Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator

How Much Does Kitchen remodel Cost?

There is no single price for kitchen remodel, because the total depends on the size of the job, the products you choose, the condition of the surfaces and what your local rules require. Two homes can ask for the same work and get very different quotes.

The table at the end of this article shows four example projects calculated by this tool. Use them as reference points, then run your own numbers in the calculator above.

How This Calculator Works

The calculator builds your estimate from the same pieces an contractor would price. It uses planning assumptions rather than live contractor data. Your ZIP code is used only to match you with local professionals and does not change the price. The labor market and timing you choose in Step 4 do.

• Size and scope: demolition, drywall, wiring and project time scale with the kitchen size and how much you change.
• Cabinets, counters and appliances: cabinets and counters are priced per linear and square foot by type, and appliances as a package.
• Extras: flooring, backsplash, island, hood, lighting, layout change, permits and contingency are added only when selected.
• Labor market and timing: Step 4 adjusts labor for a lower-cost, national-average, higher-cost or highest-cost market, and adds 15% (fast-track) or 40% (rush) to labor.
• Levels: Budget, Standard and Premium use different product grades, supplier markups, labor rates and labor hours. They are not one number multiplied by a percentage.

What Drives the Cost of Kitchen remodel

• Kitchen size: more cabinets and counters mean more cost.
• Cabinet type: stock, semi-custom and custom differ widely.
• Countertop material: laminate, quartz and granite vary.
• Appliances: packages range from basic to professional.
• Layout change: moving plumbing, gas or walls adds cost.
• Local labor market: contractor rates differ widely between regions.

Permits and Inspections

Most remodels that change structure, plumbing, electrical, mechanical systems or the footprint need a building permit and inspections. Cosmetic updates such as paint and flooring often do not. Permit fees and rules differ by city and county, and unpermitted work can cause problems when you sell or file an insurance claim. The calculator includes a permit allowance only if you tick it. Ask your contractor who pulls the permits and whether the fees are in the bid.

Common Types of Kitchen remodel Jobs

• Kitchen refresh: paint, counters and backsplash.
• Mid-range remodel: new cabinets and counters in the same layout.
• Full remodel: new layout and systems.
• Galley or small kitchen remodel: compact and efficient.
• Open kitchen remodel: removing a wall to the dining area.

Related: Whole House Remodel Cost Calculator. Bathroom Remodel Cost Calculator is not yet live and is shown unlinked.

Repair, Replace or Upgrade?

Refresh the kitchen if cabinets are sound and the layout works. Replace cabinets when they are damaged or poorly laid out. A full remodel makes sense when the layout, plumbing or electrical need to change.

Regional Pricing Differences

Contractor rates and material prices vary across the United States. Dense metro areas and regions with high licensing costs generally cost more than smaller markets. The labor market setting in Step 4 gives a rough adjustment for lower-cost and higher-cost areas, but treat the result as a starting budget and compare it with local written quotes for kitchen remodel.

When to Hire a Professional

Hire a licensed, insured general contractor for any remodel that moves walls, plumbing or electrical, or that needs permits. Smaller cosmetic updates can be done by skilled DIYers or individual trades, but structural, electrical, gas and plumbing work should be done by licensed professionals. Get at least three written, itemized bids, check licenses and insurance, ask for recent references, and agree on a payment schedule tied to finished work.

Preparing Your Home Before the Work Starts

Settle scope, budget and must-haves before collecting bids, choose major finishes before work starts, and ask for a written schedule and a clear change-order process.

Plan for life during construction, decide where to cook, bathe or sleep if a room is out of service, protect floors and furniture, set up a dust-free path, keep a contingency of 10 to 20 percent for surprises behind walls and under floors, and keep copies of permits, warranties and product details.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire

• What is included in the cabinet and countertop allowance?
• Who handles plumbing, gas and electrical work?
• How long are cabinet and appliance lead times?
• Who pulls permits?
• How are change orders handled?

Ways to Avoid Unexpected Costs

Get at least three written, itemized quotes for the same scope. Decide on product choices before work starts. Ask what happens if hidden problems are found, and agree on a written change-order process. Plan for trim, touch-up and cleanup work that may not be included, and keep a contingency of ten to fifteen percent for conditions that only show up once the work begins.

How to Compare Quotes

When you collect quotes for kitchen remodel, compare the same scope, not just the bottom line. Check which products are included and who supplies them, whether the permit and inspection are in the price, what is included for patching and cleanup, and how hidden problems will be handled. A low quote that leaves out the permit, the cleanup or the finishing work can end up costing more than a higher quote that includes them.

Ask each contractor to itemize materials, labor and any allowances. If two quotes differ by a large amount, ask both to explain the difference. The calculator’s line-item table gives you a reference list of the cost lines most jobs include.

Planning Checklist Before You Call

• Know what you want: product type, quantity and locations.
• Take photos and measurements of the area and anything that will be in the way.
• Note anything unusual, such as damage, limited access or older materials.
• Decide your priorities: lowest cost, longest warranty or fastest schedule.
• Set aside a contingency for conditions that are only visible once work starts.

Note: the Materials vs Labor and Budget, Standard and Premium Projects subsections are covered in their own sections above, so they are not repeated here.