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Kitchen Remodel Cost: Budget, Mid, and High-End
The math
Small kitchens (under 100 sq ft): $12,000–$20,000 cosmetic, $20,000–$35,000 mid, $35,000–$65,000+ high-end. Cabinets eat 30–40% of every tier. Moving plumbing or walls adds $3,000–$8,000 before finishes. Get 3 itemized quotes — kitchen bids vary 40% for identical scope.
Where money goes
- Cabinets 30–40%: refacing saves 50% over custom
- Countertops: laminate $20/ft, quartz $75–$120, stone $100+
- Appliances: package deals save 15–20% versus piecemeal
- Labor: electricians and plumbers bill highest per hour
Worked example: 120 sq ft mid remodel
Stock shaker cabinets $6,000, quartz counters $4,500, appliances $5,000, flooring $2,000, labor and permits $8,000 = $25,500. Same footprint luxury: custom cabinets $18,000, stone $8,000, pro appliances $12,000, total $50,000+. Layout unchanged in both — moving the sink alone adds $2,000.
Save without regret
Keep the footprint, reface instead of replace, choose quartz over marble (looks 90% as good, stains 90% less), and buy floor and backsplash from one batch. Never finance finishes over 10 years — you will remodel again before it is paid off.
FAQ
- How long? 4–8 weeks pro with materials on hand; double if custom cabinets.
- Live through it? Set up a temp kitchen (microwave, wash station) or budget takeout.
- Best ROI? Minor mid-range refreshes return most at resale; luxury over-improves.
Cost reality
Permits $500–$1,500, disposal $500, eating out during downtime $500+. The 15% contingency is mandatory — old kitchens hide water damage and aluminum wiring. Track value against comparables, not dreams.
Limits
Estimates assume standard access and no structural moves. Load-bearing wall removal needs engineering ($500–$2,000 study alone). Always verify contractor license and insurance. More in kitchen & bath.
Appliance strategy
Buy package deals during holiday sales (15–25% off) and have them delivered after cabinets are set — not before, or installers work around boxes for weeks. Counter-depth fridges cost $500+ more for less space; measure doorways and corners or delivery day becomes demolition day.
Timeline reality
Stock cabinets ship in 1–2 weeks, semi-custom 6–10, custom 12–16. Order counters only after cabinets are installed and laser-measured. A realistic mid kitchen: 2 weeks demo and rough-in, 2 weeks cabinets and counters, 1 week tile and paint, 1 week punch list.
One last rule
Photograph every wall with plumbing and wiring exposed before drywall closes. That photo set is worth thousands when the next remodel — or leak — needs to know exactly what hides behind the tile.