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Kitchen Remodel

How Much Does it Cost to Remodel a Kitchen?

Average Cost:

$15,000 - $154,000

Kitchen remodeling costs can range from $15,000 for a basic refresh to $154,000 for a luxurious, full-scale remodel, with an average cost of $150 to $250 per square foot. Factors such as the size of your kitchen, project scope, fixtures, finishes, and labor significantly influence the total cost.

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Today’s kitchen is far more than just a meal prep area; it’s the heart of the home, serving as a gathering spot, homework hub, and even a home office. Given its central role and multifaceted use, remodeling a kitchen can be a significant investment that impacts your overall budget. Without careful planning, kitchen remodel costs can quickly spiral out of control.

Our comprehensive cost guide provides detailed insights into kitchen remodel costs, covering expenses for various features, budgeting strategies, and effective money-saving tips.

Average Cost to Remodel a Kitchen

The average kitchen remodeling cost ranges from $15,000 for a basic refresh up to $154,000 for a full-scale remodel with upscale materials and designer features. The size of your kitchen, project scope, fixtures, finishes, and labor are a few of the primary factors that affect your total remodeling costs. Most projects fall into three categories.

Minor Kitchen Remodel

Breathe new life into your kitchen with a more budget-friendly update by keeping its current layout, choosing budget materials, and doing some of the work yourself.

  • Update existing cabinets and countertops

  • Painting walls and trim

  • New appliances, sink, faucet, and lighting

  • Updated flooring

Major Kitchen Remodel

If you desire a brand-new kitchen and have the money for some upgrades, a major mid-range project may be right for you.

  • New cabinets and upgraded countertop and backsplash

  • Range hood

  • Standard-sized center island

  • New, mid-grade appliances, sink, faucet, and lighting

  • Natural stone or laminate flooring

Major Luxury Kitchen Remodel

A project in this category includes professional design, major construction work, and personalized features, designer fixtures, and upscale materials. 

  • Complete redesign with new floorplan and custom cabinets

  • Oversized island and custom built-ins

  • Professional-grade appliances and high quality, designer materials

  • Natural stone or hardwood flooring

Kitchen Remodeling Costs by Size

On average, expect to pay $150 to $250 per square foot when planning your kitchen remodeling project. The average size of a U.S. kitchen is between 100 to 200 square feet, with remodeling costs ranging from $15,000 to $50,000. 

10 x 10 kitchen remodeling cost: $15,00 to $25,000

12 x 12 kitchen remodeling cost: $21,600 to $36,000

A larger kitchen requires more materials and labor, and will usually cost more to update or replace features and fixtures. Your kitchen’s design will also play a role in determining remodeling costs and whether you keep the existing layout or change it to something new. For example, a galley kitchen will typically cost less to update than an L-shaped kitchen with a center island. 

Kitchen Remodeling Costs by Feature

Kitchen Remodeling Costs by Feature
Material or Labor TypeAverage Cost Range
Cabinets and Hardware$4,000–$12,000
Countertops $1,400–$5,100
Lighting  $170–$570 per fixture
Sink and Faucet $700–$1,900
Appliances  $3,000–$8,700
Island  $3,100–$6,800
Doors and Windows$960–$2,200
Electrical$1,400–$2,400
Plumbing $1,800–$3,600
Flooring $350–$3,500
Backsplash  $600–$1,600
Paint  $580–$1,300
Storage and Organization$100–$1,000
Floorplan and Layout$2,800–$11,700

Other Costs and Considerations

A few kitchen remodeling costs tend to get overlooked during the more exciting project phases of selecting cabinet colors and countertops. Planning for them now prevents unwelcome surprises and will help you stick to your budget.

Demolition Costs: $900 to $3,000

Any features and fixtures you plan to replace will need to be torn down and removed. If you are looking for a way to save some money on your remodeling costs, doing the demo work yourself is a doable DIY project, provided you have the proper tools and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Permitting Fees: $150 to $2,000

Depending on how much work you plan to do in your kitchen, you may need to obtain a building permit. Plumbing, electrical, and major construction work all require a permit through your city’s planning department before work can begin. Kitchen contractors will often obtain permits on your behalf and will include this cost as a line item on your project estimate.

Kitchen Loss of Use: Cost Varies

A kitchen remodel is a major construction project and can take between four and twelve weeks or more to complete. There will be times when you will not have a working kitchen, which can cause significant disruption to your household, especially for children and pets. When planning your budget, factor in additional living expenses like a short-term rental, setting up a makeshift kitchen elsewhere in the home, or eating out.

How to Budget for Kitchen Remodel Costs

Blue kitchen with high-quality floors and lighting, and custom built-ins

Remodeling a kitchen is pricey, and costs can add up quickly. A good starting point for a budgetary estimate is between five and 15 percent of your home’s value. For example, for a home that is valued at $300,000, expect to pay between $15,000 to $45,000 on a kitchen update.

Knowing where the money goes is an important first step in your project planning. Your kitchen’s final size and layout, along with your budget, priorities, and design preferences will ultimately determine how much money is spent where. Here is how the budget breaks down for a typical kitchen remodeling project:  

Budget Breakdown for Kitchen Remodel
Kitchen FeatureAverage Budget Total
Cabinets and Hardware 30%
Labor 15%
Appliances 13%
Countertops 13%
Flooring 11%
Faucets and Plumbing5%
Lighting 5%
Design 4%
Doors and Windows 4%
Painting 3%

Additionally, consider setting up a contingency fund to cover unexpected costs that come up along the way (faulty electrical wiring or a rotting subfloor, for example).

Pro-tip: Unexpected costs always come up.

The consensus among kitchen remodelers and designers is between 10 to 20 percent of your project’s cost to cover these surprise expenses. Take it from the pros — some extra budgeting now will save you money and frustration later.

Tips for Saving Money on a Kitchen Remodel

While they are one of the more expensive home improvements, you can save money on your kitchen remodel costs by setting priorities, making trade-offs, and getting creative.

Hire a Professional

The fee of a quality kitchen remodeling professional will often pay for itself and save you money in materials and labor. This is especially true for more complex projects when scheduling and deliveries are critical. They also know the right subcontractors for your project and can recommend the best materials to meet your budget. When evaluating kitchen remodeling professionals, compare quotes, read reviews, and get your questions answered to find the best fit for your project.

Image of two remodelers working in a kitchen remodel

Create a Budget and Plan

Have a clear kitchen plan that outlines your vision and how much you can afford to spend on the project, including a fund for contingencies. 

Young multiethnic couple checking bills while managing accounts on home banking app. Serious guy and african woman sitting at home discussing finance for the month. Young casual man and girl using laptop while looking at invoice and plan the budget to save.

Maintain the Existing Layout

Design and construction fees can quickly balloon out of control when you start knocking down walls and moving things around. Keeping your kitchen layout the same and replacing features and fixtures will save you thousands of dollars in design and construction costs.

a kitchen with a blue black-splash and brown cabinets and a large island

Keep Your Cabinets

Cabinets are often the most expensive feature in a kitchen and can quickly gobble up your budget. Consider refacing, installing new cabinet fronts and hardware, or repainting to make the most of the money you have to spend.

a small kitchen with brown cabinets and yellow black splash

Get Creative with Countertops

Marble and granite countertops are beautiful but pricey. To save costs, consider kitchen countertop alternatives like laminate or a solid surface option like Corian. If you have your heart set on marble, however, install it in a smaller quantity — place it in the areas with the highest visibility while using butcher block or other less expensive material everywhere else.

a modern kitchen with marble countertops

Know Where to Save and Where to Splurge

Creating a kitchen you love should include a few little luxuries. It is your kitchen after all, and you deserve to enjoy living in it day after day. An experienced kitchen designer or contractor can be a helpful resource here — tap into their expertise for recommendations on where to add upscale materials and how to create your desired look for less.  

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Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Remodeling Costs

Are kitchen remodeling costs worth it?

Remodeling a room that sees a lot of use like a kitchen can make your home feel and live better. If your kitchen is more than 10 years old, has several outdated features, or no longer serves your needs, renovating your kitchen can improve your home’s functionality and flow for years to come.  


What is the return on investment for a kitchen remodel?

Minor kitchen remodeling projects with mid-range features and fixtures tend to see the highest return on your investment (ROI), followed by major mid-range and major upscale projects: 



  • Minor mid-range remodel ROI: 85.7%

  • Major mid-range remodel ROI: 41.8%

  • Major upscale remodel ROI: 31.7%


How does a kitchen remodel improve home value?

If you are planning to sell your home within the next one to three years, your money is better spent on a minor kitchen renovation that adds an average of $22,963 to a home’s value or an 85.7% return on investment. Regional preferences in styles and features may also impact your home’s value, so discuss your remodeling plans with a trusted real estate professional.  


How can you remodel your kitchen on a budget?

The best way to improve your kitchen on a budget is to create one and stick to it. Some kitchen remodeling professionals specialize in smaller projects and can help you make the most of the money you have to spend. 


What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?

Kitchen cabinets are often the priciest feature of a kitchen remodel, accounting for 30% of a budget’s total on average. For custom cabinets, expect to allocate even more. To save money, consider stock cabinets, ready-to-assemble cabinets, or upcycling your existing cabinets by refacing or painting. 


How much does a DIY kitchen remodel cost?

The average cost to DIY a kitchen remodel ranges from $2,800 to $15,300 for a smaller project and from $10,500 to $42,500 or more for a larger or upscale project. A kitchen remodel is a major home improvement project with many different materials and requires a certain amount of construction knowledge. If your project requires knocking down or moving walls and electrical or plumbing updates, you are better off calling in the pros.