Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator: what to expect
Kitchens are the most expensive room per square foot to remodel because they concentrate cabinetry, countertops, appliances, plumbing, and electrical in one space. Cabinets and countertops alone often make up half the budget.
Across the United States, a kitchen remodel cost averages $51,868 once mid-range materials, licensed labor, and standard permits are included. The figures below are a national baseline; pick your state or city to apply local labor rates, material delivery costs, and permit fees.
Cost summary
| Low estimate | $19,433 |
|---|---|
| Average estimate | $51,868 |
| High estimate | $119,333 |
| Cost per project | $19,433 - $119,333 |
| Timeline | 4-12 weeks |
Where the money goes
For a typical kitchen remodel cost, the average $51,868 estimate splits into roughly $20,889 of materials, $19,981 of labor, and $900 in permits.
| Material cost | $20,889 |
|---|---|
| Labor cost | $19,981 |
| Permit cost | $900 |
What a kitchen remodel cost includes
- Cabinetry (stock, semi-custom, or custom)
- Countertops and backsplash
- Appliances, sink, and faucet
- Flooring, lighting, and electrical updates
- Plumbing moves and permits where required
What drives the cost the most
- Cabinetry grade — stock vs. custom — is usually the single biggest line item.
- Countertop material (laminate to natural stone) swings cost widely.
- Moving the sink, range, or walls triggers plumbing, electrical, and permit cost.
- Appliance package, from builder to pro-grade, scales fast.
Budget, standard, and high-end scopes
The $19,433–$119,333 range maps to three common levels of finish:
| Scope | Roughly | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $19,433 | Stock cabinets, laminate or entry quartz, keep existing layout. |
| Mid-range | $51,868 | Semi-custom cabinets, quartz tops, new appliances, minor layout tweaks. |
| High-end | $119,333 | Custom cabinetry, stone, pro appliances, reconfigured layout. |
How to save on a kitchen remodel cost
- Keep the plumbing wall in place — relocating the sink/range adds cost and permits.
- Reface or repaint sound cabinet boxes instead of replacing them.
- Standard-size appliances avoid custom cabinet modifications.
How this estimate is calculated
We start from a base cost-per-project for kitchen remodel cost and adjust it for finish quality, labor complexity, waste, and equipment, then apply national baseline indices. The figures update with the cost data and reflect mid-range, licensed-contractor pricing, not a binding quote.