More Kitchen Remodeling: Countertops Installation ·Flooring Installation
The kitchen is the most popular — and most variable — remodel in the home. Depending on how far you go, it runs $15,000 to $50,000, averaging around $30,000, while a major upscale renovation can climb past $80,000. The good news: where you land is mostly under your control, driven by a handful of decisions.
Where the money goes
Cabinets are the headline. They typically eat 25–40% of the budget, followed by labor, appliances, and countertops. Understanding that order helps you prioritize: a few thousand saved on cabinets does more for your total than trimming the backsplash.
A cosmetic refresh — paint, hardware, new counters, refaced cabinets, updated lighting — sits at the low end. A full gut that changes the layout, moves plumbing, and installs custom cabinetry sits at the top. Most homeowners land in the mid-range.
Cost by tier
It helps to think in tiers rather than a single number. The table below maps typical budgets to what you actually get at each level.
The three decisions that set your budget
- Cabinet grade — stock vs. semi-custom vs. custom is the biggest swing, often a 3–5× difference.
- Countertop material — laminate, butcher block, quartz, and natural stone span a wide price range.
- Layout — keeping the sink, range, and walls where they are avoids expensive plumbing and gas reroutes. Moving them is the single fastest way to push a mid-range project into “major” territory.
Is it worth it?
Kitchens consistently rank among the best home-improvement investments for resale. The catch: minor, mid-range remodels return the most, often recouping close to their full cost, while highly personalized luxury kitchens recoup a smaller share. If resale is a priority, resist the urge to over-customize.
How to save on a kitchen remodel
- Keep the layout — this is the biggest lever by far.
- Reface or repaint cabinets instead of replacing them.
- Choose quartz or a quartz alternative over premium natural stone.
- Mix high and low — splurge on the counters and the range, save on the backsplash, flooring, and fixtures.
- DIY the finish work (paint, hardware, simple backsplash) and leave cabinets, plumbing, and electrical to pros.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinets | $5,000 – $20,000 | 25–40% of most budgets |
| Countertops | $2,000 – $7,000 | – |
| Appliances | $2,500 – $10,000 | – |
| Labor & installation | $4,000 – $12,000 | – |
| Flooring | $1,500 – $5,000 | – |
| Plumbing & electrical | $1,000 – $5,000 | – |
| Backsplash, paint & fixtures | $1,000 – $4,000 | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minor / cosmetic refresh | $15,000 – $25,000 | Paint, hardware, counters, cabinet refacing |
| Mid-range remodel | $30,000 – $50,000 | New stock/semi-custom cabinets, appliances |
| Major (semi-custom) | $50,000 – $80,000 | Layout changes, better finishes |
| Upscale / luxury | $80,000 – $165,000 | Custom cabinetry, high-end appliances |
What affects the price
- Scope A cosmetic refresh costs a fraction of a gut that changes the layout and moves plumbing or walls.
- Cabinet grade Stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets vary enormously and usually set the whole budget.
- Countertop material Laminate is cheap; quartz and natural stone cost several times more per square foot.
- Kitchen size More cabinets, counters, and flooring scale the total directly.
- Appliances A builder-grade package runs a few thousand; pro-style ranges and built-ins run five figures.
- Moving plumbing or gas Relocating the sink, range, or walls drives labor, permits, and timeline up fast.
Kitchen remodel cost by state
Where you live can change the price as much as the options you pick. Labor is a big part of the bill, and construction workers are paid more in some states than others. A typical kitchen remodel job costs about $17,600 to $58,500 in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $12,800 to $42,500 (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $13,100 – $43,500 |
| Alaska | $17,300 – $57,500 |
| Arizona | $14,300 – $47,500 |
| Arkansas | $12,800 – $42,500 |
| California | $16,800 – $56,000 |
| Colorado | $15,000 – $50,000 |
| Connecticut | $16,100 – $53,500 |
| Delaware | $14,700 – $49,000 |
| District of Columbia | $16,200 – $54,000 |
| Florida | $13,700 – $45,500 |
| Georgia | $13,800 – $46,000 |
| Hawaii | $17,600 – $58,500 |
| Idaho | $14,100 – $47,000 |
| Illinois | $17,300 – $57,500 |
| Indiana | $15,200 – $50,500 |
| Iowa | $14,600 – $48,500 |
| Kansas | $14,300 – $47,500 |
| Kentucky | $14,000 – $46,500 |
| Louisiana | $13,500 – $45,000 |
| Maine | $14,700 – $49,000 |
| Maryland | $15,000 – $50,000 |
| Massachusetts | $17,300 – $57,500 |
| Michigan | $15,000 – $50,000 |
| Minnesota | $16,400 – $54,500 |
| Mississippi | $13,100 – $43,500 |
| Missouri | $15,300 – $51,000 |
| Montana | $14,700 – $49,000 |
| Nebraska | $14,100 – $47,000 |
| Nevada | $15,500 – $51,500 |
| New Hampshire | $14,900 – $49,500 |
| New Jersey | $17,100 – $57,000 |
| New Mexico | $13,800 – $46,000 |
| New York | $16,500 – $55,000 |
| North Carolina | $13,500 – $45,000 |
| North Dakota | $15,200 – $50,500 |
| Ohio | $15,000 – $50,000 |
| Oklahoma | $13,700 – $45,500 |
| Oregon | $16,500 – $55,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $15,200 – $50,500 |
| Rhode Island | $15,600 – $52,000 |
| South Carolina | $13,700 – $45,500 |
| South Dakota | $13,500 – $45,000 |
| Tennessee | $13,800 – $46,000 |
| Texas | $13,700 – $45,500 |
| Utah | $14,100 – $47,000 |
| Vermont | $14,600 – $48,500 |
| Virginia | $14,300 – $47,500 |
| Washington | $17,400 – $58,000 |
| West Virginia | $14,300 – $47,500 |
| Wisconsin | $15,600 – $52,000 |
| Wyoming | $14,900 – $49,500 |
These are numbers to plan with, not quotes. Each one is this guide's U.S. range, adjusted for what construction workers earn in that state. See every state cost guide or how we estimate.
Common questions
- What's a realistic budget for a kitchen remodel?
- A minor refresh runs $15,000–$25,000, a solid mid-range remodel $30,000–$50,000, and major or upscale remodels roughly $80,000–$165,000. Many designers suggest budgeting 10–15% of your home's value.
- What's the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
- Cabinets, almost always — they consume 25–40% of the budget. Labor and appliances are the next-largest costs.
- Does a kitchen remodel add value?
- Kitchens are among the best resale investments. A minor mid-range remodel commonly recoups close to its full cost at resale, while heavily customized, upscale work returns a smaller share.
- How can I remodel a kitchen on a budget?
- Keep the existing layout, reface rather than replace cabinets, choose quartz alternatives, paint instead of re-tiling where you can, and shop appliance sales. Layout changes are where budgets balloon.
- How long does a kitchen remodel take?
- A cosmetic update can be 2–3 weeks; a full remodel with new cabinets and layout changes typically runs 6–12 weeks, plus lead time for custom cabinets.
- Stock vs. custom cabinets — what's the difference in cost?
- Stock cabinets are the budget option, semi-custom offer more sizes and finishes for a moderate premium, and custom cabinets (built to your exact space) can cost three to five times as much as stock.
- Should I DIY a kitchen remodel?
- Painting, hardware, and backsplash are DIY-friendly. Cabinets, countertops, plumbing, gas, and electrical are best left to licensed pros — mistakes there are expensive and can fail inspection.
How we estimate: These are typical U.S. prices for materials and for hiring a pro to install them. We checked them against the 2026 sources listed below (see how we get our numbers). Your price depends on where you live, the size of the job and the materials you pick. Get two or three written bids before you choose a contractor.
Sources
We checked the prices on this page against 2026 numbers from these sources: