Kitchen Remodel Cost by Size and Remodel Level
Two variables explain most of the spread in kitchen budgets: how many square feet you’re redoing and how far the remodel goes. The three levels below match how contractors and the national cost guides split projects:
- Minor remodel: cabinets are refaced or painted, and you replace countertops, the sink and faucet, appliances, lighting, and possibly the floor. Nothing moves.
- Mid-range remodel: new stock or semi-custom cabinets, quartz or granite counters, a tile backsplash, a new appliance suite, new flooring and lighting, all in the existing footprint.
- Upscale remodel: custom cabinetry, premium stone, pro-style or panel-ready appliances, high-end fixtures, and often an island, a pantry, or a reworked floor plan.
| Kitchen size | Minor | Mid-range | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small galley (70 sq ft) | $4,900–$9,100 | $9,800–$18,300 | $23,400–$43,800 |
| 10 x 10 kitchen (100 sq ft) | $6,800–$12,500 | $13,500–$25,000 | $32,400–$60,000 |
| Average kitchen (150 sq ft) | $9,900–$18,100 | $19,800–$36,300 | $47,400–$87,000 |
| Large kitchen (200 sq ft) | $13,000–$23,800 | $26,000–$47,500 | $62,400–$114,000 |
| Open-plan / chef’s kitchen (300 sq ft) | $19,300–$35,000 | $38,500–$70,000 | $92,400–$168,000 |
These are the ranges the calculator produces for each size before layout changes or design fees. They sit in line with the big national guides: Angi puts the 2026 national average at about $27,000, Fixr reports the same $27,000 average with most projects between $15,000 and $45,000, and HomeGuide lists $15,000 to $50,000 for a full remodel that keeps the existing layout.
For a typical 150 sq ft kitchen, a mid-range remodel usually lands around $27,000. Minor refreshes of the same room often come in near $13,500, while upscale projects routinely pass $60,000.
Kitchen remodel cost per square foot
Most guides quote $75 to $250 per square foot for kitchen remodeling, with luxury work reaching $600 per sq ft or more. Small kitchens cost more per square foot than big ones because every kitchen needs a sink, a range, a refrigerator hookup, and a minimum run of cabinets no matter the room size.
| Remodel level | Cost per sq ft | What that typically buys |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | $65–$125 | Refaced or painted cabinets, laminate or entry-level quartz, new appliances |
| Mid-range | $130–$245 | New semi-custom cabinets, quartz or granite, tile backsplash, LVP or tile floor |
| Upscale | $300–$600+ | Custom cabinetry, premium stone, pro appliances, layout changes |
Use per-square-foot numbers as a sanity check on a bid, not as the bid itself. A 90 sq ft kitchen with custom inset cabinets can easily cost more than a 200 sq ft kitchen with stock boxes.
Kitchen Remodel Cost Breakdown: Materials vs. Labor
Cabinets are the single biggest line in almost every kitchen budget. The shares below are a consensus of the percentages published by HomeGuide, Fixr, and Forbes Home, applied to a $27,000 mid-range remodel. Your own split will shift depending on what you keep and what you upgrade.
| Component | Share of budget | On a $27,000 remodel | Typical installed range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinets and hardware | 25%–35% | $6,800–$9,500 | $4,500–$15,000 (new); $5,000–$13,000 refacing |
| Installation labor | 15%–25% | $4,000–$6,800 | General contractors bill $50–$150 per hour |
| Appliances | 10%–15% | $2,700–$4,000 | $2,500–$6,800 for a four-piece package |
| Countertops | 10%–14% | $2,700–$3,800 | $1,500–$6,000; $10–$200 per sq ft by material |
| Flooring | 7%–10% | $1,900–$2,700 | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Plumbing, sink and faucet | 5%–8% | $1,400–$2,200 | Sink $330–$1,300; faucet $200–$600 installed |
| Lighting and electrical | 5% | $1,350 | $500–$2,000+ |
| Backsplash | 4%–5% | $1,100–$1,350 | $500–$1,700; $10–$50 per sq ft |
| Walls, paint, permits, design | 5%–8% | $1,350–$2,200 | Permits alone $450–$2,500 |
Labor looks small in that table because much of it is buried inside installed prices for cabinets, counters, and flooring. When everything is counted, including the fabricator, electrician, plumber, and tile setter, labor usually works out to somewhere between a quarter and a half of the total. Fixr puts it as high as 50% to 60% on some jobs.
Cabinets
Stock cabinets run roughly $100 to $300 per linear foot installed, semi-custom lines land in the middle, and custom cabinetry runs about $500 to $1,200 per linear foot. If your boxes are solid and the layout works, refacing ($5,000 to $13,000) or professional painting ($900 to $3,800) can save thousands compared to replacement.
Countertops
Installed countertop prices span roughly $10 to $200 per square foot. Laminate sits at the bottom of that range, quartz and granite (the most common mid-range picks) fall in the middle, and marble, quartzite, and specialty slabs sit at the top. Most homeowners spend $1,500 to $6,000 on counters for an average kitchen. Sink cutouts, edge profiles, and waterfall ends all add fabrication charges.
Appliances
A basic four-piece stainless package (refrigerator, range, dishwasher, microwave or hood) typically costs $2,500 to $6,800 with installation. Built-in refrigerators, dual-fuel ranges, and wall-oven stacks can push the appliance line alone past $15,000. Switching a range from electric to gas also means a new gas line, often $350 to $2,000; see our gas line installation cost guide.
Other Factors That Affect Kitchen Remodel Cost
Layout changes
Keeping the sink, range, and refrigerator where they are is the biggest money-saver in kitchen remodeling. Relocating plumbing, rerouting a gas line, or moving a vent hood adds trade labor, opened walls, and patching. New piping alone can run $1,500 to $15,000 depending on distance and access, according to Angi.
Removing or moving walls
Opening a kitchen to the living room is popular, but a load-bearing wall needs an engineered beam. A structural engineer typically charges $1,900 to $3,700 or more, and the framing, beam, drywall, and flooring patch come on top of that. Non-structural walls are far cheaper to remove, though they may still hide wiring, ducts, or plumbing.
Electrical upgrades
Current code calls for dedicated appliance circuits and GFCI protection on countertop outlets, so older kitchens often need rewiring during a remodel. If you add an induction range, a second oven, or several new circuits, the panel may not have room; an electrical panel upgrade can add $1,500 or more.
Permits and inspections
Most kitchen remodels that touch plumbing, electrical, gas, or walls require permits. Expect roughly $450 to $2,500 depending on your city and the scope. Your contractor usually pulls them, but the fee appears on your invoice.
Flooring and walls
If cabinets change footprint, the floor usually has to change too. Luxury vinyl plank is the go-to budget pick; check our vinyl plank flooring installation cost page for per-square-foot pricing. Tile and hardwood cost more but hold up for decades. Damaged plaster or drywall behind old cabinets is common and adds $2 to $6 per square foot to replace.
Location
Labor rates vary widely. Angi’s regional data shows typical projects ranging from roughly $10,000 to $34,000 in the Midwest to about $25,600 to $61,100 in the Northwest. Use the region selector in the calculator to adjust for your area.
Hidden problems
Water damage under the sink, rotted subfloor near the dishwasher, knob-and-tube wiring, or asbestos in old flooring can all appear once demolition starts. Set aside a contingency of 10% to 15% of the budget.
Before you hire: get at least three written, itemized quotes from licensed and insured local pros. Prices for the same job often differ by 30% or more, and comparing line items is the fastest way to spot padding or missing work.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro for a Kitchen Remodel
Handy homeowners can save real money on demolition, painting, installing flat-pack cabinets, laying click-lock flooring, and setting a tile backsplash. HomeGuide notes that professional labor makes up a meaningful share of the total, so doing the unskilled work yourself can trim several thousand dollars from a mid-range job.
Some tasks are not worth the risk:
- Gas lines: should be installed and pressure-tested by a licensed plumber or gas fitter.
- New circuits and panel work: most jurisdictions require a licensed electrician and an inspection.
- Stone countertops: slabs are heavy, fragile, and templated by the fabricator; installation is almost always included in the price.
- Load-bearing walls: require an engineer’s specification and a permit.
A realistic middle path is hiring a general contractor for the trades and structural work while you handle demo, paint, and cleanup. Get that split in writing so nobody is surprised about who does what.
Is a Kitchen Remodel Worth It?
Smaller projects tend to return more of their cost at resale. In the 2025 Cost vs. Value report, a midrange minor kitchen remodel (about $28,500 nationally) was estimated to recoup 113% of its cost, while a midrange major remodel (about $82,800) recouped roughly 51% and an upscale major remodel (about $164,100) about 36%. If you plan to sell within a few years, a focused refresh usually beats a full gut. If you’re staying for the long haul, spend where daily use justifies it: storage, work surfaces, and lighting.
How to Save Money on a Kitchen Remodel
- Keep the footprint. Leaving plumbing, gas, and the range hood where they are avoids the most expensive trade work in the project.
- Reface or paint sound cabinets. Refacing costs a fraction of new cabinetry and keeps the kitchen usable for longer during the work.
- Mix countertop materials. Put premium stone on the island and a less expensive quartz or laminate on the perimeter.
- Buy appliances during holiday sales. Major retailers discount heavily around Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday; buy early and have them held.
- Get at least three itemized bids. Ask each contractor to break out cabinets, counters, labor, and allowances so you can compare line by line.
- Handle demo and painting yourself if your contractor agrees and prices it accordingly.
- Schedule for late fall or winter. Many remodelers have more openings then and may be more flexible on price.
If you’re budgeting for more than one room, compare this with our bathroom remodel cost guide, since the two projects share many of the same trades.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 10×10 kitchen remodel cost?
A 10×10 (100 sq ft) kitchen typically costs about $6,800 to $12,500 for a minor refresh and $13,500 to $25,000 for a mid-range remodel with new cabinets and counters. An upscale remodel of the same room can reach $60,000.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
Cabinets are usually the largest single item, at roughly 25% to 35% of the budget. Labor across all trades is the other major cost, and layout changes that move plumbing, gas, or walls can add $3,000 to $12,000 or more.
Can you remodel a kitchen for $10,000?
Yes, if you keep the layout and cabinets. Painting or refacing cabinets, adding laminate or entry-level quartz counters, a new sink and faucet, and mid-priced appliances can fit in about $10,000 for a small to average kitchen, especially if you do the painting and demo yourself.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
Most mid-range kitchen remodels take about 6 to 9 weeks of construction once materials are on site. Large remodels with layout changes can take 3 to 5 months, and cabinet lead times can add several weeks before work begins.
Do I need a permit to remodel my kitchen?
Usually yes if the work touches plumbing, electrical, gas lines, or walls. Purely cosmetic work such as painting or swapping a countertop in place often doesn’t need one. Permit fees typically run $450 to $2,500 depending on your city and scope.
Does a kitchen remodel add value to a home?
It can, but smaller projects return more. The 2025 Cost vs. Value report estimated a midrange minor kitchen remodel recouped about 113% of its cost at resale, compared with about 51% for a midrange major remodel and 36% for an upscale one.
How much should I budget for contingencies?
Plan for 10% to 15% of the total. Older kitchens often reveal water damage, outdated wiring, or subfloor problems once cabinets come out, and a contingency keeps those surprises from stalling the job.
