The short answer
In our area, a full kitchen remodel typically runs from the mid-teens for a smart refresh (same layout, new cabinets, counters, and surfaces) into the $40,000+ range for layout changes, custom cabinetry, and premium finishes. Most of our full kitchen projects land somewhere in the twenties to thirties.
A note on prices: material and labor costs move up and down, and no two projects need the same work. Treat any numbers on this page as starting points, not quotes. Your written estimate after our free visit is the real number for your project.
Where the money goes
Cabinets: 25–35% of the budget
The single biggest line item. Stock cabinets are the most affordable; semi-custom adds sizes and options; fully custom is built for your exact space. Installation quality matters as much as the box — see our cabinet types guide.
Countertops: 10–15%
Quartz and granite are the most common in our projects. Butcher block costs less but needs maintenance. The template and fabrication quality matter — a bad template means a countertop that does not meet the wall.
Labor: 20–30%
Demo, carpentry, tile, plumbing, electrical, drywall, paint. This is the crew, the coordination, and the craftsmanship. It is also the line item where cheap bids cut corners you will pay for later.
Appliances: 10–20%
Often purchased separately, but they drive cabinet dimensions and electrical needs. Decide on appliances before cabinets are ordered — not after.
Flooring, lighting, backsplash, fixtures: 10–15%
The finish layer. Individually modest; collectively significant.
What moves the number
- Layout changes. Moving plumbing, gas, or load-bearing walls is the biggest cost driver. Keeping the footprint is the biggest saver.
- Cabinet tier. Stock vs. semi-custom vs. custom can swing $10K+ on the same kitchen.
- Countertop material. Butcher block to quartzite is a wide range.
- Structural surprises. Old wiring, plumbing that needs updating, subfloor issues — we check before we quote so these are in the price, not added later.
- Permit and inspection requirements. Real costs, handled by us.
How to budget smart
1. Decide the layout question first. Same footprint or new layout? That one decision sets the budget range.
2. Pick your cabinet tier second. It is the biggest material line.
3. Hold 10–15% contingency. Even with a thorough estimate, older homes hide things. A contingency is not pessimism — it is planning.
4. Get the written price. Ours, or anyone's — never start a kitchen on a verbal number.
The cheapest kitchen is not the least expensive bid
A bid 30% below the others is not a deal — it is a bid missing something. Usually the prep work, the permits, or the finish quality. The most expensive kitchen is the one you pay for twice. Get the written scope, compare line by line, and ask what is not included.
Talk to us about your project
Call (240) 810-2174 or send the form. Free visit, written price, no pressure.