How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost?
Plan your budget.
Whether you’re planning anything from a cosmetic refresh to a total gutting, we’re here to help you understand how much a kitchen remodel costs. Keep reading for project estimates, cost breakdowns, and tips to help you create a budget that works for your kitchen remodel goals.
Kitchen Remodel Cost Averages
An average kitchen remodel is estimated to cost around $22,000, but this depends on the size of your kitchen and your desired updates. Here are some factors to consider when determining the overall budget for your remodel:
Cost by Kitchen Size
- Small: A small kitchen is usually under 70 square feet. A low-end renovation in a kitchen this size could be around $4,000 while something higher-end might be closer to $15,000.
- Medium: These kitchens are between 70–150 square feet and are found in most average homes. A remodel for this size kitchen can range anywhere from $15,000 to $40,000.
- Large: Large kitchens are more than 150 square feet and typically have more complex layouts, making them more expensive to renovate. Expect between $30,000 – $50,000 for a large kitchen remodel.
Cost by Renovation Scope
- Minor Remodel: Minor kitchen remodels mostly entail cosmetic changes like a fresh coat of paint, new hardware, or new flooring to refresh your space. While some fixtures may be updated, the general layout and systems of your kitchen remain the same in this project. These remodels are usually between $10,000 – $20,000 for modest updates.
- Mid-Range Remodel: Mid-range remodels involve appliance upgrades, new countertops flooring, and cabinets, but with minimal layout changes. Expect to pay between $20,000 – $50,000 for a remodel of this scope.
- Major Remodel: Major remodels require fully gutting your existing kitchen and designing it from scratch. This can involve rerouting your plumbing and electrical, investing in premium materials, or having custom cabinets fitted to your layout. Major remodels are usually upwards of $50,000 and can get into the six-digit price range for luxury upgrades.
Tip!
Ready to plan your kitchen remodel? Read our guide How to Remodel a Kitchen for a walkthrough of the process and an expected timeline.
Kitchen Remodel Cost Breakdown
Here is an average cost breakdown of everything you’ll need for a complete kitchen remodel. Keep in mind that these prices vary significantly based on the scope of your project, quality of materials you choose, and if you hire professional help or not.
Cabinets & Hardware: Kitchen cabinets usually make up about 25–35% of your remodel costs. Their prices vary depending on the size and layout of your kitchen and material you choose. You could pay as low as $2,000 for ready-to-assembly stock cabinets, or well over $30,000 for fully custom cabinetry made of quality hardwood. Cabinet hardware like drawer pulls and knobs can be an additional $100 – $800, even more if you opt for custom hardware.
Countertops: New kitchen counters can cost between $20 – $200 per square foot depending on the material you choose and the layout of your kitchen. High-end materials like marble or granite will cost significantly more than lower-end counters like tile or laminate. Professional installation for an average-sized kitchen could be between $2,000 – $4,000, so be sure to factor in labor costs too.
Flooring: Flooring prices are largely dependent on the size of your kitchen and the material you choose. For an average-sized kitchen, you might expect to pay anywhere from $800 for a basic laminate or vinyl flooring to over $6,000 for quality hardwood or natural stone.
Walls: If you choose to refresh your kitchen with a coat of paint, expect between $200 – $700 for professional painting depending on the size of your kitchen and cost of materials. Installing a backsplash will likely be an additional $500 – $1,500 for materials and installation.
Refrigerator: Expect to pay around $500 for a low-end, single-door appliance or upwards of $5,000 for a high-tech, French-door refrigerator. Be sure to check with your vendor or local haul-away services to determine the price of professional removal and installation if you’re replacing an existing refrigerator.
Range: A range is a kitchen essential. Depending on your cooking needs, try budgeting $550 for a basic electric range to well over $10,000 for a professional-grade gas range. If you’re upgrading to a gas range, you’ll need to hire professionals to help install a gas line to your kitchen if you don’t already have one.
Range Hood: Spending on the type of range hood you choose and the installation method required, you could pay between $75 – $5,000 for this appliance. Double-check if a range hood is required in your kitchen. While they are recommended, they usually aren’t required unless you have a gas stove.
Dishwasher: While a dishwasher may not be a necessity, it is nice to have in a busy household. Expect to pay between $300 – $1,800 for a new dishwasher depending on the capacity and quality of the appliance you choose.
Sink & Faucet: A small kitchen sink can be as low as $80 while a large, high-end sink can be upwards of $2,000. Faucets come as low as $25 but can also be more than $2,000 for luxury hardware. Factor in at least $150 – $300 for professional installation with the help of a plumber.
Lighting: Lighting costs depend on the types of fixtures you’re installing and the existing electrical work in your kitchen. Expect to pay between $100 – $200 for professional installation, plus the cost of the light fixture itself.
The general rule of thumb is to invest 5–15% of your home’s total value in your kitchen remodel. So, if your house is worth $500,000 consider allocating $25,000 – $75,000 as the budget for your new kitchen. This will ensure you get the greatest potential return on your investment if you decide to sell your home in the future.
An easy way to plan the cost of your remodel is to follow the rule of thirds:
1/3 of your budget is usually spent on cabinetry – whether you are investing in custom cabinets or simply refurbishing existing ones.
1/3 of your budget goes towards cosmetic upgrades like floors, countertops, backsplash, or new appliances.
1/3 of your budget is reserved for labor costs if you plan to hire a contractor or consult a plumber, electrician, or professional team for appliance installation.
Tip!
Ready to refresh on a budget? Check out
Budget Kitchen Remodel Ideas for a Dreamy Kitchen Update to unlock inspiration for your project.
