Kitchen Remodel Cost Guide

How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost?

If you've started researching a kitchen remodel, you've probably already discovered one frustrating thing:

There isn't a simple answer.

And honestly, that's a good thing. Every home is different. Every family is different. And every homeowner has different priorities. Some families want better function and more storage. Others care most about beautiful cabinetry and finishes. Maybe entertaining is important to you. Maybe you want the latest appliances and technology. Maybe accessibility and aging in place are at the top of your list. Or maybe your kitchen simply needs to work better for the way your family lives today.

How you spend your money is your business.

Our business is helping you become an empowered consumer so you can make informed decisions, spend your money wisely, and create a kitchen that serves you well for years to come.After all, you're the one who has to live in this kitchen.

So, What Should You Budget?

While there isn't one "correct" price for a kitchen remodel, industry research can give you a useful starting point.The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) reported that the average total cost to the customer for a medium-sized kitchen was approximately $80,000, with a median of $67,000. These figures include materials and labor and reflect kitchens approximately 150–350 square feet.More recent NKBA market research reported that mid-size kitchens averaged around $70,000, while larger kitchens averaged $135,000 or more.Those numbers are useful for setting expectations—but they aren't a quote, and they shouldn't determine your budget.Your kitchen may cost considerably less or considerably more depending on what you're changing, the size of the space, the products you choose, and the complexity of the project.Think of your budget as a starting point. Not a rule!

What Makes a Kitchen Remodel More or Less Expensive?

The biggest factor isn't necessarily the size of your kitchen.It's what you want to accomplish.1. Are you keeping the existing layout?Keeping your sink, appliances, plumbing, electrical, and walls in approximately the same locations can help control construction costs.Changing the layout can create a much better kitchen—but it may also require additional plumbing, electrical, structural work, flooring, drywall, and other construction.Sometimes moving things is absolutely worth the investment.Sometimes it isn't.That's where good design matters.2. What cabinetry do you choose?Cabinetry is often one of the largest investments in a kitchen remodel, but there is a huge range of options.Construction, materials, finish, door style, organization, customization, and accessories can all affect the price.And more expensive doesn't automatically mean "better."The goal is to find the cabinetry that makes sense for your kitchen, your priorities, and your budget.3. What matters most to your family?This is one of the questions we think homeowners should ask before they start shopping.Do you need:

More storage?
Better organization?
A larger island?
Better lighting?
A coffee station?
More seating?
A place for small appliances?
Better accessibility?
High-performance appliances?
Beautiful statement finishes?
Durable materials for a busy family?
A kitchen designed around entertaining?

Your answers should influence where you spend your money.Don't spend thousands of dollars on something you don't value just because someone told you it's standard.

Where Should You Spend Your Money?

There is no universal answer, but there are some good questions to ask.Instead of asking:"What's the most expensive option?"Ask:"What will make the biggest difference in the way we use our kitchen every day?"A well-designed storage solution that you use 20 times a day may be a better investment for your family than a high-end finish you barely notice.Or maybe the opposite is true for you.That's the point.Your kitchen should reflect your priorities—not somebody else's.

Don't Forget About the Parts You Don't See

When creating a kitchen remodel budget, homeowners sometimes focus heavily on cabinets, countertops, and appliances and forget about the construction that makes everything possible.Depending on your project, your budget may also need to account for:

Design services
Construction and labor
Plumbing
Electrical
Lighting
Flooring
Drywall and painting
Permits
Demolition
Structural changes
Appliances
Countertops
Hardware
Backsplash
Cabinet accessories and organization
Waste removal
Unexpected conditions

This is another reason a kitchen remodel can't be priced accurately from a cabinet catalog or a few photos.The Most Important Number Is Your NumberBefore you start choosing finishes, think about what you're comfortable investing in your home.You don't have to know exactly what everything will cost yet.Instead, establish a comfortable investment range.For example:"We'd like to keep this project around $60,000, but we'd consider going to $75,000 if there is something that significantly improves the way we use the kitchen."That's much more useful than simply saying:"We don't know what a kitchen costs."A good designer can then help you make decisions within that framework.

Your Budget Should Serve Your Life

We believe the best kitchen isn't necessarily the kitchen with the biggest budget. It's the kitchen where the investment makes sense for the people who live there. Maybe that means beautiful custom cabinetry. Maybe it means a hardworking pantry. Maybe it means a huge island where your kids do homework. Maybe it means an appliance garage that finally gets the coffee maker off the counter. Maybe it means aging-in-place features that will allow you to stay in your home longer. Maybe it means spending less on finishes so you can invest more in the layout. There is no wrong answer if the decisions are intentional.

So Where Do You Start?

You don't need to have everything figured out before you talk to a kitchen designer.In fact, that's one of the reasons designers exist.A good designer can help you understand what's possible, establish priorities, develop a realistic plan, and make decisions that balance the things you want with the investment you're comfortable making.

Need help getting started?

ACS connects homeowners with local kitchen and bath professionals who can help turn ideas into a plan.Tell us a little about your project, and we'll help connect you with an ACS Design Member in your area.

FIND A KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGNER

A Note About Kitchen Remodel Costs:Kitchen remodeling costs vary significantly based on location, project scope, home conditions, labor, materials, cabinetry, appliances, and the level of customization.Industry statistics are useful for understanding general market ranges, but they should not be used as a quote or estimate for an individual project.The cost figures referenced above come from research published by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and are intended as general reference points, not a guarantee of project cost.

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