Welcome to our guide to figuring out just how much that brand new kitchen renovation is really going to cost you.
Our goal here is to outline a basic and average cost for all the elements you may be considering adding to your kitchen. New cabinets, flooring, countertops, new appliances, the list could go on and on.
While you won’t get an exact price until you start looking into the exact style and material you want to use, this guide should help you figure out a good budget range to plan on.
Kitchen renovations are expensive, and you may be surprised at what your initial budget will actually buy you. I know we were the first time we renovated!
As with any renovation, doing some of the work yourself can really save you a bundle, but you’ll want to make sure you’re saving money in places that won’t bite you later. If you don’t know a thing about plumbing, for example, you might want to hire a plumber to ensure your kitchen is up to code and you won’t have any nasty surprises later.
Looking to totally change the layout of your kitchen by knocking down a few walls? You’ll want to find a great contractor or design planner to help you manage the project and ensure you aren’t taking out any structural walls you can’t afford to lose.
If you’re only looking for a few small changes, your budget can be pretty small, and you’ll probably be able to do most of the work yourself.
Basically, there are a lot of variables to budgeting out a kitchen renovation, and you can’t begin to plan your budget until you have an idea of what exactly you want your kitchen to look like.
Will you be entertaining? Will you need a large island or an eat-in bar? What type of appliances do you prefer? Do you want a closed kitchen or an open-concept number?
This guide will separate the wide range of costs into three distinct categories: Inexpensive, Mid-range, and Luxury kitchens.
Want to look at kitchen design styles? Check out our guide to the most popular styles!
Overall Cost of a Kitchen
Kitchens are the most expensive room to remodel in most houses. And that makes sense, considering everything that goes into planning and building the kitchen–things you don’t need in other rooms–things like cabinetry, appliances, and spacious countertops.
And as we’ve mentioned above, kitchens vary widely in price. On the inexpensive end, you can expect to pay between $5,000 and $15,000 for a full kitchen renovation that includes painting the walls, refacing the existing cabinets, upgrading the sink, and installing a custom tile backsplash. If you do most of the work yourself, you may stick closer to the $5,000 range, but if you get a designer and contractor involved for all the work, you will easily creep up to $20,000, and if you’re not careful, $30,000.
In renovations costing more than $30,000, you can include installing custom-made cabinets, new hardwood flooring, granite or marble countertops, and energy-efficient high-end appliances.
In a mid-range kitchen, you can expect to pay between $30,000 and $75,000, with the average being closer to $59,931. (Source: Remodeling) The budget seems a little ridiculously high, but will net you a functional, nice kitchen without you needing to do any of the work.
High-end luxury kitchens really have no cost limit. For a no-holds-barred luxury kitchen in a large space, expect to pay more than $75,000. And there are no shortage of designer kitchens that cost more than $100,000 to build. The average luxury kitchen remodel cost in 2015 was $113,097. (Source: Remodeling)
As a side note here, it’s important to mention a few factors to consider when picking your budget. It’s important to consider how long you plan on living in your current home before you renovate. If you plan to move in a few years, consider a less costly renovation; one that will improve the function and update the style of your current kitchen and make it easier to sell, but not one that you will lose money on.
You’ll also want to consider the neighborhood you live in. You don’t want the cheapest kitchen in the neighborhood, and you don’t want a kitchen that goes way above and beyond the scope of any others in the neighborhood. If you have the cheapest, it’ll be hard to sell your home at a comparable price to others in the neighborhood. The same goes with a luxurious kitchen. Buyers might pass your house over for a cheaper option. A luxury kitchen may make your house seem overpriced in comparison to other houses.
Tour a few homes in a comparable price range to yours to get a good idea as to how big to go.
Kitchen Cost Calculators
If you have a pretty good idea of what you want in your kitchen, like hardwood floors and granite countertops, you can use an online cost calculator to get a better idea of what you should budget out to get those items. Then you can see if what you want is really feasible for you.
There are a few great ones to get started with:
Houzz
ImproveNet
Home Renovations
Kitchen Cost Per Square Foot
This is, of course, nearly impossible to pin down without knowing exactly how much what you want is going to cost you, but you can make an educated guess based on the size of your kitchen compared to the average kitchen. It’s estimated that the average kitchen size is about 150 square feet. (Source: Dixon Cabinetry)
If we extrapolate from our original kitchen price ranges:
An inexpensive kitchen costs about $5,000 to $10,000. A mid-range kitchen costs about $11,000 to $28,000. A luxury kitchen costs more than $29,000, with an average of $45,000.
Small Kitchens (70 square feet)
A small, inexpensive kitchen will cost between $72 – $143 per square foot.
A small, mid-range kitchen will cost between $157 – $400 per square foot.
A small, luxury kitchen will cost $414+, with the average falling closer to $643 per square foot.
Medium Kitchens (100 square feet)
A medium, inexpensive kitchen will cost between $50 – $100 per square foot.
A medium, mid-range kitchen will cost between $110 – $280 per square foot.
A medium, luxury kitchen will cost $590+, with the average falling closer to $450 per square foot.
Large Kitchens (200 square feet)
A large, inexpensive kitchen will cost between $25 – $50 per square foot.
A large, mid-range kitchen will cost between $55 – $140 per square foot.
A large, luxury kitchen will cost $145+, with the average falling closer to $225 per square foot.
Extra-Large Kitchens (250 square feet)
An extra-large, inexpensive kitchen will cost between $20 – $40 per square foot.
An extra-large, mid-range kitchen will cost between $44 – $112 per square foot.
An extra-large, luxury kitchen will cost $116+, with the average falling closer to $180 per square foot.
You may be looking at these numbers thinking that kitchens get cheaper the larger they get, but that’s hardly the case. The smaller your kitchen, the further your money will go towards purchasing high-end features like flooring and countertops.
Cost of Kitchen Cabinets
Depending on the type of kitchen cabinets you want, the cost can vary dramatically. For example, if your current cabinetry is still in great shape, you may pass on getting new cabinets, and that will reduce the budget for your total renovation. However, if your cabinets are damaged or seriously out of style, you might want to consider refacing or buying brand new cabinets.
Stock cabinets – these are inexpensive pre-built cabinets that tend to be mostly plain, but they’re a great, cheap option for flips or budget renovations. Expect to pay as little as $80 and as much as $400 for stock cabinetry, depending on how large your kitchen is and what its layout is. (Source: Home Advisor)
Semi-custom cabinets – these are what you get when you upgrade stock cabinets with options like pull-out drawers or decorative elements. These are still an inexpensive option, but tend to look more attractive than plain stock cabinets. For semi-custom cabinetry, you will pay between $150 and $1,000. (Source: Home Advisor)
Custom cabinets – these are totally brand new cabinets that are custom-made to fit your kitchen’s specifications. From start to finish, you get to pick everything about them. Custom cabinets will cost you between $500 and $1,500. (Source: Home Advisor)
Refaced cabinets – while you still get to keep the basic structure of your cabinetry, refacing completely replaces the doors and hardware on your cabinets, and may include staining or repainting. This is a great option for those who don’t want to completely tear their kitchen apart, but want a new look. However, it tends to be more expensive than new cabinets. Refacing your cabinets can cost between $1,000 and $3,000. (Source: House Logic)
Refinished cabinets – this is similar to the process of refacing your cabinets, but instead of replacing the fronts and hardware, you’ll be refinishing the current fronts and hardware, by staining and sanding. This is a cheaper option that gives you a great new look without actually buying new cabinets. Expect to pay betwen $1,400 and $3,500. (Source: Home Advisor)
Cost of Kitchen Countertops
Updating your countertops can give your kitchen a brand new look! If you’re looking to upgrade to a luxury kitchen, swapping out a cheaper material for marble or granite can really add a lot of value to your kitchen. However, stone isn’t for everyone, and the cost can be a lot to swallow if you’re on a budget. Countertop prices are by square foot, so the larger your kitchen is, the more money you’re going to pay for countertops.
Bamboo – this is an eco-friendly solution that’s very easy to clean, but scratches easily and will burn. You can expect to pay between $2,000 and $3,000.
Concrete – concrete is durable, heat-resistant, and stain-resistant, but needs regular maintenance, and looks cheap and unattractive. Concrete is okay for industrial style kitchens, but should probably be avoided in other designs. Expect to pay $2,600 and $5,300 for the heavy slab, depending on how much counter space your layout requires.
Laminate – laminate is heat-resistant, stain-resistant, and scratch-resistant. Laminate is super easy to clean, but you can damage it with knives or by setting hot pans down without a hot pad. The upside to laminate is that it comes in many colors, but it also doesn’t look particularly high end. You can expect to pay between $1,200 and $2,000 for laminate countertops.
Paper Composite – this unusual option is durable and easy to clean, but is easily scratched and stained. Paper composite isn’t often seen in kitchens, and is more of a DIY option and a personal design choice. Not a great choice if you’re looking to flip a house. Expect to pay between $90 and $130 per square foot for paper composite countertops.
Metal – metal countertops, like stainless steel, are durable, heat-resistant, and stain-resistant, but are susceptible to scratching. Metal countertops are a great decision for industrial style kitchens. You can expect to pay between $2,000 and $7,000 for metal countertops.
Recycled Glass – recycled glass is another great option for durable, heat-resistant, stain-resistant, and easy to clean countertops, but they will chip and scratch. Like paper composite, they are less likely to be seen in high-end kitchens, and come in at $50 to $80 per square foot.
Solid Surface (Formica, Corian, Wilsonart, Avonite) – solid surface countertops are what you’ll see in many mid-range new builds, and they’re great because they come in many different colors, and are renewable, nonporous, and scratch resistant. You’ll pay between $1,500 and $3,000. Just beware, colored solid surface countertops have gone out of style, so a kitchen may look dated if you go with solid surface.
Stone (Quartz, Soapstone, Marble, Granite) -I f you’re looking for a high-end luxury kitchen, stone is the way to go. It’s beautiful, durable, and heat-resistant, but it will need regular maintenance and can be prone to chipping. Stone is one of the most expensive options, coming in at $4,000 to $7,000.
Tile – tile is inexpensive and can be an easy DIY project, but tends to look cheap and needs regular maintenance to keep the grout clean and unstained. Expect to pay $1,000 to $4,000 for tile countertops depending on the tile you choose and the square footage you need.
Wood – wood is all natural and lasts a long time, plus it will expand and contract like flooring. Unlike bamboo, it will withstand scratching and burns. However, a good, solid wood will be expensive, and can cost between $2,000 and $7,000.
(Source: Home Advisor)
Examples of Countertop Materials
ConcreteLaminateMetalPaper CompositeStoneTileWoodBambooRecycled GlassSolid Surface
Subtle concrete countertops in a light patina. The countertops are punctuated by a ceramic cook top and an industrial style stainless steel sink.
Smooth white laminate countertops in a modern kitchen. The lower cabinets are in a pale pastel green.
An entirely metal kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a two-tier brushed nickel island.
Thin black paper composite countertops on light pine wood cabinetry. What this kitchen lacks in traditional wall cabinet space, it makes up for with dual islands.
Traditional, stylish brown granite with an extended backsplash.
A kitchen with countertops done in small format black tiles, which contrast with the large format gray tile backsplash.
Rustic wood fills this kitchen, including the smooth pine countertops and pine cabinetry.
Light bamboo is more eco-friendly than wood countertops, and achieves a minimalistic, natural effect in a kitchen. Source: Zillow Digs™
This kitchen features two types of recycled glass countertops, colored and the more traditional black. Source: Zillow Digs™
Pale solid surface countertops contrast with the rich wood throughout the rest of the kitchen. Source: Zillow Digs™
Cost of Kitchen Appliances
Kitchen appliances are among the most useful places to spend your money. Picking the right appliances will add style to your kitchen, increase its function, and even lighten your workload. If your current kitchen doesn’t have a dishwasher, now might be the time to get a great one and spend less time cleaning dishes and more time with your guests.
The source of your kitchen appliances can dramatically affect the prices you pay for them, so it’s a great idea to shop around to see if you can find the design and style you want at a cheaper price.
EnergyStar appliances – these are the best energy-efficient appliances that are good for the environment and will save you money on energy bills in the long run, but their upfront cost is massive. However, they also last longer than their counterparts. You can find all sorts of appliances that are EnergyStar, from small appliances to larger ones like refrigerators. Expect to pay between $200 to $3,500 for new appliances, depending on what you need to replace.
Custom built-in appliances – these also come with a high upfront cost, and generally are only large appliances like refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers. These installations are totally custom, which means more money spent on labor, but your appliances will take up less floor space, which may be worth it for a small kitchen layout. Expect to pay between $1,000 and $10,000 for custom appliances.
High-end store bought appliances – these are more expensive than EnergyStar appliances, but less expensive than custom, and come with all kinds of neat gadgets, including sensors, hot-water dispensers, and even bluetooth capabilities, but all these gadgets might sacrifice functionality or storage capacity. You can expect to pay between $300 and $5,000 for high-end appliances.
Budget outlet bought appliances – these are at the inexpensive end of the spectrum and they typically don’t last as long as their high-end counterparts, but that of course, will depend on whether you buy them new or used. Typically, you should avoid buying used, but appliances at outlet stores might be old display models or were slightly dinged up during transport. They won’t have many of the cool features that high-end models will, but they will work just fine for their intended purpose. Expect to pay between $100 and $2,000 for budget appliances.
(Source: Home Advisor)
Cost of Kitchen Flooring
Swapping out old, cracked, and stained tile or vinyl for something new and contemporary is a great way to update a kitchen, even if you don’t have the budget to replace cabinetry or appliances.
Like with countertops, you’re going to have a lot of options, and the best choice will be determined by your budget, style, and color scheme.
Ceramic tile – ceramic tiles are durable and come in a wide variety of colors, but will chip and crack over the years and after items have been dropped or broken on the tiles. Expect to pay on average $1,300 for a new ceramic tile floor, depending on the size of your kitchen.
Cork – eco-friendly cork is mildew-resistant and stain-resistant, but needs regular maintenance to keep it looking good. Cork isn’t an extremely popular choice for kitchens, as it can appear cheap. However, cork isn’t cheap, and on average will cost $3,000 for a new floor.
Laminate – laminate has come a long way over the years, and some more expensive laminates can look almost like real wood, and have hand-scraped textures. Laminate’s biggest plus is the inexpensive price tag, coming in at an average of $2,500.
Linoleum – like laminate, linoleum has a bad reputation as looking cheap, and is associated with dated kitchens in need of renovation. Linoleum is a good choice for those who are on a budget, or for those who are looking for an inexpensive and eco-friendly option. Expect to pay on average $1,500 for new linoleum floors.
Stone – stone is durable and easy to keep clean, but tends to be more expensive than other options. Stone fell out of favor for a while because it tends to stay colder during the winter than tile or wooden floors. On average, you should budget about $1,400 for a stone floor.
Vinyl – vinyl, like laminate and linoleum, is inexpensive and durable, but vinyl can emit VOCs, or volatile organic compounds when it gets hot. Expect to pay around $1,000 for vinyl.
Wood (hardwoods, engineered wood, bamboo) – wood is durable and wear-resistant, but will need maintenance and leaks can warp the wood. Wood is also expensive, but wood can be used to integrate a kitchen with an open-concept design. On average, you’ll pay $4,000 for wood.
Examples of Kitchen Flooring
Ceramic TileCorkLaminateLinoleumStoneVinylWood
Sleek, shiny off-white ceramic tile that extends throughout the entire main area living space.
Eco-friendly cork flooring is a subtle choice that is certainly unusual, but it allows other features in the kitchen to really stand out.
The grain in this laminate flooring is bold, becoming the focal point of this modern kitchen.
Tile-look linoleum is less expensive than ceramic or stone tile and tends to stay a little warmer.
The stone floor of this kitchen has varying textures and colors and is arranged in a herringbone pattern.
Vinyl flooring comes in many colors and patterns, and is a great budget-friendly flooring choice.
Wood flooring typically has slight variations in color and wood grain.
Other Costs to Consider
Aside from the major costs to consider, you should also consider these sneaky costs.
Plumbing
When planning your kitchen remodel, try not to go overboard and start rearranging your entire layout. Moving your plumbing elements will require installing additional pipes, connecting them to the main line, or removing old pipes. This may require you to hire a plumber to handle the job, or even for you to obtain a permit to do the work; more time and money spent that might exceed your budget.
Electrical
If you’ve been dreaming about adding more lighting to your kitchen, a remodel is the best time. You’ll want to determine if you have to upgrade your electrical board to accommodate the new refrigerator or oven, and that may cost $1,000 or more. Hiring an electrician to help you rewire your outlets, install under-the-cabinet lighting, or replace your electrical board is a hidden cost that you’ll want to keep in mind.
Gas Lines
Like plumbing, you’ll want to avoid moving any gas lines, as moving them requires a permit and knocking out a few walls and flooring to get to the lines. So unless you’re planning on moving your stove or cooktop to an entirely different location in the kitchen, you should be able to avoid this massive expense.
Surprise Costs
Kitchen renovations don’t always go as planned, so make sure you’ve set aside about 20% of your budget for anything that may happen unexpectedly along the way.
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