Worked example: a 160 sq ft midrange remodel
At $190/sq ft the construction budget is $30,400: roughly $10,600 cabinets, $3,600 counters, $7,600 labor, the rest flooring, backsplash, lighting, and paint. Add a $6,000 appliance package and the project lands near $36,400. Keeping the sink and range in place saves the $8,000+ that moving them would add in plumbing, electrical, and floor patching.
- • Semi-custom cabinets at $400–$700 per linear foot deliver 90% of the custom look at 60% of the price.
- • Quartz counters run $60–$100/sq ft installed; butcher block and laminate can cut that line by two-thirds.
- • Budget 15% contingency — water damage behind old cabinets is found on most gut remodels.
Where the money actually goes
On a midrange remodel: cabinets 35%, labor 25%, appliances 15–20% (if replaced), counters 12%, flooring 7%, everything else the remainder. The two levers that move total cost most are cabinet tier (stock vs semi-custom vs custom can be a 4× spread) and layout changes. Paint-grade shaker cabinets, quartz counters, and mid-tier appliances is the highest-value-per-dollar combination in 2026.
FAQ
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in 2026?
The US average is around $27,000. Budget refreshes run $10,000–$20,000, midrange remodels $25,000–$50,000, and upscale guts $60,000–$130,000+ depending on size and market.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
Cabinets — typically 30–40% of the total budget. Stock cabinets run $100–$300 per linear foot, semi-custom $400–$700, custom $800–$1,500.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
A cosmetic refresh takes 2–4 weeks. A full midrange remodel runs 6–12 weeks from demo to punch list, plus 4–8 weeks of cabinet lead time before that.
Does a kitchen remodel pay for itself at resale?
Minor remodels recoup ~70–85% of cost; major upscale remodels recoup ~50%. Kitchens sell houses, but dollar-for-dollar returns only happen on modest, broadly appealing updates.
How this calculator is built
Independently maintained
Written by Sam Doshi and the RevenueLab editorial team. We don't sell the data feeds this tool is built on.
Sourced from primary data
Benchmarks come from public AdSense / Stripe / IRS disclosures and reader-submitted data — never third-party "$X per view" claims. Full methodology.
Last editorial review
Reviewed on a rolling quarterly cycle. Dated reviews are published on the methodology record for each calculator.
Editorial standards
See our editorial policy and disclaimer. Results are estimates, not advice.