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Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator (2026)

Estimate a kitchen remodel by size, layout, cabinet linear feet, counter / backsplash sq ft, appliance count, and wall removal length. 2026 data; not a contractor bid.

By Martin Lashgari, Ph.D., P.E., PMP · Last reviewed July 2026

Modern kitchen mid-remodel with white shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless appliances, and an island being installed

Enter your kitchen project

Includes labor, equipment, permit, and contractor markup.

Common projects

Size & layout

Typical: small 80-100, mid 120-180, large 200+. Drives demo, paint, and flooring.
Uses the first 3 digits as a planning zone (not exact local pricing). Overrides state average when matched.

Cabinets & counters

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

Appliances & fixtures

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

Trades, structural & flooring

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

Your kitchen estimate

Estimated installed range
Calculating…
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Materials
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Labor
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Per sq ft
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Cost breakdown

ItemQuantityEstimated range
Planning estimate, not a bid. 2026 rates on this page cite HomeGuide (21 rows) and BLS wage data (1). Compare written bids on an identical scope for accurate local pricing.
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.

Not sure and Whole estimate compare with the whole estimate. Materials + equipment uses those lines alone, without labor lines or markup; items priced as installed work are left out and the result names them.
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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. Its rates cite HomeGuide and BLS wage data. The note under the estimate counts the rows from each source.

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 priced from per-unit installed rates, not by the hour. For reference, the rate file also lists a loaded crew rate ($82-$140 per crew-hour) built on BLS OEWS 47-2031 (Carpenters) and 47-2152 (Plumbers / Pipefitters).

Last updated: November 2026. Full methodology →

Cost simulator

Monte Carlo simulation

See the full range of likely costs — with the odds

For a typical mid-range L+island (150 sf), the installed planning band runs $38,373 to $69,194 nationally before regional adjustment. A known surprise risk is outdated / non-code wiring or panel upgrade, typically adding $1,000–$5,000 when it occurs; our model assumes it on about 27% of these projects, a planning assumption rather than a measured rate.

Worked example: Mid-range L+island (150 sf)

To show exactly how the band is built, here's the calculator's own engine run on the Mid-range L+island (150 sf) scenario at national average pricing — the same line items the calculator produces for this project, laid out as a bill of quantities.

Line itemCategoryInstalled range
Semi-custom cabinetsMaterials$7,353 – $12,500
Quartz / granite counters installedMaterials$3,824 – $6,500
Tile backsplash installedMaterials$706 – $1,200
Sink + faucet (undermount + pull-down)Materials$882 – $1,500
Basic appliance package, installed (5 appliances)Materials$3,125 – $8,500
Lighting package (recessed + pendant + under-cab)Materials$882 – $1,500
Demo + haul-off (150 sf)Labor$882 – $1,500
Plumbing rough-in (sink / DW / pot filler)Labor$2,824 – $4,800
Electrical rough-in (lights + appliance circuits)Labor$3,176 – $5,400
Cabinet install (level + scribe + hang)Labor$3,176 – $5,400
Prime + paint walls + ceiling + trimLabor$530 – $900
Island add (cabinets + counter + elec/plumb)Materials$4,706 – $8,000
Kitchen flooring installedMaterials$1,589 – $2,700
Range hood + ducted ventMaterials$1,471 – $2,500
Tools + dumpster + temp kitchen + barriersEquipment$471 – $800
Permits (plumbing + electrical)Permits$200 – $600
Mobilization / minimum chargeLabor$200 – $200
Contractor overhead & profitMarkup 25–29%$2,377 – $4,694
Installed total$38,373 – $69,194

National average, planning ranges not a bid. Change the size, material, or ZIP in the calculator above to reprice this exact breakdown for your project.

What this project costs in different metros

Regional labor and material markets move the installed price. These bands come from the same engine as the calculator above, run at each metro's planning multipliers — enter your ZIP in the calculator for a figure tuned to your area. National reference: $38,350–$69,200.

MetroTypical installed rangevs. national
San Francisco, CA$45,550–$81,600+18%
New York, NY$46,100–$82,500+20%
Boston, MA$42,350–$76,150+10%
Chicago, IL$43,150–$77,300+12%
Atlanta, GA$43,400–$77,950+13%
Houston, TX$40,500–$72,800+5%
Miami, FL$37,850–$68,300-1%
Phoenix, AZ$39,450–$71,000+3%

Planning ranges, not contractor quotes. Multipliers are rounded regional planning indices (see methodology), not a reproduction of any proprietary cost table.

What moves this price the most

Vary one input across its full range while holding everything else at the typical scenario, and this is how far each choice can move the installed estimate — measured by running the calculator's own engine. The widest bars are where your decisions matter most; the figures show the cheapest-to-priciest span each input creates on its own.

  • Cabinet linear feet$36,900–$80,550
  • Cabinet tier$36,900–$78,200
  • Wall removal (linear ft)$53,800–$79,200
  • Counter (sq ft installed)$48,600–$69,250
  • Appliance package$48,700–$67,800
  • Flooring (sq ft)$51,650–$60,200

A tornado view: each row varies a single input; a real project moves several at once, so totals aren't additive.

Related calculators — Whole-room remodels

Bathroom RemodelCosmetic, mid-range, master spa

See all calculators →

Guides for this project

Countertop cost by materialLaminate through quartzite, installed Quartz vs granite countertopsPrice, maintenance, and durability What drives project costsSize tops material in 42 of the 55 project types we model Why small jobs cost more per sq ftQuarter the size, same spec: a median 1.76x per unit in 12 trades Why contractor quotes differWhat moves a quote in our engines, and what they cannot see What a contractor quote should include10-point checklist to read a bid before you sign 2026 Home Improvement Cost IndexMedian project costs across all 55 trades

All cost guides →

How much does a kitchen remodel cost in 2026?

ConfigurationRangeTimeline
Small galley (90 sf, stock)$16,900-$31,7003-5 weeks
Mid L+island (150 sf, semi-custom)$38,400-$69,2005-8 weeks
Open-concept with 12 ft of wall removed (200 sf)$49,400-$88,5007-12 weeks
Custom premium (250 sf, full custom, premium appliances)$86,000-$149,10010-16 weeks
Add-on: open 12 ft of load-bearing wall (beam included)+$5,600-$9,600+1-2 weeks
Add-on: premium appliance package (5 appliances)+$11,600-$16,500included

Where your kitchen remodel budget goes

A mid-range remodel splits roughly into cabinets (30–40% of the budget), installation labor (20–35%), appliances (about 14%), countertops (about 10%), and flooring, lighting, fixtures, and paint sharing the rest. Cabinets are the single largest line, which is why the cabinet tier you pick moves the total more than any other choice.

Budget tierTypical spendWhat it buys
Cosmetic refresh$16,900 – $31,70090 sf galley: stock/RTA cabinets, entry counters, existing layout kept
Mid-range$38,400 – $69,200150 sf L with island: semi-custom cabinets, quartz or granite, a basic appliance package
Upscale$67,700 – $116,800The same 150 sf kitchen with full custom cabinets and a premium appliance package
Luxury$86,000 – $149,100250 sf: full custom cabinets, premium appliances, larger island; structural work on top

Cabinets: the biggest decision

Because cabinets are the largest line item, the tier you choose sets the whole budget's altitude. A typical kitchen has 18–35 linear feet of cabinet face.

Cabinet typePer linear foot (cabinets, before install and markup)Default 150 sq ft island kitchen (25 LF) with this tier, installedLead time
Stock / RTA$118 – $200$32,900 – $59,600In stock
Semi-custom$294 – $500$38,400 – $69,2004–8 weeks
Full custom$882 – $1,500$56,100 – $100,3008–16 weeks

Stock cabinets in standard sizes are the value play; semi-custom buys more sizes, finishes, and modifications; full custom is built to your exact room. The jump from stock to custom can swing a 25 LF kitchen by $30,000 on cabinets alone.

How much should you spend?

A common remodeling guideline is to budget 5–15% of your home's value for a kitchen. For comparison, the default 150 sq ft island kitchen with semi-custom cabinets on this calculator runs $38,400–$69,200. Spending much below 5% tends to produce a refresh that looks out of step with the rest of the house; spending well above 15% rarely returns at resale unless the home is high-end and the kitchen matches the neighborhood.

The exception is the forever home: if you're staying put and the kitchen is for your own daily use rather than a future buyer, the resale ceiling matters less — spend on what you'll use every day. Just go in clear-eyed that a $90,000 kitchen in a $300,000 house is a lifestyle purchase, not an investment.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a kitchen remodel cost in 2026?

Small galley kitchen (90 sf, stock cabinets): $16,900-$31,700. Mid-range L+island (150 sf, semi-custom): $38,400-$69,200. Open-concept with 12 ft of wall removed (200 sf): $49,400-$88,500. Full-custom premium (250 sf, premium appliances): $86,000-$149,100; larger luxury builds cost more. Layout (galley/L/U/island/open) materially affects plumbing/electrical labor.

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). In this calculator, a 90 sf galley with 18 LF of cabinets, no island and 90 sf of flooring comes to about 67-68% of the cost of a 200 sf open kitchen with 30 LF of cabinets, an island and 200 sf of flooring, with the same counters, appliances and 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). This calculator prices a load-bearing opening at $471-$800 per linear foot with the beam, before engineering fees; a non-load-bearing wall costs far less to remove.

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.

How much does a small kitchen remodel cost?

A small galley or one-wall kitchen (about 70-100 sq ft) runs $16,900-$31,700 on this calculator with stock cabinets and entry counters, keeping the existing layout. Moving plumbing makes it $19,200-$35,500, and semi-custom cabinets make it $20,900-$38,700.

What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?

Cabinets, usually: on this calculator's 150 sq ft mid-range kitchen, 25 LF of semi-custom cabinets are the largest single line, ahead of the appliance package and the island. Cabinet material runs $118-$200 per linear foot for stock, $294-$500 for semi-custom and $882-$1,500 for full custom, before installation and markup.

How much should I spend on a kitchen remodel?

A common guideline is 5-15% of your home value. By comparison, the default 150 sq ft island kitchen with semi-custom cabinets runs $38,400-$69,200 on this calculator. Spending well above 15% rarely returns at resale unless the home is high-end, so the upper end makes most sense when you plan to stay rather than sell.

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.