How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost?

Kitchen Remodel Costs by Scope

While the average kitchen remodel costs roughly $25,500, you can spend a lot less with a targeted budget—and a lot more for a total kitchen makeover. Most remodels will fall somewhere in between. The scope of the renovations greatly impacts your kitchen remodel costs. 

Budget-Friendly Kitchen Renovations

A small budget ($5,000 to $10,000) doesn’t mean you can’t have the kitchen of your dreams. When planning out your kitchen renovation costs, consider the following to save a little extra money:

• Pass on custom cabinets: Cabinets take up almost 30% of the budget for kitchen remodels. Save with stock products or reface or refinish your existing cabinets instead of replacing them.

• DIY where possible: See where you can do some of the installation and replacement yourself.

• Remodel in stages: Break up the projects into smaller phases, so you only have to save for one thing at a time.

• Only do necessary updates: You don't have to do everything. You can simply upgrade the materials and appliances that truly need updating. Refinishing your appliances costs about $150 to $550. If your budget allows, consider replacing appliances to increase visual appeal and ROI.

“We often recommend one or two 'showstopper' appliances, such as a high-end range or refrigerator,” says Bob Tschudi, Expert Home Building and Remodeling Contributor. “These tend to elevate the whole kitchen. We recently put a commercial microwave oven in a kitchen remodel, and its uniqueness has made the whole kitchen look more high-end.”

Minor Remodels

Minor kitchen remodels can cost from $10,000 to $20,000. At this price range, you can touch most or all parts of the kitchen, but you might be looking at lower-end materials. In this budget range, you can likely upgrade appliances, put on a fresh coat of paint, install new faucets, and even put in a backsplash.

Major Remodels

If your kitchen remodel budget falls between $20,000 and $70,000, you have more than enough for major upgrades using high-quality materials. Projects might include adding built-in energy-efficient appliances, custom cabinets, a commercial-style range oven, a drink or coffee station, and a cooktop or seating island. You can install new flooring and light fixtures and add elegant touches, like high-end hardware for the cabinets and drawers.

For a high-end, upscale renovation, the kitchen cost may fall between $100,000 and $130,000.

Total Kitchen Makeover

Gutting the kitchen and implementing a new layout comes with additional costs for plumbing, electrical, walls, and flooring. Total kitchen overhauls can cost from $30,000 to $80,000 or more. If you’re gutting a kitchen and implementing the most upscale materials, you’ll pay $100,000 to $130,000.

For total makeovers and layout changes, you will need to budget for:

• The labor required to knock down walls and gut your kitchen

• Plumbing costs for new pipes and hookups

• Electrical rewiring costs for appliances and lighting

“The number one kitchen remodel request involves removing a wall to create an ‘open concept’ layout,” says Tschudi. “If that wall is what’s called a load-bearing wall, removing it will be expensive and reduce the overall stability of the house. On the other hand, if the wall is not structural, the cost to remove it is very reasonable. If you are going to remove a wall, structural or not, be sure to engage with a licensed structural engineer.”

Kitchen Renovation Cost Factors

Several factors can impact your total kitchen remodel cost, including the size of your kitchen, labor, the quality of materials and appliances, and the extent of the renovations.

Kitchen Size

The average kitchen remodel cost is $150 per square foot, including materials, appliances, and labor. In the most basic sense, the larger your kitchen, the larger the cost. Using the average square-footage estimate, the table below shows how a moderate kitchen remodel cost can vary by size:

Designer

Professional kitchen designers cost $65 to $250 per hour. The typical kitchen designer accounts for roughly 3% of your renovation budget.

If you get advice or an in-home consultation from a materials and design store, expect a flat fee ranging from $100 to $800. However, some homeowners report paying $4,400 to $25,000 for certified professionals and independent services. At this rate, you might expect such services as:

• 3D renderings

• Material and color selection

• Coordination with contractors and suppliers

• Start-to-finish support and management

Labor and Installation

Depending on the extent of your renovation, labor may cost from $3,500 to $6,000 for a minor or major remodel. Larger kitchen makeovers, requiring extensive plumbing, electrical, and carpentry, can cost much more. No matter the extent, it is fair to calculate roughly 18% of your total renovation costs as labor costs.

For larger projects, especially total guts and redesigns, you would likely benefit from hiring a kitchen remodeling contractor who can subcontract all the various players involved in the remodel.

On the flip side, minor budget-friendly renovations (including a fresh coat of paint or installing a new dishwasher) might qualify as a DIY project, if you’re up to the task.

Location

Where you live can have an impact on overall kitchen remodel costs, largely due to differences in material and labor prices. The top four most expensive cities for kitchen renovations are in California.

The least expensive city to remodel a kitchen in is Cincinnati, Ohio.

The table below shows the average cost range of kitchen remodels by major city:

Cost data is based on actual project costs reported by HomeAdvisor members.

Cabinets

Kitchen cabinet installation costs an average of $1,850 to $9,250, with the products themselves ranging from $100 to $1,200 or more per linear foot. Cabinets, especially when custom-made, are the most expensive parts of a kitchen renovation; using stock cabinets keeps prices down, but cabinets often serve as the kitchen’s curb appeal. That means higher-quality cabinets may help you sell your home.

The table below breaks down the difference in cabinet costs between stock, semi-custom, and completely custom cabinets per linear foot. These prices include the cost of installation.

For budget-friendly or minor remodels, you can reface or refinish your existing cabinets for a fraction of the cost:

• Refacing cabinets costs $4,250 to $10,000.

• Refinishing cabinets costs $1,800 to $4,100.

Countertops

Installing countertops costs $1,850 to $4,300, though this price will fluctuate depending on the material and measurements. Countertops play a major role in the look and usability of your space. Choose the materials based on what looks and functions best.

Within each category of materials, price depends on quality. Seamless materials, such as Corian and granite, tend to be more durable but are generally more expensive. Formica and concrete are cheaper but add less value. Tile is attractive but requires more maintenance and regular grout cleaning.

Review common countertop materials, their costs, and their benefits in the table below:

Appliances

Installing kitchen appliances costs $100 to $300 per appliance on average—for the installation alone. Energy-efficient appliances (EnergyStar appliances) can offer great savings over time, and higher-end built-in appliances greatly appeal to buyers when you put your house on the market.

Kitchen appliances typically include the refrigerator (and freezer), oven and stove, microwave, and dishwasher. For each, you can choose from:

• Budget-friendly freestanding appliances: $200–$1,000

• High-end freestanding appliances: $1,000–$5,000+

• Custom built-in appliances: $1,000–$10,000+ 

EnergyStar appliances range between $300 and $3,000 and are available at every level of appliance budget.

Flooring

Flooring installation costs $1,500 to $4,700. The largest cost factors include the square footage of the room and material you choose. Vinyl and linoleum flooring are the most affordable but are more easily damaged and don’t last as long. 

Tile, granite, and wood are more expensive but will add value, elegance, and durability to your kitchen. The more expensive flooring sometimes proves to be the more difficult ones to maintain.

Kitchens can be volatile workstations. Damage from stains, grease, heat, and moisture is common. If you can't keep up with the cleaning and maintenance, the more expensive flooring might not be the best for you.

Kitchen flooring options include:

Stuck between hardwood and laminate? Check out our Comparison Guide for hardwood versus laminate flooring.

Plumbing

Installing a faucet costs $190 to $700. If you don’t need to change the plumbing layout, installing a sink costs $225 to $600.

Rearranging appliances for a larger remodel entails relocating water supply lines, drains, and sewage lines. This often involves getting new pipes—installing additional pipes costs about $1,175—and connecting them to the main line. This also means spending more on labor and, in some cases, hiring a plumber. You might need a permit from the city. Kitchen remodel permits cost from $500 to $1,500.

Electrical

Electricians cost $50 to $100 per hour, on average. It’s best to do electrical work during the tear-out process. At this point, determine whether you need to upgrade your electrical output to accommodate a new refrigerator or oven. The cost to upgrade an electrical panel averages about $1,200.

You may also need to move outlets and fixtures to accommodate a new layout or just replace outdated outlets. The cost to add an outlet adds $215 to your project total. Hire an electrician to guide you through the process; electrical work typically makes up 5% of the average kitchen remodel cost.

“Many kitchen remodels require an upgrade to the electrical system,” says Tschudi. “To comply with code, some appliances require dedicated circuits, and all outlets on counters need to have ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) systems, which trip the instant water and electricity come in contact to prevent electrocution.”

Gas Lines

Moving a gas line costs $275 to $875. Unless you're planning to move your oven and stove cooktop to an entirely different place in the room, you should be able to avoid this expense. The process involves moving and running additional gas lines, upending flooring, and knocking out walls. It also requires a permit for handling natural gas lines. If you plan to move a vented range, you will need to have a new venting system installed.

Walls and Ceilings

Budget-friendly remodels might involve painting walls or installing a backsplash. The cost of painting a kitchen ranges from $300 to $750; installing a backsplash costs about $1,000.

When completing a kitchen makeover, you might knock down and rebuild some walls. Removing a non-load-bearing wall costs as little as $300 while taking down a load-bearing wall costs up to $3,000.

You can opt for fire- and moisture-resistant drywall when doing a kitchen remodel to improve safety. Current drywall prices range from $12 to $20 per panel.

Most ceiling work will entail painting or drywall work, if installing new light fixtures.

Lighting

Lighting is an important part of a kitchen remodel; don’t forget to factor in light fixture installation costs when building your budget. Upscale kitchen remodels might include accent lighting, like a pendant light over the sink. However, at a functional level, you will need to install purposeful task lighting since the kitchen is a room where important work takes place.

Recessed lighting is a popular option for kitchens. In general, recessed lighting costs around $300 per fixture.

Kitchen Renovation Budget Breakdown

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) provides a kitchen renovation budget breakdown that helps homeowners visualize where they can expect their budget to go. NKBA provided the percentages; in the table, we’ve used a $30,000 budget so you can see how those percentages might play out.

Benefits of Remodeling Your Kitchen

Knowing how much to renovate a kitchen is important before you start the project, but the high kitchen remodel cost can be alarming. Don’t let it sway you, however. Remodeling a kitchen has multiple benefits, including financial ones.

Here are the top kitchen remodel benefits:

• Return on investment: When you sell your house, you may earn about 60% of what you spend on the kitchen remodel. And while that means you’ll spend more than you’ll earn back, you can 1) enjoy that kitchen for a while before selling and 2) potentially sell your home faster with a remodeled kitchen.

• Improved functionality: If you have an inefficient kitchen layout, you might waste a lot of time in the kitchen—or just be having a miserable time cooking. If cooking is your hobby (or you just need an efficient kitchen to accommodate your busy schedule or large family), a remodel may be in order.

• Efficient appliances: Investing in energy-efficient appliances is another way to recuperate your money. Because they yield lower utility bills, efficient appliances can pay for themselves over time.

• Safety: If you live in an older home and have for a long time, it’s possible the kitchen is no longer up to today’s safety standards. Not only can you not sell a house that has a kitchen with code violations, but it’s also not safe for you and your family to cook in. You can be sure that licensed contractors will complete your kitchen remodel completely up to code.

• A modern look: A new kitchen can make you feel a certain way. While we can’t quantify how much an aesthetically pleasing kitchen makes your life better, you might find happiness and peace in a more modern-looking kitchen.

DIY vs. Hiring a Kitchen Remodeling Pro

A basic kitchen remodel on a budget—like a fresh coat of paint, a new refrigerator, and maybe even a refinished cabinet or two—is possible for DIYers, but any moderate to extensive kitchen renovation should be left to professionals, especially where plumbing and electrical are involved. Licensed contractors can help you with permitting and code, and they will install materials correctly—for a better final appearance (and greater ROI when you go to sell).

Because a kitchen remodel costs tens of thousands of dollars, get quotes from several local plumbers, local electricians, or even local kitchen remodelers for big projects. Go with the best price, as long as the company has great reviews.

FAQs

What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?

Cabinets are the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel and account for roughly 28% of the total cost. For a complete kitchen remodel, mid-range stock cabinetry costs about $10,000 to $20,000, while high-end cabinetry costs about $20,000 or more. Expect to pay around $6,000 on top of that for cabinet installation.

How long does a kitchen remodel take, on average?

The average kitchen remodel takes six to 10 weeks, but it can take even longer depending on the size of the kitchen, product availability, and subcontractors’ schedules. The initial planning and design phase takes an additional four weeks.

How much does a kitchen and bathroom renovation cost?

It costs an average of $37,000 to renovate both the kitchen and the bathroom. Bathroom remodels cost around $11,200 of the total. Many remodeling contractors are licensed to perform both projects with the help of subcontractors, so you can often hire one contractor for all the work. A general contractor will subcontract out licensed trades for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical or HVAC.

What's the average cost to gut a kitchen?

Gutting a kitchen costs as little as $300 to as much as $3,000, depending on regulations in your area, the size of your space, and what you need demolished or removed. Your city and county may have regulations surrounding proper waste disposal and materials that require extra steps and labor.

There may also be requirements around getting an interior demolition permit in addition to your building permit. Plus, if you want to preserve some of the existing materials, you’ll pay more in labor for more careful removal.

How much is a mobile home kitchen remodel?

Remodeling a mobile home kitchen could be as little as $3,000 and as much as $25,000, depending on the size of the kitchen, the quality of materials you use, and the extent of the renovation.

Before you remodel a mobile home, it’s best to consult with a contractor who will ensure your changes are compliant with the Housing Urban Development (HUD) Code.

What’s the difference between a kitchen remodel and a kitchen renovation?

A kitchen renovation typically involves keeping the kitchen layout the same while making updates to counters, paint, appliances, and flooring. A kitchen remodel implies a larger project, one that might include gutting part or all of the kitchen and changing the overall layout and flow. You may hear contractors use the two terms (kitchen removal vs. kitchen renovation) interchangeably.

What questions should I ask potential contractors about a kitchen remodel? 

When vetting potential contractors for a kitchen remodel, ask for a portfolio of their previous work, inquire about their schedule and the timetable for completing your specific project, what warranties they offer and what insurance they carry, and if you will be able to use the kitchen during the remodel. While it can be tempting to go with the lowest estimate, you should always thoroughly read reviews of each contractor online.

Kitchen Remodel Cost Examples

It’s hard to imagine what your end result will be as you start to budget out your kitchen remodel. Below are example kitchen renovations and their costs to help you visualize the possibilities.

The average cost of a kitchen remodel in Aurora is approximately $10,500 to $30,000. New cabinetry, countertops, and appliances come together to create a U-shaped kitchen layout and make the space feel larger.

• Stamford: $13,800 to $40,000.

• Minneapolis: $15,500 to $40,000.

• West Chester, PA: $14,000 to $33,000.