Kitchen Remodel Cost Estimator
What a kitchen renovation is likely to cost at budget, mid-range and luxury levels.
Kitchen cost is driven by two numbers: how many square feet, and how many trades have to touch the same wall. A cosmetic refresh in a 150 sq ft kitchen and a gut renovation of the identical footprint can be five times apart in price, and almost the entire gap sits in cabinetry, appliances and moving services.
The single most expensive decision is relocating the sink or opening a wall. Once plumbing moves, the floor gets opened, cabinets get reordered, and the electrical layout changes with it. In a mid-range kitchen that one choice typically adds 12 to 20% to the whole project.
How this calculator works
Every field is editable and the result updates as you type — nothing is submitted anywhere, all the maths runs in your browser. That matters for a number you are about to spend money on: you can see exactly which input moved the answer, and by how much.
What this calculation assumes
Assumes US national average labour rates and a kitchen being renovated rather than structurally altered. Permits, design fees, asbestos and lead abatement, and any relocation of the gas line are excluded.
Treat the result as an order-of-magnitude check rather than a final quantity. Product packaging changes, regional labour rates vary by a factor of two, and no calculator has seen your actual site.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to update a kitchen?
Reface rather than replace the cabinet boxes, keep the appliance footprints, paint rather than re-tile, and change hardware and lighting. A reface with new doors, countertop and paint typically lands at 25 to 40% of a full replacement.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
A cosmetic refresh runs 2 to 3 weeks. A full gut with new cabinets and layout changes runs 8 to 12 weeks, and the bottleneck is almost always cabinet lead time, which can reach 12 weeks on its own in busy seasons.
Do these prices include permits?
No. Permits, inspection fees and engineering are excluded. Budget $500 to $3,000 depending on the jurisdiction and scope — moving plumbing or load-bearing walls is what pushes it to the top of that range.
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