How does kitchen size affect cost?

Demo, paint, and flooring scale per square foot. Cabinets scale per linear foot of cabinet face (typical 18-35 LF). Counters scale per square foot (typical 30-80 sf). A 90 sf galley with 18 LF cabinets is roughly 50-60% the cost of a 200 sf open kitchen with 30 LF cabinets at the same finish level.

What's involved in opening a wall?

Removing a load-bearing wall requires a structural engineer, an LVL or steel beam, temporary support during construction, and a building permit (not just the kitchen permit). Per linear foot of opening it runs $250-$800 plus engineering fees. Non-load-bearing wall removal is much cheaper at $50-$150/LF.

Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator (2026)

Q: How much does a kitchen remodel cost in 2026?

Small galley kitchen (90 sf, stock cabinets): $12,000-$28,000. Mid-range L+island (150 sf, semi-custom): $35,000-$70,000. Open-concept with wall removal (200 sf): $50,000-$110,000. Full-custom premium (250 sf, Sub-Zero/Wolf): $90,000-$200,000+. Layout (galley/L/U/island/open) materially affects plumbing/electrical labor.

Enter your kitchen project

Pro installed DIY (demo + paint)

Includes labor, equipment, permit, and contractor markup.

Common projects

Size & layout

Kitchen area (sq ft)

Typical: small 80-100, mid 120-180, large 200+. Drives demo, paint, and flooring.

Layout

State

ZIP / planning zone (optional)

Uses the first 3 digits as a planning zone (not exact local pricing). Overrides state average when matched.

Cabinets & counters

Cabinet tier

Cabinet linear feet

Total LF of cabinet face. Typical: 15 (galley), 25 (L+island), 35 (large U).

Counter (sq ft installed)

Backsplash (sq ft)

Appliances & fixtures

Appliance package

Appliance count

Range, fridge, DW, microwave, hood, beverage cooler, etc.

Sink + faucet

Range hood + ducted vent

Lighting package

Trades, structural & flooring

Plumbing rough-in

Electrical rough-in

Island add

Wall removal (linear ft)

Length of wall to open. Load-bearing requires beam + permit. 0 if no wall change.

Flooring (sq ft)

Prime + paint

Permit

Your kitchen estimate

Estimated installed range

Calculating…

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Materials

Labor

Per sq ft

Cost breakdown

Item	Quantity	Estimated range

Planning estimate, not a bid. 2026 ranges informed by HomeGuide, HomeAdvisor, Homewyse, manufacturer (KraftMaid, IKEA, Sub-Zero, Wolf, Miele) MSRP, and BLS regional wage data.

What's not included: structural engineering fees beyond beam install, hardwood floor refinishing in adjacent rooms, smart-home integration beyond appliance wifi, asbestos vinyl-flooring abatement, custom millwork beyond cabinets.

Bid check

Got a contractor quote? Compare it to the planning range.

Quote ($)

Quote includes

Quote

Range check

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Scope risk

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Add a quote amount to compare it against the current estimate.

Methodology & sources

What this is: a planning-range kitchen calculator informed by KraftMaid / IKEA / Wolf / Sub-Zero / Miele manufacturer pricing, HomeGuide, HomeAdvisor, Homewyse, and licensed cost-estimating references.

Size scaling: demo, paint, and flooring scale per sq ft of kitchen. Cabinets scale per linear foot of cabinet face. Counter / backsplash scale per sq ft installed. Layout (galley/L/U/island/open) multiplies plumbing / electrical / cabinet labor.

Labor is modeled from per-unit installed rates with a crew-rate sanity check ($75-$140/crew-hr loaded billing rate), informed by BLS OEWS 47-2031 (Carpenters) and 47-2152 (Plumbers / Pipefitters).

Last updated: May 2026. Full methodology →

How much does a kitchen remodel cost in 2026?

Configuration	Range	Timeline
Small galley (90 sf, stock)	$12,000-$28,000	3-5 weeks
Mid L+island (150 sf, semi-custom)	$35,000-$70,000	5-8 weeks
Open-concept with wall removal (200 sf)	$50,000-$110,000	7-12 weeks
Custom premium (250 sf, Wolf/Sub-Zero)	$90,000-$200,000+	10-16 weeks
Add-on: open load-bearing wall	+$3,000-$10,000 (per LF)	+1-2 weeks
Add-on: premium appliance package	+$5,500-$15,000	included

Frequently asked questions

How much for a kitchen remodel?

$12k galley up to $200k+ premium custom. Mid-range L+island runs $35-$70k. Open-concept $50-$110k.

How does size affect cost?

Roughly linear with cabinet LF + counter SF. Demo + flooring scale with kitchen area. Layout multiplies plumbing/electrical 0.95x (galley) → 1.30x (open).

Wall removal cost?

$250-$800/LF for load-bearing (engineer + LVL beam + permit). Non-load-bearing $50-$150/LF.

DIY vs pro?

Demo, paint, IKEA cabinet hang — DIY-friendly. Plumbing, electrical, gas line — licensed pros + permits required.

Timeline?

Galley 3-5 wk. Mid-range 5-8 wk. Open-concept 7-12 wk. Custom premium 10-16 wk + 8-16 wk cabinet lead time.

Common mistakes & questions

Cabinet measurements off by 1/8 in — fillers / scribes won't fix scale errors.
Skip the layout walkthrough with the cabinet shop — appliance clearances matter (DW pull, fridge swing, range backsplash).
Wrong electrical for premium appliances — induction range needs 240V 40A, dual fridge often two circuits.
Skipping the makeup-air vent on >400 CFM range hoods — code violation in many jurisdictions.
Slab counter joints in corners — better to seam in straight runs.
Skip protecting adjacent floors / rooms during demo — refinishing costs add up.
Ask your contractor: NKBA designer involvement, appliance lead times, beam spec for wall removal, soft-close hardware spec, lighting layer count.

When this estimate is wrong

Hidden water / electrical / framing issues found during demo: +$2-10k.
Asbestos vinyl flooring or vermiculite — abatement adds $1-3k.
Roof / ceiling vent termination requirements for high-CFM hoods.
Custom slab availability (rare quartzite, marble) — lead time + cost.
Open-concept living-room flooring continuity often expands flooring scope to entire main level.
HOA / condo plumbing-stack work needs board approval + plumbing engineering.