What a kitchen remodel actually costs, tier by tier
Two kitchens the same size can differ by four times in price, and almost none of that is the cabinets people agonise over. It is whether the plumbing and the walls move.
Cosmetic refresh: $12,000-25,000
Mid-range replacement: $25,000-48,000
Full gut, same layout: $40,000-70,000
Layout change: $45,000-95,000
Cabinets: 30-40 percent of the total
Across the United States the single decision that moves a kitchen budget most is not cabinet grade - it is whether the sink and range stay where they are. Moving plumbing and gas typically adds $4,000-12,000 before a single cabinet is hung.
The expensive part is the part you never see
At this stage the kitchen looks nearly finished and roughly 60 percent of the money has already been spent. Demolition, any electrical bringing the circuits up to current requirements, plumbing rough-in and drywall are all behind those boxes.
This is why quotes that look wildly different often are not. One includes the rough-in work the other assumed you would discover later.
The four tiers, and what separates them
| Tier | Installed price | What it includes | What it does not |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic refresh | $12,000-25,000 | Doors and drawer fronts, counters, backsplash, paint | Cabinet boxes, layout, wiring |
| Mid-range replacement | $25,000-48,000 | New stock or semi-custom cabinets, counters, appliances | Moving plumbing or walls |
| Full gut, same layout | $40,000-70,000 | Everything to the studs, new electrical and plumbing in place | Structural change |
| Layout change | $45,000-95,000 | All of the above plus relocating services and possibly a wall | - |
Where the money actually goes
Across the United States a typical mid-range kitchen splits roughly: cabinets 35 percent, labour 20 percent, countertops 12 percent, appliances 12 percent, plumbing and electrical 10 percent, flooring 7 percent, and the remainder in fixtures and finishes. Knowing that split makes it obvious why trading down 1 cabinet grade saves more than any appliance decision.
Mid-range kitchen replacement, by city
| City | Typical installed cost | Local factor |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids, MI | $26,000-46,000 | Median build year 1953; older wiring often needs bringing up to code |
Questions worth asking before you commit
Is it worth keeping the existing cabinet boxes?
If they are plywood and square, yes - refacing gives you most of the visual change for roughly a third of the cost. If they are particleboard, sagging, or the layout is wrong, no: you would be spending real money to keep the part that is failing. Open a door and look at the box edge. Plywood layers are visible; particleboard looks like compressed crumbs.
How much contingency should I hold back?
Ten to fifteen percent on a cosmetic job and twenty percent on anything that opens walls. Old kitchens hide surprises: wiring that no longer meets code, a subfloor that is not level, and plumbing that was never quite right. A contractor who tells you no contingency is needed on a gut job has either not opened many walls or is planning to have that conversation later.
Do I need a designer as well as a contractor?
For a same-layout replacement, usually not - the contractor and the cabinet supplier cover it. For a layout change, a designer earns their fee by catching the things that only show up after installation: a dishwasher that cannot open with the island where it is, a fridge door that blocks the walkway.
Why is one quote 40 percent higher for the same kitchen?
Get both to itemise cabinets, counters, appliances and labour separately. Most of the gap usually turns out to be cabinet grade or the amount of rough-in work included, both of which are legitimate differences. What you are checking for is whether the cheaper quote has quietly left something out that you will pay for anyway.
Get written quotes for your kitchen
Tell us your city, roughly the size, and whether the sink and range are staying where they are. That last one decides the tier. We pass it to one independent local company. No cost, and we do not sell your details on.
Or call (877) 701-2518