better features and performance.
High-end brands can blow past $25,000-$50,000 for everything. Just a pro-style range can be $5,000-$15,000.
Counter-depth fridges add $500-$1,500 for that sleek, built-in look. Energy-efficient models might get you rebates, which is a nice bonus.
Installation costs depend on the appliance—gas lines, for example, need a licensed pro and permits.
Flooring, Lighting, and Fixtures
Kitchen flooring options? You’re looking at $2-$12 per square foot installed. Luxury vinyl plank is surprisingly tough and sits at $2-$5 per square foot, while hardwood jumps to $4-$10 per square foot.
Tile flooring can run $3-$10 per square foot, but it really depends on the quality. Stone’s in a similar range—$3-$12 per square foot—and it’ll last practically forever.
Order 15-20% extra flooring material to account for installation waste. A typical 130-square-foot kitchen almost always needs that buffer for cuts and the occasional oops.
Light fixtures can change the whole vibe of a kitchen. Basic pendant lights usually start at $100-$200 each, but designer stuff? That’ll set you back $500-$1,000+ per piece.
Under-cabinet LED strips don’t break the bank—$50-$200 total—and they make a huge difference for task lighting. Recessed lights are pricier, $150-$300 each, especially once you factor in hiring an electrician.
Types of Kitchen Remodels and Their Costs
Kitchen remodels tend to fall into three buckets: minor remodels (mostly cosmetic), small remodels (targeted updates), and total makeovers with big structural changes.
Minor vs. Major Kitchen Remodel
A minor kitchen remodel costs $60 to $150 per square foot and focuses on surface-level improvements. These projects keep your kitchen’s bones but give it a facelift.
Minor remodel projects include:
- Painting or refacing cabinets
- Updating cabinet hardware
- Installing new countertops
- Replacing the backsplash
- Adding new light fixtures
Major remodels are a different animal, running $250 to $350 per square foot. Usually, everything changes—sometimes even the walls themselves.
Major remodel features:
- Moving plumbing and electrical lines
- Removing or adding walls
- Custom cabinetry installation
- High-end appliance packages
- Premium flooring materials
The main difference? Complexity and paperwork. Minor remodels rarely need permits, but big projects almost always do—sometimes even requiring structural engineering sign-off.
Small Kitchen Remodel
A small kitchen remodel costs $4,000 to $18,000 for spaces under 120 square feet. You really have to get creative to make these tiny kitchens work.
Cost breakdown by kitchen size:
| Kitchen Size | Budget Range | Mid-Range | High-End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8′ x 8′ (64 SF) | $3,800 – $9,600 | $9,600 – $16,000 | $16,000 – $22,400 |
| 10′ x 10′ (100 SF) | $6,000 – $15,000 | $15,000 – $25,000 | $25,000 – $35,000 |
Small kitchens mean less storage and counter space, so you have to get clever. Pull-out drawers, vertical storage—these little tricks help a lot.
People love upgrades that make small kitchens feel bigger. Light colors, under-cabinet lighting, and glass-front cabinets can really open things up.
Total Kitchen Makeover
A complete kitchen makeover costs $50,000 to $70,000 or more depending on size and finishes. Everything gets replaced—no shortcuts here.
Total makeover components:
- Custom cabinet installation (25% of budget)
- All new appliance packages (15% of budget)
- New flooring throughout (7% of budget)
- Countertops and backsplash (10% of budget)
- Updated plumbing and electrical (8% of budget)
Expect 8-12 weeks for a full makeover, and you’ll probably be cooking in the garage or living on takeout for a while.
High-end remodels with luxury finishes can top $100,000 in larger homes—especially if you go all-in on smart tech and premium materials.
Honestly, planning is everything for a total makeover. There are just so many moving parts and trades involved that things can get complicated fast.
Setting Your Kitchen Remodel Budget
Smart budget planning is what keeps kitchen projects from spiraling out of control. Most people stick to tried-and-true allocation rules and always leave wiggle room for surprises.
How to Plan Your Budget
First step: figure out how much you’ve actually got to spend. That means savings, loans, and any financing you’re considering.
Then, do your homework on price ranges. A typical kitchen remodel costs $15,000 to $50,000, but you can squeeze by with budget projects starting around $8,000—or go wild with luxury jobs up to $200,000.
Kitchen size is a big deal for costs. A standard 12×12 kitchen? $14,600 to $41,500 is pretty normal, with most folks landing close to $27,000.
Don’t forget the timeline, either. Rushing things usually means paying more for shipping and labor.
Typical Budget Allocation
It’s easy to blow the budget if you don’t break it down. Here’s what the pros generally recommend:
| Category | Percentage | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Labor | 35-40% | Installation and construction work |
| Cabinets | 25-30% | Storage and main visual element |
| Appliances | 15-20% | Functional kitchen equipment |
| Countertops | 10-15% | Work surfaces and style |
| Flooring | 5-10% | Foundation and durability |
| Lighting/Electrical | 5-8% | Functionality and ambiance |
Labor usually eats up the biggest chunk. Cabinets come next since they’re both practical and set the look for the whole room.
Appliances are a wild card. If you love to cook or have a big family, you might want to splurge here.
How to Avoid Hidden Costs
Hidden costs can sneak up and wreck a kitchen remodel budget—sometimes by 10-20%. Structural issues, electrical surprises, and plumbing tweaks are the usual suspects.
Best move? Build in a contingency buffer of 15-20%. That covers stuff like outdated wiring, water damage, or code headaches.
Permits are easy to forget but not cheap. Most places want permits for electrical, plumbing, and any major changes—anywhere from $500 to $2,000 depending on your city.
Eating out or setting up a makeshift kitchen isn’t free, either. Those costs add up faster than you’d think.
Honestly, getting a pro inspection before you start is worth it. Spending $300-500 upfront can save you from much bigger headaches down the road.
Return on Investment and Financing Options
A kitchen remodel usually recoups 38% to 96% of its cost at resale. Minor updates often give you the best bang for your buck. If you need funding, home equity loans or HELOCs are popular since they use your home’s value for lower rates.
How a Remodel Affects Home Value
Minor kitchen remodels provide the best return on investment—96% on average. These projects run about $27,492 and typically add $26,406 in home value.
Major renovations don’t pay back as much. Midrange major remodels recover only 50% of costs, and upscale ones drop to just 38%.
Where you live matters a ton. In the Pacific region, minor remodels can actually return 134%. In the West South Central region, it’s only 67%.
Key factors affecting returns:
- Local market conditions
- Home’s current value
- Quality of existing kitchen
- Scope of renovation work
Buyers really do care about kitchens. 57% of buyers say kitchen style is extremely important when they’re house hunting.
Financing Strategies: Home Equity Loans and HELOC
Home equity loans give you a lump sum at a fixed rate, secured by your house. You pay it back over 5 to 30 years, and the payments never change.
HELOCs are more flexible. You can pull out money as you need it during the project and only pay interest on what you use. That’s handy if your costs are all over the place.
Home Equity Loan Benefits:
- Fixed interest rates
- Predictable payments
- Lower rates than credit cards
- Tax-deductible interest for home improvements
HELOC Advantages:
- Access funds when needed
- Pay interest only on used amounts
- Variable interest rates
- Longer draw periods
Homeowners should calculate total financing costs—interest and fees can add up. Your credit score matters for both options.
Most lenders let you borrow up to 80% of your home’s value minus what you still owe on your mortgage. That’s the pot you’ve got to work with for your kitchen plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kitchen remodeling projects usually land somewhere between $12,000 and $60,000, with most folks spending about $25,000. Labor is a big chunk—typically 20-35%—while materials and appliances make up the rest.
What is the average budget one should allocate for a full kitchen renovation?
Homeowners should plan to spend somewhere between $18,000 and $55,000 for a complete kitchen remodel. The average cost seems to hover around $25,000 for most projects, give or take.
Some folks prefer to calculate renovations at about $150 per square foot. That method can help if you want a ballpark based on your kitchen’s actual size.
High-end renovations? Those can easily top $60,000. We’re talking premium materials, custom cabinets, and luxury appliances—basically the works.
How can the size and layout of a kitchen influence the overall remodeling costs?
Larger kitchens eat up more materials, which drives up the price. A 200-square-foot kitchen is going to cost a lot more than a 100-square-foot one—no surprise there.
Changing the layout adds another layer of expense. If you need to move plumbing, electrical, or gas lines, that can tack on thousands.
Open-concept designs are usually pricier than traditional layouts. Sometimes they need structural changes or extra support, which isn’t exactly cheap.
What are the cost differences between a minor and major kitchen update?
Minor kitchen upgrades start around $15,000. That might mean painting cabinets, swapping out hardware, or getting new countertops—updates that freshen things up without overhauling everything.
A minor midrange kitchen remodel averages $28,420. This usually covers new appliances, cabinet refacing, and updated flooring—so, a step up but not a gut job.
Major upscale remodels average $161,605. Those projects go all out: complete cabinet replacement, top-tier appliances, and the fanciest finishes you can imagine.
How do the choices in materials and appliances impact the total budget for updating a kitchen?
Appliances usually eat up 15-20% of the remodel budget. You can get a basic set for around $3,000, but if you want luxury, expect to pay $15,000 or even more.
Countertop prices are all over the place. Laminate runs about $20-50 per square foot, but if you want natural stone, you’re looking at $60-200 per square foot—ouch.
Cabinets matter a lot for your wallet. Stock cabinets come in at $100-300 per linear foot, while custom ones can jump to $500-1,500 per linear foot, which adds up fast.
Flooring’s another biggie. Vinyl is budget-friendly at $3-7 per square foot, but hardwood can set you back $8-25 per square foot.
Can you break down the typical expenses involved in a kitchen remodeling project?
Cabinets are usually the biggest slice of the pie, taking up 35-40% of your total budget. That covers both the materials and the installation.
Labor is next, eating up about 20-35%. This includes installation, plumbing, electrical, and all those finishing touches that make the kitchen actually work.
Appliances generally take 15-20% of the budget. Countertops and backsplashes usually run 10-15% of the total.
Flooring? That’s typically 7-10%. Paint, fixtures, and all the random odds and ends make up the last 5-10%—because there’s always something you didn’t plan for.
What should homeowners expect to spend on labor costs when renovating their kitchen?
Labor costs usually eat up about 20-35% of your whole kitchen remodel budget. So, if you’re looking at a $25,000 project, you’ll probably shell out somewhere between $5,000 and $8,750 just for labor.
Skilled trades—think plumbers and electricians—often charge anywhere from $75 to $150 an hour. General contractors? They tend to tack on 10-20% of the total project cost for managing everything.
Installation prices aren’t set in stone. For example, putting in cabinets might run you $80 to $190 per cabinet.
Countertops are a different story, with installation costs landing between $300 and $1,500 for the whole job.
If you’re planning big structural changes, expect to pay for extra labor hours. But for simpler jobs, like swapping out hardware or slapping on a new coat of paint, you won’t need as much professional help.
