What Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost?
A kitchen remodel typically costs $40,000 to $90,000, with the national average for a major mid-range remodel at $82,793 (Zonda 2025 Cost vs. Value) for a complete update with new cabinets, countertops, flooring, and appliances. A cosmetic refresh that keeps the existing cabinet boxes and refaces the doors runs $15,000 to $30,000. Kitchen remodels are the most expensive single-room renovation due to the combination of cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and skilled trade work involved.
Kitchen Size: The Foundational Driver
More cabinets, more countertop linear footage, and more flooring scale directly with kitchen size. A small galley kitchen (80 to 120 square feet): $30,000 to $55,000 for a complete mid-range remodel. An average kitchen (150 to 200 square feet): $40,000 to $90,000. A large or open-concept kitchen (200+ square feet): $70,000 to $150,000+. These ranges assume mid-grade materials — stock or semi-custom cabinets, quartz or granite countertops, and standard appliances. (For more on this, see What Affects Kitchen Remodel Cost?.)
Scope of Remodel: The Decision That Controls Budget
A cosmetic update (new countertops, backsplash, hardware, paint, new appliances, keeping existing cabinet boxes and refacing the doors): $15,000 to $30,000 and keeps the kitchen layout intact. A full remodel with new cabinets, countertops, flooring, and appliances: $40,000 to $90,000, with the Zonda national average for this scope at $82,793. Layout changes — moving the sink, relocating appliances, opening walls for an open-plan kitchen — sit inside that mid-range band rather than forming a tier of their own. An upscale remodel, meaning custom cabinetry, premium appliances, and moved plumbing, runs $95,000 to $180,000, with the Zonda national average for upscale work at $164,104. The most cost-effective remodels preserve the existing plumbing and electrical layout while upgrading all visible surfaces. (For more on this, see How to Compare Kitchen Remodel Quotes.)
The Big Three: Cabinets, Countertops, and Appliances
These three categories account for 60 to 70 percent of a typical kitchen remodel budget. Stock cabinets (pre-made standard sizes), supplied and installed: $3,000 to $8,000 for a typical kitchen. Semi-custom: $6,000 to $15,000. Custom: $15,000 to $40,000+. Quartz countertops: $60 to $100 per square foot installed. Granite: $50 to $100. Laminate: $15 to $40. Standard appliance package (range, dishwasher, refrigerator): $2,500 to $6,000. Premium appliances: $6,000 to $25,000+. (For more on this, see Kitchen Remodel ROI: What Adds Value and What Doesn’t.)
Kitchen Remodel Cost at a Glance
| Cost Factor | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic update or refacing (countertops, appliances, existing cabinet boxes kept) | $15,000 to $30,000 | |
| Full mid-range remodel (new cabinets, countertops, appliances) | $40,000 to $90,000 | |
| Upscale remodel (custom cabinetry, premium appliances, moved plumbing) | $95,000 to $180,000 | Layout changes alone stay inside the mid-range band; this tier is custom cabinetry, premium appliances, and moved plumbing. 2025 national average $164,104. |
| Overall range | $15,000 to $180,000, with a major mid-range remodel averaging $82,793 | Kitchen size, cabinet quality, and material choices drive most of the variation. |
Cost figures on this page were checked against published pricing on September 2, 2026. How we source cost data.
Planning Your Project Budget
The cost ranges in this article are based on industry data and are intended as planning benchmarks, not fixed prices. The actual cost for your project depends on your specific home, your local labor market, the current price of materials, and the scope the contractor confirms after a site inspection.
Always get at least two written quotes on equivalent defined scope before committing to any home services project. Wide price variation between quotes usually reflects differences in material quality, scope completeness (what is included and what is not), or contractor overhead and experience level rather than simple price competition.
Use the cost data in this article to ask better questions during the quoting process: What material is included? What does that per-square-foot or per-linear-foot rate include and exclude? Are permits, cleanup, and disposal included? What is the warranty on labor? These questions turn a quote into a comparable basis for decision-making.
Working With a Contractor on This Project
Getting the right outcome on any home services project starts before the work begins. A few consistent practices make the difference between a smooth project and a frustrating one.
Get at least two or three quotes. A single quote gives you no basis for comparison. Two or three quotes reveal the market rate for the work, expose scope differences between bidders, and let you assess contractor communication quality before any commitment is made. The lowest bid is not automatically the best value if the scope is thin or the materials are underspecified.
Ask for licenses and insurance before work starts. Verify current general liability insurance and, for any work involving workers on your property, workers compensation coverage. Licensing requirements vary by state and trade; confirm the specific requirements in your jurisdiction. A licensed contractor who carries appropriate insurance protects both parties if something goes wrong during the project.
Get the scope in writing. A written proposal that specifies materials, labor scope, timeline, what is included (permits, cleanup, disposal), and warranty terms is the foundation of a professional engagement. Verbal agreements on any of these points invite misunderstanding. For any project over $500, written scope is non-negotiable.
Clarify the payment schedule upfront. A reasonable payment schedule ties major payments to project milestones: a deposit at signing, a payment at material delivery or project start, and a final payment at completion after a walkthrough confirms satisfaction. A contractor who requires full payment upfront before work begins is a red flag in any trade.
