Key takeaways
- National range: $10,000–$70,000 for a minor to major remodel.
- Cheapest states: Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama. Most expensive: Hawaii, California and Alaska.
- Biggest price driver: Layout changes — moving sinks, gas lines or walls adds plumbing, electrical and structural cost.
- Best way to save: Keep the existing layout so plumbing and gas stay put.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in 2026?
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minor remodel | $10,000–$20,000 | Refaced/painted cabinets, counters, fixtures, paint |
| Major remodel | $20,000–$70,000 | New cabinets, counters, appliances, flooring |
| Full-gut, midrange | $30,000–$80,000 | Layout changes, new plumbing/electrical |
| Full-gut, upscale | $100,000–$130,000+ | Custom cabinetry, premium appliances |
| Stock cabinets | $100–$300 per linear ft | Installed |
| Semi-custom cabinets | $200–$650 per linear ft | Installed |
| Custom cabinets | $500–$1,200 per linear ft | Installed |
| Granite countertops | $40–$100 per sq ft | About $2,000–$4,000 typical |
| Quartz countertops | $50–$200 per sq ft | About $1,500–$8,000 typical |
Kitchen Remodel Cost questions, answered
- What is the cost of minor remodel? The typical cost of minor remodel is $10,000–$20,000. Refaced/painted cabinets, counters, fixtures, paint.
- What is the cost of major remodel? The typical cost of major remodel is $20,000–$70,000. New cabinets, counters, appliances, flooring.
- What is the cost of full-gut, midrange? The typical cost of full-gut, midrange is $30,000–$80,000. Layout changes, new plumbing/electrical.
- What is the cost of full-gut, upscale? The typical cost of full-gut, upscale is $100,000–$130,000+. Custom cabinetry, premium appliances.
- What is the cost of stock cabinets? The typical cost of stock cabinets is $100–$300 per linear ft. Installed.
- What is the cost of semi-custom cabinets? The typical cost of semi-custom cabinets is $200–$650 per linear ft. Installed.
- What is the cost of custom cabinets? The typical cost of custom cabinets is $500–$1,200 per linear ft. Installed.
- What is the cost of granite countertops? The typical cost of granite countertops is $40–$100 per sq ft. About $2,000–$4,000 typical.
- What is the cost of quartz countertops? The typical cost of quartz countertops is $50–$200 per sq ft. About $1,500–$8,000 typical.
What changes the price
- Layout changes — moving sinks, gas lines or walls adds plumbing, electrical and structural cost.
- Cabinet grade — stock, semi-custom or custom can triple the cabinet budget.
- Countertop material — laminate, butcher block, granite, quartz or stone.
- Appliances — standard vs. professional-grade.
- Kitchen size — more linear feet of cabinets and counters.
- Hidden problems — outdated wiring, rot or water damage found during demo.
How to save without cutting corners
- Keep the existing layout so plumbing and gas stay put.
- Reface or paint solid cabinets instead of replacing them.
- Mix materials — quartz on the island, a less costly surface on perimeter counters.
- Buy appliances during holiday sales events.
- Get fixed-price bids with a clear allowance list.
Kitchen Remodel Cost by state
Labor and material prices vary by region. These estimates apply each state's approximate cost index to the national range.
| State | Estimated range | vs. U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $8,600–$60,200 | 14% below |
| Alaska | $12,200–$85,400 | 22% above |
| Arizona | $9,300–$65,100 | 7% below |
| Arkansas | $8,500–$59,500 | 15% below |
| California | $12,200–$85,400 | 22% above |
| Colorado | $10,000–$70,000 | about average |
| Connecticut | $11,200–$78,400 | 12% above |
| Delaware | $10,400–$72,800 | 4% above |
| District of Columbia | $11,000–$77,000 | 10% above |
| Florida | $9,200–$64,400 | 8% below |
| Georgia | $8,900–$62,300 | 11% below |
| Hawaii | $13,000–$91,000 | 30% above |
| Idaho | $9,200–$64,400 | 8% below |
| Illinois | $11,000–$77,000 | 10% above |
| Indiana | $9,400–$65,800 | 6% below |
| Iowa | $9,300–$65,100 | 7% below |
| Kansas | $9,000–$63,000 | 10% below |
| Kentucky | $9,000–$63,000 | 10% below |
| Louisiana | $8,700–$60,900 | 13% below |
| Maine | $9,500–$66,500 | 5% below |
| Maryland | $10,000–$70,000 | about average |
| Massachusetts | $11,800–$82,600 | 18% above |
| Michigan | $9,800–$68,600 | 2% below |
| Minnesota | $10,600–$74,200 | 6% above |
| Mississippi | $8,500–$59,500 | 15% below |
| Missouri | $9,700–$67,900 | 3% below |
| Montana | $9,300–$65,100 | 7% below |
| Nebraska | $9,000–$63,000 | 10% below |
| Nevada | $10,300–$72,100 | 3% above |
| New Hampshire | $10,000–$70,000 | about average |
| New Jersey | $11,700–$81,900 | 17% above |
| New Mexico | $8,900–$62,300 | 11% below |
| New York | $12,000–$84,000 | 20% above |
| North Carolina | $8,700–$60,900 | 13% below |
| North Dakota | $9,200–$64,400 | 8% below |
| Ohio | $9,500–$66,500 | 5% below |
| Oklahoma | $8,700–$60,900 | 13% below |
| Oregon | $10,500–$73,500 | 5% above |
| Pennsylvania | $10,400–$72,800 | 4% above |
| Rhode Island | $11,000–$77,000 | 10% above |
| South Carolina | $8,700–$60,900 | 13% below |
| South Dakota | $8,800–$61,600 | 12% below |
| Tennessee | $8,900–$62,300 | 11% below |
| Texas | $8,900–$62,300 | 11% below |
| Utah | $9,300–$65,100 | 7% below |
| Vermont | $9,600–$67,200 | 4% below |
| Virginia | $9,400–$65,800 | 6% below |
| Washington | $10,800–$75,600 | 8% above |
| West Virginia | $9,300–$65,100 | 7% below |
| Wisconsin | $10,000–$70,000 | about average |
| Wyoming | $9,100–$63,700 | 9% below |
More kitchen remodeling questions
How much does a small kitchen remodel cost?
A minor or small kitchen remodel typically costs $10,000–$20,000 nationally. The full range, from minor updates to a major remodel, is about $10,000–$70,000.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
Cabinets are usually the largest single line item, often around 30% of the budget, followed by labor, countertops and appliances. Moving plumbing, gas or walls adds the most unexpected cost.
How can I remodel a kitchen on a budget?
Keep the existing layout, paint or reface cabinets instead of replacing them, choose mid-range counters and do the painting and demolition yourself. Moving sinks and ranges is what blows budgets.
Which kitchen upgrades add the most value?
National cost-versus-value studies consistently show minor, mid-range kitchen updates recouping a larger share of their cost than major upscale remodels.
Quartz or granite: which countertop is better?
Quartz is nonporous and never needs sealing. Granite handles heat well but should be sealed periodically. Prices overlap, so choose on look and maintenance.
What order is a kitchen remodel done in?
Design and order materials, then demolition, plumbing and electrical rough-in, inspections, drywall, flooring, cabinets, countertop templating and install, backsplash, appliances and final inspection.
How do I live without a kitchen during a remodel?
Set up a temporary kitchen with a microwave, coffee maker, fridge and a folding table, and plan simple meals. Minor remodels take 3–6 weeks; major ones 2–4 months.
Do I need a designer for a kitchen remodel?
Not for a like-for-like refresh. A designer or design-build firm earns their fee when you change the layout, and removing a load-bearing wall needs an engineer.
Timeline, permits and DIY
How long it takes
Minor remodels take 3–6 weeks. Major remodels with layout changes take 2–4 months.
Permits
Electrical, plumbing, gas and wall changes need permits. Purely cosmetic updates usually don't.
DIY or hire a pro?
Painting, hardware, backsplash tile and demolition are realistic DIY jobs. Electrical, plumbing and gas work need licensed trades.
Questions to ask contractors
Ask every bidder the same questions so you can compare quotes apples to apples.
- Is this a fixed-price or cost-plus contract?
- What allowances are included for cabinets, counters and fixtures?
- Who orders materials, and what happens if items are back-ordered?
- What milestones is the payment schedule tied to?
Maintenance that prevents costly repairs
- Reseal natural stone counters once a year
- Check under-sink connections for drips twice a year
- Clean range hood filters monthly
Kitchen Remodel Cost FAQs
How much does a kitchen remodel cost?
Most minor remodels cost $10,000–$20,000 and major remodels $20,000–$70,000. Upscale full-gut renovations can exceed $100,000.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost per square foot?
Most projects run about $75–$250 per square foot depending on finishes and whether the layout changes.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
Cabinets are usually the biggest line item, followed by countertops, appliances and labor.
How much should I budget for a kitchen remodel?
A common guideline is 5%–15% of your home's value, plus a 10%–20% contingency for surprises found during demolition.
Kitchen Remodel Cost in popular cities
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Sources: HomeLight — Kitchen remodel cost (compiles Angi, HomeGuide, Fixr, JLC Cost vs. Value). Ranges are rounded estimates; see our editorial policy.