Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator

How much does a kitchen remodel cost? Fill in the amounts below, or open starting prices if you need a typical number.

Hire it out includes crew time. I am doing it myself starts those labor lines at $0 so you can add back any trade you still plan to hire.

Materials cost: cabinets, counters, appliances, and fixtures

These are the things you buy.

How many feet of cabinet run?

This is the length in feet as you walk along the run, not the height.

Using 25 ft of run

$

How many square feet of countertops?

New counters on the same run, including the shop-cut sink hole.

Using 45.5 sq ft

A little extra so you are not short after cutting and fitting.

$

Using your quote (takeoff was $3,139). Change quantity or rate above to recalculate.

How many four-piece appliance packages?

Count each piece that belongs on this line.

$

How many square feet of backsplash tile?

This is the size of the surface in square feet.

Length times width for a simple rectangle, or type the total if you already know it.

A little extra so you are not short after cutting and fitting.

$

How many sink-and-faucet sets?

Count each piece that belongs on this line.

$

If you are unsure, leave the suggested number.

$

Labor cost: demo, hookups, and permits

This is the labor bill.

This is the crew’s price for this part of the job, not a materials price.

$

What cabinet and trim installation labor rate should we use ($/ft of run)?

This is the length in feet as you walk along the work, not the height.

Using 25 ft of run

$

What backsplash installation labor rate should we use ($/sq ft)?

This is the size of the surface in square feet.

$

This is the crew’s price for this part of the job, not a materials price.

$

This is the crew’s price for this part of the job, not a materials price.

$

Additional Details

A spare percent on top of the lines above for unexpected costs.

A listing estimate, tax assessment, or recent appraisal is fine.

$

How to Use This Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator

  1. Start with how many feet of cabinets you have (the path along the wall, not the height). A typical 10×12 kitchen is about 25 ft of run. Open starting prices if you need a typical cabinet, counter, or appliance number.
  2. Measure counters as length × depth, or type the area if you already know it. Count one appliance package unless you are buying extras.
  3. Demo, hookups, and permits follow kitchen size (smallest through largest). There is no separate plumbing flag — raise the hookups line if you are moving the sink or adding a gas line.
  4. Extra for surprises is a spare 10% on top of the lines. Then calculate. Open I am doing it myself if you will skip hired labor.

Formula Breakdown

Each dollar line is quantity times a rate. Starting-price chips fill Budget through Premium or a job-size package (smallest through largest). Project costs and DIY stay separate so you can see what changes when you do the work yourself.

Itemized Cost Lines

These are the cost lines whose totals come from the quantity and rate fields on the planner.

  • Cabinets and hardwareDollar line
  • CountertopsDollar line
  • Appliance packageDollar line
  • Backsplash tileDollar line
  • Sink and faucetDollar line
  • Paint, floor patch, and lighting allowanceDollar line
  • Demo and haul-offDollar line
  • Cabinet and trim installation laborDollar line
  • Backsplash installation laborDollar line
  • Plumbing and electrical hookupsDollar line
  • Permit and inspectionDollar line
  • Extra for surprises (%)Measurement
  • Current Home Value ($)Dollar line

DIY Cost Variables & Assumptions

These values are used only when DIY mode is selected.

  • Project ModeMode controlHire it out sets DIY extras to zero. I am doing it myself applies the values below.
  • Estimated Project Hours ⏱️Measurement
  • Your Hourly Rate ($/hr)Dollar line
  • Beers Per HourMeasurement
  • Buddies Helping YouMeasurement
Show the math (technical)

These steps add the dollar lines, apply extra for surprises, and compare with added value. You do not need this to use the calculator.

  1. Materials cost: cabinets, counters, appliances, and fixtures SubtotalCabinets and hardware + Countertops + Appliance package + Backsplash tile + Sink and faucet + Paint, floor patch, and lighting allowanceThis result is shown as a dollar amount.
  2. Labor cost: demo, and permits SubtotalDemo and haul-off + Cabinet and trim installation labor + Backsplash installation labor + Plumbing and electrical hookups + Permit and inspectionThis result is shown as a dollar amount.
  3. Base Project Cost (before extra for surprises)Cabinets and hardware + Countertops + Appliance package + Backsplash tile + Sink and faucet + Paint, floor patch, and lighting allowance + Demo and haul-off + Cabinet and trim installation labor + Backsplash installation labor + Plumbing and electrical hookups + Permit and inspectionThis result is shown as a dollar amount.
  4. Extra for surprises(Cabinets and hardware + Countertops + Appliance package + Backsplash tile + Sink and faucet + Paint, floor patch, and lighting allowance + Demo and haul-off + Cabinet and trim installation labor + Backsplash installation labor + Plumbing and electrical hookups + Permit and inspection) × (Extra for surprises (%) ÷ 100)This result is shown as a dollar amount.
  5. Project Cost (inc. extra for surprises)(Cabinets and hardware + Countertops + Appliance package + Backsplash tile + Sink and faucet + Paint, floor patch, and lighting allowance + Demo and haul-off + Cabinet and trim installation labor + Backsplash installation labor + Plumbing and electrical hookups + Permit and inspection) × (1 + Extra for surprises (%) ÷ 100)This result is shown as a dollar amount.
  6. Opportunity CostYour Hourly Rate ($/hr) × Estimated Project Hours ⏱️This result is shown as a dollar amount.
  7. Beer Budgetceil(Beers Per Hour × Estimated Project Hours ⏱️ ÷ 12) × 15This result is shown as a dollar amount.
  8. Burger Budgetceil(Buddies Helping You × 2 ÷ 6) × 10This result is shown as a dollar amount.
  9. Total DIY Hidden CostsYour Hourly Rate ($/hr) × Estimated Project Hours ⏱️ + ceil(Beers Per Hour × Estimated Project Hours ⏱️ ÷ 12) × 15 + ceil(Buddies Helping You × 2 ÷ 6) × 10This result is shown as a dollar amount.
  10. Total Cost(1 − diyMode) × (((Cabinets and hardware + Countertops + Appliance package + Backsplash tile + Sink and faucet + Paint, floor patch, and lighting allowance + Demo and haul-off + Cabinet and trim installation labor + Backsplash installation labor + Plumbing and electrical hookups + Permit and inspection) × (1 + Extra for surprises (%) ÷ 100)) × (1 + Contractor overhead and profit (%) ÷ 100) ÷ (1 + 20 ÷ 100)) + diyMode × ((Cabinets and hardware + Countertops + Appliance package + Backsplash tile + Sink and faucet + Paint, floor patch, and lighting allowance + Demo and haul-off + Cabinet and trim installation labor + Backsplash installation labor + Plumbing and electrical hookups + Permit and inspection) × (1 + Extra for surprises (%) ÷ 100)) + diyMode × (Your Hourly Rate ($/hr) × Estimated Project Hours ⏱️ + ceil(Beers Per Hour × Estimated Project Hours ⏱️ ÷ 12) × 15 + ceil(Buddies Helping You × 2 ÷ 6) × 10)This result is shown as a dollar amount.
  11. Added valueprofessionalTotalCost × 1.13This result is shown as a dollar amount.
  12. Expected Home Value After ProjectCurrent Home Value ($) + (professionalTotalCost × 1.13)This result is shown as a dollar amount.
  13. Net Gain / Loss(professionalTotalCost × 1.13) − ((1 − diyMode) × (((Cabinets and hardware + Countertops + Appliance package + Backsplash tile + Sink and faucet + Paint, floor patch, and lighting allowance + Demo and haul-off + Cabinet and trim installation labor + Backsplash installation labor + Plumbing and electrical hookups + Permit and inspection) × (1 + Extra for surprises (%) ÷ 100)) × (1 + Contractor overhead and profit (%) ÷ 100) ÷ (1 + 20 ÷ 100)) + diyMode × ((Cabinets and hardware + Countertops + Appliance package + Backsplash tile + Sink and faucet + Paint, floor patch, and lighting allowance + Demo and haul-off + Cabinet and trim installation labor + Backsplash installation labor + Plumbing and electrical hookups + Permit and inspection) × (1 + Extra for surprises (%) ÷ 100)) + diyMode × (Your Hourly Rate ($/hr) × Estimated Project Hours ⏱️ + ceil(Beers Per Hour × Estimated Project Hours ⏱️ ÷ 12) × 15 + ceil(Buddies Helping You × 2 ÷ 6) × 10))This result is shown as a dollar amount.
  14. Share of a professional job that typically comes back at resale113This result is shown as a percentage.
  15. Return on Investment (ROI)((professionalTotalCost × 1.13) − ((1 − diyMode) × (((Cabinets and hardware + Countertops + Appliance package + Backsplash tile + Sink and faucet + Paint, floor patch, and lighting allowance + Demo and haul-off + Cabinet and trim installation labor + Backsplash installation labor + Plumbing and electrical hookups + Permit and inspection) × (1 + Extra for surprises (%) ÷ 100)) × (1 + Contractor overhead and profit (%) ÷ 100) ÷ (1 + 20 ÷ 100)) + diyMode × ((Cabinets and hardware + Countertops + Appliance package + Backsplash tile + Sink and faucet + Paint, floor patch, and lighting allowance + Demo and haul-off + Cabinet and trim installation labor + Backsplash installation labor + Plumbing and electrical hookups + Permit and inspection) × (1 + Extra for surprises (%) ÷ 100)) + diyMode × (Your Hourly Rate ($/hr) × Estimated Project Hours ⏱️ + ceil(Beers Per Hour × Estimated Project Hours ⏱️ ÷ 12) × 15 + ceil(Buddies Helping You × 2 ÷ 6) × 10))) ÷ ((1 − diyMode) × (((Cabinets and hardware + Countertops + Appliance package + Backsplash tile + Sink and faucet + Paint, floor patch, and lighting allowance + Demo and haul-off + Cabinet and trim installation labor + Backsplash installation labor + Plumbing and electrical hookups + Permit and inspection) × (1 + Extra for surprises (%) ÷ 100)) × (1 + Contractor overhead and profit (%) ÷ 100) ÷ (1 + 20 ÷ 100)) + diyMode × ((Cabinets and hardware + Countertops + Appliance package + Backsplash tile + Sink and faucet + Paint, floor patch, and lighting allowance + Demo and haul-off + Cabinet and trim installation labor + Backsplash installation labor + Plumbing and electrical hookups + Permit and inspection) × (1 + Extra for surprises (%) ÷ 100)) + diyMode × (Your Hourly Rate ($/hr) × Estimated Project Hours ⏱️ + ceil(Beers Per Hour × Estimated Project Hours ⏱️ ÷ 12) × 15 + ceil(Buddies Helping You × 2 ÷ 6) × 10)) × 100This result is shown as a percentage.

How This Kitchen Remodel Cost Estimate Works

The kitchen remodel estimate starts with the quantities, unit prices, and allowances on each cost line. Budget through Premium chips live in starting prices and fill a rate or lump sum; the line total updates from that math, and you can type over any line total to use a quote. Those amounts are grouped into subtotals, extra for surprises is applied, and the total is compared with added value. In DIY mode, labor and demolition lines start at $0 so you can add back any trade you still plan to hire, and your time and DIY extras are added. Use the result as a ballpark you can check against bids for the cost to remodel a kitchen.

  • Cost build: Materials cost: cabinets, counters, appliances, and fixtures Subtotal, Labor cost: demo, and permits Subtotal, Base Project Cost (before extra for surprises), Project Cost (inc. extra for surprises), Opportunity Cost 💼, Total DIY Hidden Costs, Total Cost, Return on Investment (ROI).
  • Value and return: Added value, Expected Home Value After Project, Net Gain / Loss, Return on Investment (ROI).
  • Use the formula breakdown above to see which entered values drive each subtotal and final result.

The estimate covers demolition (0.75 hrs/lf of existing cabinets), cabinet installation (2.5 hrs/lf), countertop templating and installation (0.12 hrs/sq ft), and appliance connection (2.0 hrs/appliance). Plumbing and electrical changes add a flat 16-hour allowance covering new drain and water lines (called a rough-in) work, inspections, and reconnection — this is a conservative estimate for a single-trade scope. Each trade running its own work simultaneously can reduce the calendar time, though not the labor hours.

Kitchen remodels are sequential by nature: demolition, then rough plumbing and electrical, then drywall, then cabinet installation, then countertops, then tile backsplash, then appliances, then trim. Each phase depends on the previous one being complete. In practice, this sequential dependency often adds calendar days beyond the working-hour estimate alone, particularly when trades are scheduled around inspections.

Why Plan a Kitchen Remodel Budget

  • Breaks a kitchen remodel into the quantities and unit prices that drive each trade, so the estimate is built the way a quantity list is built.
  • Quality chips (Budget through Premium) fill a unit price. Size chips (smallest through largest) fill a package on lines where finish grade is not the driver — fasteners, freight, mobilization, permits.
  • The line total updates live as you change area, waste, rates, or allowances — no separate apply step. Type over the line total anytime to use a contractor quote instead.
  • Hire it out and I am doing it myself share the same itemized model, so you can see which trades are worth hiring out.

What Changes Kitchen Remodel Cost

  • Quantities and waste: area, length, or count usually moves the line more than swapping a finish after the quantity list is right.
  • Unit price versus lump sum: national-average chips fill a rate or a package total; typing a contractor quote over that field keeps the rest of the math.
  • Whether plumbing, electrical, or layout stays in place: relocating fixtures and opening walls adds trade labor, permits, and the chance of hidden repairs.
  • Unknown conditions: water damage, out-of-date wiring, and the contingency percent cover work that is not visible until demolition.
  • Labor and materials usually dwarf permit fees, which is why two quotes for the same job can land so far apart.

Where Kitchen Remodel Cost Goes

Materials and labor

The working estimate is materials and labor together, plus extra for surprises. Doing it yourself drops paid trades; hiring a contractor keeps them in the all-in bill.

Ballpark vs a bid

The number above is a planning figure. A signed bid can land higher or lower once a contractor walks the job, pulls a permit, or finds extra work.

How a line is figured

The measurements, unit prices, waste, and allowances on the main page that compute a dollar line. The total is the result of that math, not a starting guess.

Starting prices

A researched chip set labeled with the dollar line it belongs to and the pricing unit it fills ($/sq ft, $/ft of run, $/hour, $/each, or lump sum $). Budget through Premium fill a unit price when product grade drives cost. Smallest through largest fill a package when the line scales with job size. Type over either when you have a quote.

Extra for surprises

A spare percent on top of the lines above for unexpected costs. Ten percent is a typical starting point. It is not a contractor quote.

What you get back versus what you spend

The estimated value recovered relative to total project cost, using added value in this calculator. It is a planning estimate, not a guaranteed financial return. The calculator shows this as a percent after you calculate.

What's the Average Cost of a Kitchen Remodel?

What a typical job runs depends on scope and finish. Use the national average kitchen remodel cost as a planning midpoint, not a contractor bid. The national cost for a standard kitchen remodel typically ranges from $15,000 to $45,000, while high-end luxury remodels can exceed $80,000. These figures account for the scope of the project, ranging from basic cabinet refacing to complete gut renovations with high-end appliance upgrades.

Kitchen Remodel Cost Factors

Major cost factors include the choice of cabinetry, material grade for countertops, and whether the kitchen layout will be altered to include moving plumbing or electrical lines. Additionally, selecting designer appliances and custom lighting can significantly shift the total project budget.

Kitchen Remodel Cost Breakdown

Kitchen Remodel Material Cost

Materials represent roughly 40% to 50% of the budget, with cabinetry alone often costing $5,000 to $15,000. Countertops, flooring, and appliances constitute the remainder, with premium quartz or marble surfaces adding thousands to the final estimate.

Professional vs DIY Kitchen Remodel Cost

Contractor labor typically makes up 20% to 35% of the total cost, depending on the complexity of structural changes. While DIY can save on installation labor, major plumbing and electrical work often require licensed professionals to meet building codes, limiting potential savings.

Hidden Costs of a Kitchen Remodel

The extras people miss often show up after demolition, mobilization, or inspection. A 10% extra for surprises on top of the lines is the starting point on this calculator. Older kitchens often find hidden wiring or plumbing after demo — raise that percent if the house is old, rather than adding a second spare pile.

Return on Investment (ROI) & Home Value Impact

How Kitchen Remodel Impacts Resale Value

This calculator’s added value is the typical dollars that come back at resale for a hired job of this size — shown after you calculate, not a magazine 60–80% range. An updated kitchen still helps a house sell; treat the on-page number as the planning figure.

Calculating Your Payback Period and Net Gain

Use the added value shown after you calculate for a hired job of this size — not a magazine 60–80% range. An updated kitchen still helps a house sell; treat the on-page number as the planning figure.

Hiring a Contractor vs Doing It Yourself

Hiring a crew costs more than doing it yourself because you are paying for labor, not because the materials changed. Hiring a professional contractor maximizes ROI by ensuring high-quality finishes that potential buyers expect during inspections. Proper installation prevents issues with moisture or electrical failure, which could otherwise devalue the home during a real estate transaction.

DIY efforts are best used for cosmetic updates like painting cabinets, installing hardware, or replacing light fixtures. Taking on structural elements as a DIY project may lead to poor craftsmanship, which can result in a net loss in home value when the time comes to sell.

What Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? Common Questions

Is Kitchen Remodel worth the investment?

Yes, it remains one of the best ways to enhance both lifestyle and resale potential. A well-designed kitchen is considered the heart of the home and is a primary focus for prospective buyers.

How long does it take to recoup the initial cost?

While ROI is realized at the point of sale, you generally recoup the investment within 3 to 5 years through added home equity and the reduced need for further updates. Market conditions in your area can accelerate or extend this timeframe.

DIY Kitchen Remodel Cost: What People Miss

Doing the work yourself is not just unpaid labor — it is also the misses below. Hidden costs often include the need to purchase specialized tools, potential permit fines for non-compliance, and the cost of fixing mistakes that require professional intervention. Inadequate plumbing connections can lead to water damage, costing far more than the original installation.

Related Calculators

Cabinet RefacingTile BacksplashDishwasher Install

Data Sources

  1. Remodeling Magazine — Cost vs. Value Report (2019–2024)Annual national survey of contractor costs and resale value recovered for common remodeling projects. Used as the primary benchmark for value-increase estimates in this calculator.View Cost vs. Value Report
  2. National Association of Realtors — Remodeling Impact Report (2019–2024)NAR survey data on the appeal and value recovered from home improvement projects as reported by real estate professionals and homeowners nationwide. Used to corroborate resale value estimates.View Remodeling Impact Report

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