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How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in 2023?

By: Andrew Saladino | 8 min

Couple researching kitchen remodel costs on computer.

Our kitchen is often the epicenter of our home - it's where we cook, eat, clean, socialize, and entertain. That's why kitchen remodels are one of the most popular home renovations. A fresh, updated kitchen design can improve flow and functionality, not to mention increase your home's resale value. But just how much does a kitchen remodel cost?

A kitchen remodel can cost anywhere between $10,000 and $40,000, but the price will depend on a variety of factors. In this article, we'll break down the average kitchen renovation cost, as well as things to consider when setting your kitchen remodeling budget.

Average Kitchen Remodel Costs in 2023   |   Kitchen Remodel Cost Breakdown   |   Kitchen Remodeling Costs FAQs

Average Kitchen Remodel Costs in 2023

According to the 2023 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, the median cost for a minor kitchen remodel is $10,000, while the median cost for a major remodel - when at least all the cabinets and appliances are replaced - is $40,000. Those amounts are up by 14% and 25%, respectively, since 2020.

The national average cost to remodel a kitchen is $25,656. However, the amount you spend will depend on:

  • The location of your home
  • The size of your kitchen
  • The scale of the remodel
  • The quality of the features you plan to incorporate into your design

While minor projects for a small kitchen likely won't exceed $13,000, it's not unheard of to spend upwards of $150,000 renovating a large, upscale kitchen.

Kitchen Remodel Cost Breakdown

The standard recommendation is to spend approximately 15% of your home's total value on your kitchen remodel. For example, if your home is valued at $175,000, your renovation budget would be $26,250. When planning your kitchen remodel, aim to spend 10% of your home value on the remodel, while setting 5% aside for overages and unexpected costs.

To help determine the amount you can expect to spend on your kitchen renovation, use our kitchen remodel cost estimator.

According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, a good breakdown of your overall budget looks like this:

  • Cabinetry: 29%
  • Labor: 17%
  • Appliances: 14%
  • Countertops: 10%
  • Flooring: 7%
  • Lighting (fixtures, installation, etc.): 5%
  • Walls and ceilings: 5%
  • Doors and windows: 4%
  • Plumbing (sinks, faucets, etc.): 4%
  • Other (design fees, accessories, etc.): 5%
Graph breaking down average kitchen renovation costs by common kitchen elements.

Let's dive further into these kitchen remodel prices to help you set a realistic budget.

Cabinetry

Updated kitchen cabinets will likely make up the bulk of your renovation costs. According to the national average, expect to spend between $2,000 and $26,000 on your cupboards.

As one of the most critical elements of your kitchen, the cost of your cabinets will depend on the cabinet style, quantity, and quality of the materials. The size of the job matters as well - contractors often quote prices ranging from $100 to $1,200 per linear foot.

You can save money on new kitchen cabinets by opting for stock, ready-to-assemble, or pre-assembled kitchen cabinets. These are great options for DIY projects on a budget.

For an in-depth price breakdown, check out our guide on kitchen cabinet costs.

Labor

The amount you spend on labor will largely depend on which projects you're able to do yourself. Typically, the labor cost to remodel a kitchen will range between $3,000 and $5,000. This includes contractor and installation costs.

That being said, DIY kitchen remodels cost significantly less. Many projects, such as painting, tiling your backsplash, and installing your kitchen sink and faucet, can be completed even if you lack handyworker experience.

Appliances

Over one-third of today's kitchen appliances feature some of the most advanced technology available, from voice-activated microwaves to app-integrated refrigerators. If you decide to embrace this new wave of tech vs. sticking to simpler styles, prices per appliance can inflate wildly from the national average of $2,175 to upwards of $10,600!

Let's compare the average prices of both high-end and low-end common kitchen appliances for a better idea of how these luxury features can impact your remodeling cost.

Appliance Type Low End High End
Refrigerator $430 $10,600
Range $410 $7,500
Cooktop $320 $4,030
Oven $700 $4,200
Dishwasher $330 $1,900

Countertops

Kitchen countertops were the most popular upgrade for kitchen renovations in 2021, and it's easy to see why. A clean, modern countertop can instantly give your kitchen a much-needed face-lift. The national average for countertops is about $2,300, but the cost will depend on your choice of material and the total square footage of the countertop needed for your design.

Wood, laminate, and tile countertops are at the lower end of countertop costs - depending on the quality of the material and the size of your kitchen, prices will range from $600 to $3,000, excluding some types of high-end wood. Countertops made of concrete, stone, quartz, marble, and granite range from $4,000 to $12,000.

Flooring

Like cabinets and countertops, the size of your kitchen and the type of material you select will be the largest drivers of your kitchen flooring budget.

Linoleum and vinyl are the least expensive options, which cost approximately $1,000-$1,500 for an average-sized kitchen. Laminate and tiled flooring tend to fall in the middle range, with an average cost of $1,500-$2,500. New hardwood floors - the higher end of flooring options - cost $4,000 on average.

Flooring Type Average Cost
Linoleum/Vinyl $1,000 - $1,500
Laminate/Tile $1,500 - $2,500
Hardwood $4,000

Walls and Ceiling

Don't forget to factor in your wall and ceiling treatments when planning your renovation budget. These upgrades can be as simple as a fresh coat of paint, but replacing old drywall with new safety-conscious materials like fire- and moisture-resistant drywall may be worth the additional cost and labor.

About 5% of your renovation budget will go toward updating the walls and ceilings, which translates to an average of $1,150.

Doors and Windows

The cost to replace your doors and windows will depend on the layout of your kitchen. On average, these upgrades cost about $920. However, kitchens with large windows or those that open to a deck will have a larger door and window budget, while open-concept kitchens with no windows may be able to reallocate this portion of the budget elsewhere.

Plumbing

In addition to updating your sink and faucet hardware, you may need to adjust your plumbing if you're planning on changing the layout of your kitchen. Though it's best to avoid plumbing work as it can be quite costly, it may be required if you plan to move the location of your sink or dishwasher.

The national average for plumbing work for a full kitchen remodel - including sink and faucet, dishwasher, instant hot water tap, disposal, and ice maker installation - ranges from $4,000 to $8,000, with most homeowners paying around $5,500.

What To Consider Before Renovating Your Kitchen

Kitchen remodels can take a good chunk of time and money to complete, which is why most homeowners will only renovate their kitchen every 10 to 15 years. In most cases, your goal should be to design a space that not only meets your current needs and desires but will continue to serve you and your family for the next decade - all while staying within budget.

However, these additional factors may further influence how much you decide to set aside for your remodel.

The Value of Your Home

Having a solid understanding of your home's current value will help indicate how much to spend on your kitchen remodel. The higher the value of your home, the higher your project budget will likely be. Remember that your renovation budget should be approximately 10%-15% of your home value - giving you the best chance of recouping the cost at the time of sale.

To determine the value of your home, you'll need an unbiased assessment. Here are a few options for obtaining this evaluation:

  • Compare your home to similar properties in your neighborhood that have been sold recently. Consider their sale price, size, and features.
  • Enlist a real estate agent or home appraiser to inspect your home, taking into account special features and its price in today's market.
  • Utilize an online home estimator tool that uses both public and user-reported information. An online tool will provide you with an estimated market value but is not an official appraisal.

Remodeling for Listing vs. Keeping

Are you planning to stay in your home or put it up for sale after your kitchen renovation?

How you approach your remodel project will depend on whether you plan to list your home in the next three years or continue to live in it. If you're planning to stay, consider heavily what you want in a kitchen, including your personal style and functional needs. The goal in this case is to end up with a kitchen you love while still maintaining resale value.

On the other hand, if it's likely you'll list your house in the next one to three years, a smaller remodel - which can include painting or refacing your kitchen cabinets, updating outdated appliances, and replacing your countertops - may be more suitable and cost-effective. According to the Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling Magazine, even a minor kitchen remodel can have an ROI of 72.2% - surprisingly higher than the ROI for a major or upscale remodel, which is 53% and 57%.

Cost of a Remodeling Contractor

If you aren't comfortable undertaking your kitchen remodel yourself, you may want to hire a remodeling contractor to help guide your vision to reality.

A professional contractor will take into account your room dimensions, functional needs, and personal style to help design and coordinate your renovation. They help locate construction materials - usually at a discounted price - and recruit a team of subcontractors for plumbing, electrical, installation, and other needs.

The cost of a contractor will vary based on your location and the scope of your project. The markup of a remodeling contractor ranges from 30% to as high as 85%, though a reasonable markup is around 50%. For instance, if your kitchen remodel costs $10,000, a contractor's price for the project, including their fees, might be $15,000.

Any contractor should provide you with an estimate before beginning work on your project. Find contractors by searching reputable websites and asking family and friends for recommendations. Ensure that the contractor is licensed, insured, and provides you with reliable references.

Longevity of the Design and Style

With an undertaking as large as a kitchen remodel, you want to make sure that the style doesn't look dated in a few years. By choosing timeless kitchen staples like white cabinets or a subway tile backsplash, your kitchen is more likely to stay on trend for years to come.

Other ways to keep your kitchen looking - and staying - stylish are by incorporating neutrals, installing a farmhouse sink, and adding traditional details or modern accents.

Your Kitchen's Functionality

Does your kitchen layout assist the flow of your cooking, baking, and preparing meals? Is there ample space to chop vegetables and lay clean dishes to dry?

Consider your counter space, the placement of your appliances, and the arrangement of your island and cabinets to ensure optimal workflow. Research the best functional kitchen layouts and browse other home designs to help revamp the functionality and flow of your new kitchen.

Kitchen Remodeling Costs FAQs

Still having trouble calculating your optimal kitchen remodel budget? We gathered a few of the most frequently asked questions to help you financially prepare for your next kitchen renovation.

What is a realistic budget for a kitchen remodel?

A realistic budget for a kitchen remodel will depend on many factors, such as the size of the kitchen, the scope of the project, and the location of the home. On average, a full kitchen remodel will cost around $25,000.

What is the most expensive cost of a kitchen remodel?

The most expensive cost of a kitchen remodel are new kitchen cabinets, which typically make up around 29% of the total remodel cost, followed by updated appliances (14%) and countertops (10%).

How can I save money on a kitchen remodel?

When it comes to any home renovation, it's important to compromise early on the things you want vs. the things you actually need. Oftentimes, there's a cheaper alternative available with a similar look and feel as its high-end counterpart. Some of the best ways you can save money on your kitchen remodel include:

  • Doing some (or all) of the work yourself
  • Refinishing or refacing your current kitchen cabinets
  • Installing RTA or pre-assembled stock cabinets
  • Buying floor model appliances
  • Using your existing layout
  • Opting for cheaper countertop materials
  • Limiting optional features and add-ons.

How much should a 10x10 kitchen remodel cost?

The average cost of a full 10x10 kitchen remodel is $15,000-$30,000, or $75-$150 per square foot.

Whether you're planning a minor kitchen face-lift or a major rehaul, researching your kitchen remodel costs beforehand will help you stay within the budget and scope of your project.

Ready to start planning for the kitchen of your dreams? Check out our guide on creating a kitchen mood board to gather design inspiration, vet your choices, and choose your kitchen must-haves.

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