Kitchen Remodel Cost in 2026 by Project Scope

A kitchen remodel in the US typically costs $15,000 to $45,000, with a national average of about $27,000, according to Fixr's 2026 cost data. That range covers most projects, from new counters and paint up to a solid mid-range update. Major remodels that replace every cabinet and appliance cost more: homeowners surveyed by Houzz reported median spending of $35,000 for smaller kitchens and $55,000 for larger ones in 2025, and the 2025 Cost vs. Value report prices a full midrange remodel at about $83,000 and an upscale one at about $164,000.

These are national figures. Labor rates, permit fees and material prices vary a lot from one area to the next, so use them to set expectations, then get an itemized local price before you commit to anything.

Kitchen Remodel Cost by Project Scope

Scope drives your total more than anything else: how much you keep, how much you replace and whether anything moves. Here's how the main national benchmarks line up.

Project scope	National cost	What's typically included	Source
Cosmetic or small update	$10,000–$25,000	Painted or refaced cabinets, laminate or butcher block counters, new backsplash, faucet and lighting	Fixr
Minor remodel, 200 sq ft kitchen	$28,458	New shaker doors and drawer fronts on the existing boxes, new range and refrigerator, new counters, sink, faucet and resilient flooring	Cost vs. Value 2025
Mid-range remodel	$25,000–$60,000	New cabinets, upgraded counters, tile backsplash, possibly an island and minor layout changes	Fixr
Major remodel, kitchen under 200 sq ft	$35,000 median	At least all cabinets and appliances replaced	Houzz
Major remodel, larger kitchen	$55,000 median	At least all cabinets and appliances replaced	Houzz
Major midrange remodel, 200 sq ft	$82,793	30 linear feet of semi-custom cabinets, 3-by-5-foot island, laminate counters, new appliances, custom lighting	Cost vs. Value 2025
High-end remodel	$60,000–$130,000	Custom cabinetry, premium materials, professional-grade appliances, possible floor plan changes	Fixr
Major upscale remodel, 200 sq ft	$164,104	Custom cabinets, stone counters, built-in refrigerator, commercial-grade cooktop, wall oven, undercabinet lighting	Cost vs. Value 2025

Why don't the numbers match? Fixr's ranges describe what typical projects cost. The Houzz figures are medians of what homeowners reported spending, so half spent more and half spent less. Cost vs. Value prices one fully specified project using remodeling cost data from Verisk, which is why it sits at the top of the range. If your plan looks like one of its project descriptions, its number is a useful reality check.

By the square foot, Fixr puts most kitchen remodels at $75 to $250, averaging around $150, while This Old House uses $100 to $250. At This Old House's rates, a 150-square-foot kitchen comes to $15,000 to $37,500 and a 200-square-foot kitchen to $20,000 to $50,000. Fixr notes that the average US kitchen is 160 to 180 square feet.

Where the Money Goes

Cabinets are the single biggest line item. In Fixr's breakdown of a typical budget, cabinetry takes about 40%, flooring 18%, countertops 14%, utilities and fixtures 11%, appliances 6%, lighting 5%, the backsplash 4% and paint 2%.

Here's what each piece tends to cost installed. We've put two sources side by side so you can see the spread; This Old House's figures are for a compact 70-square-foot kitchen.

Item	Fixr (2026)	This Old House (70 sq ft kitchen)
New cabinets	About $7,000 on average	$4,875–$10,000
Countertops	$1,400–$5,250, about $3,000 on average	$1,485–$4,200
Appliances	$2,500–$15,000 for a full set	$1,000–$15,000
Flooring	Just under $5,000 on average	$280–$1,200
Backsplash	$500–$1,500	$440–$800
Lighting	About $1,350 on average	$1,500–$4,500
Sink and faucet	Not priced separately	$680–$1,800
Plumbing and electrical	$1,000–$4,000, more if lines move	Not priced separately
Permits	$450–$2,500	$500–$1,500
Design help	$825–$2,475 for an interior designer	$1,500–$2,500 for independent full-service design

Labor is where estimates disagree most. Fixr puts labor at 50% to 60% of a kitchen remodel, while This Old House, citing the National Kitchen and Bath Association, puts it at 15% to 30%, with an NKBA average of about 17%. Rather than lean on either number, ask every contractor to break out labor and materials so you can compare bids line by line.

What Pushes the Price Up

Moving things. Relocating the sink, range or refrigerator means new plumbing, electrical or gas lines. Fixr puts a new gas line for a range at $200 to $1,300 and taking out a load-bearing wall at $1,400 to $11,500.
Cabinet grade. Fixr's installed prices run $100 to $300 per linear foot for stock cabinets, $150 to $650 for semi-custom and $500 to $1,200 for custom. Our kitchen cabinet cost guide covers refacing and painting as well.
Countertop material. Laminate runs about $15 to $60 per square foot installed, while quartz, marble and quartzite can reach $200, according to Fixr. The countertop cost guide compares every common material.
Appliances. A full set typically costs $2,500 to $15,000, but Fixr notes that high-end packages can pass $25,000.
What's behind the walls. Water damage, mold, rot and subfloor problems often stay hidden until demolition, and repairing them gets added to the bill.
Where you live. Labor and permit costs follow local markets, which is why two identical kitchens in different metros can be priced far apart.

Ways to Save Without Regretting It

The cheapest kitchen remodel is the one that keeps the footprint. If the sink, range and refrigerator stay put, you skip most of the plumbing, gas and electrical work, and that money can go into things you'll touch every day.

Paint or reface sound cabinets. If the boxes are solid and you like the layout, Fixr puts professional painting at $2,500 to $6,500 and refacing at $3,000 to $13,500.
Pick durable mid-priced materials. Fixr suggests luxury vinyl flooring and quartz counters as budget-friendlier choices than natural stone.
Check appliance rebates. Look for utility or energy incentives on Energy Star models before you buy.
Do the easy parts yourself. Painting is a reasonable DIY job. Leave plumbing and electrical to licensed pros.
Keep a cushion. Fixr suggests budgeting 10% to 30% above your expected cost, because surprises tend to show up once the old cabinets come out.

For most families, the best value is a remodel that keeps the layout and spends on cabinets and counters rather than on moving walls. That's close to the "minor remodel" in the Cost vs. Value report, which is also the kitchen project that recoups the most at resale.

How to Get an Accurate Local Price

National averages get you in the ballpark. A written bid for your kitchen gets you a number you can budget around. Before you talk to contractors, decide what stays, what goes and whether anything moves, and settle on a cabinet grade and a countertop material range.

Ask each contractor for an itemized estimate that separates labor, materials, permits and allowances, then compare them line by line. Our guide to comparing remodeling estimates shows what to look for. Check each contractor's license with your state licensing board and ask for a certificate of insurance; we don't verify these for you. Permit rules differ by city, so your local building department has the final word on what your project needs.

If you'd like help finding someone, KitchenBathEstimates can introduce a kitchen remodeling contractor who serves your area. It's free for homeowners, your name and contact details go only to a contractor you approve, and there's no obligation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the average kitchen remodel cost?

Fixr's 2026 data puts the national average at about $27,000, with most projects between $15,000 and $45,000. Houzz's 2026 homeowner study found a median kitchen renovation spend of $24,000 in 2025. Major remodels that replace all cabinets and appliances had higher medians, $35,000 for smaller kitchens and $55,000 for larger ones.

How much does a kitchen remodel cost per square foot?

Most estimates fall between $75 and $250 per square foot, and Fixr puts the average around $150. Cosmetic updates land at the low end. Layout changes and premium finishes push toward the top, and Fixr notes that high-end projects can reach $600 or more per square foot.

What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?

Cabinets. Fixr estimates cabinetry at about 40% of a typical kitchen budget, and cabinets plus countertops at roughly half. That's why your cabinet decision (paint, reface, stock, semi-custom or custom) moves the total more than any other single choice.

Can you remodel a kitchen for $20,000?

Often, yes, if the layout stays and you don't replace everything. Fixr's cosmetic tier runs $10,000 to $25,000 and covers painted or refaced cabinets, laminate or butcher block counters, a new backsplash and updated lighting. This Old House puts the average small kitchen remodel at $16,000.

Does a kitchen remodel pay for itself at resale?

A modest one comes closest. The 2025 Cost vs. Value report estimates that a midrange minor kitchen remodel recoups 113% of its cost at resale, compared with 51% for a major midrange remodel and 36% for a major upscale one. Our article on which remodels pay back goes deeper.

Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel?

Usually, if the work involves plumbing, electrical or wall changes, although rules vary by city. This Old House puts permit costs at $500 to $1,500 and Fixr at $450 to $2,500. Check with your local building department before work starts.