Kitchen Remodel Cost (2026): $14,586–$45,000 on Average
Author: CostGuideHQ Editorial·✓ Fact-checked·Updated July 2026·4 min read·4 sources Quick answerQuick answer: A full kitchen remodel costs $14,586 to $45,000 for most US homeowners, averaging about $27,000 nationally. Cosmetic refreshes start near $10,000, while high-end gut renovations with layout changes run $60,000 to $130,000 or more, largely driven by cabinetry and countertop choices.
- ✓The national average kitchen remodel costs about $27,000, with most projects ranging $14,586 to $45,000.
- ✓Cabinetry is the biggest expense, typically eating up 30-40% of the total budget.
- ✓Cost per square foot runs $75 to $250 for most remodels, and up to $600 for luxury finishes.
- ✓A cosmetic refresh starts around $10,000, while a full gut renovation with layout changes can top $130,000.
How much does kitchen remodel cost?
National average
$27,000
total project
Typical range
$14,586–$45,000
Most projects
Whole project
$14,586–$45,000
$8,752avg $27,000$63,000+
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Cost by material / type
| Type | Low | High |
|---|
| cosmetic/small remodel | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| mid-range remodel | $25,000 | $60,000 |
| high-end/gut renovation | $60,000 | $130,000 |
What affects the cost?
- Cabinetry is the single biggest line item, often 30-40% of the total budget (Angi, Fixr)
- Countertop material swings price widely, from about $15 to $200 per square foot depending on stone vs. laminate (Fixr, HomeAdvisor)
- Kitchen size and total square footage set the baseline for both materials and labor
- Scope level (cosmetic refresh vs. full gut renovation with new layout) is the single biggest cost swing
- Moving plumbing, gas lines, or electrical to change the layout adds significant labor cost
- Appliance package selection can range from about $2,500 to $15,000 or more (Fixr)
- Region and local labor rates shift totals meaningfully, from Midwest averages of $10,300-$34,300 to Northwest averages of $25,600-$61,100 (HomeAdvisor)
- Permit costs add roughly $460-$2,770 depending on whether structural, plumbing, or electrical work is involved (HomeAdvisor)
Why does a kitchen remodel cost so much?
A kitchen touches more trades than almost any other room: cabinetry, countertops, flooring, plumbing, electrical, and appliances all have to come together. Cabinetry alone typically eats up 30 to 40 percent of the budget (Angi, Fixr), which is why it’s the first place costs climb. Countertops add another wide swing, from about $15 per square foot for laminate up to $200 per square foot for premium stone (Fixr). Add labor, which Fixr estimates at 50 to 60 percent of a project’s total cost, and it’s easy to see why a modest kitchen update lands at $10,000 while a full renovation with new layout, plumbing, and electrical can run past $60,000 (Fixr, Angi). Nationally, most projects fall between $14,586 and $45,000, averaging close to $27,000 (HomeAdvisor, Angi, Fixr).
What affects the cost?
A handful of factors explain most of the spread between a $10,000 refresh and a $130,000 gut renovation:
- Scope of work. A cosmetic update (new paint, hardware, backsplash) runs $10,000-$25,000; a mid-range remodel with new cabinets and countertops runs $25,000-$60,000; a full gut renovation with layout changes runs $60,000-$130,000+ (Fixr, Angi).
- Kitchen size. Cost scales directly with square footage. HomeAdvisor puts a 75 sq ft kitchen at $5,600-$17,500 and a 200 sq ft kitchen at $15,000-$50,000.
- Cabinetry choice. Stock cabinets run $100-$300 per linear foot, while custom cabinetry climbs to $500-$1,200+ per linear foot (HomeAdvisor).
- Countertop material. Laminate starts around $15/sq ft; quartz, granite, and other premium stone can reach $100-$200/sq ft (Fixr, HomeAdvisor).
- Layout changes. Moving plumbing, gas lines, or electrical to change the kitchen’s footprint adds significant labor cost and usually pushes a project into the high-end tier.
- Region. Local labor rates vary widely — HomeAdvisor found Northwest projects averaging $25,600-$61,100 versus Midwest projects at $10,300-$34,300.
- Permits. Structural, plumbing, or electrical permits typically add $460-$2,770 to the total (HomeAdvisor).
How to lower your kitchen remodel cost
- Keep the existing layout. Avoiding plumbing and electrical relocation is one of the biggest savings levers, since layout changes drive a project from mid-range into high-end territory.
- Reface instead of replace cabinets. Since cabinetry is 30-40% of the budget, refinishing or refacing existing boxes instead of buying new ones can cut thousands off the total.
- Choose a mid-tier countertop material. Laminate or butcher block (starting around $15/sq ft) delivers a clean look for a fraction of premium stone at $100-$200/sq ft.
- Phase the project. Tackling cosmetic updates first (paint, hardware, lighting) and saving cabinetry or layout work for a later phase spreads cost over time.
- Get multiple local quotes. Labor alone can be 50-60% of the total project cost, so comparing contractors in your region is worth the effort before committing.
Prices vary by region, kitchen size, and material choices, so treat the figures above as a planning budget. Get two or three local quotes before finalizing your project.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does an average kitchen remodel cost?+
Most kitchen remodels cost between $14,586 and $45,000, averaging around $27,000 nationally. HomeAdvisor puts the typical range at $14,586-$41,542 and Angi at a nearly identical $14,586-$41,549, while Fixr extends the upper end to $45,000 for larger mid-range projects.
What is the cost per square foot to remodel a kitchen?+
Most kitchen remodels run $75 to $250 per square foot, with an average around $150/sq ft (Fixr). Luxury remodels with custom cabinetry and premium finishes can reach $600 per square foot, according to Fixr and HomeGuide.
How much does a small kitchen remodel cost?+
A small kitchen (120 square feet or less) typically costs $4,000 to $18,000 (HomeGuide). HomeAdvisor's size breakdown puts a 75 sq ft kitchen at $5,600-$17,500 and a 100 sq ft kitchen at $7,500-$25,000.
What's the biggest cost driver in a kitchen remodel?+
Cabinetry, which typically accounts for 30-40% of the total budget regardless of project scope (Angi, Fixr). Countertops and appliances are the next-largest line items.
How much do kitchen cabinets cost?+
Cabinets run roughly $100 to $1,200 per linear foot, with stock cabinets on the low end and custom cabinetry at the top (Fixr, HomeAdvisor). Fixr puts the average total cabinet spend around $7,000.
How much should I budget for a high-end kitchen remodel?+
A high-end or full gut renovation with layout changes typically runs $60,000 to $130,000 or more (Fixr, Angi). These projects usually involve moving plumbing or electrical, custom cabinetry, and premium appliances.
Sources
Figures synthesized and cross-checked across these sources (retrieved 2026-07-24):
- HomeAdvisor — Average cost $26,938; range $14,586-$41,542. Per square foot $75-$250. By size: 75 sq ft $5,600-$17,500; 100 sq ft $7,500-$25,000; 150 sq ft $11,250-$37,500; 200 sq ft $15,000-$50,000. By region: Northwest $25,600-$61,100; Rocky Mountains $12,700-$39,600; Southwest $12,350-$33,950; Midwest $10,300-$34,300; Northeast $10,800-$40,400. Cabinets $100-$300/linear ft (stock) to $500-$1,200+/linear ft (custom). Countertops $1,870-$4,400 total ($8-$100/sq ft). Flooring $1,000-$4,000. Appliances $125-$5,000 per appliance. Backsplash $500-$1,700 total ($15-$40/sq ft). Permits $460-$2,770.
- Fixr — Average cost $27,000; range $15,000-$45,000. Per square foot average $150 (range $75-$250; luxury remodels up to $600+). By project type: cosmetic/small $10,000-$25,000 (avg $15,000); mid-range $25,000-$60,000 (avg $40,000); high-end $60,000-$130,000 (avg $80,000). Cabinets $7,000 average ($100-$1,200 per linear foot). Countertops $3,000 average ($15-$200 per sq ft). Flooring just under $5,000. Appliances $2,500-$15,000. Backsplash $1,000 average ($15-$40 per sq ft). Lighting $1,350 average. Labor represents 50-60% of total cost, averaging $13,500-$16,200.
- Angi — Average $26,943; range $14,586-$41,549. Minor cosmetic updates $10,000-$20,000. Mid-range full renovations $20,000-$65,000. Complete gut jobs with layout changes start at $65,000 and exceed $130,000 in most markets. Cabinets consume 30-40% of total budget.
- HomeGuide — Full kitchen renovation $150-$250 per square foot. Partial renovations $60-$150 per square foot. Large kitchens $250-$350 per square foot. High-end remodels up to $600 per square foot. Total project $15,000-$50,000. Small kitchen remodel (120 sq ft or less) $4,000-$18,000.
National average and range are drawn from the closely-aligned totals reported by HomeAdvisor ($26,938 avg, $14,586-$41,542 typical range) and Angi ($26,943 avg, $14,586-$41,549 typical range), with Fixr's figures ($27,000 avg, $15,000-$45,000 range) used to extend the high end. Per-square-foot pricing is fairly consistent across sources at roughly $75-$250/sq ft for most remodels, with HomeGuide and Fixr both noting luxury jobs can reach $600/sq ft. Figures represent whole-project totals covering cabinets, countertops, flooring, appliances, and labor for a typical US kitchen; they generally exclude major structural changes (wall removal, additions) unless noted, which push a project into the $65,000-$130,000+ 'total makeover' tier cited by Angi and Fixr.