Kitchen remodel cost

Cabinets, counters, appliances, labour and permits priced by size, scope and finish level.

By the LocalServiceHQ editorial team
Updated Oct 29, 2026
Formulas and sources listed below
Prices checked Oct 2026
Your job
Appliance package
Move plumbing or gas
Your estimate
Typical project
—
cabinets, counters, appliances, labour and permits
Cost per sq ft
—
all-in kitchen budget
Typical range for this job: —
How it adds upTypical
Cabinets$150–$700 per linear ft by grade
—
Countertops$35–$150 per sq ft installed
—
Appliancesstandard, upgraded or pro-style package
—
Labour and tradesdemo, carpentry, plumbing and electrical
—
Layout changemoving a sink or range adds plumbing and gas
—
Permits and contingency10–15% contingency is normal
—
US kitchen remodel prices for October 2026: refresh $60–$130 per sq ft, mid-range $150–$250, major remodel $250–$500. Cabinets are 25–35% of the budget, labour 25–35%, appliances and counters 20–30%.
Compare a refresh against a full remodel before you demo anything.
Photo via Pexels

How the math works

Cost per sq ft
Benchmark
project cost ÷ kitchen sq ft
US kitchens run $150 to $250 per sq ft mid-range and $250 to $500 for a major remodel.
Cabinets
Largest line
≈ 25 to 35% of the budget
Stock, semi-custom and custom cabinets step up sharply in price.
Labour and trades
Cost
≈ 25 to 35% of the budget
Plumbing, electrical and carpentry hours drive the labour share.
Appliances and counters
Cost
≈ 20 to 30% of the budget
Pro-style ranges and stone counters are where budgets blow past estimates.

Common starting points

Common US kitchen sizes at mid-range scope with stock cabinets.

Tap a preset in the calculator above to load a typical job, then adjust the numbers to match your site.
Starting points: 100 sq ft galley · 150 sq ft kitchen · 200 sq ft kitchen · 300 sq ft kitchen · 200 sq ft, major remodel

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See installed kitchen prices, cabinet lines and permit rules.

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How to use the kitchen remodel cost

Set the scope and finish level first; those two choices decide most of the budget.

1
Define the scope
Cosmetic refresh, layout change, or full gut with new plumbing and wiring.
2
Fix the layout early
Moving a sink or range is cheap on paper and expensive in labour.
3
Pick finishes to a budget
Cabinets, counters and appliances should be chosen before demolition.
4
Get three itemised bids
Ask for allowances in writing so upgrades do not become surprise change orders.

Mistakes that blow kitchen budgets

!
Choosing finishes before measuring the room and setting a budget.
!
Moving plumbing and gas lines late, after cabinets are ordered.
!
Skipping a contingency: 10 to 15 percent is normal on a remodel.
!
Buying pro appliances before checking the electrical panel capacity.

Kitchen remodel cost FAQ

How much does a kitchen remodel cost?

A 200 sq ft mid-range kitchen typically runs about $40,000 nationally, with a range of $30,000 to $50,000. A major remodel with a layout change can reach $70,000 or more, and a cosmetic refresh can stay under $15,000.

Mid-range kitchens run $150 to $250 per sq ft. Major remodels run $250 to $500 per sq ft, and a refresh with paint, hardware and counters can land near $60 to $130 per sq ft.

Cabinets, at 25 to 35 percent of the budget, followed by labour and then appliances and counters. Moving plumbing or electrical pushes labour up sharply.

A mid-range kitchen takes six to ten weeks once work starts. Cabinet lead times of four to eight weeks often set the schedule, and structural or permit delays add more.

Remodeling magazine puts mid-range kitchen ROI at roughly 70 to 80 percent at resale. A minor refresh usually returns a higher percentage than a major remodel in the same house.

Many homeowners do, by setting up a temporary kitchen. Expect dust, noise and a few weeks without a sink or range during the middle of the project.

Using the calculator defaults, 100 sq ft galley gives Typical project: $22,000 and Cost per sq ft: $220, with a typical range $14,500 to $30,300. Change the waste allowance, material or thickness to match your site.

Using the calculator defaults, 200 sq ft, major remodel gives Typical project: $77,000 and Cost per sq ft: $385, with a typical range $52,500 to $112,300. Change the waste allowance, material or thickness to match your site.