How much does a kitchen remodel cost?

Minor refresh (paint cabinets, new countertops and hardware): $5,000-$15,000. Mid-range remodel (new cabinets, quartz countertops, new appliances, backsplash, flooring): $15,000-$50,000. Major/luxury remodel (custom cabinets, premium countertops, professional appliances, layout changes): $50,000-$150,000+. The average mid-range kitchen remodel is $25,000-$40,000. Cabinets are 30-40% of the budget (the single largest expense). ROI: minor refresh 70-80%, mid-range 60-75%, major 50-65%. How long does a kitchen remodel take?

How long does a kitchen remodel take?

Minor refresh: 1-3 weeks (kitchen may be partially usable). Mid-range remodel: 6-10 weeks (plan for 2-4 weeks without a usable kitchen). Major remodel: 3-6 months (plan for 4-8+ weeks without a kitchen). Biggest time factors: cabinet lead time (4-8 weeks for semi-custom, 8-12 for custom), countertop templating (done after cabinets are installed, 1-2 weeks for fabrication), and permit approvals (1-4 weeks). Set up a temporary kitchen in another room with a microwave, coffee maker, and portable cooktop. What is the best kitchen countertop material?

What is the best kitchen countertop material?

Best overall: quartz ($50-$120/sq ft installed). Durable, non-porous (doesn't need sealing), consistent color/pattern, low maintenance, wide range of colors and styles including marble-look options. Best premium: quartzite ($80-$200/sq ft, natural stone, extremely hard, heat resistant). Best budget: laminate ($10-$30/sq ft, huge style improvements in recent years, Formica and Wilsonart offer convincing stone-look options). Best traditional: granite ($50-$150/sq ft, natural stone, unique patterns, requires periodic sealing). Avoid: marble in high-traffic kitchens (soft stone, stains and etches easily, requires frequent sealing).

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Woodworking & Lumber

Kitchen Remodel Cost Guide: Budget, Mid-Range & Luxury

Lumberama Editorial Team, Kitchen Renovation & Remodeling Specialists Nov 11, 2025 10 min read

Cost by Budget Level

Minor refresh ($5,000-$15,000): Paint cabinets (or reface with new doors and hardware). New countertops (laminate or butcher block). New backsplash (subway tile DIY). Update hardware (knobs and pulls). New light fixtures. Paint walls. New faucet. This level transforms the look without major structural changes. ROI: 70-80% (one of the highest-return home improvements).

Mid-range remodel ($15,000-$50,000): New cabinets (stock or semi-custom). New countertops (quartz or granite). New appliances (stainless steel package). New backsplash (tile). New flooring. Updated lighting (recessed + pendant). New sink and faucet. Fresh paint. Minor layout changes (moving an appliance, adding an island). This is the most common remodel level and delivers a dramatic transformation. ROI: 60-75%.

Major/luxury remodel ($50,000-$150,000+): Custom cabinetry. Premium countertops (marble, quartzite, or high-end quartz). Professional-grade appliances (Sub-Zero, Wolf, Thermador). Layout changes (moving walls, plumbing, electrical). Custom island with seating. Premium flooring (hardwood, large-format tile). Designer lighting. Built-in storage and organization. Premium fixtures and hardware. Structural changes may require permits and engineering. ROI: 50-65% (the higher the spend, the lower the percentage return, but the higher the absolute dollar return).

Cost by Component

Cabinets (30-40% of budget): Stock (pre-made, standard sizes): $75-$250 per linear foot. Semi-custom (some size/finish options): $150-$600 per linear foot. Custom (built to order, any size/finish/feature): $500-$1,500+ per linear foot. Cabinet refacing (new doors + veneer on boxes): $5,000-$15,000 (full kitchen). Cabinet painting: $3,000-$8,000 (professional). Cabinets are the single largest expense in most kitchen remodels.

Countertops (10-15% of budget): Laminate: $10-$30/sq ft (installed). Butcher block: $40-$80/sq ft. Quartz (engineered stone): $50-$120/sq ft. Granite: $50-$150/sq ft. Marble: $75-$200/sq ft. Quartzite: $80-$200/sq ft. Concrete: $75-$150/sq ft. Average kitchen (30-40 sq ft of countertop): $1,500-$6,000 (mid-range materials).

Appliances (10-20% of budget): Budget package (refrigerator + range + dishwasher + microwave): $2,000-$4,000. Mid-range package: $4,000-$8,000. Premium/professional: $10,000-$25,000+. Individual costs: refrigerator $500-$3,000, range $500-$10,000, dishwasher $400-$2,000, microwave/range hood $200-$2,000.

Flooring (5-10% of budget): Vinyl plank (LVP): $3-$7/sq ft installed. Tile (porcelain or ceramic): $5-$15/sq ft installed. Hardwood: $8-$15/sq ft installed. Large-format tile: $10-$20/sq ft installed. Average kitchen floor (150-200 sq ft): $600-$3,000.

Labor (20-35% of budget): General contractor: 15-25% of total project cost (oversight, coordination, licensing). Plumber: $500-$3,000 (depends on scope). Electrician: $500-$3,000. Tile installer: $500-$3,000. Painter: $500-$2,000. Demolition: $500-$2,000. Permits: $200-$1,000.

Where to Spend vs Save

Spend on: Cabinets: you'll live with them for 15-20+ years. Quality construction (plywood boxes, soft-close hinges, dovetail drawers) matters more than fancy finishes. Countertops: a durable, beautiful countertop makes the biggest visual impact. Quartz is the best all-around choice (durable, low-maintenance, consistent appearance). Layout: if the current layout is inefficient, investing in layout changes pays dividends every day you use the kitchen. Getting the work triangle (sink-stove-refrigerator) right is critical.

Save on: Cabinet hardware: stylish hardware is available at every price point ($3-$10 per pull can look great). Backsplash: classic subway tile ($2-$5/sq ft) looks timeless and is easy to install (good DIY project). Lighting: affordable fixtures from big-box stores often look identical to designer options. Paint: a fresh coat of paint transforms the space for $50-$200 (DIY). Faucet: mid-range faucets ($150-$300) from Moen, Delta, or Kohler perform just as well as $500+ designer faucets.

Don't skip: Proper ventilation (a good range hood is critical for air quality, especially with gas ranges). Adequate lighting (recessed lights + under-cabinet lighting + a pendant or two). Enough outlets (code requires outlets every 4 feet on countertops, plus dedicated circuits for major appliances). Quality installation (poor installation ruins even the best materials).

Timeline

Minor refresh: 1-3 weeks. Can often live in the house during the work (the kitchen may be partially usable).

Mid-range remodel: 6-10 weeks. Plan for 2-4 weeks without a usable kitchen (set up a temporary kitchen in another room). Order cabinets early (lead time: 4-8 weeks for semi-custom, 8-12 weeks for custom).

Major remodel: 3-6 months. Plan for 4-8+ weeks without a usable kitchen. Structural changes, permit approvals, and custom orders add time.

Typical sequence: Design and planning (2-4 weeks). Order materials (cabinets, countertops, appliances — lead times vary). Permits (if needed, 1-4 weeks). Demolition (1-3 days). Rough-in (plumbing, electrical, framing — 1-2 weeks). Drywall and paint (3-5 days). Flooring (2-3 days). Cabinet installation (2-5 days). Countertop templating and installation (1-2 weeks after cabinets are in). Backsplash (2-3 days). Appliance installation (1 day). Final plumbing and electrical (fixtures, outlets — 1-2 days). Punch list and cleanup (1-2 days).

How to Save Money

Keep the same layout: Moving plumbing and electrical is expensive ($2,000-$10,000+). If the current layout works, keep the sink, stove, and refrigerator in their current locations.

Reface instead of replace cabinets: If the cabinet boxes are solid, new doors and hardware ($5,000-$15,000) look like new cabinets at 40-60% of the cost of replacing them entirely.

DIY what you can: Painting (walls and cabinets). Demolition (if you're careful around plumbing and electrical). Backsplash installation (subway tile is beginner-friendly). Hardware installation.

Choose mid-range materials: Quartz over marble (similar look, more durable, less expensive). Stock or semi-custom cabinets over custom. LVP flooring over hardwood (looks similar, waterproof, less expensive).

Shop sales and clearance: Appliance packages (holiday sales: Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Black Friday). Countertop remnants (leftover pieces from other jobs — perfect for smaller kitchens). Floor models and scratch-and-dent appliances.

Get multiple quotes: Always get at least 3 contractor bids. Compare scope of work carefully (the cheapest bid may exclude items the others include). Check references, licenses, and insurance for every contractor.