Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator

What a kitchen actually costs by size, finish level and region — with the cabinet, labour and permit split that the headline number hides.

Your project

Finish level

Estimated total cost

$46,000 – $92,000

200 sq ft · Mid-range · National average

$230 – $460 per sq ft

Materials
$20,000 – $40,000
Labour
$18,000 – $36,000
Permits & fees
$2,000 – $4,000
Contingency (15%)
$6,000 – $12,000
Typical timeline
4–12 weeks of active work
Recouped at resaleAbout 60% of a mid-range spend
$41,400
  • National average pricing. Pick your region to adjust for local labour rates.
  • This is a planning range, not a quote. Get three itemised bids and compare the scope line by line — the cheapest bid is usually the one that left something out.

What the estimate includes

  • Cabinets, countertops and backsplash
  • Appliances at the chosen tier
  • Sink, faucet and disposal
  • Flooring, lighting and paint
  • Electrical and plumbing within the existing footprint
  • Demolition and debris haul-away

What it does not include

  • Moving gas, waste or load-bearing walls
  • New windows or exterior doors
  • Structural repair found after demolition
  • Whole-house panel upgrade if the service is undersized

What actually moves the price

  • Cabinetry is 25–35% of the whole job. Stock, semi-custom and custom are roughly a 1× / 2× / 4× progression, and it is the single biggest lever you control.
  • Moving the sink or range means moving waste lines and gas — the point where a cosmetic remodel becomes a construction project, often adding $3,000–$10,000.
  • Appliance packages swing $4,000 to $40,000+ on the same layout without changing a single square foot.

How these estimates are built

  • Base costs are typical 2025–2026 US pricing per square foot at each finish level, drawn from national remodelling cost surveys and contractor bid data.
  • Your region multiplies that base — coastal metros run 30–40% above the national average and rural markets 15–20% below, almost entirely on labour rates.
  • The contingency is added on top of the base range rather than taken out of it, because that is how the money actually behaves on a job site.
  • The materials, labour and permit split shows how the mid-point of the range typically divides. It is a way to read a bid, not a second estimate.
  • Resale recoup figures follow national cost-versus-value patterns. No renovation returns more than it costs — treat the figure as a partial rebate on something you are buying for yourself.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a kitchen remodel cost in 2026?

A typical 200 sq ft kitchen runs about $15,000–$25,000 for a budget refresh, $40,000–$80,000 mid-range, and $80,000–$160,000 upscale, before regional adjustment. Coastal metros run 30–40% above those figures.

Is a kitchen remodel worth it for resale?

You recoup roughly 60% of a mid-range kitchen remodel at resale, and less on an upscale one — the more you spend, the smaller the fraction you get back. Minor refreshes (doors, counters, paint, hardware) recoup the most per dollar by a wide margin.

How long does a kitchen remodel take?

Four to six weeks for a cosmetic refresh, eight to twelve for a full remodel, and longer if you are moving plumbing or waiting on custom cabinets — cabinet lead times of 8–12 weeks are common and usually set the schedule.

Before you commit the budget, see it finished

Upload a photo and generate photorealistic versions of the finished space in any style. It is far cheaper to change your mind here than after the cabinets arrive.

Visualise the finished space

Material calculators for this project

Flooring CalculatorSquare footage, boxes to buy and an installed cost range for vinyl, laminate, hardwood, tile or carpet.Tile CalculatorGet tile count, boxes, grout and thinset for a floor, backsplash or shower wall — with the waste factor set by your layout, not a guess.Paint CalculatorEnter your room size and get the exact number of gallons to buy — walls, ceiling, and trim, adjusted for coats and openings.

Related projects

Bathroom RemodelBathroom remodel costs by size and finish level — where the money goes in a room where the plumbing costs more than the tile.Flooring InstallationInstalled flooring costs by area, material and region — LVP through hardwood, including subfloor prep and old-floor removal.Interior PaintingWhat professional interior painting costs by area and scope — and the honest comparison against doing it yourself.