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Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator

Estimate what a kitchen remodel really costs installed: materials, labor, and a realistic quote range.

Quick answer

Range: $19,200 – $28,800.

Calculator

sq ft

How it works

(Kitchen area × Tier rate) + Layout adder, adjusted by Region = Total

The estimate multiplies your kitchen area by the 2026 remodel rate — $100 for a budget refresh, $200 for mid-range, $400 for high-end per square foot — adds the layout-change adder ($0, $5,000, or $12,000), then applies the region multiplier. The total splits into materials (about 55%: cabinets, counters, appliances, fixtures) and labor (about 45%: carpentry, plumbing, electrical, installation).

Materials ≈ 55% · Labor ≈ 45%

About 55% of the project is materials (cabinets, counters, appliances, and fixtures); the other 45% is labor (carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and installation).

The low–high range follows each tier's published rate band, reflecting real quote spread.

Worked example

120 sq ft kitchen, mid-range:

120 sq ft × $200/sq ft = $24,000

Materials (55%) = $13,200

Labor (45%) = $10,800

Range: $19,200 – $28,800

Budget around $24,000 for this project.

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The estimate multiplies your kitchen area by the 2026 remodel rate — $100 for a budget refresh, $200 for mid-range, $400 for high-end per square foot — adds the layout-change adder ($0, $5,000, or $12,000), then applies the region multiplier. The total splits into materials (about 55%: cabinets, counters, appliances, fixtures) and labor (about 45%: carpentry, plumbing, electrical, installation).

A 120 sq ft mid-range kitchen remodel with no layout change in an average-cost region estimates at $24,000 — about $13,200 in materials and $10,800 in labor, with a realistic range of $19,200 to $28,800.

How to measure for the kitchen remodel cost calculator

  1. Measure the kitchen floor wall-to-wall: length × width in feet.
  2. Pantries and eat-in nooks count only if they are being remodeled too.
  3. For galley kitchens, measure the full rectangle — do not subtract the aisle.
  4. If you are keeping the footprint, the floor area is all the calculator needs; cabinet linear footage matters for quotes but not for this estimate.

Kitchen remodel cost per square foot (2026 US average, installed)

Finish tierLowMidHigh
Budget refresh (same layout, cosmetic)$80$100$125
Mid-range full remodel$160$200$240
High-end renovation$320$400$480
Minor layout change adder—+$5,000—
Major layout change adder—+$12,000—
120 sq ft kitchen, mid-range, no layout change$19,200$24,000$28,800

Full-remodel rates including cabinets, counters, appliances, plumbing, electrical, and finishes at the existing layout. Sources: angi.com, homeadvisor.com, fixr.com (2026).

Worked example: 120 sq ft kitchen, mid-range

A 120 sq ft kitchen (10 × 12 ft), mid-range finishes, same layout, average-cost region: Kitchen area: 120 sq ft.

  1. Mid-range mid-rate: $200/sq ft.
  2. Base: 120 × $200 = $24,000.
  3. Layout adder: $0.
  4. Region: × 1.00.
  5. Total: $24,000 — materials ≈ $13,200, labor ≈ $10,800.

Range: $19,200 – $28,800.

Pro tips for kitchen remodel pricing

  • Keep the sink, range, and fridge where they are — moving plumbing and gas is where budgets die.
  • Stock and semi-custom cabinets deliver 90% of the look for 50–60% of custom prices.
  • Order appliances before demolition; backorders are the #1 cause of kitchen timeline blowouts.
  • Get three itemized quotes and compare the cabinet line first — it reveals who is padding.
  • Budget a 10–15% contingency; water damage behind old cabinets is found, not predicted.

How to use the kitchen remodel cost calculator

Measure your kitchen's floor area in square feet and enter it. Choose the finish tier that matches your real scope — budget refresh for surfaces-only, mid-range for new cabinets and appliances, high-end for custom everything.

Select layout changes honestly: moving a sink is a plumbing project. Pick your region cost level and read the estimate, the materials/labor split, and the low–high range.

How kitchen remodel cost is calculated

The estimate multiplies your kitchen area by the 2026 remodel rate — $100 for a budget refresh, $200 for mid-range, $400 for high-end per square foot — adds the layout-change adder ($0, $5,000, or $12,000), then applies the region multiplier. The total splits into materials (about 55%: cabinets, counters, appliances, fixtures) and labor (about 45%: carpentry, plumbing, electrical, installation).

Kitchens run material-heavy because cabinets and appliances dominate the budget.

What drives kitchen remodel cost the most?

Cabinets are the biggest line item — typically 30–35% of the total — followed by labor, appliances, and countertops. Moving plumbing or gas lines, load-bearing wall removal, and custom (not stock) cabinetry push quotes toward the high end fast.

Keeping the existing layout is the single most effective way to control cost.

Kitchen Remodel cost example

A 120 sq ft mid-range kitchen remodel with no layout change in an average-cost region estimates at $24,000 — about $13,200 in materials and $10,800 in labor, with a realistic range of $19,200 to $28,800.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a kitchen remodel cost per square foot in 2026?+
A kitchen remodel costs $80–$125 per square foot for a budget refresh, $160–$240 for a mid-range full remodel, and $320–$480 for a high-end renovation in 2026. A typical 120 sq ft mid-range kitchen runs about $24,000 installed.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?+
Cabinetry is the biggest cost — usually 30–35% of the total budget. Custom cabinets can double that line item versus stock. After cabinets, labor, appliances, and countertops are the next largest costs.
How much does it cost to remodel a small kitchen?+
Small kitchens cost more per square foot because cabinets, appliances, and minimum labor charges do not scale down. A 70–100 sq ft galley kitchen typically runs $12,000–$20,000 for a mid-range remodel with the layout unchanged.
Does moving the sink or stove really add that much cost?+
Yes. Relocating a sink means rerouting water, drain, and vent lines — often $2,000–$5,000. Moving a gas range adds gas line work and permits. Keeping plumbing and gas where they are is the easiest way to stay on budget.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?+
A mid-range kitchen remodel takes 6–10 weeks of active work; high-end projects with custom cabinets run 3–5 months. Cabinet lead times (4–12 weeks) and appliance backorders are the most common schedule risks.

Is it worth it?

~113%

Cost recouped — minor midrange remodel

A minor midrange kitchen refresh is the #1 interior ROI project — it can return more than it costs (~113%). A major midrange remodel recoups only ~50%, and upscale drops to ~36%: refresh for resale, gut only if you are staying put.

  • Minor refresh (~$28K) beats major remodels on resale return
  • Major midrange: ~50% recouped; upscale: ~36%
  • NAR Joy Score 9.7/10 — high happiness, middling recovery at large scopes

Source: 2025 Cost vs Value Report (Zonda); NAR 2025 Remodeling Impact Report

See full 2026 cost statistics

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