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Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator

Estimate what a kitchen remodel should cost — by size, quality tier, scope, and cabinet choice. You get a low-to-high price range with cabinets, labor, appliances, and countertops broken out.

Inputs

Floor area of the kitchen. Leave 160 if you're not sure — that's a typical kitchen.

Result

Adjust the inputs to see your result.

How the estimate works

Remodelers price a kitchen by the square foot of floor area, blended across everything that goes into the room — cabinets, counters, appliances, fixtures, and labor. The calculator starts from a national cost-per-square-foot range for your chosen quality tier (about $75–$150 for builder-grade up to $500–$1,000 for luxury), then scales it by how big the job is and what you do with the cabinets.

Scope is the biggest swing after finish level: a cosmetic refresh runs about half a full pull-and-replace, while a full gut that relocates plumbing, gas, or walls adds roughly 40%. Cabinet choice nudges the whole total up or down — refinishing trims it, fully custom cabinetry pushes it up. Your region then scales labor and materials. The result is an honest low-to-high range, because real kitchen bids vary that much.

Where the money goes

On a typical kitchen, the budget splits roughly into cabinets (~30%), labor (~25%), appliances (~15%), countertops (~10%), and fixtures, lighting, and everything else (~20%). The breakdown below applies that split to your midpoint so you can see the line items, not just one number.

  • Cabinets are the single biggest cost — refacing instead of replacing is the highest-impact way to save.
  • Scope is the wildcard: moving plumbing, gas, and walls is where budgets blow up.
  • Finish level (tier) sets the floor and ceiling per square foot more than anything else.
  • Region swings labor by 40% or more between rural areas and coastal metros.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming you'll recoup the cost. A mid-range remodel returns ~70–80% at resale, not 100%.
  • Moving the sink "while we're at it." Relocating plumbing and gas is one of the priciest changes you can make.
  • Replacing cabinets that could be refaced. Cabinets are a third of the budget — refacing keeps the boxes and cuts the bill.
  • Taking one bid. Kitchen bids for the same job routinely vary 30–40%. Always get three.

When this calculator is the wrong tool

Use a designer or contractor walkthrough for: structural changes, knocking out load-bearing walls, code-driven electrical or plumbing upgrades, or high-end custom cabinetry quotes. This tool estimates a standard residential kitchen remodel, not a bespoke design-build.

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FAQ

Questions, answered

How much does a kitchen remodel cost?
For a typical 160 sq ft mid-range kitchen with a same-layout pull-and-replace, most homeowners spend roughly $24,000–$48,000, with the national midpoint around $30,000–$40,000. A cosmetic refresh can come in under $15,000, while a high-end or luxury gut renovation easily runs $60,000–$150,000+. Size, finish level, and whether you move plumbing or walls drive the spread.
How can I save money on a kitchen remodel?
Keep the existing layout (moving plumbing, gas, and walls is the most expensive thing you can do), and reface or refinish cabinets instead of replacing them — cabinets are about a third of the budget, so that one choice saves the most. Reuse appliances that still work, choose quartz over exotic stone, and get three bids to keep contractors honest.
How much do kitchen cabinets cost in a remodel?
Cabinets typically eat about 30% of a kitchen budget — the single largest line item. Refinishing runs least, refacing is mid, new stock or semi-custom cabinets cost more, and fully custom cabinetry is the priciest. On a $35,000 remodel that's roughly $10,000 just for cabinets, which is why refacing is the highest-impact way to cut the total.
Does a kitchen remodel add home value?
Yes, but you rarely recoup the full cost. Remodeling's 'Cost vs Value' data puts a mid-range kitchen remodel at roughly 70–80% ROI at resale, and high-end remodels return a smaller percentage. Remodel for how you'll live in the home, not as a pure investment — over-improving for the neighborhood returns even less.
What's the difference between a budget and a high-end kitchen?
Budget (builder-grade) kitchens use stock cabinets, laminate counters, and entry appliances — roughly $75–$150 per square foot. High-end kitchens use semi-custom or custom cabinets, stone counters, and premium appliances at $300–$500 per square foot, and luxury pushes past that with custom everything. The footprint is the same; the finishes and labor are what scale.