Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator

How much does a kitchen remodel cost?

Kitchen remodels are the single most requested renovation in America, and also the widest cost range: a light cosmetic refresh can run $8,000, while a full gut of a 200 sq ft kitchen in a high-cost metro tops $100,000. In 2025, the national median for a mid-range kitchen remodel is $27,000–$45,000, and upscale (custom cabinetry, stone counters, professional appliances) runs $65,000–$150,000+. Our calculator estimates your project using the actual mix of finishes and appliances you plan to buy, adjusted for the labor rates in your ZIP code.

The cost breakdown

Across thousands of projects, remodel budgets fall into these ranges:

• Cabinets — 25–35% of total. Stock cabinets run $80–$200/linear foot, semi-custom $200–$500, and fully custom $500–$1,500+.
• Countertops — 10–15%. Laminate $20–$50/sq ft installed, quartz $60–$120, granite $50–$100, marble $75–$250, butcher block $40–$80.
• Appliances — 10–20%. Budget package (fridge, range, dishwasher, microwave) $2,500–$4,500, mid-range $5,000–$10,000, professional (Sub-Zero/Wolf/Miele) $18,000–$40,000+.
• Labor — 15–25%. Includes demo, cabinet install, tile, painting, and general contractor overhead.
• Plumbing and electrical — 8–15%. Moving a sink or gas line can add $2,000–$5,000; new dedicated circuits for induction ranges $500–$1,500 each.
• Flooring — 5–10%. LVP $4–$8/sq ft installed, tile $10–$20, hardwood $12–$25.
• Lighting, backsplash, hardware, permits — 5–10%.

Three tiers of kitchen remodel

Cosmetic refresh ($8,000–$20,000) — Paint cabinets, replace hardware, add a tile backsplash, refresh lighting, and update appliances individually. Keeps the existing layout and plumbing. Best ROI when selling within 2 years.

Mid-range pull-and-replace ($27,000–$55,000) — New semi-custom cabinets in the existing footprint, quartz counters, LVP or tile flooring, mid-tier stainless appliances, new sink and faucet. Roughly 6–8 weeks start to finish. Most common project we see.

Full custom remodel ($65,000–$150,000+) — Layout changes, walls removed, custom cabinetry, stone counters, panel-ready professional appliances, hardwood floors, statement lighting. Usually requires a licensed GC and a 3–5 month timeline.

How to use the calculator

Choose your kitchen size (small under 100 sq ft, medium 100–200 sq ft, large over 200), your quality tier for cabinets, counters, and appliances, and whether the layout is changing. Enter your ZIP so we can adjust the labor line — a plumber in San Francisco is $170/hr, in rural Alabama $65/hr. Your estimate shows a low-high range because contractor bids on identical scopes routinely spread 20–30%.

Where budgets go sideways

Three items surprise homeowners more than any other:

1. Layout changes. Moving a sink 6 feet triggers plumbing rough-in, drywall repair, and often flooring patches — commonly $3,000–$8,000 for what looks like a small change.
2. Electrical to code. Older homes often require GFCI outlets every 4 feet along counters, dedicated dishwasher and disposal circuits, and a whole-panel upgrade if the service is under 200 amps.
3. Hidden damage. Water damage under sinks, mold behind drywall, and undersized floor joists show up after demo. Budget a 15% contingency on any remodel over $25,000.

High-ROI decisions

If resale is on your mind within 5 years, these choices consistently recoup the most:

• Quartz counters over exotic stone — nearly the same visual impact for half the price and lower maintenance
• Painted shaker cabinets — the most broadly appealing style, easily updated later with hardware swaps
• A statement range or hood — one focal-point appliance elevates the whole room without an all-luxury budget
• Under-cabinet LED lighting — inexpensive, and every buyer notices
• Keep the plumbing where it is — moving the sink almost never pays back in resale value

When to hire a GC vs. manage yourself

Hire a general contractor when the project touches more than three trades, changes structural walls, or you can't take 3–6 weeks to project-manage during the day. Owner-management can save 10–20% on a straight pull-and-replace but requires scheduling cabinet delivery, counter template, and appliance install without gaps — and you own every scheduling delay.

What our estimate is not

The calculator estimates hard construction cost. It does not include design fees ($3,000–$10,000 for a kitchen designer), permits (usually $500–$2,000), or the cost of eating out for 4–8 weeks. Add roughly 5–10% on top of the calculator output for a realistic total-project budget.

Financing your remodel

Common options: HELOC (5–9% APR, deductible interest if used for the home), cash-out refinance (only sensible if mortgage rates favor it), 0% credit cards for appliance-only spend, and contractor financing (usually the most expensive). Never use a payday-style renovation loan.

Post-remodel value

Not every dollar comes back. Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report consistently puts mid-range kitchen remodels at 60–75% ROI at sale within 5 years. Upscale remodels return less as a percentage but deliver more absolute dollars. The remodel's biggest value is usually the 3–15 years you enjoy the space before selling.

Sequence and timing

Plan design and permits 8–16 weeks before demo. Order cabinets 6–10 weeks before install day. Take counter templates only after cabinets are set. Appliances arrive last week. Rushing this sequence is the #1 cause of budget overruns.