Estimating kitchen remodels
Prices for kitchen remodels, what drives the cost and how to structure the estimate, for remodeling contractors bidding the work.
Most kitchen bids are won or lost on scope. Cabinets, countertops and appliances carry the price, but demo, plumbing, electrical, flooring and paint are where margin leaks. Price the big three by grade, then walk the rest of the room line by line.
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Kitchen remodel prices
Q4 2026 pricing. National figures are the median of 50 metro areas. Ranges are rounded to the nearest $50, or $100 from $5,000 up.
Minor, average finish
$18,700 to $50,200
100 to 400 square feet
Major, average finish
$36,800 to $87,400
100 to 400 square feet
Major, premium finish
$86,300 to $235,300
100 to 400 square feet
Labor and materials
For a typical job, nationally. Labor rates move more from place to place than materials do.
How the estimate is structured
The cost categories an estimate for this work breaks into:
- Project preparation
- General demolition
- Kitchen and laundry plumbing
- Appliances
- Interior trim, stairs and accessories
- Cabinets and countertops
- Floor covering
- Interior painting and wallpaper
- Project finalization
- Systems demolition
- Exterior doors
- Wood windows
- Exterior trim
- Electrical
- Wall coverings
- Ceiling coverings
- Excavation
- Wall framing
- Heating, ventilation, air conditioning
- Insulation
- Interior doors
What drives the cost
Minor update or full gut
A minor remodel keeps the layout, drywall and plumbing where they are: new cabinets in place, new counters, flooring, paint and appliances. A major remodel strips the room to studs and subfloor, and every trade comes back in.
Cabinet grade
Stock, semi-custom and custom cabinets price very differently for the same layout. Confirm the line, door style and finish before you price, and count base, wall and island cabinets separately.
Countertop material
Laminate, solid surface, granite and quartz each price differently, and an integral or undermount sink changes the fabrication. Templating and fabrication time also set the schedule.
Appliance package
Appliances run from a basic range and refrigerator to a built-in, commercial-style package. Price them by grade, or carry the client's chosen models as an allowance or a supplier quote.
Moving plumbing, gas or walls
Relocating the sink, adding an island with a sink or cooktop, or opening a wall brings in plumbing, gas, electrical and sometimes structural work. Layout changes add more than finishes do.
Lighting and circuits
Recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, pendants over an island and dedicated appliance circuits add up, and open walls can trigger code upgrades.
Building the estimate
Start from the scope, not the square footage
Square footage gets you a ballpark. The bid comes from the components: cabinets by run and grade, countertops by area and material, appliances by grade, then flooring, backsplash, lighting and paint.
Walk the whole room
- Demolition and haul-off
- Cabinets (base, wall and island) and hardware
- Countertops, sink and faucet
- Backsplash
- Appliances and hookups, including the range hood and its venting
- Plumbing and gas
- Electrical and lighting
- Flooring
- Drywall, trim and paint
- Windows, when they're part of the job
Carry allowances for what the client hasn't chosen
If the client hasn't picked cabinets, tile or appliances, carry an allowance and say so in the proposal. When the selections come in over budget, the difference is a change order, not your margin.
Kitchen templates in Clear Estimates
Templates cover minor and major kitchen remodels at different finish levels, plus single jobs: base and wall cabinet replacement by grade, countertops in laminate, solid surface, granite or quartz, tile backsplash at three budgets, sinks, faucets, and appliance swaps from dishwashers to wall ovens. Start from one and change any line.
Local pricing
Prices for kitchen remodels in each metro area, against the national median.
- New York, NYPrices run 19% above the national median.
- Chicago, ILPrices run 24% above the national median.
- Atlanta, GAPrices run 2% below the national median.
- Washington, DCPrices run 1% above the national median.
- Dallas, TXPrices run 9% below the national median.
- Boston, MAPrices run 17% above the national median.
- Minneapolis, MNPrices run 11% above the national median.
- Detroit, MIPrices run 4% above the national median.
- Seattle, WAPrices run 16% above the national median.
- Pittsburgh, PAPrices run 2% above the national median.
- Los Angeles, CAPrices run 9% above the national median.
- Philadelphia, PAPrices run 11% above the national median.
- Denver, COPrices run 2% below the national median.
- Baltimore, MDPrices run about the national median.
- Miami, FLPrices run 9% below the national median.
- Charlotte, NCPrices run 9% below the national median.
- St. Louis, MOPrices run 3% above the national median.
- Houston, TXPrices run 13% below the national median.
- San Francisco, CAPrices run 24% above the national median.
- Tampa, FLPrices run 13% below the national median.
- Phoenix, AZPrices run 3% below the national median.
- Orlando, FLPrices run 11% below the national median.
- Cincinnati, OHPrices run 4% below the national median.
- Cleveland, OHPrices run 3% below the national median.
- Kansas City, MOPrices run 2% above the national median.
- Columbus, OHPrices run 6% below the national median.
- Indianapolis, INPrices run 6% below the national median.
- Raleigh, NCPrices run 10% below the national median.
- Virginia Beach, VAPrices run 9% below the national median.
- Riverside, CAPrices run 5% above the national median.
- San Diego, CAPrices run 6% above the national median.
- Portland, ORPrices run 6% above the national median.
- San Jose, CAPrices run 21% above the national median.
- San Antonio, TXPrices run 15% below the national median.
- Grand Rapids, MIPrices run 5% below the national median.
- Jacksonville, FLPrices run 12% below the national median.
- New Orleans, LAPrices run 12% below the national median.
- Albany, NYPrices run 1% above the national median.
- Richmond, VAPrices run 9% below the national median.
- Las Vegas, NVPrices run 2% above the national median.
- Providence, RIPrices run 4% above the national median.
- Memphis, TNPrices run 11% below the national median.
- Rochester, NYPrices run 2% above the national median.
- Greenville, SCPrices run 10% below the national median.
- Bridgeport, CTPrices run 10% above the national median.
- Worcester, MAPrices run 10% above the national median.
- Syracuse, NYPrices run 1% below the national median.
- Sacramento, CAPrices run 8% above the national median.
- Nashville, TNPrices run 12% below the national median.
- Milwaukee, WIPrices run 4% above the national median.
Questions
What should a kitchen remodel estimate include?
Demolition, cabinets, countertops, sink and faucet, backsplash, appliances and their hookups, plumbing, electrical and lighting, flooring, and drywall, trim and paint. Give each its own line so the client sees what they're paying for and you can price changes cleanly.
Can I estimate a partial kitchen update?
Yes. You don't need a full remodel template. Pick only the parts in the job, like countertops, backsplash or appliances, and build the scope from those.
How do I price appliances the client hasn't picked?
Use an appliance grade (economy, average or premium) as an allowance, or enter the price from your supplier's quote if the client has already chosen. Note the allowance in the proposal.
Can I use my own prices?
Yes. Change any line to your supplier's price, your own labor or your sub's quote.
Can I send a proposal from the estimate?
Yes. Turn the finished estimate into a branded proposal and send it to the client to review and sign.
Estimate kitchen remodels with prices for your area
No contract. No setup fees. Cancel anytime.