Kitchen remodels are one of the most popular home improvement projects in North America, and for good reason. A well-planned kitchen renovation improves daily life, increases home value, and can completely transform how a space looks and feels. But they’re also one of the most expensive undertakings a homeowner will face, and the costs have a way of spreading into places you don’t expect if you haven’t mapped them out in advance.
This guide breaks down every major cost category in a kitchen remodel so you can plan with realistic numbers and avoid the budget surprises that trip up so many renovation projects.
Key Takeaways
- The average mid-range kitchen remodel costs $30,000 to $75,000. High-end renovations can exceed $100,000.
- Cabinets are the single largest expense, typically consuming 30 to 40 percent of the total budget.
- Labor (installation, plumbing, electrical) accounts for roughly 20 to 35 percent of total costs.
- Always add a 10 to 20 percent contingency for unexpected issues like hidden water damage, outdated wiring, or structural problems behind walls.
The Big Picture: Where Does the Money Go?
Before we dig into each category, here’s a high-level view of how a typical kitchen remodel budget breaks down. These percentages are based on mid-range to upper-mid-range projects and will shift somewhat depending on your specific priorities and the scope of work.
| Category | % of Budget | Typical Range (Mid-Size Kitchen) |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinets & Hardware | 30% to 40% | $10,000 to $35,000 |
| Labor & Installation | 20% to 35% | $8,000 to $20,000 |
| Countertops | 8% to 12% | $3,000 to $10,000 |
| Appliances | 10% to 18% | $4,000 to $15,000 |
| Flooring | 4% to 7% | $1,500 to $5,000 |
| Lighting & Electrical | 4% to 6% | $1,500 to $4,500 |
| Plumbing | 3% to 6% | $1,000 to $4,000 |
| Backsplash | 2% to 5% | $800 to $3,500 |
| Painting & Drywall | 2% to 4% | $500 to $2,500 |
| Design & Permits | 2% to 4% | $500 to $3,000 |
| Contingency | 10% to 20% | $3,000 to $10,000+ |
Now let’s break each of these down in more detail.
Cabinets and Hardware: 30 to 40 Percent
Cabinets are consistently the largest single line item in a kitchen remodel, and it’s not close. The cabinets define the look, the layout, and much of the functionality of the room. They also represent the widest price range of any category, which is why this decision has the most influence over your total project cost.
Stock cabinets for a mid-size kitchen might come in at $3,000 to $8,000. Semi-custom options typically land between $8,000 and $20,000. Fully custom cabinetry can range from $15,000 to well beyond $40,000, depending on materials and complexity. For a detailed comparison of these three tiers, see our guide to custom vs. semi-custom vs. stock cabinets.
Don’t forget hardware. Cabinet knobs, pulls, and hinges seem minor but add up quickly when you’re outfitting 30 to 50 doors and drawers. Budget-friendly hardware runs $2 to $5 per piece. Mid-range options sit around $8 to $15. Designer hardware can push $25 to $50 per piece or more.
Labor and Installation: 20 to 35 Percent
Labor is the second-largest expense and one of the hardest to cut without compromising the result. A kitchen remodel involves multiple skilled trades working in coordination: carpenters, plumbers, electricians, tile setters, painters, and a general contractor to manage it all.
General contractor fees typically run 15 to 25 percent of the total project cost. If your remodel runs $50,000 in materials and trade labor, expect the GC to charge $7,500 to $12,500 on top of that for project management, scheduling, and oversight.
Some homeowners choose to act as their own general contractor to save on this cost. It can work if you have renovation experience and the time to manage the project day to day, but it’s a significant commitment. Coordinating trades, handling permits, managing material deliveries, and troubleshooting problems on the fly is essentially a part-time job for the duration of the project.
Cabinet installation specifically runs $75 to $200 per linear foot, or $2,000 to $6,000 for a typical kitchen. This is skilled work that directly affects how your cabinets look, function, and hold up over time. It’s one of the last places you want to economize.
Countertops: 8 to 12 Percent
Countertops are the second most visible surface in your kitchen after the cabinets, and the material you choose has a big impact on both the look and the budget. Here’s how the most popular options compare:
| Material | Installed Cost per Sq Ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate | $15 to $40 | Budget-friendly, huge variety of looks |
| Butcher Block | $40 to $80 | Warm and natural, requires regular maintenance |
| Granite | $50 to $120 | Classic choice, each slab is unique |
| Quartz | $55 to $150 | Engineered, very low maintenance, consistent look |
| Marble | $75 to $200+ | Stunning but porous, stains more easily |
A typical mid-size kitchen has 30 to 50 square feet of countertop surface. At quartz pricing, that puts countertops in the $2,500 to $7,500 range installed. Edge profiles, cutouts for sinks, and seam placement can add to the final bill.
Appliances: 10 to 18 Percent
Appliances represent one of the widest cost ranges in a kitchen remodel because the gap between entry-level and premium brands is enormous.
A basic appliance package (refrigerator, range, dishwasher, and microwave) from a mainstream brand can come in at $3,000 to $6,000. Step up to a mid-range tier with features like a slide-in range, built-in microwave, and quieter dishwasher, and you’re looking at $6,000 to $12,000. Go high-end with brands like Sub-Zero, Wolf, or Thermador, and individual pieces alone can cost $3,000 to $10,000 each.
One important note on timing: order your appliances early. Supply chain issues and long lead times for popular models have become common in recent years. Knowing the exact dimensions of your appliances before your cabinet maker starts building is critical, especially for custom work where everything is sized to fit precisely.
Flooring: 4 to 7 Percent
Kitchen flooring needs to handle heavy foot traffic, moisture, spills, and dropped items. The most popular options and their installed costs:
- Luxury vinyl plank (LVP): $3 to $8 per sq ft. Water-resistant, comfortable underfoot, and increasingly realistic in appearance. The most popular choice for kitchen renovations in recent years.
- Porcelain or ceramic tile: $5 to $15 per sq ft. Extremely durable and water-resistant. Wide range of looks, but harder underfoot and can be cold.
- Hardwood: $8 to $15 per sq ft. Beautiful and timeless, but vulnerable to water damage. Engineered hardwood is a more practical alternative for kitchens.
- Natural stone tile: $10 to $25+ per sq ft. High-end and distinctive, but requires sealing and more maintenance.
For a 150-square-foot kitchen, flooring typically runs $1,500 to $4,000 installed, including removal of the old floor.
Lighting and Electrical: 4 to 6 Percent
Good lighting transforms a kitchen. Most modern renovations incorporate three layers of light: ambient (overhead or recessed), task (under-cabinet and focused), and accent (pendants, decorative fixtures). A well-lit kitchen is safer, more functional, and more inviting.
Recessed lighting installation runs $150 to $250 per fixture, including the can, trim, and wiring. Pendant lights over an island range from $100 to $600+ each, depending on style. Under-cabinet LED strips or puck lights typically cost $200 to $800 for a full kitchen.
If your remodel involves moving outlets, adding circuits for new appliances (like a wall oven or induction cooktop), or bringing older wiring up to current code, electrical costs can climb. Expect $500 to $2,000 for basic electrical updates, or more for significant rewiring.
Plumbing: 3 to 6 Percent
If your sink stays in the same location, plumbing costs are modest: a new faucet, connecting the sink, and possibly swapping the garbage disposal. That might run $500 to $1,500 total.
Moving the sink, however, is a different story. Relocating supply and drain lines can cost $1,500 to $4,000 or more, depending on how far the sink is moving and what’s in the way. Adding a second sink (in an island, for example) or a pot filler above the stove are popular but pricey additions.
The kitchen faucet itself ranges from $150 for a solid mid-range option to $500+ for a premium brand with features like touchless operation or a built-in filtration system.
Backsplash: 2 to 5 Percent
The backsplash is a relatively small surface area, but it sits right at eye level and has an outsized visual impact. Popular materials include:
- Ceramic or porcelain subway tile: $5 to $15 per sq ft installed. A timeless choice that works in almost any kitchen style.
- Glass tile or mosaic: $15 to $30 per sq ft installed. More contemporary, with lots of color options.
- Natural stone: $20 to $40 per sq ft installed. Elegant, but grout lines require sealing.
- Slab backsplash (matching countertop material): $30 to $60+ per sq ft installed. A dramatic, seamless look that’s become very popular.
Most kitchens require 15 to 30 square feet of backsplash material, making this one of the smaller line items. But it’s also one of the most impactful per dollar spent, so it’s worth putting thought into even on a tight budget.
The Costs People Forget
Beyond the major categories above, several smaller expenses have a way of sneaking into kitchen remodel budgets. Being aware of them upfront prevents unpleasant surprises.
Demolition and removal: Tearing out old cabinets, countertops, flooring, and appliances typically costs $1,000 to $3,000. Some contractors include this in their labor quote, others list it separately.
Dumpster rental: Kitchen remodels generate a lot of debris. A dumpster rental runs $300 to $700 for a standard 10 to 20 yard container.
Temporary kitchen setup: If your remodel lasts several weeks (most do), you’ll need a way to prepare meals. Some homeowners set up a temporary kitchen in another room with a microwave, electric cooktop, and mini fridge. Others eat out more frequently. Either way, budget a few hundred dollars for this inconvenience.
Permits and inspections: Required for most remodels that involve electrical, plumbing, or structural changes. Fees vary by municipality but typically range from $100 to $500.
Design fees: If you work with a kitchen designer (which is highly recommended for complex projects), their fee might be a flat rate, an hourly charge, or a percentage of the project. Expect $1,500 to $5,000 for professional design on a mid-range remodel.
Budget Examples by Tier
To put all of this into context, here are three realistic budget scenarios for a mid-size kitchen (approximately 150 square feet).
Budget-Friendly Remodel: $20,000 to $35,000
This tier focuses on refreshing the kitchen without major layout changes. You’re keeping the plumbing and electrical in their current locations, using stock or entry-level semi-custom cabinets, selecting a laminate or mid-range quartz countertop, and sticking with a basic appliance package. The flooring gets updated, the lighting gets improved, and the result is a kitchen that looks and feels significantly better than before.
Mid-Range Remodel: $40,000 to $75,000
This is where most kitchen remodels land. Semi-custom or lower-end custom cabinets, quartz or granite countertops, a solid mid-range appliance suite, new flooring, updated lighting, a tile backsplash, and potentially minor layout adjustments like moving a dishwasher or adding an island. The kitchen gets both a visual transformation and functional upgrades.
High-End Remodel: $80,000 to $150,000+
Fully custom cabinetry in premium hardwood, natural stone or designer quartz countertops, professional-grade appliances, significant layout changes, custom lighting design, high-end flooring, and luxury finishes throughout. These projects often involve structural work (removing walls, expanding the footprint) and a professional kitchen designer. For a deep dive into custom cabinet pricing specifically, see our complete guide to custom cabinet costs.
Tips for Staying on Budget
Get your contingency in order first. Before allocating a single dollar to finishes or fixtures, set aside 10 to 20 percent of your total budget as a contingency fund. This isn’t money you plan to spend. It’s insurance against the unknowns hiding behind your walls. If you don’t use it, great. If you do, you’ll be grateful it’s there.
Prioritize where it matters most. Spend heavily on the things you see and use every day (cabinet quality, countertop material, faucet) and economize on the things that are less visible (cabinet box material, interior shelving, flooring in low-traffic areas).
Avoid scope creep. It starts innocently. “While we’re at it, let’s replace the window.” “Maybe we should extend the backsplash to the ceiling.” Each change sounds small in isolation, but together they can push a $40,000 project to $55,000. Define your scope clearly at the start and stick to it.
Get multiple quotes. For every major category, especially cabinets, countertops, and general contracting, get at least three bids. The difference between the lowest and highest quote is often 20 to 40 percent for identical work. Our directory is a good starting point for finding cabinet professionals in your area.
Time your project wisely. Late fall and winter tend to be slower seasons for contractors and cabinet shops. You may find better pricing, faster lead times, and more attentive service if you can schedule your project during these months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of my home’s value should I spend on a kitchen remodel?
A common guideline is 5 to 15 percent of your home’s current value. So for a $400,000 home, a reasonable kitchen renovation budget would fall between $20,000 and $60,000. Spending significantly above that range may not be fully recoverable at resale, though it can still be justified if this is your long-term home and the investment improves your quality of life.
Where should I splurge and where should I save?
Splurge on cabinet quality, countertop material, and layout (the “bones” of the kitchen that are expensive to change later). Save on hardware (easy to swap), lighting fixtures (easy to upgrade), and backsplash (a smaller surface area that can be refreshed later).
Can I remodel my kitchen in phases to spread out the cost?
Yes, and it’s a legitimate strategy. Common phasing approaches include doing cabinets and countertops first (the biggest visual impact), then updating appliances in a later phase, and finishing with flooring and backsplash. The main downside is living through multiple disruptions rather than one, and you may pay more in total because contractors sometimes charge less for bundled work.
How much does a kitchen remodel add to home value?
A mid-range kitchen remodel typically recoups 60 to 80 percent of its cost at resale. Minor kitchen renovations (cosmetic updates under $25,000) often have an even higher return percentage because the investment is smaller and the visual impact is still significant.
Should I hire a general contractor or manage the project myself?
For remodels over $25,000 or projects involving multiple trades (plumbing, electrical, carpentry), a general contractor is strongly recommended. They handle scheduling, permits, inspections, and problem-solving, which is worth the 15 to 25 percent fee in most cases. Self-managing makes more sense for simple, single-trade projects like a cabinet-only replacement.
Last Updated: February 2026