Average Kitchen Remodel Cost
On average, a kitchen remodel costs $25,514 or $150 per square foot. Most homeowners spend between $13,339 and $37,688 or $75 to $250 per square foot. The total expense varies depending on the size of the space, the quality of materials, and whether you change the layout of the room.
A smaller project between $10,000 and $15,000 may include painting walls, refacing cabinets, upgrading the sink, and installing a tile backsplash. A $30,000+ renovation may include installing custom cabinets, hardwood floors, granite counters, and high-end appliances.
The kitchen serves as the heart and hearth of your home. It’s where you prepare your meals and where all your parties gather. Is it any wonder that remodeling this space is so popular and has one of the largest payoffs in terms of boosting a property’s resale value? Of course, it’s also the most complicated and can be the most expensive.
See the cost breakdown by feature and labor below to get a better idea of the budget you’ll need or the renovations you can cut back on.
Kitchen remodels cost $75 to $250 per square foot. The first step in determining your estimate is looking at the space. Before you get to the smaller questions, ask yourself the big questions:
- What do you want from the space?
- How do you want it to look and function?
- Is the size and configuration right?
Also ask: What should you spend? The industry says spend 5% to 15% of the home’s value on this project. If your house is worth $300,000, you could spend $30,000 without negatively affecting its resale price.
Consider some of these alternative options if you want to save money:
- Reface or refinish your cabinets instead of replacing them.
- Refinish your appliances costs about $200-$700. If your budget allows, consider replacing appliances to increase visual appeal and ROI.
- Replace things in stages rather than do everything at once.
Kitchen Renovation Budget Breakdown
Kitchen renovations cost $12,500 to $34,0000, with a typical spend of around $23,000. The rate divides into materials, installation, lighting and plumbing fixtures.
According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, the expenses break down as follows:
| Element of Project | Percent of Budget | Breakdown for Average Remodel |
|---|---|---|
| Design fees | 4% | $920 |
| Installation | 17% | $3,910 |
| Appliances and ventilation | 14% | $3,220 |
| Cabinetry and hardware | 29% | $6,670 |
| Countertops | 10% | $2,300 |
| Lighting | 5% | $1,150 |
| Flooring | 7% | $1,610 |
| Doors and windows | 4% | $920 |
| Walls and ceilings | 5% | $1,150 |
| Faucets and plumbing | 4% | $920 |
| Other | 1% | $230 |
Kitchen Makeover Design Costs
Professional kitchen designers charge $100 to $200 per hour. Though the NKBA suggests four percent of your budget will go to design fees, this shoots up to closer to 10% when you hire a certified professional on-site. If you get advice or an in-home consultation from a materials and design store, it will certainly stay in the range of a $100 to $800 flat fee. However, homeowners report paying $3,500 to $18,500 for certified professionals and independent services. At this rate, you might expect such services as:
- 3D renderings
- Material and color selection
- Coordination with contractors and suppliers
- Start to finish support and management
Remodel Contractor Labor Rates
Expect to pay $3,500 to $6,000 for installation alone. Professional labor typically factors into the total in a range from 15% to 25%. The NKBA suggests 17% as the median. This percentage will vary depending on the size of the space and the features you install. Hiring a kitchen remodeling contractor is the best way to get the most out of your project and budget.
Cost to Renovate a Kitchen by Size
It could cost as little as $5,000 to remodel a small kitchen and as much as $60,000+ to do a large renovation. The size of your space will play a significant role in how expensive your renovation gets. Below, see the typical spend for various sizes and the factors involved.
| Size (Square Feet) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Small (<70) | $5,000 – $20,000 |
| Medium (100-150) | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Large (200+) | $30,000 – $60,000+ |
Small Kitchen Remodel Costs and Condo Renovations
The rate to update a small kitchen is between $5,000 and $20,000, depending on what you install, repair or upgrade. For this room, small is defined as 70 square feet or smaller. You’ll have limited options for a project of this size. It’s important to set your budget and plan for some DIY work to save time and money. Here are some recommendations for enhancing the project:
- Green updates:
- Under-cabinet and counter LED lighting
- Environmentally friendly faucets
- Green appliances
- Double-paned windows
- Space-saving recessed lighting fixtures in the ceiling
- Maximizing storage:
- Lazy Susan’s
- Roll-out trays
- Double pull-out shelves
- Tiered racks
- Pull-out countertops: Have a countertop contractor install a counter extension that you can flip or pull out when you need it.
- Smaller appliances: Replace large appliances to their smaller and greener alternatives.
You can remove walls and cabinetry if you have the space and the budget to do it. You can even combine this space with the dining room for one large, unified area, instead of having a bar or tall wall separate the two. If you live in a condo, check building codes to make sure you can knock out walls. Also, consult with a contractor, as they could recognize that the wall is connected to a supporting beam.
10×10 Kitchen Remodel Costs
Proper planning is key to a successful kitchen remodel. For a major gut renovation, expect to spend three to six months just on the planning phase
A 100 square foot kitchen renovation costs $15,000 to $30,000. These dimensions qualify a space as “medium.”
Redo a 12×12 Space
Renovating a 12×12 kitchen runs between $20,000 and $40,000. This is close to the standard size, which is between 150 and 175 square feet.
Cost to Update a Large Kitchen
A large kitchen is defined as 200 feet or more and typically runs between $30,000 and $60,000. Upscale remodels can reach from $75,000 to $100,000 and beyond. With a large area like this, you may include features like:
- Cooktop or seating island
- Double oven
- Built-in appliances
- Commercial-style range
- Coffee or drink station
- Recycling station
Kitchen cabinet installation costs an average of $2,000 to $8,000, with the products themselves ranging from $75 to $1,500 per linear foot. Kitchen cabinets prices vary depending on whether you opt for custom or stock products, and your project price will also depend on whether you update them rather than replace them. These features often make a room’s first impression. If they are dated or damaged, potential buyers may walk away underwhelmed.
- Stock: $75-$150 per linear foot
- Pre-made
- Readily available at home improvement stores
- Affordable
- Limited number of designs and sizes.
- Semi-custom: $100-$1,000 per linear foot
- Made in the same sizes as stock products
- Can be detailed for an extra fee
- Options include resizing drawers, door fronts and cabinet depth
- Custom: $500-$1,500 per linear foot
- Designed however you want them to look
- Most expensive option
- Require a skilled carpenter
- Cost to Reface Cabinets: $4,000-$9,500
- Fraction of the price of new
- Brand-new look without total replacement
- Steps of process:
- Remove old doors, door fronts and hardware.
- Select new elements and apply a wood veneer that matches the rest of the cabinetry.
- Cost to Refinish Cabinets: $1,500-$4,000
- Less expensive than refacing
- Brand-new look without total replacement
- Best to hire a professional for best results, especially if fronts are dinged up
- Steps of process
- Remove drawer fronts or drawers
- Sand
- Stain or paint
- Reinstall
New Kitchen Appliances Cost
Installing kitchen appliances costs $100 to $300 per appliance on average. Investing in higher quality stoves, dishwashers or refrigerators will certainly drive up your total price. However, if you want to improve your home’s value, it will pay to install higher quality products. There are various options to choose from, including EnergyStar-certified, custom built-in, high-end store bought and budget outlet products. If longevity is important to you, look for products with a longer life expectancy.
Custom built-in: $1,000-$10,000+
- Product options: Dishwashers, ovens, ranges, stoves, microwaves and
- Higher upfront price.
- May require structural changes and added labor costs.
- Take up less floor space.
High-end freestanding units bought : $1,000-$5,000+
- Less expensive than custom built-in appliances.
- Include features like sensors, Bluetooth capabilities and cabinet-depth refrigerators.
Budget freestanding units: $200-$1,000
- Might not last as long as their high-end counterparts
- Lack the added features/technology of expensive models.
- They do the job and work in most layouts.
EnergyStar appliances average between $300 and $3,000. Budget freestanding, high-end freestanding and custom built-ins can all come EnergyStar certified. Product options include refrigerators, dishwashers, lightbulbs, freezers and more. Features include:
Cost to Build Kitchen Countertops
Installing countertops costs $2,000 to $4,000, though this price will fluctuate depending on the material and measurements. Countertops play a major role in the look and usability of your space. Choose the materials based on what looks and functions best.
Within each category of materials, price depends on quality. Seamless materials, such as Corian and granite, tend to be more durable, but are generally more expensive. Formica and concrete tend to be cheaper but add less value. Tile can be pretty, but you can expect quite a bit of maintenance down the road and regular grout cleaning. Countertop materials include:
- Granite countetops costs: $2,000-$5,000
- Durable
- Scratch-resistant
- Heat-resistant
- Porous and requires sealing
- Soapstone counter prices: $2,000-$5,000
- Stain-resistant
- Heat-resistant
- Extremely susceptible to scratching and etching
- Light scratches are easy to sand away
- Marble countertop costs: $2,000-$7,000
- Durable
- Long-lasting when properly maintained
- Heat-resistant
- Susceptible to staining and scratching
- Quartz counter costs: $1,500-$4,000
- Many color and style options
- Stain-resistant
- Doesn’t chip or scratch easily
- Easy to clean
- Less heat resistant than natural stones
- Tile countertop prices: $800-$2,000
- Inexpensive
- Can be a DIY project
- Susceptible to chipping and scratching
- Laminate counters costs: $800-$1,600
- Heat-resistant
- Stain-resistant
- Scratch-resistant
- Easy to clean
- Inexpensive
- Susceptible to damage from knives and hot pans
- Concrete countertops costs: $2,000-$4,000
- Durable
- Heat-resistant
- Stain-resistant
- Requires regular maintenance
- Stainless steel countertops costs: $4,000-$11,500
- Durable
- Heat-resistant
- Stain-resistant
- Susceptible to scratches
- Solid surface countertop prices: $2,000-$4,500
- Examples: Formica, Corian, Wilsonart, Avonite
- Renewable
- Nonporous
- Various choices
- Scratch-resistant
- Susceptible to heat and staining
- Corian countertops costs: $2,200-$5,000
- Durable
- Many color and style options
- Stain-resistant
- Easy to maintain and clean
- Not as heat resistant as stone
- Wood counter costs: $1,000-$5,000
- Durable
- Natural material
- Long lifespan
- Expands and contracts like flooring
- Withstands burns and scratches
- Bamboo costs: $2,000-$3,000
- Eco-friendly
- Easy to clean
- Susceptible to scratches and burns
- Recycled glass counters costs: $2,000-$4,000
- Durable
- Heat-resistant
- Stain-resistant
- Easy to clean
- Susceptible to chipping and scratching
- Paper composite costs: $2,500-$6,000
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Susceptible to scratches and stains
Kitchen Floor Remodel
Flooring installation costs $1,500 to $4,500, depending on various factors. The largest factors include the square footage and material you choose. Vinyl and linoleum flooring tend to be the most affordable but add little or nothing to the value of your house. Tile, granite and wood are more expensive and will help to increase value. The more expensive flooring sometimes proves to be the more difficult ones to maintain.
These spaces can be volatile workstations. Damage from stains, grease, heat and moisture are common. If you can’t keep up with the cleaning and maintenance, the more expensive flooring might not be the best for you. Options include:
- Ceramic tile costs: $500-$2,000
- Durable
- Wide variety of colors
- Susceptible to cracking and chipping
- Vinyl flooring: $1,000-$1,500
- Inexpensive
- Durable
- Can emit VOCs
- Linoleum prices: $800-$2,500
- Eco-friendly
- Stain-resistant
- Requires regular maintenance
- Cost of laminate flooring: $1,500-$4,500
- Inexpensive
- Wide variety of styles
- Requires regular maintenance
- Check out our Comparison Guide for hardwood vs. laminate flooring
- Wood flooring prices: $1,500-$3,000
- Durable
- Wear-resistant
- Requires regular maintenance
- Includes: hardwood, engineered wood, bamboo
- Bamboo Floors: $600-$1,000
- Eco-friendly
- Low maintenance
- Low-cost
- Scratches easily
- Cork floor costs: $500-$1,500
- Eco-friendly
- Mildew-resistant
- Stain-resistant
- Requires regular maintenance
- Stone Floor Prices: $1,000-$3,000
- Durable
- Expensive
- Absorbs stains
- Marble Floors: $1,500-$4,000
- Durable
- Long-lasting when properly maintained
- Stains easily
- Scratches easily
- Slate Floor Costs: $1,500-$3,000
- Durable
- Stain-resistant
- Low maintenance
- Less variety in aesthetics
- Terrazzo Costs: $4,000-$15,000
- Durable
- Long-lasting
- Easy to clean
- Expensive option
- Concrete Flooring Prices: $1,500-$4,000
- Easy to maintain
- Long-lasting
- Moisture-resistant
Plumbing
Installing a faucet costs $150 to $350. If you don’t need to change the plumbing layout, installing a sink costs $200 to $550.
If you decide to do a major change and rearrange your appliances, you will have to relocate the pipes. This often involves getting new pipes – installing additional pipes costs about $1,100 – and connecting them to the main line. This also means spending more on labor and, in some cases, hiring a plumber. Plus, you might have to get a permit from the city. These building permits could cost up to $800 if your contractor gets it for you.
Electrical
The rate for electrical work is $50 to $100 per hour on average. It’s best to do electrical work during the tear-out process. However, many homeowners don’t factor in this expense until the work is underway.
Plan ahead and determine whether you need to upgrade your electrical output to accommodate a new refrigerator or oven. The cost to upgrade an electrical panel averages about $1,000. You may also need to move outlets and fixtures to accommodate a new layout. Plus, you may have outdated outlets that need replacement. The cost to add an outlet adds $175 to your project total. Hire an electrician to guide you through the process and be ready to spend about 5% of your total on electrical work.
Gas Lines
Moving a gas line costs $250 to $800. Unless you’re planning to move your oven and stove cooktop to an entirely differently place in the room, you should be able to avoid this expense. The process involves moving and running additional gas lines, upending flooring and knocking out walls. It also requires a permit for handling natural gas lines.
Kitchen Remodel Cost by Location
| City or State | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $27,700 – $53,000 |
| New Jersey | $6,000 – $14,000 |
| San Diego, CA | $23,500 – $49,000 |
| Springfield, MA | $9,000 – $22,500 |
| San Francisco Bay Area, CA | $24,500 – $54,800 |
| Chicago, IL | $13,000 – $33,000 |
| Northern Virginia/ Washington, D.C. | $14,000 – $32,600 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $20,700 – $39,000 |
| Dallas, TX | $10,400 – $28,000 |
| Seattle, WA | $16,000 – $40,700 |
| Portland, OR | $13,400 – $32,000 |
| San Jose, CA | $30,000 – $59,000 |
| Cleveland, OH | $10,000 – $22,000 |
| Miami, FL | $10,800 – $29,000 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $11,400 – $29,000 |
| Boston, MA | $15,700 – $38,500 |
Budgeting a Kitchen Remodel
Building a budget should be your number one concern when planning a kitchen remodel. It determines how much you can accomplish, the materials available, how much professional help you’ll need, and what the final product will look like, among other aspects. If you don’t plan appropriately, there’s a good chance that you will find yourself in debt by the end of the project or left with a half-finished space after the funds run out.
Homeowners should expect to spend the following:
- Minor: $10,000-$15,000
- Mid-range: $15,000-$30,000
- Major: $30,000+
You should also set aside 15% to 20% of your budget for any unexpected problems during the remodel. These issues can include plumbing, electrical, structural, and pest or toxic material problems that could arise.
Basic Remodeling on a Tight Budget
With $10,000 and $15,000, you’ll need to do some work yourself and hire a professional for the specialty work. If possible, purchase some of the materials before calling in the professionals. While contractors can get some materials for wholesale prices, it’s customary for them to charge extra for the purchase and labor. Save time and money by getting materials in advance and then paying for installation.
These projects typically involved:
- Upgrading your sink and faucet
- Installing or replacing your countertops with inexpensive materials (laminate, vinyl, tile)
- Adding a tile backsplash
- Refacing or refinishing your cabinets
- Installing stock cabinets
- Upgrading your appliances
- Painting your walls and ceilings
- Installing energy-efficient lighting in the ceiling and under the cabinet
Mid-Range Bathroom Budgets
When you’re working with $15,000 to $30,000, you can leave more work to the professionals instead of doing it yourself. This might include refinishing or refacing your cabinets, painting the walls and ceilings, installing new lighting and rewiring some electrical work. You can also focus on replacing your flooring, if it’s particularly worn, and look at more high-grade countertop material like granite, Formica or Corian. You might be able to invest in custom cabinets, move some plumbing, or have an island installed in this price range, but you might have to compromise on other upgrades in the process.
These remodels include:
- Replacing your countertops with high-quality materials (stone, wood, metal).
- Installing semi-custom cabinets.
- Building an island.
- Installing high-end appliances.
- Adding recessed lighting and rewiring as necessary.
- Replacing your floor.
High End Kitchen Upgrade Cost
When you spend $30,000 or more to remodel a kitchen, you’ll have more leeway to pick and choose which improvements you want to make.
You might want to do everything on this list:
- Installing high-end appliances with the EnergyStar rating
- Adding granite countertops
- Installing a new sink and faucet
- Having custom cabinets built
- Opting for additional overhead lighting
- Adding hardwood flooring
If you decide to go with a major remodel and spend upwards of $50,000, you should consider consulting a kitchen designer. A professional designer has the experience, connections and examples to suggest what fits with your plan. He or she can also help you save where possible, so you don’t spend needlessly while still getting the final product you want.
Tips to Make It a Cheap Kitchen Remodel
- Pass on custom options: Cabinets take up almost 30% of the budget for these projects. Save with stock products rather than custom.
- DIY where possible: See where you can do some of the installation and replacement yourself.
- Remodel in stages: You can break up the projects and remodel in stages, so you only have to save for one thing at a time.
- Only do necessary updates: You don’t have to do everything. You can simply upgrade the materials and appliances that truly need updating.
Kitchen Renovation Cost Factors
When estimating the cost of a kitchen remodel, there are various factors to keep in mind. The most important include budget, longevity, and what other homeowners in the neighborhood are doing with their spaces. By planning around these factors, it’s possible to come out with results that meet expectations, last for a long time and recoup most of their original cost in the resale.
Longevity
When planning for this project, ask yourself how long you plan to live in your house from the time of the remodel. If you plan to sell shortly after, you shouldn’t spend too much money on it. The rule of thumb is that you should spend between 5% and 15% of your property’s total value. This is the optimum range for homeowners to spend and expect to recoup.
If you plan to remain in your house for years, then you should consider splurging on items like new countertops, appliances, cabinets and flooring. The fact you’ll be living in the house for years to come means that you could save money on repair or replacement because they last longer. It also means that you continue to find value in their repeated use. If you plan to live in your house for years or decades after the renovation, there’s no point in spending money and only making small changes.
Neighborhood
While this applies more to sellers than to lifetime homeowners, the neighborhood you live in should reflect the kind of changes you make. Your kitchen should not be significantly more understated or overstated than others in the neighborhood. This could reflect poorly when potential buyers are perusing and comparing properties in the area.
Ideally, you want a renovation that brings out the best qualities of the room and complements your house. Avoid any colors, styles and other design qualities that will disrupt the overall scheme of your house.
New Kitchen Costs
Adding a new kitchen will range in price from $25,000 to $50,000, or $100 to $300 per square foot. There are many additional factors in building an entirely new space with the proper structure, plumbing and electrical. High-end materials can bring your rate up to $100,000 and beyond.
How to Prepare for a Kitchen Remodel
Don’t start a kitchen renovation without a plan or a clear idea of what to expect. Before you proceed, you should complete these steps:
- Find a professional. You need a kitchen remodeling contractor, especially if there are electrical or plumbing changes involved.
- Interview three or four candidates.
- HomeAdvisor pros undergo a rigorous screening and approval process. If you’re considering a contractor outside of the network, be sure to check their background and past work thoroughly.
- Look for someone you can trust and work with easily.
- Set money aside for surprises. Set aside about 15% to 20% of your budget (or around $3,000-$5,000) to cover unexpected expenses like broken pipes, mold and other problems.
- DIY small details. You might be able to do small things yourself to cut down on your spending. Talk with the contractor first to see what you can do safely and accurately.
- Discuss the floor plan and timeline. Before the contractor gets started, you should know the schedule and what the finished product will look like.
- The contractor or designer will draw up a floor plan of the remodel for you to approve.
- That plan goes to the local building permit office and onto the record for your home.
- Sign a contract. If you don’t sign a contract with your contractor, he or she might not be held liable for mistakes or misunderstandings. You don’t want to be saddled with repairs after the fact, so make sure you get these details in writing:
- Scope of work/full description
- Contractor’s responsibilities
- Homeowner’s responsibilities
- Cost estimate
- Timeline