Today’s kitchen is much more than a place to prepare meals. It is a multi-functional space and acts as a home’s command central, often serving as its de facto gathering spot, homework hub, and makeshift home office. A kitchen is also one of the more expensive home improvement projects and can easily derail a remodeling budget without proper planning.
In this project cost guide, we walk through kitchen remodeling costs, including costs for each feature, budgeting recommendations, and money-saving tips.
Average Cost to Remodel a Kitchen
The average kitchen remodeling cost ranges from $15,000 for a basic refresh up to $154,000 for a full-scale remodel with upscale materials and designer features. The size of your kitchen, project scope, fixtures, finishes, and labor are a few of the primary factors that affect your total remodeling costs. Most projects fall into three categories.
Kitchen Remodeling Costs by Size
On average, expect to pay $150 to $250 per square foot when planning your kitchen remodeling project. The average size of a U.S. kitchen is between 100 to 200 square feet, with remodeling costs ranging from $15,000 to $50,000.
10 x 10 kitchen remodeling cost: $15,00 to $25,000
12 x 12 kitchen remodeling cost: $21,600 to $36,000
A larger kitchen requires more materials and labor, and will usually cost more to update or replace features and fixtures. Your kitchen’s design will also play a role in determining remodeling costs and whether you keep the existing layout or change it to something new. For example, a galley kitchen will typically cost less to update than an L-shaped kitchen with a center island.
Kitchen Remodeling Costs by Feature
| Material or Labor Type | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Cabinets and Hardware | $4,000–$12,000 |
| Countertops | $1,400–$5,100 |
| Lighting | $170–$570 per fixture |
| Sink and Faucet | $700–$1,900 |
| Appliances | $3,000–$8,700 |
| Island | $3,100–$6,800 |
| Doors and Windows | $960–$2,200 |
| Electrical | $1,400–$2,400 |
| Plumbing | $1,800–$3,600 |
| Flooring | $350–$3,500 |
| Backsplash | $600–$1,600 |
| Paint | $580–$1,300 |
| Storage and Organization | $100–$1,000 |
| Floorplan and Layout | $2,800–$11,700 |
Other Costs and Considerations
A few kitchen remodeling costs tend to get overlooked during the more exciting project phases of selecting cabinet colors and countertops. Planning for them now prevents unwelcome surprises and will help you stick to your budget.
Demolition Costs: $900 to $3,000
Any features and fixtures you plan to replace will need to be torn down and removed. If you are looking for a way to save some money on your remodeling costs, doing the demo work yourself is a doable DIY project, provided you have the proper tools and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Permitting Fees: $150 to $2,000
Depending on how much work you plan to do in your kitchen, you may need to obtain a building permit. Plumbing, electrical, and major construction work all require a permit through your city’s planning department before work can begin. Kitchen contractors will often obtain permits on your behalf and will include this cost as a line item on your project estimate.
Kitchen Loss of Use: Cost Varies
A kitchen remodel is a major construction project and can take between four and twelve weeks or more to complete. There will be times when you will not have a working kitchen, which can cause significant disruption to your household, especially for children and pets. When planning your budget, factor in additional living expenses like a short-term rental, setting up a makeshift kitchen elsewhere in the home, or eating out.
How to Budget for Kitchen Remodel Costs
Remodeling a kitchen is pricey, and costs can add up quickly. A good starting point for a budgetary estimate is between five and 15 percent of your home’s value. For example, for a home that is valued at $300,000, expect to pay between $15,000 to $45,000 on a kitchen update.
Knowing where the money goes is an important first step in your project planning. Your kitchen’s final size and layout, along with your budget, priorities, and design preferences will ultimately determine how much money is spent where. Here is how the budget breaks down for a typical kitchen remodeling project:
| Kitchen Feature | Average Budget Total |
|---|---|
| Cabinets and Hardware | 30% |
| Labor | 15% |
| Appliances | 13% |
| Countertops | 13% |
| Flooring | 11% |
| Faucets and Plumbing | 5% |
| Lighting | 5% |
| Design | 4% |
| Doors and Windows | 4% |
| Painting | 3% |
Additionally, consider setting up a contingency fund to cover unexpected costs that come up along the way (faulty electrical wiring or a rotting subfloor, for example).
The consensus among kitchen remodelers and designers is between 10 to 20 percent of your project’s cost to cover these surprise expenses. Take it from the pros — some extra budgeting now will save you money and frustration later.
Tips for Saving Money on a Kitchen Remodel
While they are one of the more expensive home improvements, you can save money on your kitchen remodel costs by setting priorities, making trade-offs, and getting creative.
Hire a Professional
The fee of a quality kitchen remodeling professional will often pay for itself and save you money in materials and labor. This is especially true for more complex projects when scheduling and deliveries are critical. They also know the right subcontractors for your project and can recommend the best materials to meet your budget. When evaluating kitchen remodeling professionals, compare quotes, read reviews, and get your questions answered to find the best fit for your project.
Create a Budget and Plan
Have a clear kitchen plan that outlines your vision and how much you can afford to spend on the project, including a fund for contingencies.
Maintain the Existing Layout
Design and construction fees can quickly balloon out of control when you start knocking down walls and moving things around. Keeping your kitchen layout the same and replacing features and fixtures will save you thousands of dollars in design and construction costs.
Keep Your Cabinets
Cabinets are often the most expensive feature in a kitchen and can quickly gobble up your budget. Consider refacing, installing new cabinet fronts and hardware, or repainting to make the most of the money you have to spend.
Get Creative with Countertops
Marble and granite countertops are beautiful but pricey. To save costs, consider kitchen countertop alternatives like laminate or a solid surface option like Corian. If you have your heart set on marble, however, install it in a smaller quantity — place it in the areas with the highest visibility while using butcher block or other less expensive material everywhere else.
Know Where to Save and Where to Splurge
Creating a kitchen you love should include a few little luxuries. It is your kitchen after all, and you deserve to enjoy living in it day after day. An experienced kitchen designer or contractor can be a helpful resource here — tap into their expertise for recommendations on where to add upscale materials and how to create your desired look for less.
Compare top-rated kitchen remodel pros in your area.
Read real homeowner reviews, explore qualifications, and view promotions. Modernize makes it easy to browse professionals and find one that will be perfect for your project.
