Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator (2026)
Get an instant, detailed estimate for your kitchen remodel — from cosmetic refreshes to full gut renovations. Select your scope, materials, and region to see itemized costs for cabinets, countertops, appliances, labor, plumbing, electrical, and permits.
Where Your Budget Goes
Cabinets (30–40%)
The biggest single expense. Stock $80-200/ft, semi-custom $200-500/ft, custom $500-1,200+/ft. Refacing saves 50% vs replacement.
Labor (25–35%)
Demolition, installation, plumbing, electrical, finishing. GC markup typically 15-20% of total project cost.
Countertops (10–15%)
Laminate $25-60/sqft, granite $50-100, quartz $50-150, marble $75-250. Material and edge profile affect price.
Appliances (10–15%)
Basic $2K-5K, mid-range $5K-12K, professional $15K-40K+. Energy-efficient models may qualify for rebates.
Plumbing (5–10%)
Moving lines is expensive ($1K-3K per line). Keeping layout saves significantly. New faucet $150-600 installed.
Electrical (3–5%)
New outlets $150-300 each, under-cabinet lighting $200-800, panel upgrade $1K-2.5K. Code-compliant is non-negotiable.
Cost by Remodel Level
Cosmetic Refresh
$5,000 – $15,000
- Paint cabinets & walls
- Replace hardware
- New backsplash
- Update lighting
- New laminate countertops
Mid-Range Remodel
$25,000 – $60,000
- Semi-custom cabinets
- Stone countertops
- New appliances
- Updated plumbing
- New flooring
High-End / Luxury
$70,000 – $150,000+
- Custom cabinets
- Premium stone counters
- Professional appliances
- Structural changes
- Smart home integration
Worked Example: Mid-Range Kitchen Remodel
Estimating cost for a 150 sq ft kitchen with mid-range remodel:
Step 1 – Base renovation: 150 sqft × $60/sqft = $9,000
Step 2 – Cabinets (semi-custom): 37.5 linear ft × $350 = $13,125
Step 3 – Countertops (quartz): 37.5 sqft × $100 = $3,750
Step 4 – Appliances (mid-range): $6,500
Step 5 – Labor (35%): ($9,000 + $13,125 + $3,750 + $6,500) × 0.35 = $11,006
Step 6 – Plumbing/Electrical/Permits: $1,500 + $1,200 + $800 = $3,500
Subtotal: ~$46,881
Step 7 – Contingency (15%): $46,881 × 0.15 = ~$7,032
Total: ~$53,900 with 15% buffer
Always keep 10-20% contingency. Remodels frequently uncover hidden problems once walls and cabinets are opened.
Budget Tips & Common Mistakes
✓ Smart Budget Moves
- Keep the layout unchanged: Moving plumbing and electrical is the #1 budget killer.
- Refinish instead of replace: Refacing cabinets costs 50% less than new ones.
- Shop for appliances during sales: Holiday weekends offer 20-40% discounts.
- Get 3+ contractor quotes: Prices vary 30-50% for the same scope.
- Do demolition yourself: Save $1,000-3,000 by removing old cabinets.
✗ Budget Killers
- No contingency fund: 85% of remodels go over budget. Keep 15-20% reserve.
- Changing the plan mid-project: Every change order costs 2-3x the original.
- Hiring the cheapest contractor: Low bids often mean cut corners or surprise upcharges.
- Ignoring permits: Unpermitted work can force you to tear it out and redo it.
- Trending too hard: Ultra-trendy designs date quickly. Keep bones classic.
Frequently Asked Questions
A kitchen remodel costs $150-$350 per square foot in 2026. Budget remodels start at $75-$150/sqft, mid-range at $200-$350/sqft, and high-end kitchens exceed $400/sqft. A typical 150 sq ft kitchen runs $30,000-$52,500.
Cabinets typically account for 30-40% of a kitchen remodel budget. Stock cabinets cost $80-$200/linear ft, semi-custom $200-$500, and custom $500-$1,200+. Refacing existing cabinets saves 50% vs full replacement.
Yes, most kitchen remodels require permits for plumbing, electrical, or gas line work. Permit costs range from $200-$1,000 depending on location and scope. Unpermitted work can force you to redo it.
Timeline varies by scope: cosmetic updates 1-2 weeks, minor remodels 2-4 weeks, mid-range 4-8 weeks, major remodels 6-12 weeks, full gut renovations 8-16 weeks.
Updated cabinets, countertops, and modern appliances add the most value. A kitchen remodel typically recoups 60-80% of its cost in increased home value.
Keep the existing layout, choose stock cabinets over custom, reface instead of replace, DIY demo and painting, shop for appliances during holiday sales, and get at least 3 contractor quotes.