How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost?

A cosmetic refresh and a full strip-out are different projects. Painting sound cabinet doors, replacing handles and changing a countertop should not share a budget with removing walls and relocating a sink. Write a short scope before shopping: the work included, the existing items retained and the decisions still open.

Measure the floor area, but also sketch the cabinet runs, windows and doorways. Two kitchens with identical floor areas can need very different amounts of cabinetry. Note appliance dimensions and whether the floor continues beneath units. Those details help suppliers price the same design instead of interpreting your brief differently.

Cabinet construction, countertop material, appliances and installation all affect the total. Bespoke sizes and difficult access can change the work involved even when the visible finish looks simple. Ask suppliers to separate the product price from delivery, fitting and any specialist preparation.

Moving services introduces a different layer of uncertainty. A new sink position may need plumbing alterations; an induction hob may need electrical work. Keeping a layout can avoid some of that work, but it does not prove the existing services are suitable. Have the relevant qualified trades check them before you commit.

• Cabinets and hardware, including internal fittings.
• Countertops, templating, cutouts and installation.
• Appliances, delivery, connections and disposal.
• Flooring, lighting, decorating, waste removal and permits where required.

For an illustrative 150 sq ft kitchen, choose a hypothetical all-in rate of $200 per sq ft and the average-area multiplier of 1.0. The calculation is 150 × $200 × 1.0 = $30,000. This demonstrates the tool; it is not a current market quote or a claim that your kitchen should cost that amount.

The calculator assigns about 30% to cabinets ($9,000) and 25% to labor ($7,500). These are fixed planning allocations, not measured prices. If your installer quotes a different split, use the quote. The displayed lower and upper figures are also formula-based scenarios, not a statistical confidence interval.

RenoPlanMaker accepts feet or metres and a custom finish-level rate. Its monetary results remain dollar-labelled: switching to metric changes measurements, not currency. For UK, Canadian or Australian projects, keep your actual budget in the correct local currency and do not treat the dollar presets as locally verified prices.

If you already have an all-in local quote expressed in the tool’s dollars, divide it by the kitchen area to find a custom rate. Use the average-area setting when that rate already reflects your location, rather than applying a second uplift. A rate excluding appliances or installation will produce an estimate that excludes them too.

Give each contractor the same measurements, product selections and written scope. Ask what is provisional, what is excluded and who is responsible for permits. The FTC advises checking licensing and insurance, obtaining multiple written estimates and using a written contract. Licensing requirements differ by jurisdiction.

Look closely at allowances: a countertop allowance is not a promise to supply any countertop you choose. Record each allowance and the selected item’s actual price. Include delivery dates and a payment schedule tied to the agreed work rather than assuming a low headline quote covers everything.

Test the budget with a separate contingency, rather than treating the full amount as money available for upgrades. For example, an illustrative 15% reserve on $30,000 is $4,500. That percentage is a scenario to test, not a guarantee that it will cover concealed problems.

Confirm cabinet specifications, appliance fit and material availability before demolition. Agree the sequence with the installer and plan temporary cooking arrangements. If the budget is too high, reduce the scope first: retain service positions, simplify cabinet fittings or postpone nonessential changes. Check safety and suitability before taking on any demolition yourself.