How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? A Budget Guide by Tier

Kitchen remodel costs vary more than almost any other home project, because “a kitchen remodel” can mean anything from new paint and hardware to gutting the room and moving walls. As a rule of thumb, budget projects run about $75–$150 per square foot, mid-range remodels about $150–$300, and high-end projects $300 or more. This guide explains what sits behind those numbers so you can build a realistic budget.

Kitchen remodel cost by tier

The calculator on this site starts from a per-square-foot range for each tier. For a 200 square foot kitchen where you replace cabinets, countertops, appliances, and flooring, that works out to:

The ranges are consistent with published guidance, for example HomeLight's breakdown of roughly $75–$150, $150–$250, and $250 or more per square foot for low-end, mid-range, and high-end kitchens. Real projects vary, so treat the result as a planning range, not a quote.

Why the total changes when you deselect items

The calculator lets you choose which elements are part of your project. Each element takes a share of the tier budget: cabinets carry the largest share, followed by appliances, then countertops and flooring, with the rest covering labor, permits, and everything else. If you keep your existing cabinets, for instance, the estimate drops noticeably, because cabinets are usually the single biggest line item. As a rough benchmark, some cost guides describe cabinetry as about a third of a typical kitchen budget, with labor and installation making up another large share.

The default selection in our calculator (new cabinets, counters, and appliances) at the mid-range tier for 200 square feet gives $27,000–$54,000. Adding new flooring brings it to the full $30,000–$60,000.

Minor and major remodels in the real world

Every year, Zonda's Cost vs. Value Report publishes national average costs for specifically defined kitchen projects. In the 2025 edition, a minor midrange kitchen remodel averaged $28,458, a major midrange remodel averaged $82,793, and a major upscale remodel averaged $164,104. Those figures are based on tightly defined scopes for a 200 square foot kitchen, so they are higher than a per-square-foot estimate for a straightforward replacement. If your project is a lot bigger than replacing what you have, budget toward the upper end of any calculator estimate, and get local quotes.

What pushes a kitchen remodel toward the top of the range

• Moving plumbing, gas, or electrical. Relocating the sink, range, or dishwasher costs far more than replacing them in place.
• Structural changes. Removing or moving a wall involves engineering, permits, and finish work on adjacent rooms.
• Custom or semi-custom cabinets. Moving up one cabinet tier roughly doubles the installed price per linear foot.
• Premium counters and appliances. Natural stone and pro-style appliances can each add thousands.
• Hidden problems. Water damage, outdated wiring, or subfloor issues often appear once walls and floors are open.

How to build a budget that holds up

1. Decide your scope first: refresh, full remodel in the same layout, or layout change.
2. Price the big-ticket items separately. Cabinets and countertops are the two that move the total most.
3. Add a contingency. A cushion of 10–20% on top of your estimate is a common rule of thumb, since surprises are more likely in older homes.
4. Get two or three contractor quotes based on the same written scope.
5. Check whether the spend makes sense for your home. The remodel ROI calculator shows how much resale value different kitchen projects have recovered on average.

Sources

• HomeLight — How much to remodel a kitchen (2026)
• Zonda — 2025 Cost vs. Value Report