Trying to figure out what a kitchen remodel is going to cost before you put together a bid? Good instinct. Walking into a client meeting without a solid number is how contractors lose jobs or worse, land jobs that bleed money.
The truth is there is no single number for a kitchen remodel. A budget flip in a rental property and a full custom gut-job in a high-end home are not the same conversation. But you can get to an accurate estimate fast if you know how to break it down by category.
This guide walks you through how to estimate a kitchen remodel cost the right way, with real numbers, worked examples, and the tools to do it in minutes instead of hours. Try EstimationPro free to build a professional kitchen estimate with automatic follow-up and proposals that close deals.
Quick Answer
A kitchen remodel in 2026 typically costs $15,000 to $80,000+ depending on size, materials, and scope. A minor refresh (paint, hardware, appliances) runs $10,000 to $25,000. A full mid-range remodel averages $30,000 to $60,000. High-end custom kitchens can exceed $100,000. Most contractors price kitchens at $100 to $350 per square foot all-in for labor and materials.
What Drives Kitchen Remodel Cost
Before you open a spreadsheet or call a supplier, understand the five things that swing your number the most:
1. Cabinet scope is the biggest single line item. Cabinets and their installation typically eat 30 to 40 percent of the total budget. Stock versus semi-custom versus fully custom is often the difference between a $25,000 and a $60,000 project.
2. Countertop material adds up fast when you calculate linear footage. Laminate runs $10 to $40 per square foot installed. Quartz and granite run $50 to $200 per square foot installed. On a 30-linear-foot kitchen, that delta alone is $4,000 to $10,000.
3. Whether you are moving plumbing or electrical is a major cost driver. If the sink stays put and you are not adding circuits, those trades are minor. If the homeowner wants the island with a prep sink or a new range hood that needs a dedicated circuit, you are looking at $2,000 to $6,000 more just for rough work.
4. Appliance budget varies wildly. A basic four-appliance package from a big box store runs $1,800 to $3,500. A professional-grade package from Sub-Zero, Wolf, or Miele can easily hit $15,000 to $30,000.
5. Floor size and layout changes matter more than most homeowners expect. Adding a kitchen island or removing a wall involves structural work, permits, and significantly more labor. A standard 150 to 200 square foot kitchen is a different animal than a 300 square foot open-concept space.
Kitchen Remodel Cost Breakdown by Category
Here is how a typical mid-range $45,000 kitchen remodel breaks down. Use this as a starting template and adjust based on your actual scope.
| Category | Cost Range | % of Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinets & Hardware | $12,000 - $22,000 | 30-40% | Biggest variable; stock vs. custom |
| Labor & Installation | $8,000 - $15,000 | 20-28% | Demo, carpentry, paint, project management |
| Appliances | $2,500 - $15,000 | 10-20% | Builder-grade to professional-grade |
| Countertops | $2,000 - $10,000 | 8-15% | Laminate, quartz, granite, stone |
| Plumbing & Electrical | $1,500 - $6,000 | 5-12% | Depends on scope changes |
| Flooring | $1,500 - $5,000 | 5-8% | Tile, LVP, hardwood |
| Permits & Misc | $500 - $2,500 | 2-5% | Required if moving structure or trades |
For more detail on labor-only pricing by trade, see the kitchen remodel cost breakdown guide.
Worked Example 1: Budget Kitchen Refresh (150 sq ft, $24,500)
Scenario: A homeowner wants to update the look without moving anything. Same layout, same cabinet boxes. New cabinet doors, quartz countertops, new LVP flooring, fresh paint, and updated lighting.
| Line Item | Qty | Unit Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet door replacement (16 doors) | 16 | $120 | $1,920 |
| Cabinet hardware | 1 set | $380 | $380 |
| Quartz countertops (28 sq ft) | 28 | $85 | $2,380 |
| LVP flooring (160 sq ft w/ waste) | 160 | $8 | $1,280 |
| Backsplash tile (30 sq ft) | 30 | $18 | $540 |
| Tile installation labor | 30 | $12 | $360 |
| Appliance package (4 appliances) | 1 | $3,200 | $3,200 |
| Paint + prep | 1 | $1,400 | $1,400 |
| Lighting fixtures | 3 | $320 | $960 |
| Electrician (fixture swap) | 4 hrs | $120 | $480 |
| Plumber (faucet, disposal) | 2 hrs | $150 | $300 |
| Countertop template + install | 1 | $800 | $800 |
| Flooring installation labor | 160 | $4 | $640 |
| Project management and cleanup | 1 | $900 | $900 |
| Subtotal | $15,540 | ||
| Markup (20%) | $3,108 | ||
| Overhead & Profit | $18,648 | ||
| Contingency (10%) | $1,865 | ||
| + Design allowance | $3,987 | ||
| Client Price | ~$24,500 |
This is a cosmetic refresh, not a full gut job. The real money saver is keeping the cabinet boxes, existing plumbing locations, and the same electrical layout.
Worked Example 2: Full Mid-Range Remodel (200 sq ft, $48,200)
Scenario: Gut the kitchen down to studs. New semi-custom cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless appliance package, new plumbing rough-in for island sink, updated 20A circuits, hardwood floor, and tile backsplash.
| Line Item | Qty | Unit Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demo and haul-off | 1 | $2,200 | $2,200 |
| Framing for island (structural) | 1 | $1,400 | $1,400 |
| Semi-custom cabinets (30 lin ft) | 30 | $280 | $8,400 |
| Cabinet installation labor | 30 | $120 | $3,600 |
| Quartz countertops (35 sq ft) | 35 | $90 | $3,150 |
| Countertop template + install | 1 | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Stainless appliance package | 1 | $6,800 | $6,800 |
| Backsplash tile + labor (48 sq ft) | 48 | $30 | $1,440 |
| Hardwood flooring + install (220 sf) | 220 | $14 | $3,080 |
| Plumber: island rough-in + fixtures | 1 | $2,400 | $2,400 |
| Electrician: 3 new 20A circuits | 1 | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| Drywall repair + texture | 1 | $900 | $900 |
| Paint (2 coats, walls + trim) | 1 | $1,600 | $1,600 |
| Lighting: recessed + pendants | 1 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Permits | 1 | $850 | $850 |
| Subtotal | $39,920 | ||
| Markup (20%) | $7,984 | ||
| Contingency (10%) | $4,792 | ||
| Client Price | ~$52,696 |
This is closer to the real number for a full mid-range remodel in most markets. Notice that permits are non-negotiable when you are moving plumbing and adding circuits. Skipping them is not a cost savings, it is a liability.
How to Set Your Markup on a Kitchen Remodel
Most contractors apply 15 to 25 percent markup on kitchen remodels, but the right number depends on your overhead, your market, and your capacity.
A $30,000 material and labor job at 20 percent markup produces $6,000 in gross profit before overhead. That sounds solid until you realize a kitchen can run 4 to 8 weeks of your time. At 8 weeks, you would need to be doing $37,500 per week in revenue to justify tying up a crew that long at that margin.
Use the contractor markup calculator to see how your markup translates to margin and whether your bid covers your real costs. A lot of contractors confuse markup and margin, and the result is they underprice complex jobs and leave money on the table.
Pro tip: Kitchens have higher than average hidden cost risk. Rot under the subfloor, outdated plumbing that needs to come up to code, and surprises in the walls are all common. Build 10 percent contingency into every kitchen bid and document it clearly in your scope so change orders are not a fight.
Pro Tips for Estimating Kitchen Remodels
Get on-site before you quote. Kitchen estimates done from a phone conversation or a homeowner’s square footage guess are almost always wrong. You need to see the cabinet box condition, the plumbing configuration, the electrical panel capacity, and the floor level. Walking the job is not optional.
Separate materials from labor in your estimate. Homeowners who try to supply their own cabinets or countertops create scheduling problems and shift liability. If they buy the wrong sink and you install it, that is their problem. If you supply and install it, it is your problem to get right. Know which model you are working from before you sign the contract.
Nail down the appliance budget early. Nothing blows up a kitchen scope like a homeowner who “decided they want a Wolf range” after you have already framed the hood box for a standard 30-inch unit. Get appliance selections locked before demo day.
Use a written scope of work. Kitchens are one of the highest change-order categories in residential remodeling. Items that seem obvious to a contractor are not obvious to a homeowner. Write it down. What is included. What is not included. Every allowance.
Price in your lead time. Semi-custom cabinets typically run 4 to 8 weeks lead time. Custom cabinets can be 10 to 16 weeks. Quote your start date based on material availability, not when the homeowner wants to start.
FAQ
How much does a 10x10 kitchen remodel cost? A standard 10x10 kitchen (100 square feet) is the industry benchmark for cabinet pricing. At the budget level, expect $15,000 to $25,000. Mid-range runs $25,000 to $50,000. High-end or custom remodels in that footprint regularly exceed $75,000 when you factor in premium materials, structural work, and custom cabinetry.
What is the biggest cost in a kitchen remodel? Cabinets and their installation. In most kitchens, cabinets represent 30 to 40 percent of the total project cost. Choosing stock cabinets over custom can save $5,000 to $20,000 on a single job.
Should I include a contingency in my kitchen remodel bid? Yes, always. Ten percent is the minimum on a kitchen. Fifteen to twenty percent is better if the home is older (pre-1980) or if you have not done a full inspection yet. Hidden rot, outdated plumbing, and aluminum wiring are not rare in older kitchens.
How long does a kitchen remodel take? A cosmetic refresh with no structural changes takes 2 to 4 weeks. A full gut remodel runs 6 to 12 weeks depending on the scope, material lead times, and inspector availability. Budget time for the permit process (typically 1 to 3 weeks to issue), especially if you are moving plumbing or adding circuits.
What is a fair markup percentage for kitchen remodels? Most residential remodelers use 15 to 25 percent markup on kitchen jobs. The right number depends on your specific overhead, crew utilization, and market. See the kitchen remodel cost guide for regional pricing benchmarks.
Build Your Kitchen Estimate Right the First Time
Kitchen remodels are one of the most complex jobs in residential remodeling. High stakes for the homeowner, long timelines, and a lot of variables that can eat your margin if you are not careful.
The contractors who win kitchen jobs consistently are the ones who show up with a detailed, professional estimate fast. Not a rough ballpark. A real line-item breakdown with scope, allowances, and a written contract.
Try EstimationPro free to build accurate kitchen estimates in minutes, send professional proposals automatically, and follow up with every lead so you win more of the bids you already send. EstimationPro handles the estimate, the proposal, the follow-up sequence, and the invoice, so you stop chasing homeowners and start closing jobs.
Mid-Range Kitchen Remodel Cost Breakdown ($45,000)
Kitchen Remodel Tiers: What You Get at Each Budget
- Stock RTA or semi-stock cabinets
- Laminate or butcher block countertops
- Standard builder-grade appliances
- Basic tile or LVP flooring
- Repaint existing walls
- Semi-custom cabinetry with soft-close
- Quartz or granite countertops
- Stainless steel appliance package
- Tile backsplash + upgraded flooring
- Updated plumbing fixtures and lighting
- Full custom cabinetry, floor to ceiling
- Premium stone counters (marble, quartzite)
- Chef-grade or smart appliances
- Radiant heated floors + statement lighting
- Structural changes, island addition
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