Introduction
Kitchen remodel budgets fail for a predictable reason: people price the cabinets and counters, then get blindsided by labor, permits, and the plumbing surprises hiding behind the walls. This cost guide lays out every major component of a kitchen remodel with typical US planning ranges, so you can see where the money actually goes. Run your own numbers through the Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator as you read — each section below maps to one of its inputs.
All figures are typical planning ranges, not quotes. Costs vary substantially by region, labor market, and material selection; treat these as budgeting anchors, then confirm with local contractor bids. The material guide digs deeper into what drives each component’s price up or down.
Cost by Project Tier
Most kitchen projects fall into one of three tiers. The tier you choose determines nearly every line item below it:
| Tier | Typical range (US) | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Minor / refresh | $8,000–$15,000 | Cabinet refacing or paint, new laminate counters, new sink/faucet, hardware, paint |
| Mid-range | $20,000–$50,000 | New semi-custom cabinets, quartz or granite counters, appliance package, lighting and plumbing updates |
| Upscale | $50,000–$100,000+ | Custom cabinetry, premium stone, professional-grade appliances, possible layout reconfiguration |
The national average for a mid-range project typically lands around $25,000–$30,000, but high-cost metro areas routinely exceed that. Use the 5–15% of home value guideline as a ceiling: on a $400,000 home, that’s $20,000–$60,000.
Cabinets: The Biggest Line Item
Cabinets typically consume 25–35% of the total budget, priced per linear foot of cabinet run (wall length; 1 linear ft = 0.3048 m):
| Cabinet grade | Typical cost per linear ft | Typical cost per linear m |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | $100–$300 | $328–$984 |
| Semi-custom | $150–$650 | $492–$2,133 |
| Custom | $500–$1,200+ | $1,640–$3,937+ |
A typical 20 linear ft (6.10 m) kitchen in semi-custom at $400/ft comes to about $8,000 in cabinets. Refacing existing cabinets — new doors and drawer fronts on the old boxes — typically costs 30–50% less than full replacement and anchors the minor-refresh tier. Cabinet grade differences are explained in the material guide.
Countertops: Priced per Square Foot
Countertops run $20–$100+ per sq ft installed, including fabrication (1 sq ft = 0.0929 m²; multiply sq-ft prices by 10.764 for $/m²):
| Material | Typical cost per sq ft | Typical cost per m² |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate | $20–$50 | $215–$538 |
| Granite | $40–$100 | $431–$1,076 |
| Quartz | $50–$100 | $538–$1,076 |
A 40 sq ft (3.72 m²) quartz counter at $75/sq ft costs about $3,000. Edge profiles, cutouts for sinks and ranges, and slab thickness all push toward the top of each range — simple straight runs with one sink cutout price lowest.
Appliances
Appliance packages typically span $3,000–$15,000:
- Budget/mid-range package (range, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave): $3,000–$6,000
- Premium consumer package: $6,000–$10,000
- Professional-grade package (36-in range, built-in refrigeration): $10,000–$15,000+
Buying a matched package from one retailer typically saves 10–20% over buying pieces individually. Remember that appliance dimensions drive cabinet dimensions — pick appliances before finalizing cabinet orders.
Plumbing, Electrical, and Layout Changes
This is the line item that separates like-for-like replacements from reconfigurations:
- Fixture swaps in place (same-location sink, faucet, dishwasher): $1,000–$3,000
- Electrical work (new circuits, lighting, outlets, panel updates): $1,500–$4,000+
- Moving plumbing, gas, or electrical service (relocating sink, range, or major fixtures): $5,000–$15,000
Keeping the existing work triangle — sink, range, refrigerator roughly where they are — is the single biggest cost control available. The estimating guide shows how to measure whether your layout works or needs to move.
Labor: 25–35% of Total
Labor typically represents 25–35% of the total project cost — general contracting, installation, and trade work. The critical detail: it’s a share of the total, so the math is total = (materials + trade services) ÷ (1 − labor share). A $25,000 component subtotal at a 30% labor share yields $25,000 ÷ 0.70 ≈ $35,714, not $32,500. See the formula-explained guide for the derivation.
The Rest of the Budget: Don’t Forget These
- Permits: $500–$2,000 typical for electrical/plumbing work; check with your local authority having jurisdiction (see the code-compliance guide).
- Flooring: $2–$15/sq ft installed depending on material; a 150 sq ft (13.9 m²) kitchen adds $300–$2,250.
- Backsplash, drywall, paint: typically $1,000–$3,000 combined.
- Contingency: 10–20% of the total for hidden conditions — add it last, and don’t skip it.
Putting It Together: Budget Benchmarks
A mid-range project might distribute roughly like this: cabinets 30%, labor 30%, appliances 15%, countertops 10%, plumbing/electrical 10%, everything else 5%. These shares shift with your choices — custom cabinets can push the cabinet share toward 40% — but if any single component is eating more than 40% of your total, re-examine the scope. Worked examples with exact arithmetic are in the case study.
Related Guides
- Complete Guide — the full estimating method from first measurement to final budget.
- Formula Explained — the labor-share math behind the total.
- Material Guide — cabinet grades and counter materials in depth.
- Estimating Guide — how to measure cabinets, counters, and rooms accurately.
- Pro Tips — where experienced remodelers put their money.
- Remodel Checklist — step-by-step from planning to walkthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a kitchen remodel cost per square foot?
Planning estimates often cite $100–$250+ per square foot of kitchen area for mid-range work, but component summation is more reliable than a per-sq-ft rule because cabinets and appliances don’t scale linearly with floor area. A 100 sq ft (9.29 m²) kitchen at $200/sq ft suggests $20,000 — a reasonable starting anchor.
What percentage of my budget should cabinets be?
Cabinets typically run 25–35% of the total project cost, the largest single component. If they exceed 40%, you’re likely in custom territory and should check the overall budget against the 5–15% home-value guideline.
How much do quartz countertops cost for an average kitchen?
At $50–$100 per sq ft installed, a 40 sq ft (3.72 m²) quartz counter typically costs $2,000–$4,000, with fabrication details (edge profile, cutouts) pushing toward the top of the range.
How much does it cost to move a kitchen sink or stove?
Relocating plumbing, gas, or electrical service typically adds $5,000–$15,000 to the project, depending on distance, slab vs. accessible floor, and local trade rates.
Is 10% contingency enough for a kitchen remodel?
Ten percent is the minimum; 15–20% is safer for older homes or projects involving layout changes, where hidden conditions are most likely.
Get Your Number
Total project cost = component sum ÷ (1 − labor share) + contingency — that’s the whole cost guide in one line. The Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator lets you adjust every line item and tier to fit your market. Start with the planning ranges above, sanity-check against the 5–15% home-value rule, then get at least three local contractor quotes before committing.
Disclaimer: Calculator results are planning estimates based on the inputs you enter and typical US cost ranges. Actual project costs vary with region, labor rates, material choices, site conditions, and scope. Verify with local contractor quotes and consult licensed professionals or your local building authority for code and permit questions.
