Kitchen remodels rank among the most popular remodeling projects homeowners undertake. However, kitchen remodeling varies widely depending on the scale and details involved. Gaining realistic expectations for total kitchen remodel costs in advance allows for aligning desired outcomes with household budgets before kicking off.
Visiting local countertop showrooms and cabinet shops lets homeowners touch and compare materials and lighting fixtures firsthand. Consultations with store design experts and upfront quotes also facilitate planning. We’ll share where homeowners can best allot or trim dollars as we explore projected costs for 2025 kitchen remodels covering budget, mid-range, and high-end scopes00.
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Kitchen Remodel vs. Renovation
A kitchen remodel refers to any work done to upgrade or update part or all of a home’s kitchen space. It can range from a minor update like painting existing cabinets or replacing granite countertops all the way up to a complete structural overhaul. Kitchen remodels require significant investment because they involve upgrading or replacing major components like floors, walls new countertops, all new appliances, storage, and more.
A kitchen renovation focuses on restoring or enhancing the existing layout rather than making structural changes. Potential projects include repairing appliances and floors, refinishing cabinets, replacing fixtures and finishes, and minor layout tweaks like adding an island. Kitchen renovations typically cost less than full remodeling projects since the underlying kitchen’s footprint often remains unchanged.
Average Kitchen Remodel Cost
According to recent projections, the average cost of remodeling a kitchen in 2025 ranges from $14,597 to $41,509 depending on the scale and details of the project. Minor kitchen remodels involving some replaced cabinetry, new sinks and faucets, appliance upgrades, flooring replacements, and simple layout changes typically cost $10,000-$20,000.
Major remodels that make significant layout changes, upgrade multiple surfaces, and replace more cabinetry and appliances run from $20,000-$65,000 on average.
Finally, complete structural renovations changing the room’s footprint, doing full tear-outs and replacements, and obtaining the highest-end materials and appliances cost $65,000-130,000+.
Homeowners can work within their budgets by determining must-have elements versus nice-to-have finishes and key fixtures when defining a dream kitchen remodel scope.
Key Factors Influencing Kitchen Remodel Costs
Getting a handle on the factors that affect cost early on in the planning process for your ideal kitchen makeover will save you money later. This prevents underbudgeting that can delay or downgrade kitchen remodeling projects.
Project Scope
Defining the scope for your remodel is a balancing act between necessity, practicality, budgeting tips, and wish lists. Going bigger on structural layout changes, cabinets, and surfaces means upping the dollars needed. Yet focusing investment on high-traffic prep and storage zones while conserving funds on lesser-used spaces can enable splurging on luxe touches exactly where you’ll enjoy them most.
Materials and Labor cost of remodeling kitchen
Components influencing cost also include picking premium materials and trade crews to handle the installation labor involved in major renovations. Natural granite countertops clearly cost more to install than laminates. However, partnering with contractors attuned to sourcing deals on shipping or fabricating materials not only keeps supply expenses lower but also optimizes pricing on their bidded labor. Discussing different pricing points for fixtures, finishes, and work needed gets everything transparent upfront in aligning your kitchen remodeling budget.
Kitchen Remodel Cost Breakdown
Knowing average prices for key parts of complete remodel for a kitchen remodel sets realistic budgets from the start.
Cabinets
Cabinets often make up the biggest single cost for kitchen remodels, ranging from $2,000 to $28,000 total. Homeowners can choose stock, semi-custom, or full-custom cabinets with pricing tied to factors like materials, quality, customization level luxury materials, and installation demands.
Stock cabinets start around $100 per linear foot. Offering the most affordable option, they have standard sizing and limited finishes for fast installation in basic layouts and kitchen cabinets.
In the mid-range, semi-custom cabinets run $200-$500 per linear foot. Semi-custom cabinetry with flexible sizing, additional finishes, and stronger builds meet many style and durability needs.
For complete personalization, custom cabinets start at $800+ per linear foot. Built fully bespoke to each homeowner’s specifications, custom cabinetry promises premium aesthetics and quality suited even for ornate custom designs throughout.
Countertops
Countertops account for 10-20% of total kitchen remodel investments, averaging $1,870 to $4,400. Specific materials show wide price variances too.
Countertop Material Average Cost per Square Foot
- Granite Countertops – Granite averages $10-$140 per square foot. While beautiful, hardness and porosity differ significantly between commercial and exotic varieties impacting durability and pricing.
- Soapstone Countertops – Architectural-grade soapstone averages $20-$70 per square foot, promising a subtle Old World aesthetic. But being relatively soft, it requires gentle care.
- Marble Countertops – For a glamorous statement, precious marble comes in at $15-$190 on average. Yet scratches and stains often warrant regular sealing.
- Quartz Countertops – Quartz holds an average price tag of around $15-$70 per square foot. Made from crushed stone and resins, consistent quartz patterns and strength appeal to many homeowners but can seem too uniform for some tastes.
Backsplash
Backsplashes provide an opportunity to inject style for relatively little investment, with new installations ranging from $500-$1,700 total cost or $15-$40 per square foot. As a more manageable project, backsplashes also lend themselves well to DIY completion.
Appliances
Regarding appliances, costs can vary widely based on the types selected and how many get replaced. Energy-efficient appliances with ENERGY STAR ratings cost more upfront. Basic appliances start around $500, but professional-grade appliances range from $2,000 to $5,000+ based on performance, connectivity, and configuration options.
Items like dishwashers, sinks, faucets, refrigerators, microwaves, cooktops, ovens, and range hoods typically run $100 to $5,000 or more apiece depending on the make, model, and features. Homeowners may choose a staggered approach, keeping existing appliances in good condition and upgrading others based on priority, usage, and remodeling budget.
Regional Variations in Kitchen Remodel Costs
Kitchen remodeling costs vary widely depending on the location. Cities with a high cost of living, such as Washington D.C. and New York City, tend to have higher kitchen remodel costs. Cities with a lower cost of living, such as Houston and St. Louis, tend to have lower kitchen remodel costs.
Factors like transportation fees for materials, permit processes, contractor availability, and general area living expenses influence regional pricing differences. Major metro areas where real estate and goods skew higher than national averages often see that translate to inflated kitchen remodeling costs as well. For example, a major remodel running $50,000 on average across contiguous US states may balloon closer to $60,000 in New York City or San Francisco due to elevated per-material costs, labor costs, and regulatory costs.
Kitchen Remodel Cost per Square Foot
Kitchen size impacts total remodel investments. While smaller galley kitchen layouts around 75 square feet run $5,625–$17,500 overall, larger open-concept kitchens at 200+ square feet can cost $15,000–$50,000 or more. The range stems from multiplying the project’s floor space by the chosen remodel cost per square foot. This typically spans $75 to $250 per square foot depending on materials, features, labor, and more.
As an example, a one-kitchen sink or 100-square-foot kitchen seeing a major or minor remodel could average either:
- $7,500 total at $75 per square foot (lower priced) OR
- $25,000 total at $250 per square foot (upscale finishes).
Carefully scoping kitchen layout dimensions and the target remodel cost per square foot aids in aligning required investments with individual budgets and visions when planning these whole home projects.
How to Budget for Your Kitchen Remodel
The average kitchen remodeling budget is around 5-15% of the home’s value. It’s essential to set a realistic budget and stick to it to avoid cost overruns. Consider hiring a top interior designer, or contractor to help with the budgeting process.
When pricing out appliances, cabinetry, counters, and other big-ticket items, get quotes for a lower-end and mid-range option from each manufacturer. This allows flexibility to select pieces across price points based on priority. Retaining the existing kitchen layout and footprint often allows lower budgets compared to reconfiguring walls or plumbing. If resizing elements like the pantry or the kitchen island just isn’t a top priority, then homeowners can focus budgets on surfaces and amenities.
DIY vs. Hiring a Contractor
For more difficult jobs, consider hiring a contractor. For easier ones, look about doing it yourself. Opting to DIY some kitchen remodeling tasks can help cut costs some of the labor fees. You may be capable of doing projects like painting walls, installing a backsplash, and replacing a garbage disposal. Leave heavy-duty or dangerous work to the professionals.
Achieving a Successful Kitchen Remodel
Planning a kitchen upgrade comes with many moving pieces to coordinate. Homeowners who set clear priorities control scopes and budgets. Securing required permits and inspections also prevents safety issues down the road. Building in a 10-20% buffer for unforeseen expenses keeps spending on track.
While DIY remodels are possible, consultants add value streamlining the process for those less familiar. Our team at Cabinets City offers complimentary consultations and estimates aligned to each client’s specific kitchen vision. Contact us to get custom guidance for completing renovations smoothly.
