Kitchen Renovation Cost Estimator: Real Pricing for 2026

$47,000. That’s where a mid-range kitchen renovation lands in the Pacific Northwest, and it’s the number that makes most homeowners go quiet in the first consultation.

Then comes the follow-up: “Is that for the whole kitchen?” Yes. “Including labor?” Yes. “Can we do it for less?” Sometimes. Depends on what you want.

The problem isn’t the number. The problem is that most people walk into a kitchen renovation with no idea what things actually cost, because online estimates range from “$10K refresh” to “$100K dream kitchen” with nothing useful in between.

This guide breaks it down like a contractor would. Real line items. Real labor. Real numbers you can use to build an honest estimate before you call anyone.

Use our Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator to run your own numbers while you read, or Try EstimationPro free to build a full project estimate with labor, materials, and timeline.

Quick Answer

Kitchen renovation costs range from $10,000 to $80,000+ depending on scope and finishes. A surface-level refresh (paint, hardware, lighting) runs $10,000-$25,000. A mid-range renovation replacing cabinets, countertops, and appliances typically costs $30,000-$60,000. A high-end gut renovation with custom everything can push $80,000-$150,000. These ranges reflect 2026 contractor pricing and vary by region.

Kitchen Renovation vs. Kitchen Remodel: What’s the Difference?

Worth clarifying before we get into numbers.

Kitchen renovation usually means updating what’s there. New finishes, new hardware, new appliances, maybe new countertops. You’re not moving walls or changing the layout. The bones stay where they are.

Kitchen remodel is broader. It can include everything in a renovation plus structural changes - moving walls, relocating plumbing, reconfiguring the layout entirely.

The cost difference can be substantial. Keeping the same layout saves you plumbing and electrical relocation costs, which can easily add $3,000-$12,000 to a project when you start moving pipes and panels.

For this guide, we’ll cover the full range. Most homeowners land somewhere in the middle.

Kitchen Renovation Cost by Tier

Scope	Typical Size	Cost Range	Per Square Foot
Budget refresh	100-150 SF	$10,000-$25,000	$50-$150/SF
Mid-range renovation	150-200 SF	$25,000-$60,000	$150-$300/SF
High-end renovation	200+ SF	$60,000-$150,000+	$250-$500/SF

Costs reflect materials, labor, and contractor overhead. Regional pricing varies significantly - see section below.

Source: NAHB cost breakdown data; Angi 2026 kitchen remodel guide; Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value 2025.

The Big Cost Drivers

Every kitchen renovation estimate comes down to the same five categories.

1. Cabinets (30-40% of total budget)

Cabinets eat the largest share of the budget. Most people underestimate this.

• Stock cabinets (Home Depot, Lowe’s): $100-$300 per linear foot, installed
• Semi-custom cabinets: $200-$650 per linear foot, installed
• Custom cabinets: $500-$1,500 per linear foot, installed

A typical 200 SF kitchen has 25-30 linear feet of cabinetry. At stock pricing, that’s $2,500-$9,000 just in materials. Add installation labor ($50-$100/hour, 2-3 days of work) and you’re at $6,000-$15,000 before you’ve touched anything else.

Custom cabinets on that same run? $12,500-$45,000. That one decision changes the whole budget.

2. Countertops (10-15% of total budget)

The countertop market has more options than ever. Here’s how they stack up:

Material	Installed Cost
Laminate	$10-$40 per SF
Butcher block	$30-$80 per SF
Tile	$30-$80 per SF
Granite	$40-$200 per SF
Quartz	$50-$200 per SF
Marble / quartzite	$75-$250+ per SF

A 50 SF countertop in granite runs $2,000-$10,000 installed. Quartz is similar range. Laminate gets you in at $500-$2,000. The upgrade from laminate to quartz is often the single easiest way to add $3,000-$8,000 to a project.

3. Appliances (15-25% of total budget)

Appliances are where budgets quietly balloon. A basic appliance package (range, fridge, dishwasher) starts around $2,500 and runs to $15,000+ for pro-grade equipment.

Labor for appliance installation is usually $200-$600 depending on whether you need gas line work or electrical upgrades.

4. Labor (30-40% of total budget)

Carpenter labor in 2026 runs $20-$45/hour based on BLS occupational wage data. Plumbers and electricians run $75-$150/hour. A full kitchen renovation typically involves all three trades plus a general contractor coordinating the work.

Rough labor ranges for common kitchen tasks:

• Demo: $500-$2,000
• Cabinet installation: $1,500-$5,000
• Countertop installation: $300-$800
• Flooring: $1,500-$4,000 (150-200 SF)
• Plumbing rough-in and finish: $1,500-$4,500
• Electrical rough-in and finish: $1,500-$4,500
• Tile backsplash: $600-$2,500

5. Finishes, Fixtures, and Extras

This is the category that surprises people. It includes:

• Sink and faucet: $200-$1,200 installed
• Lighting: $300-$3,000 for a full kitchen
• Backsplash tile: $15-$60/SF installed
• Flooring: $5-$15/SF for LVP, $8-$25/SF for tile
• Permits: $200-$800 depending on your municipality

None of these feel expensive individually. They add up to $3,000-$10,000 on a mid-range job.

Worked Example 1: Budget Kitchen Renovation (150 SF)

Goal: Updated look without moving anything. New cabinets (stock), new laminate countertops, new appliances, paint.

Line Item	Cost
Stock cabinets (22 LF installed)	$5,500
Laminate countertops (35 SF)	$1,200
Appliance package (basic)	$3,000
Appliance installation	$400
Backsplash tile (15 SF)	$500
Sink and faucet	$350
Lighting	$600
Paint and labor	$800
Demo and haul	$900
Permits	$300
Contractor overhead/profit (20%)	$2,710
Total	$16,260

This is a real budget. You’re not getting custom anything, but the kitchen will look sharp and function well.

Worked Example 2: Mid-Range Kitchen Renovation (200 SF)

Goal: Full gut. Semi-custom cabinets, quartz countertops, pro appliances, new flooring, recessed lighting.

Line Item	Cost
Semi-custom cabinets (28 LF installed)	$14,000
Quartz countertops (50 SF)	$5,500
Appliance package (mid-range)	$7,500
Appliance installation	$600
LVP flooring (200 SF)	$2,800
Backsplash tile (25 SF)	$1,100
Sink and faucet	$650
Recessed lighting (8 cans)	$1,600
Paint and trim	$1,200
Demo and haul	$1,500
Plumbing rough-in and finish	$2,500
Electrical rough-in and finish	$2,000
Permits	$500
Contractor overhead/profit (20%)	$8,490
Total	$50,940

That’s the $47,000-$52,000 range you keep hearing about. It’s not a padded number. It’s what mid-range materials and honest labor cost in 2026.

Regional Pricing Disclaimer

All costs in this guide reflect national averages with Pacific Northwest context. Your actual costs will vary based on location.

Higher than average: Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Denver. Expect to add 15-25%.

Lower than average: Rural Midwest, Southeast, smaller markets. Subtract 10-20%.

Labor is the biggest regional variable. A carpenter charging $28/hour in rural Wisconsin charges $42/hour in Seattle. Materials are more consistent but can vary 10-15% based on local supplier markup and delivery costs.

Always get multiple bids from local contractors and compare them line by line. A lower total bid that leaves out permit fees, demo, or appliance installation isn’t actually lower.

How to Build Your Own Kitchen Renovation Estimate

The fastest way is to use a calculator designed for it. Our Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator walks you through each cost category and outputs a range based on your square footage, cabinet choice, and countertop material.

For a more detailed estimate that accounts for labor rates, scope complexity, and change order protection, Try EstimationPro free. It builds the full estimate, formats it as a professional proposal, and then follows up with the homeowner automatically - so you’re not chasing bids while trying to do the actual work.

If you’re a contractor estimating a kitchen job, also check out the breakdown in kitchen remodel labor and material costs for more detail on how to separate out each trade.

Common Mistakes That Blow the Kitchen Renovation Budget

1. Not budgeting for surprises. Kitchens in older homes are notorious. You pull the cabinets and find out the plumbing hasn’t been touched since 1972, the outlet box is wrong, and there’s water damage behind the sink cabinet. Budget 15-20% contingency from the start.

2. Choosing the cheap bid. I’ve seen it happen on every street in every neighborhood. Homeowner gets three bids, chooses the low one, regrets it four weeks in. The low bid usually leaves scope out on purpose. By the time they’ve demo’d your kitchen and started the work, you can’t easily walk away. Then the change orders start.

3. Selecting materials before knowing lead times. Custom cabinets take 4-8 weeks. Some specialty tile has a 10-week lead time. If you select materials after the project starts, you’ll be living without a kitchen longer than necessary. Lock in selections before demo day.

4. Underestimating appliance costs. The $4,000 fridge you saw at the showroom is suddenly $5,200 installed with delivery, haul-away, and electrical work. Always get installed pricing, not floor pricing.

5. Not accounting for temporary living costs. If you’re without a kitchen for 4-6 weeks, you’ll spend $800-$1,500 on takeout and eating out. That’s real money. Factor it in.

FAQ

What is the average kitchen renovation cost in 2026?

The national average for a full kitchen renovation runs $30,000-$60,000 for a mid-range project. Budget jobs come in at $10,000-$25,000. High-end renovations with custom cabinetry and premium appliances regularly exceed $80,000. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2025 Cost vs. Value report, a mid-range kitchen remodel recoups about 68% of cost at resale in most markets.

What’s the difference between a kitchen renovation and a kitchen remodel?

Renovation typically means updating the existing layout - new surfaces, new appliances, new finishes. Remodel can include structural changes like moving walls, relocating plumbing, or reconfiguring the room. Remodeling costs more because of the added structural and trade work involved.

Can you renovate a kitchen for $20,000?

Yes, if you keep the existing layout, use stock cabinets, choose budget-friendly countertops like laminate or tile, and do a basic appliance package. It’s not a luxury kitchen, but it can be a clean, updated space that functions well. See Worked Example 1 above for a realistic $16,000-$20,000 breakdown.

How long does a kitchen renovation take?

A budget refresh takes 2-3 weeks. A mid-range renovation runs 4-6 weeks. A full gut with structural changes takes 6-10 weeks or more. Lead times on custom cabinets alone can add 4-8 weeks to your timeline before the first tool gets picked up.

What’s worth spending more on in a kitchen renovation?

Cabinets and countertops have the biggest visual impact and the longest lifespan. If you’re going to stretch the budget anywhere, stretch it there. Appliances are worth spending on if you cook daily. Cheap hinges and drawer slides wear out fast - buy quality hardware even if you go with stock boxes.

---

Most homeowners underestimate what a kitchen renovation costs because they’re comparing against unrealistic numbers they saw online or on TV. Real contractor pricing, real labor rates, real material costs - that’s what this guide gives you.

When you’re ready to turn that estimate into a real proposal and get the job, EstimationPro handles the whole workflow. Build the estimate, generate the proposal, send it automatically, and let the follow-up sequences run while you’re on the next job. Try EstimationPro free and see how much time you get back.