A kitchen remodel doesn’t come with one straightforward price tag. There are the cabinets you planned for and the countertops you fell in love with. And then the electrician, plumber, flooring, demolition and half-dozen small expenses somehow end up on the invoice. You weren’t expecting that price.
So realistically, how much could a full kitchen remodel cost?
A kitchen remodel averages around $27,000 nationally, but a complete renovation can cost roughly $65,000 to $130,000 or more when it involves custom cabinetry, major layout changes, new plumbing or electrical work, and higher-end finishes.
The Home Depot’s national cost guide puts minor remodels at about $24,000, major remodels at $69,000 and upscale remodels at $136,000. Your final cost will depend heavily on kitchen size, cabinetry, appliances, countertops, labor, materials and whether you’re changing the existing layout.
But those numbers only tell you how much it could cost. They don’t tell you where the money goes, or how to decide which parts of the renovation deserve the biggest share of your budget.
In this guide, we’ll cover the major costs involved in a full kitchen renovation, look at how kitchen size and location affect the budget, and take a closer look at what you can expect to spend on cabinetry, including iCabinetry’s cabinet collections.
Kitchen Remodel Cost at a Glance
Before getting into individual materials, here’s a broad planning guide to the costs that can make up a full kitchen renovation. Actual costs vary significantly by project scope, location, materials and labor.
| Remodel Category | Rough Planning Range |
| Kitchen cabinets | $8,000–$20,000+ |
| Countertops | $2,000–$6,000+ |
| Appliances | $3,000–$15,000+ |
| Labor & installation | Often around 15–30%+ of project |
| Flooring | $1,500–$5,000+ |
| Plumbing | $500–$3,000+ |
| Electrical & lighting | $500–$4,000+ |
| Backsplash | $500–$1,500+ |
| Demolition | Often $800–4,000+ depending on kitchen size and what is being removed |
| Painting | $500–$2,000+ |
| Permits & fees | $500–$2,000+ depending on scope and location |
| Contingency | 10–20% of project budget |
For perspective, The Home Depot’s national cost guide estimates a 200-square-foot kitchen remodel at approximately $24,000 for a minor remodel, $69,000 for a major remodel and $136,000 for an upscale remodel.
One thing’s clear from these numbers: the scope of the renovation matters enormously. A kitchen that uses entry-level or semi-custom materials is a very different project from one involving custom cabinetry, premium appliances and major layout changes.
How Much Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost?
Cabinetry can have a massive impact on both the cost and outcome of a kitchen remodel. Cabinets are also one of the largest individual investments in the project. Angi estimates cabinetry can account for roughly 30–40% of a kitchen remodel budget, but the percentage varies by project.
Prices vary depending on construction, materials, door styles, finishes, customization, and the number and configuration of cabinets needed.
A simple semi-custom kitchen will have a very different price from one with custom dimensions, inset construction, specialty storage and premium wood species.
So how much can you expect to spend on kitchen cabinets?
iCabinetry Cabinet Pricing by Collection
Here’s what cabinetry can cost for a standardized kitchen through iCabinetry.
The following are current starting prices for a 10′ × 13′ kitchen with a 6.5′ island:
| Cabinet Collection | Starting Price |
| iStyle Hardwoods | $10,268 |
| iStyle Semi Custom | $11,678 |
| iStyle Semi Custom Plus | $15,370 |
| iStyle Custom by Starmark | $17,755 |
| iEuro Custom by Ultracraft | $23,121 |
| iStyle Custom Inset by Starmark | $24,578 |
Starting prices shown for the same 10′ × 13′ kitchen with a 6.5′ island. Actual pricing varies according to configuration, materials, finishes and specifications.
It’s important to note that cabinet cost isn’t determined by kitchen size alone.
For instance, iStyle Semi Custom offers a different level of customization than iEuro Custom by Ultracraft. And inset cabinetry has a different construction and look than standard overlay cabinetry. These style and customization decisions will all impact the final price.
🛠️ Pro Insight: If you’re trying to control your remodel budget, resist choosing the cheapest cabinet option first. Compare construction, finish options, available sizes and customization alongside the price.
What Else Goes Into a Full Kitchen Remodel?
Cabinets might be one of the biggest pieces of the budget, but they’re only part of a full renovation. These ranges are general planning estimates…
Countertops
Budget: $2,000–$6,000+
Countertop costs depend on the material, surface area, edge profile, cutouts and installation. Quartz, granite and natural stone generally cost more than laminate. Large islands can also increase fabrication and installation costs.
We recommend choosing countertops after you have a cabinet layout planned, since the cabinet configuration determines much of the countertop footprint.
Appliances
Budget: $2,500–$10,000+
Appliances can either be a relatively modest investment or one of the largest expenses in a renovation.
A complete appliance package could include:
- Refrigerator
- Range or cooktop
- Wall oven
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Vent hood
- Specialty appliances
Keeping existing appliance locations and choosing more energy-efficient appliances can help control costs. Moving them to new locations usually requires additional electrical, plumbing or gas work.
Labor and Installation
Budget: often around 15–30%+ of project
Labor is easy to underestimate because it isn’t tangible like an appliance or countertop, and costs can vary significantly depending on the contractor and scope of work.
A full remodel can involve cabinet installers, electricians, plumbers, flooring installers, tile professionals, painters and potentially a general contractor. The more trades involved, the more complicated and costly the project becomes.
🛠️ Pro Insight: Don’t think of labor as one line item. Ask which trades are included in your estimate and which are being quoted separately. That’s one of the easiest ways to spot hidden costs before they hit you hard.
Plumbing and Electrical
Budget: $1,000–$10,000+ for significant updates or relocations
Replacing a sink and faucet in their existing locations is fairly straightforward compared with relocating plumbing across the room.
The same applies to electrical work. Adding outlets or replacing fixtures is very different from rewiring a kitchen or relocating appliances.
Flooring, Backsplash and Painting
Combined budget: $2,500–$9,500+
These might not be the largest individual expenses, but together they can meaningfully impact the final budget.
The most common flooring options include hardwood, tile, luxury vinyl or engineered wood. Backsplash costs depend on the material, installation complexity and amount of wall area being covered. Painting is a smaller expense, although it can still make a noticeable difference to the finished space.
Demolition, Permits and the Unexpected
Budget: often $800–$4,000 (depending on kitchen size)
Don’t forget all the work that happens before the new kitchen is ready.
Demolition includes things like removing old cabinets, countertops, flooring and appliances. Depending on the scope of the renovation, there may also be local requirements, permits and inspections to consider.
Once walls are opened, unexpected problems can also appear, such as water damage, outdated wiring, plumbing issues or structural repairs.
We’d suggest keeping a 10%–20% contingency if possible, rather than spending your entire budget on finishes.
Kitchen Size & Remodeling Cost
Yes, kitchen size does influence the cost. But it’s not the whole story.
A small kitchen can still be expensive if it requires custom cabinetry to fit unusual dimensions, premium appliances or extensive plumbing and electrical work. And on the other hand, a larger kitchen with a simple layout and basic materials can cost less than you might think.
Small Kitchen Remodel Cost
A small kitchen remodel typically costs around $10,500–$20,000 for a 70- to 100-square-foot kitchen, according to Angi’s 2026 data. But smaller doesn’t always mean proportionally cheaper: appliances, labor, permits and other fixed costs still have to be paid for.
10×10 Kitchen Remodel Cost
A 10×10 kitchen is often used as a benchmark when discussing kitchen cabinet and remodeling prices.
A 10×10 kitchen is 100 square feet, so applying the broad $75–$250-per-square-foot planning range would put a remodel at roughly $7,500–$25,000 before accounting for unusually expensive cabinetry, major layout changes or high-end finishes.
It’s useful for comparing estimates, but don’t treat a 10×10 estimate as an exact quote. Two kitchens with identical floor dimensions can have totally different cabinet configurations, appliance packages and labor costs.
12×12 Kitchen Remodel Cost
A 12×12 kitchen provides more floor area, but square footage still isn’t the only factor.
An island, additional cabinetry, larger countertops or a more complicated layout can affect the budget more than a few additional square feet.
Kitchen Remodel Cost Per Square Foot
Current estimates put kitchen remodeling costs at roughly 75–250 per square foot, depending on the scope, materials and location. That’s useful as a broad planning range, but it shouldn’t be treated as an exact pricing formula.
Kitchen cabinets aren’t priced according to floor area, and labor doesn’t necessarily increase proportionally with square footage. A smaller kitchen with custom cabinetry and significant infrastructure changes can easily cost more than a larger kitchen with a simple layout.
Location & Remodel Cost
Location can have a significant effect on the price of a kitchen renovation because labor rates, permitting requirements, contractor demand and material costs vary between markets.
The Home Depot’s cost guide estimates that a major kitchen overhaul with midrange materials could cost about $56,639 in Titusville, Florida, compared with $77,460 in San Francisco, California.
California projects can also reach considerably higher price points in expensive local markets. For example, a Santa Barbara kitchen contractor lists starting points of around $70,000 for budget-friendly renovations, $97,000 for mid-range renovations and $135,000 for high-end work.
Note that these examples aren’t quotes for your kitchen. They’re just a reminder that a national “average” can only take you so far, and location is an important factor in the final cost.
How to Build a Realistic Kitchen Remodel Budget
Before choosing finishes, work through the project in this order:
- Define the scope. Decide what is staying and what is being replaced.
- Measure the space. Know the kitchen dimensions and existing layout.
- Establish your cabinet budget. Cabinetry is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make.
- Price countertops and appliances.
- Estimate labor and installation.
- Account for plumbing, electrical, flooring, backsplash and painting.
- Add demolition, permits and a contingency.
- Get an itemized quote before placing your order.
If you’re purchasing cabinetry through iCabinetry, request a free quote to move from a rough budget to project-specific pricing.
For contractors, builders and other industry professionals, iCabinetry’s Pro Contractors page explains its wholesale cabinetry options and professional support.
FAQs: Kitchen Remodel Cost
There isn’t one universal average. Current national benchmarks put a major kitchen remodel around $69,000 and an upscale remodel around $136,000, while regional projects can fall substantially below or above those figures depending on scope and location.
Cabinetry, appliances and labor are often among the largest individual expenses. The exact breakdown depends on the project’s scope, materials and location.
Cabinet costs vary significantly based on construction, materials, finishes, customization and kitchen configuration. For example, current iCabinetry starting prices for a 10′ × 13′ kitchen with a 6.5′ island range from $10,268 to $24,578 across six cabinet collections.
It can be for a smaller or more focused renovation, especially if you keep the existing layout and make economical material selections. A complete remodel involving custom cabinetry, new appliances and significant infrastructure changes will require a larger budget.
Not necessarily. Larger kitchens generally require more materials, but cabinetry specifications, appliance choices, labor and layout changes can have a greater effect on the final price than square footage alone.
Ready to Plan Out Your Kitchen Remodel?
A kitchen renovation becomes much easier to budget when you stop thinking about it as one giant number and start looking at the individual pieces.
Cabinetry is an important place to start because it influences your kitchen’s layout, storage, appearance and a significant portion of the overall investment.
Explore iCabinetry’s kitchen cabinet collections to compare styles and starting prices.
For contractors and other industry professionals: explore iCabinetry’s Pro program for wholesale custom cabinetry and professional resources.
