Last Updated on September 8, 2026 by teamobn
“How much will my kitchen renovation cost?” is one of the internet’s least-answered questions. Search it and you’ll get a shrug in article form: “anywhere from $10,000 to $80,000, depending.” Which is true and also useless.
The gap between those numbers isn’t magic, it’s five specific variables. Size, finish tier, what’s actually being replaced, who’s doing the work, and whether the layout stays put. Change any one and the number moves by thousands. Change all five and you’re looking at completely different projects.
What Will Your Kitchen Renovation Cost?
Free 60-second calculator · realistic cost range · money-saving tips
The five variables that drive the number
- Kitchen size. Costs scale roughly per square foot, but not perfectly linearly. Small kitchens cost more per square foot because the fixed labor doesn’t shrink.
- Finish tier. Budget kitchens run about $100–180/sq ft installed, mid-range $200–400, premium $500–900+. Same kitchen, three very different projects.
- Scope. Keeping the sink and appliances where they are can save $5,000–10,000 versus moving them. Every new plumbing or electrical run has a real dollar cost.
- Labor split. Full-service contractor is the top of the range. DIY-heavy can cut 40–50%. Hybrid (pros for the plumbing/electrical, you for demo and finish work) usually saves 15–25% without the risk.
- Structural changes. Moving or removing walls adds 15–35% and pulls in permitting, engineering, and drywall repair that would otherwise be avoided.
Where the money actually goes
In a typical mid-range kitchen renovation, the rough allocation is: cabinets 30–35%, countertops 10–15%, appliances 10–15%, labor 25–35%, and the remainder split between flooring, lighting, backsplash, plumbing, and electrical. Cabinets are always the biggest lever. Cabinet refacing (or replacing just the doors) instead of full replacement typically saves 50–70% and takes days instead of weeks.
Where the surprises live
Behind old kitchens, you find things: aluminum wiring, galvanized supply pipes, water damage under the sink, subfloor that isn’t level, and drywall that needs full replacement once the tile comes off. A 10–20% contingency isn’t paranoid, it’s the industry norm. Skip it and the “surprise” is your budget.
Get your realistic range
Enter your kitchen size, chosen finish tier, what’s actually in scope, and who’s doing the work. The calculator returns a realistic low-to-high range, a breakdown by category, and money-saving tips specific to the tier and labor path you chose, free, no signup until you want the PDF.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an average kitchen renovation cost in 2026?
The national average for a mid-range 120 sq ft kitchen with a contractor runs about $24,000–48,000. Budget-tier DIY can land under $10,000; premium projects with structural changes can exceed $100,000.
What’s the biggest way to save on a kitchen renovation?
Keep the layout. Every fixture that stays in place saves plumbing and electrical labor. After that: refacing instead of replacing cabinets, and taking on the demo and paint yourself.
How long does a kitchen renovation actually take?
Full contractor renovations typically run 6–10 weeks from demo to done. DIY-heavy projects often stretch to 3–4 months because they run on nights and weekends.
Ready for your kitchen cost estimate? Let’s get started…
