Renovation estimator · Updated September 2026
Kitchen Remodel Cost Estimator
Use our free kitchen remodel cost estimator to build an accurate budget before speaking to a single contractor. Select your kitchen size, finish level, cabinets, countertops and US state to get an instant estimate based on real 2026 contractor rates.
Enter your kitchen details
Select your kitchen details
Make your selections on the left to calculate your kitchen remodel cost estimate instantly.
- Most mid-range medium kitchen remodels cost $45,000–$85,000
- Cabinets account for 30–40% of total kitchen remodel cost
- Countertops are the second biggest cost driver
- Labor is typically 35–50% of the total project budget
What drives kitchen remodel cost?
- Cabinets — The largest single cost item, typically 30–40% of the total budget. Custom cabinets cost 2–3× more than stock.
- Countertops — Material choice has a significant impact. Quartz and granite run $60–$120 per square foot installed.
- Labor — Accounts for 35–50% of total cost. Rates vary up to 30% by state.
- Layout changes — Moving plumbing, gas lines or walls adds roughly $3,200–$7,800 in this estimator, more for complex moves, and requires permits.
- Appliances — Professional-grade appliances can add $15,000–$25,000 alone.
- Size — A larger kitchen requires more cabinets, more countertop linear footage and more flooring.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in 2026?
The average kitchen remodel cost in 2026 ranges from $15,000 to $130,000+ depending on kitchen size, finish level and location. A mid-range remodel of a typical medium-sized kitchen costs between $45,000 and $85,000 in most US markets. Our free kitchen remodel cost estimator uses real 2026 contractor rates adjusted by state to give you the most accurate budget starting point available.
Cabinets are the single largest cost driver in any kitchen remodel, accounting for 30–40% of the total budget. Countertops, appliances, labor and flooring make up the remainder. Use our kitchen remodel estimate calculator above to build your budget line by line before calling a single contractor.
Kitchen remodel cost calculator — by scope
Use our kitchen remodel cost calculator to estimate your project by selecting remodel scope, cabinet style, countertop material and appliances. The calculator adjusts your estimate in real time as you make selections, with state-specific labor cost adjustments for all 50 US states.
| Remodel scope | Small kitchen | Medium kitchen | Large kitchen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget refresh | $8,000–$18,000 | $15,000–$30,000 | $25,000–$45,000 |
| Mid-range remodel | $25,000–$48,000 | $45,000–$85,000 | $70,000–$130,000 |
| High-end remodel | $50,000–$90,000 | $80,000–$145,000 | $130,000–$240,000 |
| Luxury / full custom | $80,000–$160,000 | $140,000–$250,000 | $220,000–$400,000+ |
Kitchen remodel cost by component (2026)
| Component | Budget range | Mid-range | High-end | % of total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinets | $3,000–$8,000 | $8,000–$20,000 | $20,000–$60,000+ | 30–40% |
| Labor & installation | $5,000–$12,000 | $12,000–$25,000 | $25,000–$55,000 | 35–50% |
| Countertops | $1,000–$3,000 | $3,000–$7,500 | $7,500–$20,000 | 10–15% |
| Appliances | $2,000–$5,000 | $5,000–$12,000 | $12,000–$25,000+ | 8–15% |
| Flooring | $800–$2,500 | $2,500–$5,000 | $5,000–$12,000 | 5–7% |
| Lighting | $500–$1,500 | $1,500–$3,500 | $3,500–$8,000 | 3–5% |
Small kitchen remodel cost estimator
A small kitchen remodel — typically under 150 square feet such as a galley kitchen or apartment kitchen — costs between $8,000 and $48,000 for budget-to-mid-range work, depending on scope and finishes. Even in a small kitchen, cabinet and countertop costs remain significant because you still need to cover all wall runs. Select "Small" in our kitchen remodel cost estimator above to see small kitchen pricing for your state.
The most cost-effective small kitchen remodel strategy is to keep the same layout, reface or paint existing cabinets, install laminate countertops and update hardware and lighting. This approach typically costs $8,000–$18,000 and delivers a significant visual transformation at a fraction of a full remodel cost.
Kitchen remodel labor cost calculator
Labor typically accounts for 35–50% of total kitchen remodel cost in 2026. On a $60,000 mid-range kitchen remodel, expect to pay $21,000–$30,000 in labor across carpentry, plumbing, electrical, drywall, flooring and painting trades. Our kitchen remodel labor cost calculator incorporates state-specific labor rate multipliers — California and New York labor runs 25–30% higher than lower-cost states like Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma.
How a kitchen budget usually divides
The component table above shows where the money goes: cabinets take roughly 30–40% of a kitchen budget and labor and installation 35–50%, with countertops, appliances, flooring and lighting sharing the rest. What makes those totals manageable is that the proportions stay fairly stable from one project to the next.
Use them as a sanity check rather than a rule. If cabinetry in your quote is running at half the total, something else is being squeezed — and it is usually the contingency, which is the line you will most regret losing once the old flooring comes up.
The cabinet decision sets both price and schedule
Cabinets are the largest single category, and the choice between three tiers affects more than cost:
- Stock. Fixed sizes from existing inventory, available quickly. Layouts work around the sizes offered, and filler panels cover the gaps.
- Semi-custom. Standard boxes with a wide range of sizes, finishes and interior options. The common middle ground, on a manufacturing lead time.
- Custom. Built to your dimensions and priced accordingly — custom cabinets can run $30,000 to $60,000 or more in a medium-to-large kitchen. The longest lead time by a wide margin.
Lead time is the part that catches people out. Cabinets are usually the item that dictates the start date, because demolition should not happen until they are confirmed and scheduled. A kitchen torn out around a cabinet order that slips is a kitchen out of service for the extra weeks. If the existing boxes are sound and only the doors and finishes are dated, our cabinet refacing cost estimator covers the far cheaper alternative.
What actually comes back at resale
Kitchen returns are strongly non-linear, and the pattern is consistent across published remodeling data:
| Project tier | Typical cost recouped |
|---|---|
| Minor remodel — surfaces, hardware, appliances, paint | Around 113% |
| Mid-range major remodel | Around 50% |
| Upscale remodel | Around 36% |
The minor remodel outperforming everything else is not a quirk. Buyers respond to a kitchen that looks current; they rarely pay a premium proportional to what a high-end one cost. Countertop replacement alone commonly returns well over 75%, with countertops averaging around $3,100 nationally and granite near $3,250.
That said, resale value is the wrong sole criterion if you plan to stay. A layout that does not work does not start working because the return figures are unflattering — it just stays wrong for another decade.
Where not to economize
Spend on what is buried or hard to revisit, and save on what is visible and swappable. Electrical capacity, outlet placement, plumbing rough-in, ventilation ducted properly to the outside, and the layout itself are all expensive to change later and cheap to get right now. Hardware, lighting fixtures, backsplash tile and paint are the reverse.
If the kitchen and a bathroom are both on the list, sequencing them together shares mobilization and permit effort — our bathroom remodel cost estimator prices the second half of that. And plan on painting after the cabinets are in rather than before, which our interior painting cost estimator covers.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this kitchen remodel cost estimator?
There is no validated accuracy figure for this estimator, and we will not invent one. Its rates come from published 2026 cost data and are maintained by hand, but they have not been measured against a body of real quotes. Custom kitchens with unusual design requirements vary more widely. Treat the result as a planning figure and the range as the realistic spread, then get at least 3 formal quotes from licensed kitchen or general contractors before committing to a budget.
How do I estimate a kitchen remodel cost?
To estimate kitchen remodel cost: determine your kitchen size, decide on cabinet quality, countertop material and appliance tier, then factor in labor for your state. Our kitchen remodel estimate calculator does this automatically — select your options above for an instant estimate. The biggest variables are cabinet choice and whether you change the kitchen layout.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
Cabinets are consistently the largest single cost in a kitchen remodel, accounting for 30–40% of the total budget. Custom cabinets can cost $30,000–$60,000+ in a medium-to-large kitchen. If you are working with a tight budget, opting for semi-custom or stock cabinets and keeping the same layout are the two most impactful cost-saving decisions.
Does a kitchen remodel add value to a home?
A mid-range kitchen remodel returns approximately 70–80 cents on the dollar in home value according to industry data. A minor kitchen update (painting, new hardware, countertops) often returns more — around 80–85 cents per dollar spent — because the cost is lower. Major luxury remodels rarely return full value unless the surrounding market supports high-end pricing.
What is a kitchen remodel budget estimator?
A kitchen remodel budget estimator is a tool that helps you calculate the estimated cost of your kitchen renovation before you contact contractors. Our free kitchen remodel budget estimator above factors in kitchen size, finish level, cabinet style, countertop material, appliances, layout changes and your US state to produce an instant cost estimate updated in real time.
How much does a free kitchen remodel estimate cost?
Getting a kitchen remodel estimate from HomeEstimatorHub is completely free — no signup, no email required. For formal contractor quotes, most licensed kitchen contractors provide free in-home estimates. We recommend getting at least 3 contractor quotes and using our kitchen remodel cost estimator as your baseline for comparison.
Sources & standards
Primary references behind the standards, code requirements and safety guidance cited on this page. Cost ranges shown here are HomeEstimatorHub estimates, not contractor quotes — see how these are calculated, and always confirm against written bids and your local building department.
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Disclaimer: All kitchen remodel cost estimates are for informational purposes only based on average 2026 US contractor and material rates. Actual costs vary based on existing kitchen conditions, design complexity, material selections, local permit requirements and contractor availability. Always obtain multiple formal quotes from licensed contractors before proceeding.