We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
According to a 2024 survey by the National Association of Home Builders, kitchen remodels account for about 60 percent of all renovation jobs in the U.S. This project’s popularity is no surprise. The kitchen is, after all, the hub of the home, a place where we nourish our bodies and our souls. We want it to be as functional, inviting, stylish, and comfortable as possible.
Not only are kitchen remodels popular, but they also yield a high return on investment when it comes time to sell. The 2024 Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling magazine found that a minor midrange kitchen remodel (new cabinet fronts and hardware; upgraded countertop, sink, and faucet; and new energy-efficient appliances) costs on average $27,492, with as much as 96 percent of this cost recouped when the house is sold. More expensive and extensive kitchen remodels have a lower, but still significant, ROI: $79,982 for a major midrange remodel, with a 49.5 percent return on investment, and $158,530 for an upscale kitchen remodel, with a 38 percent return on investment.
Whatever the scale of your kitchen remodel, the project will go more smoothly and stick closer to budget if you plan effectively. Use this guide to help you determine your needs, figure out a budget, and decide how you’ll tackle the project, whether you’re doing some of the work on your own or hiring professionals.
How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Kitchen?
Kitchen remodel costs vary widely because so many factors affect the cost of the project, including:
- The size of the kitchen
- The scope of the project (freshening up vs. gut remodel, and everything in between)
- The materials selected
- The quality and number of new appliances and fixtures
- The geographic region, which affects labor and materials costs
A midrange kitchen remodel in the U.S. costs between $14,589 and $41,538, with a national average of $26,974. A high-end remodel averages $65,000 but can easily reach over $100,000, depending on the complexity of the job and the types of materials used. Kitchen cabinet costs eat up a big share of the budget—as much as 40 percent, depending on cabinet material, door style, the chosen finish, the degree of customization, storage accessories, and installation considerations.
But what if even a midrange renovation is beyond your means—for instance, is $10,000 enough for a kitchen remodel? It may be possible to keep costs that low if you keep the existing layout, DIY as much as you can, price out a few cabinet sources, and look out for deals on appliances, lighting, and other necessities.
How Long Does It Take to Remodel a Kitchen?
Just like the price of a kitchen remodel, the amount of time required to complete the job varies wildly and depends on factors like complexity, the size of the kitchen, the amount of custom work involved, and the availability of labor and materials. The lead time required for fabrication and delivery of some components, such as cabinets and countertops, adds significantly to the project’s length.
After the planning/layout stage is complete, figure about 1 to 2 weeks for a straightforward renovation (keeping existing cabinets with no layout changes), 4 to 8 weeks for a standard remodel (replacing cabinets, countertops, floors, appliances, fixtures), and 8 or more weeks for a major remodel (changing the layout, moving walls, and making structural changes).
Here are some rough time estimates for certain milestones:
- Planning/design: Allow 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the complexity of the project.
- Cabinets: Delivery of stock cabinets may take less than a week; semi-custom cabinets may take between 4 to 6 weeks, and custom cabinets as long as 8 to 12 weeks. Installation may take anywhere from 2 days to a week or so, depending on the size of the kitchen and the complexity of the project.
- Countertops: Delivery can take about 1 to 2 weeks, depending on countertop material, complexity of design, and fabricator workload. Installation of most materials takes 1 or 2 days.
- Flooring: Installation time varies by material, kitchen size, and complexity of layout. Vinyl sheet flooring can take 1 or 2 days, hardwood or laminate may take 1 to 3 days (or more), while tile may take 2 to 4 (or more) days. Be sure to factor in time for the flooring to acclimate before installation: 5 to 7 days for hardwood, 2 to 3 days for laminate, and up to 2 days for vinyl.
- Appliances: While each appliance may just take 1 to 3 hours to install, more complicated installations—built-ins, custom panels, gas connections, refrigerator water lines, and range hoods—can take longer. Allow at least 1 to 2 days.
- Backsplash: It takes 2 to 3 days to install a kitchen backsplash, depending on the material used and the complexity of the layout.
- Lighting: Once the wiring is in place, installation of lighting fixtures (pendants, recessed, under cabinet) can usually be done in 1 day.
Allow time on the front end for demolition (if necessary, 2 to 4 days), structural work/drywall (varies), and installation of plumbing and electric (varies). If you’ll be moving or replacing electrical or gas lines, also allow time for permits and inspections. The work should proceed in roughly this order, although there may be some overlap:
- Planning/ordering materials
- Demolition
- Structural/utilities
- Flooring installation
- Cabinet installation
- Installation of countertops, appliances, lighting, and other fixtures
- Painting
What to Consider When Remodeling a Kitchen
The driving force in your remodel should be kitchen functionality. You should always start by figuring out what you need your kitchen to do. Be sure to involve your family in this process. Once you’ve narrowed down functional decisions, move on to the kitchen layout and aesthetics.
Here are some key points to help you zero in on the best kitchen design for you and your family.
Functionality: How will you use the kitchen?
First, determine how you like to cook, entertain, and live in your kitchen. Start by looking critically at your current kitchen, asking yourself (and your family) some key questions, and writing it all down. Do you cook alone or with someone? Is your kitchen a multipurpose room where kids do homework and friends gather? Are you expecting a child? Do you think an adult child or aging parent might be moving in? How often do you entertain?
Next, consider where your current kitchen may be lacking. Where does the clutter form? To clean it up, do you need custom options like spice storage, tray dividers, utensil drawers, K-Cup storage, or appliance storage? Are there functional areas that your current kitchen lacks but you’d love to have—a recycling center, eating area, home office, family command center, or walk-in pantry? Practicalities are important. “Don’t underestimate the importance of trash zones,” says interior designer Rachel Blindauer. “Where do the pizza boxes go? The compost? These are decisions you’ll live with daily, yet they’re often decided too late.”
When you’re done with your assessment, make a list of “must-have” and “would be nice” features, and use that for setting your budgeting priorities.
Design essentials: How to create an efficient layout
To make sure your kitchen will function like an organized workplace, rely on a few tried-and-true kitchen layout basics:
- The Work Triangle. This imaginary triangle features the stove, refrigerator, and sink at the points. The old “26-foot rule” dictates that the perimeter of this triangle should not exceed 26 feet and that each side should be between 4 and 9 feet long. Make sure that the triangle doesn’t intersect an island or peninsula for more than a foot.
- The Work Station. One drawback of the work triangle is that it envisions one cook moving between the three key areas. In today’s kitchens, there are often multiple cooks, and that’s where incorporating stations can really make a difference. Create separate stations for food prep, cooking, and cleaning. Each is usually centered around a major appliance and needs at least 15 inches of counter space. Other possible stations include a laundry area, a baking center, or a pet station.
- The 3×4 Rule. Ideally, there should be three separate counters, each about 4 feet long.
A kitchen designer, whether an independent professional or one who works with a design-build firm, can be invaluable in creating a hardworking kitchen layout. The pros know the basics that the average homeowner would need to research: Is the vent hood at the right height? Is there really enough space for an island? Is the dishwasher close enough to the sink? Are clearances sufficient throughout—are walkways wide enough, can drawers and doors be fully opened without hitting anything?
Aesthetics: What will your kitchen look like?
After nailing down function and layout, move on to aesthetics: How do you want your kitchen to look, and how do you want to feel when you’re in it? Browse online for kitchen remodel ideas that appeal to you or have features you admire. Tour show houses and kitchen showrooms to see materials and products up close.
This stage isn’t just about looks and price. Make sure that the materials and fixtures you pick, whether cabinets, countertops, sinks, or faucets, will work for your family. Durability and ease of cleaning matter: Is copper the best sink material for your kitchen, or will you constantly be worried about damaging the patina?
You also need to know that the materials you choose will work well together, both visually and structurally. How will that backsplash look with that countertop? What finish do you want for the faucets? Will the cabinet need to be reinforced to hold that cast-iron sink? Will a hardwood floor stand up to your cooking and cleaning habits? Again, this is where professional kitchen designers and kitchen remodeling contractors can be so helpful. They’ve seen it all before, and they know how the scores of decisions, both large and small, will affect a kitchen remodel.
Pay some attention to trends: Current kitchen design favors open floor plans, uncluttered looks, energy efficiency, and natural materials, but trends matter much less than getting the kitchen that will work best for you and your family. And remember, this is a chance to let your personal style shine through. “Consumers have become more assertive,” says Gin Guei Ebnesajjad, manager of product styling and development with Corian. “They are smart and color-savvy, too,” she adds. As a result, their kitchens carry a creative punch that standard kitchens just can’t match.
Sustainability: How can you make it green?
The greenest option of all is trying to keep some features from your existing kitchen. For instance, if your cabinets are in good shape and the layout works, consider simply refacing them (replacing drawer and cabinet fronts and hardware). “Reusing existing cabinetry is always preferred, especially if the cabinets are in good condition and pose no threat to the health of the people living in the home,” says Ashley Katz, communications manager for the U.S. Green Building Council, based in Washington, D.C. Another sustainable option is using salvaged cabinetry. It’s a great way to reduce the impacts of manufacturing new goods while cutting down on the amount of material entering landfills.
If the existing cabinets can’t provide the functionality and durability you need, go greener by opting for cabinets made from sustainable materials, such as bamboo or cork, which come from plants that regrow quickly from the same source (unlike wood—it takes decades to grow back a tree). Look for products from companies like Green Building Supply, which specializes in renewable, recycled, or upcycled building materials.
Other renewable materials are finding their way into cabinets. As Katz notes, “The choices for environmentally friendly cabinetry materials are endless, and we expect this trend to continue.” Kirei board, for example, is an engineered product using the stalks of sorghum plants, and bamboo is used in a laminated plywood. Reclaimed wood is also popular, she says.
Appliances: What do you really need?
While you might be tempted by a feature-packed refrigerator or top-of-the-line pro-quality range, start your appliance search by determining what you actually need. (If you’re fitting new appliances into an existing layout, make sure the new appliances are the same size as your existing ones.) Then set your appliance budget and allocate it according to your priorities: Do you want a range or a cooktop and wall oven? Can you keep some of the existing appliances? Do you want to splurge on a fancy fridge, or maybe focus on a sophisticated vent hood? And
Research your appliance picks, looking into both performance and energy efficiency. Always look for the Energy Star rating, which rates appliance efficiency—the higher the number, the more efficient the appliance.
If you’re on the fence about replacing some of your appliances, note that swapping outdated appliances with newer, more efficient models may lower your utility bills. When measuring the greenness of your kitchen, the first thing to look at is your appliances. “Outside of heating and cooling, the refrigerator is the main energy hog in the home,” says Jennifer Powers, media manager of the National Resources Defense Council in New York City. “The great thing about [today’s] refrigerators is that automatically, no matter what kind you have, it’s probably a good 70 percent more efficient than the old gold or green version from your childhood.”
How to Budget for a Kitchen Remodel
Most people have limited funds to invest in a kitchen remodel, so it’s important to figure out how to remodel on a budget. To rein in costs, choose where to save and where to splurge. For instance, if your heart is set on a kitchen island but you also want a statement-piece vent hood, consider saving money on a prefab island rather than custom so you can spend more for the hood. “Keep your priorities front and center,” advises the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). “A $500 range or a $10,000 one? A $100 sink or one that’s $3,500? A $4 polished brass knob or a $98 crystal model? What’s important to you?”
When you’re working with a tight budget, you can buy yourself some flexibility by holding off on some pricier items. “You can always upgrade cabinet hardware or lighting later, but it’s harder—and costlier—to redo the footprint,” advises Blindauer.
The NKBA provides a general breakdown to help you allocate your budget by category. It’s a good idea to set aside between 10 and 20 percent for contingencies, and then plan on dividing what’s left along these rough lines:
- Cabinetry and Hardware: 29 percent
- Installation: 17 percent
- Appliances and Ventilation: 14 percent
- Countertops: 10 percent
- Flooring: 7 percent
- Lighting: 5 percent
- Walls and Ceilings: 5 percent
- Design Fees: 4 percent
- Doors and Windows: 4 percent
- Faucets and Plumbing: 4 percent
- Other: 1 percent
Should You Hire a Contractor for a Kitchen Remodel?
Labor is a big chunk of any renovation budget, which is why some capable DIYers choose to tackle this project on their own. But a kitchen remodel is a complicated job where mistakes and sloppy work are not only obvious, but potentially dangerous. While you can save money doing it yourself, you can also find yourself spending money later on to correct errors.
Before jumping in, critically assess your DIY skills and limitations. For instance, can you really install the cabinets yourself, or should you hire that job out? Do you have friends to help with the heavy lifting? Even if you decide that a complete DIY isn’t for you, you can still save a little money by doing stages yourself, even if it’s just demolition or painting.
Here are a few considerations to weigh before you decide to do it yourself.
| DIY | Hiring a Pro | |
| Pros | Saving money More money available for materials Control of budget, design, timeline, and work schedule Can choose own subcontractors Work satisfaction/pride | Expertise and experience Access to products Project management Troubleshooting Responsible for hiring subcontractors Responsible for permits/inspections Professional-quality results |
| Cons | Underestimating the difficulty of work Responsible for all measurements and ordering Finding time to do the work Risk of poor workmanship Responsibility for subcontractors Potential insurance liability Responsible for ensuring work is to code Responsibility for permits/inspections Risk of costly mistakes | Higher cost Likelihood of compromises Potential for conflicts |
Final Thoughts
When it’s finally done, a remodeled kitchen can dramatically change the way you live in your home. But before then, there are weeks of planning and ordering materials, and many weeks (or months) of chaos and inconvenience, whether you’re working with professionals or doing much of the work yourself. Careful planning is key to a smooth, on-budget project. You’re most likely to be satisfied with the results if you stick to the basics of how to remodel a kitchen: Start with a firm idea of what you want to achieve with your kitchen remodel, decide what’s most important, and set a budget that respects those priorities.
