Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator
Estimate cabinet grades, countertop materials, trade labor, permits, and dumpster fees across standard and custom kitchen layouts.
Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator
PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS
Length of kitchen perimeter wall in feet
Width of kitchen in feet (10×10 ft = 100 sq ft standard benchmark)
Turnkey fabricated countertop surface (~36 sq ft for 10×10 model)
Subfloor pipe trenching or wall rerouting for sink, drain, or waterline
Dedicated dual 20A small appliance circuits and 50A range line per NEC Article 210
Turnkey mechanical hookups for range, dishwasher, disposal, and refrigerator
MATERIAL GRADE SELECTION
REGIONAL LABOR MARKET TIER
SPECIFICATION TAKEOFF & LINE-ITEM BREAKDOWN
Made-to-order 1/2" to 3/4" plywood boxes, solid maple face frames, and soft-close Blum hinges (basis: $400/linear ft, 20 LF per 100 sq ft) · 20 LF perimeter wall run
Turnkey trade labor: cabinet leveling, hanging uppers, setting bases, trim scribing, sink & disposal plumbing, and 20A appliance circuit trim
Combined municipal residential building, electrical, and plumbing rough/final inspection fees
10-yard roll-off dumpster delivery, landfill tipping fees, and old cabinet/countertop demo haul-away
Non-porous solid quartz slabs with templating, CNC edge polishing, and sink cutout · 36 sq ft surface allowance
Ceramic/porcelain tile, polymer-modified thinset, and stain-resistant grout allowance
Licensed mechanical connection for slide-in range, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and waterline
| Cost Component | Notes & Rate Basis | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-Custom Plywood Box Cabinets ($400/LF) (20 Linear Ft) | Made-to-order 1/2" to 3/4" plywood boxes, solid maple face frames, and soft-close Blum hinges (basis: $400/linear ft, 20 LF per 100 sq ft) · 20 LF perimeter wall run Source: [Primary Source] Lowe's — In-Stock & Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinet Collections • Checked 2026-10-22 Semi-custom manufactured plywood cabinet boxes, dovetailed drawer boxes, and soft-close hardware ($400 per linear foot, normalized to $80/sq ft) | $8,000 |
| Professional Trade Labor | Turnkey trade labor: cabinet leveling, hanging uppers, setting bases, trim scribing, sink & disposal plumbing, and 20A appliance circuit trim Source: [Modeled Conversion] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — Construction Carpenters & Cabinet Makers (SOC 47-2031) • Checked 2026-10-24 Blended trade crew rate (BLS Carpenters SOC 47-2031 median $28.51/hr, Electricians SOC 47-2111 $31.95/hr, Plumbers SOC 47-2152 $31.25/hr). Fully burdened labor modeling $60.00/sq ft covers leveling laser lines, stud fastening, plumbing rough connections, and trim carpentry. | $6,000 |
| Building Permit & Municipal Inspections | Combined municipal residential building, electrical, and plumbing rough/final inspection fees Standard municipal residential alteration permit covering MEP rough-in and final occupancy inspection | $350 |
| Debris Disposal & Haul-Away | 10-yard roll-off dumpster delivery, landfill tipping fees, and old cabinet/countertop demo haul-away 10-cubic-yard roll-off construction dumpster rental for demolition debris, old cabinetry, and packaging disposal | $450 |
| Engineered Quartz Countertop Slabs (36 sq ft) | Non-porous solid quartz slabs with templating, CNC edge polishing, and sink cutout · 36 sq ft surface allowance Installed pricing per square foot for postform laminate ($32), natural granite ($70), and engineered quartz ($105) including template, fabrication, sink cutouts, and eased edges | $3,780 |
| Tile Backsplash & Setting Materials Allowance (30 sq ft) | Ceramic/porcelain tile, polymer-modified thinset, and stain-resistant grout allowance Source: [Primary Source] Lowe's — In-Stock & Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinet Collections • Checked 2026-10-22 Semi-custom manufactured plywood cabinet boxes, dovetailed drawer boxes, and soft-close hardware ($400 per linear foot, normalized to $80/sq ft) | $450 |
| Appliance Suite Mechanical Installation & Hookups | Licensed mechanical connection for slide-in range, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and waterline Turnkey mechanical connection package: dishwasher drain loop, 1/4" ice-maker PEX line, range cord/gas flex, and 1/2 HP garbage disposal installation | $650 |
| Total Project Estimate | $19,680 | |
What's included in this estimate
- –Kitchen appliances themselves (refrigerator, slide-in range, microwave, dishwasher purchased separately)
- –Major structural load-bearing wall removal requiring engineered LVL beam sizing and steel posts
- –Relocating main waste plumbing stacks or gas meter lines across rooms (covered under optional plumbing relocation)
- –Upgrading home electrical main service panel from 100A to 200A (unless optional circuit upgrade selected)
- ·Keeping existing plumbing drain, water supply, and electrical layout in current locations
- ·Selecting mass-manufactured stock RTA ready-to-assemble cabinetry ($180/LF)
- ·Choosing postform laminate countertops ($32/sq ft installed)
- ·Rural or lower-cost regional labor market (0.85× multiplier)
- ·Homeowner DIY demolition, prep, and painting savings (20% to 30% project savings)
- ·Specifying custom hardwood millwork cabinetry with dovetailed drawers and conversion finish ($900/LF)
- ·Upgrading to jumbo slab engineered quartz or quartzite with waterfall mitered edges ($105+/sq ft)
- ·Relocating sink, dishwasher, or range gas lines requiring subfloor trenching (+$1,250 allowance)
- ·Adding dedicated 20A electrical branch circuits and panel upgrade (+$850 allowance)
- ·High-cost metropolitan labor market (1.20× to 1.40× in NYC, San Francisco, Boston)
Creating an open-concept kitchen by removing load-bearing walls requires structural engineering stamps, temporary shoring walls, and LVL beam installation adding $3,500 to $9,000+ beyond this casework estimate.
Older homes with 100A service panels often cannot support modern induction cooktops, dual 20A kitchen circuits, and steam ovens without a utility service upgrade ($2,500 to $4,500).
Refacing existing structurally sound cabinet boxes with new veneers and doors costs 40% to 60% less ($4,000 to $9,000) than full cabinet box tear-out and replacement.
Check this estimate yourself
Verify our benchmark numbers against the same primary sources we use for materials, labor, and local permitting:
Calculation Formula & Engineering Rules
Our estimating engine calculates required volume or surface area from your project dimensions, applies verified unit material prices, adds trade-standard waste allowances, and adjusts labor, permit, and disposal components for regional economic variations:
Total Cost = Material Costs + [(Labor + Permits + Disposal) ×
Regional Multiplier] Worked Estimating Example: Baseline Specification
ENGINE BASELINE OUTPUTBelow is a fully itemized breakdown for a typical residential project configured with our default baseline dimensions ( 10 ft × 10 ft (100 sq ft benchmark)) using standard national benchmark pricing in an average-cost US market:
| Cost Component | Category | Amount ($) | Share of Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost Component & Scope | Amount · Share | ||||
| materials Semi-Custom Plywood Box Cabinets ($400/LF) (20 Linear Ft) Made-to-order 1/2" to 3/4" plywood boxes, solid maple face frames, and soft-close Blum hinges (basis: $400/linear ft, 20 LF per 100 sq ft) · 20 LF perimeter wall run | $8,000.00 · 40.7% | Semi-Custom Plywood Box Cabinets ($400/LF) (20 Linear Ft) Made-to-order 1/2" to 3/4" plywood boxes, solid maple face frames, and soft-close Blum hinges (basis: $400/linear ft, 20 LF per 100 sq ft) · 20 LF perimeter wall run | materials | $8,000.00 | 40.7% |
| labour Professional Trade Labor Turnkey trade labor: cabinet leveling, hanging uppers, setting bases, trim scribing, sink & disposal plumbing, and 20A appliance circuit trim | $6,000.00 · 30.5% | Professional Trade Labor Turnkey trade labor: cabinet leveling, hanging uppers, setting bases, trim scribing, sink & disposal plumbing, and 20A appliance circuit trim | labour | $6,000.00 | 30.5% |
| permit Building Permit & Municipal Inspections Combined municipal residential building, electrical, and plumbing rough/final inspection fees | $350.00 · 1.8% | Building Permit & Municipal Inspections Combined municipal residential building, electrical, and plumbing rough/final inspection fees | permit | $350.00 | 1.8% |
| disposal Debris Disposal & Haul-Away 10-yard roll-off dumpster delivery, landfill tipping fees, and old cabinet/countertop demo haul-away | $450.00 · 2.3% | Debris Disposal & Haul-Away 10-yard roll-off dumpster delivery, landfill tipping fees, and old cabinet/countertop demo haul-away | disposal | $450.00 | 2.3% |
| materials Engineered Quartz Countertop Slabs (36 sq ft) Non-porous solid quartz slabs with templating, CNC edge polishing, and sink cutout · 36 sq ft surface allowance | $3,780.00 · 19.2% | Engineered Quartz Countertop Slabs (36 sq ft) Non-porous solid quartz slabs with templating, CNC edge polishing, and sink cutout · 36 sq ft surface allowance | materials | $3,780.00 | 19.2% |
| materials Tile Backsplash & Setting Materials Allowance (30 sq ft) Ceramic/porcelain tile, polymer-modified thinset, and stain-resistant grout allowance | $450.00 · 2.3% | Tile Backsplash & Setting Materials Allowance (30 sq ft) Ceramic/porcelain tile, polymer-modified thinset, and stain-resistant grout allowance | materials | $450.00 | 2.3% |
| labour Appliance Suite Mechanical Installation & Hookups Licensed mechanical connection for slide-in range, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and waterline | $650.00 · 3.3% | Appliance Suite Mechanical Installation & Hookups Licensed mechanical connection for slide-in range, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and waterline | labour | $650.00 | 3.3% |
| Total Estimated Baseline Cost | $19,680.00 · 100.0% | ||||
|
National Contractor Range (100 sq ft)
$17,380 – $22,353 (
$196.80/sq ft)
| |||||
| Total Estimated Baseline Cost | $19,680.00 | 100.0% | |||
| National Contractor Range (100 sq ft) | $17,380 – $22,353 ( $196.80/sq ft) | ||||
Material Grades & National Supplier Pricing
Unit material pricing sourced from verified national suppliers (Home Depot, Lowe's, and specialty regional building distributors) as of 2026-10-22:
| Material Grade | Unit Price | Specification & Recommended Use Case | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material Grade & Specification | Unit Price | |||
| Stock RTA Ready-to-Assemble Cabinets ($180/LF) Standard modular MDF/particleboard cabinet boxes in fixed 3-inch increments (basis: $180/linear ft, 20 LF per 100 sq ft) | $36.00 / sqft | Stock RTA Ready-to-Assemble Cabinets ($180/LF) | $36.00 / sqft | Standard modular MDF/particleboard cabinet boxes in fixed 3-inch increments (basis: $180/linear ft, 20 LF per 100 sq ft) |
| Semi-Custom Plywood Box Cabinets ($400/LF) Made-to-order 1/2" to 3/4" plywood boxes, solid maple face frames, and soft-close Blum hinges (basis: $400/linear ft, 20 LF per 100 sq ft) | $80.00 / sqft | Semi-Custom Plywood Box Cabinets ($400/LF) | $80.00 / sqft | Made-to-order 1/2" to 3/4" plywood boxes, solid maple face frames, and soft-close Blum hinges (basis: $400/linear ft, 20 LF per 100 sq ft) |
| Custom Hardwood Millwork Cabinets ($900/LF) Bespoke architectural cabinetry, dovetail hardwood drawers, integrated pantries, and custom conversion varnish (basis: $900/linear ft, 20 LF per 100 sq ft) | $180.00 / sqft | Custom Hardwood Millwork Cabinets ($900/LF) | $180.00 / sqft | Bespoke architectural cabinetry, dovetail hardwood drawers, integrated pantries, and custom conversion varnish (basis: $900/linear ft, 20 LF per 100 sq ft) |
DIY vs. Professional Contractor Installation
DIY APPROACH
Best suited for experienced homeowners with proper specialty tools. Saves direct professional labor costs (typically 40% to 55% of the total contractor invoice). Requires significant physical stamina, site preparation, safety gear, tool rental expenses, and material hauling logistics.
HIRING A LICENSED CONTRACTOR
Recommended for structural integrity, code-compliant permitting, heavy demolition, and expedited completion. Professional contractors carry commercial general liability and workers' compensation insurance, provide manufacturer-backed workmanship warranties, and handle municipal building inspections.
Need an In-Depth Cost Analysis?
Explore our comprehensive cost guide for complete material comparisons, contractor negotiation tips, and local permit advice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator
What is the average cost to remodel a standard 10×10 kitchen in 2026? ↓
A turnkey 10×10 ft (100 sq ft) kitchen remodel averages $20,000 to $28,000 for mid-range finishes (semi-custom plywood cabinetry, quartz countertops, tile backsplash, and trade labor). Budget cosmetic refreshes with stock RTA cabinets start near $12,000, while custom millwork overhauls exceed $45,000.
How do stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets affect total renovation costs? ↓
Cabinetry represents 30% to 40% of your total budget. Stock RTA cabinets run $150–$250 per linear foot ($3,000–$5,000 for a 10×10 kitchen), semi-custom plywood cabinets cost $350–$500/LF ($7,000–$10,000), and custom artisan millwork ranges from $800 to $1,500+/LF ($16,000–$30,000+).
What is the cost difference between laminate, granite, and quartz countertops? ↓
For a typical 36 sq ft countertop layout: postform laminate costs $30–$40/sq ft installed (~$1,150 total); natural granite averages $60–$85/sq ft installed (~$2,500 total); and engineered non-porous quartz ranges from $90 to $130/sq ft installed (~$3,800 total).
Can I remodel a kitchen myself to save money? ↓
Homeowners can safely save 20% to 30% ($5,000–$8,000) by self-performing demolition, surface patching, and wall painting. Because kitchens concentrate 240V circuits, gas supply piping, and pressurized water, rough MEP installations and quartz countertop templating require licensed trade professionals.
When is plumbing relocation or an electrical panel upgrade necessary? ↓
Relocating a sink or dishwasher across the room adds an average $1,250 rough-in allowance for subfloor drain trenching and vent rerouting. Adding dedicated 20A small appliance branch circuits per NEC Article 210 costs approximately $850.
Do I need a building permit to remodel my kitchen? ↓
Cosmetic cabinet and countertop replacements with identical layouts generally do not require building permits. Moving plumbing drains, running new electrical circuits, or removing walls requires municipal alteration permits ($300 to $700) with rough-in and final inspections.