Free tool
Kitchen remodel cost calculator
Enter your ZIP code and kitchen size. You'll get a 2026 estimate adjusted for your area, broken down by item, with materials vs labor, DIY savings, a side-by-side comparison of all three project types, and a monthly payment if you finance.
Your estimate · Remodel
$24,179 – $53,070
$161–$354 per sq ft · 6–10 weeks of work
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| CabinetsNew stock / semi-custom | $12,000 | $22,500 |
| CountertopsQuartz | $2,100 | $4,200 |
| BacksplashCeramic subway / standard tile | $375 | $750 |
| FlooringLuxury vinyl plank | $750 | $1,350 |
| AppliancesNew mid-range suite | $4,000 | $9,000 |
| Lighting & electricalNew pendants & fixtures | $600 | $2,000 |
| Layout changesSame layout | $0 | $0 |
| Sink, faucet & plumbingSink, faucet & install | $800 | $2,500 |
| Wall paint & patchingPaint walls & patch | $400 | $1,200 |
| Design, permits & contingencyDesign, permits & 10–15% contingency | $3,154 | $9,570 |
Where the money goes
- Cabinets45%
- Countertops8%
- Backsplash1%
- Flooring3%
- Appliances17%
- Lighting & electrical3%
- Sink, faucet & plumbing4%
- Wall paint & patching2%
- Design, permits & contingency16%
Monthly payment (midpoint)
$479
Planning estimate based on typical 2026 US installed costs and regional indexes. Not a quote.
How the estimate is calculated
Quantities come from your kitchen's floor area: about 30 linear feet of cabinets, 35 sq ft of countertop, and 25 sq ft of backsplash for 150 sq ft. Each item uses a typical 2026 installed price range, multiplied by your regional cost index (1.00). Each item also has a typical labor share, which is what the DIY switch removes. Design, permits, and a 10–15% contingency are added on top, because almost every remodel finds a surprise behind the walls.
Refresh vs. remodel vs. redesign
- Refresh: paint or reface cabinets, new counters, backsplash, hardware, and lighting. Same layout, same appliances.
- Remodel: new cabinets, counters, flooring, and appliances in the same layout. The most common project.
- Redesign: custom cabinetry, premium finishes, and layout changes such as adding an island.
Read the full guide: how much a kitchen remodel costs in 2026, or which level you need.
Sources and assumptions
Price ranges reflect typical 2026 US installed costs for each material class; regional indexes are planning approximations based on relative construction labor and material costs. Resale ranges summarize the long-running trend in industry cost-versus-value studies (for example Remodeling magazine's annual Cost vs. Value report), where minor kitchen remodels recoup far more of their cost than major ones. This is a planning tool, not a quote.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a kitchen remodel cost in 2026?
- For a typical 150 sq ft US kitchen: roughly $8k–$20k for a cosmetic refresh, $25k–$60k for a mid-range remodel, and $70k or more for a high-end redesign. Location, materials, and layout changes move the number the most.
- How does my ZIP code change the estimate?
- Labor and material costs vary by region. The calculator applies a regional index, from about 0.83 in the lowest-cost states to about 1.38 in the most expensive metros like New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area.
- How much can I save doing it myself?
- Labor is often a third or more of a remodel. Painting cabinets, tiling a backsplash, installing click-lock flooring, and painting walls are realistic DIY jobs; toggle DIY on those items to see the saving.
- Will a kitchen remodel pay for itself when I sell?
- Rarely in full. Industry cost-versus-value studies consistently find that minor kitchen updates recoup a much larger share of their cost at sale than major or upscale remodels.
- How accurate is this calculator?
- It uses typical 2026 installed-cost ranges and regional adjustments, which makes it good for planning and comparing options. Always get at least three itemized local quotes before committing.
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