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Kitchens are the most expensive room most people ever renovate, and the range is enormous: the same square footage can land anywhere from a refreshed layout with stock cabinets to a full gut with custom millwork and moved plumbing. The numbers below are typical ranges for a standard-sized kitchen, grouped into three realistic budget levels so you can see what your money actually buys at each one — and what pushes a project from one level into the next.
Typical budgets: good, better, best
Good
Roughly 100–150 sq ft, layout unchanged
Existing footprint kept, no walls moved, plumbing and electrical stay where they are.
- Stock cabinets in standard sizes and finishes
- Laminate or entry-level stone countertops
- Builder-grade appliance package
- Standard tile backsplash and refreshed lighting
Better
Roughly 150–220 sq ft, minor layout changes
Sink or range may shift within the same wall run; one non-structural wall opening possible.
- Semi-custom cabinets with soft-close hardware
- Quartz or granite countertops
- Mid-range stainless appliance package
- New flooring, recessed lighting, and an island or peninsula
Best
Roughly 220+ sq ft, layout reworked
Full gut, relocated plumbing and electrical, possible wall removal with structural support.
- Custom cabinetry sized to your space
- Premium stone or specialty countertop surfaces
- Professional-grade appliances and integrated panels
- Hardwood or large-format tile floors, designer lighting and trim
Where the money goes
- Materials
- Cabinets and countertops usually dominate — often more than everything else combined. Appliances, flooring, tile, fixtures and lighting fill out the rest.
- Labor
- Demolition, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, tile setting, drywall and finish work. Trades that need licensing — plumbing and electrical — carry the highest hourly rates.
- Permits
- Cosmetic swaps often need nothing. Moving plumbing or electrical, or removing a wall, almost always requires a permit and inspections. Fees vary widely by city.
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Estimate my projectWhat changes your price
Location
Labor rates and permit fees swing significantly between metro areas. The same kitchen can cost noticeably more in a high-cost market than in a smaller one.
Size and layout
More linear feet of cabinet and counter means more material and more install hours. Moving the sink, range or refrigerator adds plumbing and electrical work behind the walls.
Finish level
Cabinets alone can differ several-fold between stock and custom. Countertop material, appliance tier and tile choices compound that difference.
Condition of what's behind the walls
Old wiring, failing supply lines, water damage or out-of-level floors turn into extra scope once demolition starts.
Structural changes
Opening a kitchen to a living space may require a beam, engineering and inspection — one of the single largest line items a kitchen project can pick up.
What's not included — and why your estimate differs from a contractor's bid
- Structural engineering and architectural drawings
- Asbestos, lead paint or mold remediation
- Whole-house electrical panel upgrades
- Window and exterior door replacement
- Furniture, décor and window treatments
- Temporary kitchen setup or lodging while work is underway
A guide like this reports averages across many homes. A contractor's bid prices your home — your actual measurements, your ZIP code's labor rates and permit fees, the condition of your existing plumbing and electrical, their crew's schedule, and their overhead and margin. Expect real bids to land above or below these ranges, and expect two bids on the same project to differ. Use a guide to set expectations; use itemized numbers to compare offers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in 2026?
Most kitchen remodels fall into three budget levels depending on scope: a cosmetic refresh keeping the existing layout, a mid-range remodel with semi-custom cabinets and stone counters, or a full gut with a reworked layout and custom cabinetry. Your size, finishes and location determine which range applies — run a free Nail-IT estimate for numbers based on your actual project.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
Cabinets, almost always — followed by countertops and then labor. Together, cabinets and counters often account for roughly half the total budget, which is why finish level moves the price more than square footage does.
Do I need a permit to remodel my kitchen?
Replacing cabinets, counters and appliances in place usually doesn't require one. Moving plumbing or electrical, adding circuits, or removing a wall generally does. Requirements and fees are set locally — a Nail-IT estimate checks the rules for your ZIP code.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
A cosmetic update can run a few weeks. A full gut with relocated plumbing and electrical commonly runs a couple of months, and custom cabinetry lead times can extend that before work even begins.
Can I save money by keeping my existing layout?
Yes, and it's the single most effective way to control cost. Leaving plumbing, gas and electrical where they are removes licensed-trade hours, rough-in work, and often the permit itself.
Sources and further reading
- National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA)
Industry planning guidelines for kitchen and bathroom layouts, clearances and fixtures.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Median wages by trade and state; the basis for the labor rates in a Nail-IT estimate.
- International Code Council — International Residential Code
The model building code most U.S. jurisdictions adopt; the reason moved plumbing, new circuits and structural changes trigger permits and inspections.
- U.S. EPA — Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program
Federal rules for disturbing paint in homes built before 1978, which can add certified-firm requirements and cost to a remodel.
- ENERGY STAR — Appliances
Efficiency ratings for the appliance packages that make up part of a kitchen budget.