The average U.S. homeowner spends $26,969 on a kitchen remodel, but the cost ranges from $14,593 to $41,524, depending on the scope of the project.
The average kitchen remodel cost is around $26,969, though it ranges greatly, depending on materials, labor, and location. Most homeowners pay between $14,593 and $41,524. With major renovations, such as adding new appliances and upgrading countertops, a kitchen remodel could cost you at least $3,500.
Whether you want to completely overhaul your kitchen or just give it a fresher look, it’s a big undertaking with a substantial price tag. Here's what to know to effectively budget for the new kitchen of your dreams.
The first step to figuring out how much it costs to build a kitchen is gauging the scale of your remodel. Your current kitchen footprint, the condition of your appliances, counters, and flooring, your needs and desires, and your budget will all impact whether you decide to do a minor, major, or complete remodel. Here’s what to expect at each level.
Scale of Project | Average Cost |
---|---|
Minor | $10,000–$20,000 |
Major | $20,000–$65,000 |
Complete | $65,000–$130,000+ |
You can transform your kitchen without going over budget with a minor kitchen remodel, which may include:
Improving aesthetics and functionality without changing the kitchen layout
Painting walls for a fresh look
Refinishing or refacing cabinets or replacing them with stock cabinets
Keeping appliances or replacing one or two for energy-efficient options
Upgrading flooring or countertops
Installing a new kitchen sink and faucet
Average Cost: $10,000–$20,000
If you're looking for new energy-efficient appliances, high-end flooring and countertop materials, and customization for your cabinets, then a major kitchen remodel may be for you. Things to consider for a major remodel are:
Painting walls
New appliances and garbage disposal
Upgrading flooring and countertops
Semi-custom cabinetry with new hardware
New lighting fixtures
New kitchen sink and faucet with high-end brands and finishes
Average Cost: $20,000–$65,000
With a complete kitchen renovation, you’re looking at a total overhaul. You’ll be tearing out walls, gutting out just about everything, and moving plumbing and electrical. In other words, you're starting fresh and making way for luxury materials and top-of-the-line appliances. A complete kitchen remodel includes:
Changing the kitchen footprint
Moving plumbing, electrical, and a gas line
Luxury countertop materials like marble
Upgrading to high-end flooring like stone tiles
Custom cabinetry
High-end smart appliances and built-ins
Painting walls
New luxury kitchen sink and faucet with built-in filtration
Lighting additions and under-cabinet lighting
Average Cost: $65,000–$130,000 or more
The cost per square foot for a kitchen remodel varies widely between projects and ranges anywhere from $75 to $250.
Kitchen Size (Square Feet) | Kitchen Remodel Cost |
---|---|
75 | $5,600–$17,500 |
100 | $7,500–$25,000 |
150 | $11,250–$37,500 |
200 | $15,000–$50,000 |
With kitchen remodeling ranging from $3,500 all the way up to $65,469, it can be easier to budget when you know how much to expect for different factors, like appliances, countertops, and flooring. Here’s how much several kitchen remodel components cost on average.
Dishwashers, sinks, faucets, refrigerators, microwaves, cooktops, ovens, range hoods, and other appliances are all considerations when building a new kitchen. Prices vary greatly, from less than $100 to $5,000 or more, depending on the item. A budget also needs to factor in the cost of having a kitchen appliance installed, which ranges from $125 to $300.
New cabinetry is a major component of any kitchen remodel. The cost of kitchen cabinets ranges from $2,000 to $28,000 or more, depending on the amount of storage you’re adding and the materials you choose. They can take up 40% or more of a kitchen remodel. To put it in perspective, cabinets can cost around $8,400 in a $30,000 remodel.
Custom Cabinets | Stock Cabinets |
---|---|
More expensive option | Budget-friendly |
$500 to $1,200 per linear foot | $100 to $300 per linear foot |
Can personalize all aspects | Pre-made with little personalization |
Can take 6-8 weeks to build | Can ship when ordered |
Kitchen cabinet hardware costs range from under $100 on the low end to above $10,000 on the high end. For example, rare and ornate handles or knobs can go for $500 each, but it’s also possible to find stylish options for only $1 to $2 apiece.
Though the average cost range to install countertops is $1,870 to $4,400, you may pay up to $10,000 or more for the materials and labor required to install certain options, like stainless steel or quartz countertops.
Looking at the wide range of countertop materials and styles can be overwhelming, but a nearby countertop installer can help you choose. Laminate and ceramic are the most budget-friendly, while marble is the most costly. The materials listed below vary by quality, durability, availability of colors, installation methods, and required maintenance.
Countertop Material | Average Cost per Square Foot |
---|---|
Granite | $10–$140 |
Soapstone | $20–$70 |
Marble | $15–$190 |
Slate | $30–$90 |
Limestone | $10–$70 |
Travertine | $11–$35 |
Quartz | $15–$70 |
Corian | $20–$75 |
Laminate | $8–$35 |
Ceramic or porcelain | $1–$40 |
Wood | $18–$38 |
Stainless steel | $60–$100 |
The cost of installing a new backsplash ranges from $500 to $1,700 or $15 to $40 per square foot. on average for all the materials and labor involved. If you’re a handy DIYer, doing this project yourself can reduce the price by up to half because labor fees make up roughly 40% of the overall cost.
A backsplash is an easier project to DIY compared to other kitchen renovations, like installing cabinets.
Here are a few backsplash materials to consider:
Backsplash Material | Average Cost per Square Foot |
---|---|
Tile | $25 |
Marble | $10–$95 |
Tin | $10–$30 |
Brick | $10–$40 |
Glass | $30 |
Stainless steel | $20 |
New laminate or tile floors are common for major kitchen remodels. Depending on square footage, the cost to install a new floor is $1,000 to $4,000. Budget kitchen floor ideas include sheet vinyl, vinyl tile, linoleum, and laminate.
Budget-Friendly Flooring Materials | Average Cost per Square Foot |
---|---|
Sheet vinyl | $3 |
Vinyl tile | Less than $1 |
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) | $3–$7 |
Linoleum | $3–$7 |
Laminate | $3–$10 |
High-End Flooring Materials | Average Cost per Square Foot |
---|---|
Ceramic tile | $4–$40 |
Hardwood | $6–$22 |
Natural stone | $6–$20 |
It costs an average of $260 to install a new faucet and $420 to install a new sink. Sink prices can range from $210 to $2,000 depending on the type of sink you choose and the amount of demolition and construction needed in your space before and during installation.
For example, you’ll pay more to spring for your dream farmhouse kitchen sink than a low-cost drop-in sink. Similarly, the type of kitchen faucet will also impact what you pay, with single-handle options typically costing less than dual, pull-down, and pull-out options.
Adding new pipes to your kitchen or completely repiping your space costs about $7,500, but it can range from $1,500 to $15,000 depending on the size of your kitchen and the labor and materials involved. Plumbers cost between $45 and $200 per hour, but they may offer a flat rate based on the size of your space.
Materials make up the bulk of the project cost, especially if you’re planning to switch your pipes to a more expensive type. For example, copper pipes cost $2 to $8 per linear foot, whereas you’ll only pay $0.50 to $1 per linear foot for CPVC piping.
Some kitchen remodels come with a handful of electrical projects, like adding new outlets, moving wires, and upgrading electrical output for specific appliances. Electricians cost $50 to $100 per hour, but the added costs of materials mean some projects are more expensive than others.
For example, you’ll pay between $75 and $485 for the cost of installing a new outlet because such a change doesn’t require a ton of new material. On the flip side, switching out your electrical panel involves more labor and supplies. On average, expect to pay between $520 and $2,000 for this type of electrical upgrade.
If upgrading to an electric stove, you might need to upgrade to a heavy-duty outlet. These higher-voltage outlets range from 220 volts, 240 volts, and 250 volts. The cost to install a new heavy-duty outlet includes the cost of the outlet, which runs from $10 to $20, and your electrician’s hourly rate. Ask your pro if there are other costs to expect and if they can help you obtain the proper permits.
Lighting projects start at around $500 but can exceed $2,000. Many kitchen remodels involve adding ambient and task lighting for better cooking and functionality. Ambient light refers to ceiling lights that illuminate the whole room. A pendant light or chandelier over a kitchen island or dining table adds soft light and ambiance.
On the other hand, kitchen task lighting is focused light that brightens up a work space so you can easily read recipes, stir a pot of soup, or measure ingredients. An easy way to add task lighting to your kitchen is to install LED strip lights under your cabinets, in drawers, and above the stovetop. Under-cabinet lighting costs between $230 and $300, including labor and materials.
If you’re planning to move your oven or stove, you’ll also need to hire a pro to relocate your gas line safely. The price of moving a gas line ranges from $375 to $750, but you can avoid this extra fee by keeping your gas-powered appliances in their existing setup.
Redoing a kitchen may involve a lot of demolition, including opening up walls to move wires or potentially tearing down walls if you change the kitchen layout. Wall and ceiling renovations can be necessary to give your kitchen a finished look. A fresh coat of paint helps bring your new design together and complements newly installed devices and countertops. A 150- to 250-square-foot kitchen costs about $900 to paint.
During this time, you might want to take the opportunity to make upgrades like constructing new walls with fire-resistant drywall and updating your kitchen ceiling. Tongue-and-groove ceilings add a mid-century modern feel with wood paneling, and it’s a doable DIY. A tongue-and-groove pine ceiling costs $1,350 to $1,800 in a 150-square-foot room.
The cost to build a pantry ranges from $1,100 to $2,900. Save money by working with your current layout and using deeper set cabinetry with pull-out style drawers. You could also install small shelves underneath cabinets to maximize vertical storage space.
The labor cost to hire a local kitchen remodeler for a complete kitchen facelift can vary, but 25% of the total cost of your remodel is a good guideline to follow. So for every $10,000 you plan to spend, account for $2,500 in installation expenses.
It’s also worth mentioning that coordinating multiple projects at once for extensive remodeling jobs could cost extra. If you need a certain contractor to complete work before another—like installing new countertops before new appliances—you may have to pay rush rates or have work done during the busy season.
Hiring an interior designer costs about $50 to $200 per hour, or you may pay $5 to $15 per square foot. While you might have ideas for your ideal backsplash color or a kitchen island, an interior designer will help bring your dream kitchen to life in a cohesive way.
Working with a general contractor costs about 10% to 20% of the project cost. The general contractor may charge around $300 to $500 per day plus $150 to $250 per day for each additional laborer. When you start a big home improvement project like a kitchen remodel, a general contractor’s expertise, guidance, and management are highly valuable.
Building permits cost around $460 to $2,770 on average. Permits are required to ensure your project is completed safely, and you may need multiple permits for electrical work, plumbing work, demolition, and construction. Your general contractor may help secure the necessary permits for your kitchen remodel.
If you aren’t replacing your appliances, you can expect to spend $90 to $250 per month for a portable storage unit or $120 to $280 per month for a storage unit to store your appliances during demolition and construction.
Hiring movers costs around $25 to $50 per mover per hour to carry appliances out of the kitchen and into a portable unit or moving truck. You could also pay per appliance; for example, moving a refrigerator costs about $150 to $250.
Designing a kitchen with accessibility in mind can be challenging and may increase renovation costs. We highly recommend consulting with any individual with specific accessibility needs to determine whether features like lower countertops, dumbwaiters, or other universal design accommodations are desired. Be sure to communicate these needs clearly with the pro to ensure satisfactory results after the kitchen remodel.
Kitchen remodel costs can vary by region, as materials may cost more to ship to your area, or local permits may be more or less expensive in your city. Large urban areas with higher living costs tend to have higher prices for kitchen remodels, while smaller cities and rural areas fall on the lower end of prices for materials and labor.
U.S. Region | Average Kitchen Remodel Cost |
---|---|
Northwest | $25,600–$61,100 |
Rocky Mountains | $12,700–$39,600 |
Southwest | $12,350–$33,950 |
Mountain Prairie | $6,000–$37,400 |
Midwest | $10,300–$34,300 |
Southeast | $12,000–$32,200 |
Mideast | $13,600–$37,650 |
Northeast | $10,800–$40,400 |
Terms home remodel, renovation, and expansion have different meanings for homeowners and pros. Before embarking on a project, familiarize yourself with each term.
A remodel is a large project focused on transforming a space. It could include tearing down walls, moving plumbing, and upgrading electrical. For a kitchen remodel, you might change the kitchen layout; move around the appliances; replace cabinets, flooring, and counters; and paint the walls.
A renovation focuses on restoring a room to its previous condition or making it look new and takes the form of more straightforward projects. A kitchen renovation might involve repairing appliances and flooring, refinishing cabinets, and replacing kitchen faucets.
An expansion refers to tearing down walls and reframing a room to increase the size of a kitchen. For example, an expansion might look like creating an open floor plan, so a kitchen and dining room come together in one big space.
Kitchen Remodel | Kitchen Renovation | Kitchen Expansion |
---|---|---|
Change kitchen structure | Restore kitchen to look new | Increase size of kitchen |
Significant updates to look and functionality without structural changes | Layout stays the same, with focus on repairs and replacements | Not as involved as remodel, but requires intensive structural changes |
Costs are moderate to high | Costs are low to moderate | Costs are moderate to high |
Kitchen remodels boast a return on investment (ROI) of about 70% to 80% when you sell your home. And no upgrade is too small—both minor and major kitchen remodels can increase your home’s value. That means you’ll likely win back most of your kitchen upgrade costs when it finally comes time to put your home on the market, even if it’s just a small facelift.
An appealing kitchen can also potentially help you sell your home faster. Next to bathrooms, this is one of the highest ROIs for a home remodeling project.
With the average cost of a kitchen remodel around $26,969, you can set your budget higher or lower based on your needs. If you plan to keep the existing layout of your kitchen, you may be able to work with a smaller budget; however, if you’re demolishing and rebuilding a kitchen, you’ll want to set your budget higher.
I meet with homeowners and get to know what they want their kitchen to look like. Then I’ll do a sketch or have one drawn up. Next, I get prices from the manufacturers, including a lower-end and mid-range option. Only when the customer tells me that the finished product is more important to them than the cost will I price out a high-end, custom kitchen.
Once you’ve set a budget, be sure to add some cushion for surprises—like an unexpected leak that needs repairing or old plumbing that needs replacing.
The trick to saving on kitchen remodels is knowing where to compromise and when you can save by doing a project yourself. Determine your budget before making any big decisions or commitments, then stick to it.
Don’t Scrap Your Cabinets: Cabinets are the most expensive component of a kitchen remodel, so keeping your existing cabinets will go a long. You can repaint or reface them with new doors and change out the hardware.
Keep Your Kitchen Footprint : Changing your kitchen’s footprint comes with expensive electrical and plumbing work. Instead, focus on a kitchen makeover that transforms your space without driving up costs.
Shop Around: Instead of a brand-new refrigerator, conider a floor model or a slightly damaged unit at a discount. Or, if you need to buy multiple of a certain item, get a discount by buying a bundle.
Use High-End and Low-End Products Where It Counts: Consider installing reused or refurbished cabinetry, and then attaching high-quality cabinet hardware to add some polish. Or buy a porcelain tile that looks like natural stone for an affordable backsplash option.
Vet Your Contractor : Before hiring a contractor, check their licenses and qualifications, and ask about previous work. Contact at least three pros for a quote and ask questions.
Considering the range of updates involved in a kitchen remodel, you might find some projects you can do yourself, while for others, you’ll need to hire a pro. Opting to DIY some kitchen remodeling projects can offset some of the labor cost, which is often between $3,000 and $6,000, or 25% of the total kitchen remodel budget. Projects like installing a backsplash, replacing a garbage disposal, and painting walls might be tasks you can handle.
Since cabinets are the biggest cost in a kitchen remodeling project, you can cut costs by refinishing your existing cabinetry. If you’re an advanced-level DIYer, you may be able to install flooring, countertops, and cabinets.
Considering the range of updates involved in a kitchen remodel, you might find some projects you can do yourself, while for others, you’ll need to hire a pro. Opting to DIY some kitchen remodeling projects can offset some of the labor cost, which is often between $3,000 and $6,000, or 25% of the total kitchen remodel budget. Projects like installing a backsplash, replacing a garbage disposal, and painting walls might be tasks you can handle.
Since cabinets are the biggest cost in a kitchen remodeling project, you can cut costs by refinishing your existing cabinetry. If you’re an advanced-level DIYer, you may be able to install flooring, countertops, and cabinets.
Hear it from a homeowner:
"Having someone with extensive work experience and knowledge in the area helped us tremendously [on] our first big remodel project. Our pro walked us through the process, provided detailed documentation on what to expect, how to prepare for the remodel, and patiently answered our (endless) questions before the remodel began."
— Edith K., Tigard, OR
On the other hand, hazardous or heavy-duty projects—like moving a heavy, natural stone countertop or rewiring a gas line—are better left to the pros. You should always leave potentially dangerous DIY projects involving plumbing and electrical work to licensed pros. Kitchen renovation pros in your area have the right tools, skills, and knowledge to get the job done right. Most kitchen remodels can be completed with a bit of DIY and some help from pros.
Depending on your comfort level, there may be some tasks you can take on without a pro. Some DIY-friendly kitchen projects include installing under-cabinet lighting with LED strips and upgrading your kitchen faucet. Other DIY projects to help lower the project cost include:
Painting your kitchen cabinets to match the new look
Removing wallpaper to refresh or paint
Purchasing and replacing kitchen cabinet hardware
Organizing your kitchen ahead of time to avoid unnecessary clutter
Adding contact paper to your countertops for a new, functional look
Painting countertops to revitalize your kitchen aesthetic
Installing cabinet door glass to allow your dinerware to shine bright
Installing kitchen backsplash to transform your space
Safely removing countertops to prepare for new ones
Depending on the size of the project, a kitchen remodel can take up to four months or longer. Because it’s such a large undertaking, here are some common mistakes you can avoid to ensure your remodel ends on time and on budget.
Underestimating Your Budget: It’s important to come prepared with a budget in mind, but also understand where you can have flexibility. If the top-of-the-line induction stove is a must-have, consider saving on a less expensive backsplash tile.
Going for the Lowest Bid: If a proposal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be sure to get multiple bids from different contractors and review each one to understand what you’re getting.
Not Researching in Advance: Before picking up the phone and scheduling on-site visits, research your larger vision for your kitchen. Start collecting your favorite kitchen design trends, but also get realistic about what can fit into your budget. Start brushing up on common remodeling terms so that when you meet with your pro, you’re speaking the same language.
Neglecting the Infrastructure: Electrical, plumbing, ventilation—if you’re changing the layout of your kitchen, these will be an even greater focus in your discussion.
Materials Arriving Late: Most heavy-duty materials, like a new marble slab or cabinetry, will be ordered and shipped on-site by the pro. But many remodelers ask homeowners to purchase smaller items like tiles, cabinetry handles, and appliances. Buy these upfront at the very start of the project so they don’t hold up your timeline.
Not Planning Where You’ll Cook or Eat: Your kitchen could be completely out of commission during a remodel. Consider a temporary kitchen area with a mini fridge, stovetop, and a few utensils to offset your takeout budget.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed over 10,000 real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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New cabinets typically cost the most in a kitchen remodel, which can eat up to 40% or more of the whole kitchen remodel budget. You can save by keeping your existing cabinets and giving them a makeover. The next largest cost is appliances because each new item can cost $500 or more. That may not be a big deal if you’re only replacing one appliance, but the combined price of many new appliances can significantly increase what you pay for a kitchen remodel.
First, start with any planned structural changes. That includes demolition and installing new gas lines, piping, or lighting. From there, complete any projects that require a lot of construction to install. Paint your walls while the space is mostly empty, install the cabinets before the countertops to ensure the former doesn’t get damaged, and save all cosmetic changes (like installing new light fixtures or hardware) for the very last moment.
Kitchen remodels take six to 10 weeks on average, but this can vary a lot depending on contractors’ schedules and the availability of materials. You’ll also want to factor in about four weeks of planning time ahead of construction to ensure the project runs smoothly and turns out as planned. Including the planning stages, demolition, installations, and cleanup, the full remodel timeline can be up to four months.