Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator (2026) — How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost?

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A typical 160 sq ft mid-range kitchen remodel costs about $24,000–$48,000 — $150–$300 per square foot for a same-layout pull-and-replace. Budget builder-grade work runs $75–$150 per square foot; luxury can reach $500–$1,000. Use the calculator below for your size, tier, scope, and cabinet choice.

How the estimate works

Remodelers price a kitchen by the square foot of floor area, blended across everything that goes into the room — cabinets, counters, appliances, fixtures, and labor. The calculator starts from a national cost-per-square-foot range for your chosen quality tier (about $75–$150 for builder-grade up to $500–$1,000 for luxury), then scales it by how big the job is and what you do with the cabinets.

Scope is the biggest swing after finish level: a cosmetic refresh runs about half a full pull-and-replace, while a full gut that relocates plumbing, gas, or walls adds roughly 40%. Cabinet choice nudges the whole total up or down — refinishing trims it, fully custom cabinetry pushes it up. Your region then scales labor and materials. The result is an honest low-to-high range, because real kitchen bids vary that much.

Where the money goes

On a typical kitchen, the budget splits roughly into cabinets (~30%), labor (~25%), appliances (~15%), countertops (~10%), and fixtures, lighting, and everything else (~20%). The breakdown below applies that split to your midpoint so you can see the line items, not just one number.

Cabinets are the single biggest cost — refacing instead of replacing is the highest-impact way to save.
Scope is the wildcard: moving plumbing, gas, and walls is where budgets blow up.
Finish level (tier) sets the floor and ceiling per square foot more than anything else.
Region swings labor by 40% or more between rural areas and coastal metros.

Common mistakes

Assuming you'll recoup the cost. A mid-range remodel returns ~70–80% at resale, not 100%.
Moving the sink "while we're at it." Relocating plumbing and gas is one of the priciest changes you can make.
Replacing cabinets that could be refaced. Cabinets are a third of the budget — refacing keeps the boxes and cuts the bill.
Taking one bid. Kitchen bids for the same job routinely vary 30–40%. Always get three.

When this calculator is the wrong tool

Use a designer or contractor walkthrough for: structural changes, knocking out load-bearing walls, code-driven electrical or plumbing upgrades, or high-end custom cabinetry quotes. This tool estimates a standard residential kitchen remodel, not a bespoke design-build.

Worked example: a 200 sq ft mid-range kitchen

Numbers are easier to trust when you can follow the math. Take a real-world job: a 200 sq ft mid-range kitchen, same-layout pull-and-replace, with semi-custom cabinets (refaced existing boxes), quartz counters, and a mid-tier appliance package. Mid-range work runs roughly $150–$250 per square foot, so the raw range lands around $30,000–$50,000, with a midpoint near $40,000. Here's how that $40,000 midpoint typically splits across the room:

Line item	Share	Approx. cost	What it covers
Cabinets	~30%	$12,000	Refaced boxes, new semi-custom doors, soft-close drawers, hardware
Labor	~25%	$10,000	Demolition, install, finish carpentry, project management
Appliances	~15%	$6,000	Range, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave/hood
Countertops	~10%	$4,000	~45 sq ft of quartz, fabrication, edge profile, install
Fixtures, lighting & other	~20%	$8,000	Faucet, sink, backsplash, flooring, paint, electrical, permits

Swap the assumptions and the total moves predictably. Replace the cabinets new instead of refacing and the cabinet line roughly doubles, pushing the project past $50,000. Drop to laminate counters and stock cabinets and the same footprint can come in near $25,000. Relocate the sink and add a gas line, and you've added permits, a plumber, and an electrician — easily $4,000–$8,000 on top.

Budget vs. mid-range vs. high-end: what each tier buys

The footprint barely changes between tiers — what scales is finish quality, who does the work, and how custom it is. Per-square-foot figures below are blended national ranges; a 160 sq ft kitchen is a useful reference size.

Budget / builder-grade — roughly $75–$150 per sq ft ($12,000–$24,000)

Stock cabinets from a home center, laminate counters, an entry-level appliance package, vinyl or basic tile floor, and a same-layout install. This is the right tier for a rental, a flip, or a kitchen you'll live with for a few years. You'll refresh the look completely without touching the layout or systems.

Mid-range — roughly $150–$250 per sq ft ($24,000–$48,000)

Semi-custom cabinets (or refaced boxes with new doors), quartz or granite counters, a name-brand appliance suite, tile backsplash, and quality flooring. This is where most homeowners land and where Cost vs Value resale recovery is strongest. You get durable materials and a designed look without bespoke pricing.

High-end & luxury — roughly $300–$1,000+ per sq ft ($60,000–$150,000+)

Custom cabinetry built to your dimensions, premium or exotic stone, professional-grade appliances (think 48-inch ranges and panel-ready refrigeration), specialty lighting, and often a reconfigured layout with an island, walls moved, or windows added. Recovery at resale is lowest here, so this tier makes sense only when you'll enjoy the kitchen yourself for years.

How to cut the bill without cutting corners

Keep the layout. The plumbing, gas, and electrical are already where they are. Leave the sink, range, and refrigerator in place and you avoid a plumber, often an electrician, permits, and inspections — the single biggest lever you control.
Reface or refinish cabinets. Cabinets are ~30% of the budget. Keeping solid boxes and replacing only doors and fronts can cut that line by half or more.
Choose quartz over exotic stone. Quartz is durable, low-maintenance, and far cheaper than rare marble or quartzite — most buyers can't tell the difference at resale.
Reuse appliances that still work. A functional refrigerator or range you keep is $1,000–$3,000 you don't spend.
Get three written bids. Bids for the identical job routinely vary 30–40%. Three quotes keep pricing honest and surface who actually understands your scope.
Buy your own fixtures. Sourcing the faucet, sink, hardware, and lighting yourself avoids contractor markup on items you can pick online.

What blows the budget, by contrast, is almost always one of four things: moving plumbing or gas, structural or wall changes that trigger permits and inspections, custom cabinetry with long lead times, and surprises behind the walls (failed wiring, rotten subfloor, old galvanized pipe). Budget a 15–20% contingency for the last one — it's not pessimism, it's planning.

Sources & how we keep this current

The cost ranges here are blended from the data the industry actually uses to price kitchens, then sanity-checked against contractor bids and reader feedback:

Remodeling magazine's Cost vs Value report — the standard reference for project cost and resale recovery, published annually with regional breakouts for minor and major kitchen remodels.
NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) — design and budgeting guidance, including the typical line-item splits (cabinets, labor, appliances, counters) this calculator uses.
HomeAdvisor and Angi cost guides — large aggregated samples of real homeowner-reported project costs by size, tier, and region.

National figures are a starting point, not a quote — local labor rates, material availability, and your home's condition move the number. Use the range as a reality check before you talk to contractors, then get three written bids for a firm price. We review these ranges against current cost-guide data and refresh them as the market shifts.

Related guides

FAQ

Questions, answered

How much does a kitchen remodel cost?

For a typical 160 sq ft mid-range kitchen with a same-layout pull-and-replace, most homeowners spend roughly $24,000–$48,000, with the national midpoint around $30,000–$40,000. A cosmetic refresh can come in under $15,000, while a high-end or luxury gut renovation easily runs $60,000–$150,000+. Size, finish level, and whether you move plumbing or walls drive the spread.

How can I save money on a kitchen remodel?

Keep the existing layout (moving plumbing, gas, and walls is the most expensive thing you can do), and reface or refinish cabinets instead of replacing them — cabinets are about a third of the budget, so that one choice saves the most. Reuse appliances that still work, choose quartz over exotic stone, and get three bids to keep contractors honest.

How much do kitchen cabinets cost in a remodel?

Cabinets typically eat about 30% of a kitchen budget — the single largest line item. Refinishing runs least, refacing is mid, new stock or semi-custom cabinets cost more, and fully custom cabinetry is the priciest. On a $35,000 remodel that's roughly $10,000 just for cabinets, which is why refacing is the highest-impact way to cut the total.

Does a kitchen remodel add home value?

Yes, but you rarely recoup the full cost. Remodeling's 'Cost vs Value' data puts a mid-range kitchen remodel at roughly 70–80% ROI at resale, and high-end remodels return a smaller percentage. Remodel for how you'll live in the home, not as a pure investment — over-improving for the neighborhood returns even less.

What's the difference between a budget and a high-end kitchen?

Budget (builder-grade) kitchens use stock cabinets, laminate counters, and entry appliances — roughly $75–$150 per square foot. High-end kitchens use semi-custom or custom cabinets, stone counters, and premium appliances at $300–$500 per square foot, and luxury pushes past that with custom everything. The footprint is the same; the finishes and labor are what scale.

How long does a kitchen remodel take?

A cosmetic refresh (paint, hardware, faucet, lighting) takes 1–2 weeks. A typical mid-range pull-and-replace with new cabinets and counters runs 4–8 weeks of active work, but plan for 8–12 weeks door-to-door once you include design, permits, and the 4–6 week lead time on semi-custom cabinets. A full gut that moves plumbing or walls — and anything with custom cabinetry — commonly stretches to 3–5 months. Cabinets are almost always the long pole; order them before demolition starts so the box isn't sitting empty waiting on them.

Do I need a permit to remodel my kitchen?

If you're only swapping cabinets, counters, and appliances in the same spots — usually no. You typically need permits the moment you touch the systems behind the walls: moving or adding electrical circuits, relocating plumbing or gas lines, or altering walls. Most jurisdictions require electrical and plumbing permits for those, each running roughly $100–$500, plus inspections. Skipping a required permit can void homeowner's insurance and create disclosure problems when you sell, so build $500–$1,500 into the budget for permits and inspections on any job that changes the layout.

Should I reface or replace my kitchen cabinets?

Reface when the cabinet boxes are solid, plumb, and laid out the way you want — refacing keeps the boxes and replaces only the doors, drawer fronts, and veneer, typically at 30–50% of the cost of new cabinets ($4,000–$10,000 for an average kitchen vs. $8,000–$25,000+ for new). Replace when boxes are water-damaged or particleboard that's swelling, when you want a different layout or to add cabinets, or when you're moving to drawers and pull-outs the old boxes can't accommodate. Refinishing (sanding and repainting existing doors) is cheapest of all at roughly $1,000–$4,000 but only works on solid-wood or paintable doors.

Is a kitchen remodel worth it before selling?

A modest, neutral refresh usually is; a full luxury remodel usually isn't. Remodeling magazine's Cost vs Value report consistently shows a minor (mid-range) kitchen remodel recouping a higher percentage at resale than a major upscale one — buyers pay for a clean, move-in-ready kitchen but rarely for someone else's high-end taste. If you're selling within a year, focus on paint, hardware, lighting, a new faucet, and resurfaced or refaced cabinets rather than a gut job. If you're staying five-plus years, remodel for how you actually cook and live.

What hidden costs blow up a kitchen remodel budget?

The big four are surprises behind the walls (outdated wiring that fails code, galvanized or leaking plumbing, water damage or rot, and asbestos or lead in older homes), scope creep (deciding mid-project to move the sink or add a window), long lead-time upgrades (custom cabinets and specialty stone), and the cost of eating out or a temporary kitchen for weeks. Set aside a 15–20% contingency on top of your quoted price — on a $35,000 remodel that's $5,000–$7,000 — and you'll absorb the typical surprises without derailing the project.

Is $30,000 enough for a kitchen remodel?

For a typical 160 sq ft kitchen, yes — if you stay mid-range and keep the layout. $30,000 sits inside the $24,000–$48,000 mid-range band ($150–$300 per square foot), especially if you reface cabinets instead of replacing them and reuse an appliance or two. It won't stretch to a full gut with relayout (roughly 40% more) or fully custom cabinetry.

How much does a 10x10 kitchen remodel cost?

A 10x10 kitchen is 100 sq ft, so applying the per-square-foot tiers: roughly $7,500–$15,000 for budget builder-grade, $15,000–$30,000 for mid-range, and $30,000–$50,000 for high-end — all for a same-layout pull-and-replace in an average market. Moving plumbing, gas, or walls adds about 40% to whichever tier you choose.

How much does a full gut kitchen remodel cost?

A full gut with relayout multiplies the base cost by about 1.4×. For a 160 sq ft mid-range kitchen, that pushes the $24,000–$48,000 pull-and-replace range to roughly $33,500–$67,000 — before the custom cabinetry that often accompanies a relayout pushes it higher still. It's the most expensive path because it touches plumbing, gas, electrical, and often structure.