Kitchen Renovation Pricing Guide for Contractors

Kitchen renovations are the most valuable residential projects you can land — and the most complex to estimate. A kitchen job can range from $8,000 to $80,000+ depending on scope, and a single missed line item can wipe out your profit. Here is how to price it right.

Kitchen Renovation Tiers

• Cosmetic refresh (paint, hardware, new appliances): $3,000 – $8,000
• Mid-range renovation (new cabinets, countertops, sink, backsplash): $18,000 – $35,000
• Full gut renovation (layout changes, all new everything): $40,000 – $75,000+
• Luxury custom kitchen (custom cabinets, stone, high-end appliances): $75,000 – $150,000+

Cabinets: The Biggest Variable

Cabinets alone typically account for 30–40% of the total kitchen budget. Pricing tiers:

• Stock cabinets (big box store): $100 – $300/linear ft installed
• Semi-custom: $300 – $600/linear ft installed
• Custom cabinets: $500 – $1,200+/linear ft installed

For a typical 20-linear-foot kitchen, budget $2,000 – $6,000 for stock, $6,000 – $12,000 for semi-custom, and $10,000 – $24,000 for custom.

Countertops: Material and Fabrication

• Laminate: $15 – $40/sq ft installed
• Butcher block: $40 – $100/sq ft installed
• Ceramic/porcelain tile: $20 – $50/sq ft installed
• Quartz: $70 – $150/sq ft installed
• Granite: $60 – $130/sq ft installed
• Marble: $80 – $200+/sq ft installed

Typical kitchen countertop area: 30–50 sq ft. Do not forget the island if applicable.

Labor Breakdown

Kitchen labor by task for a mid-range renovation:

• Demo and haul-away: $800 – $1,500
• Cabinet installation: $800 – $2,000
• Tile backsplash: $10 – $20/sq ft labor
• Plumbing (sink, dishwasher, ice maker): $400 – $1,200
• Electrical (outlets, under-cabinet lighting, range hood): $400 – $1,500
• Flooring: $4 – $12/sq ft labor depending on material
• Drywall/paint: $500 – $1,200

Appliances: Supply vs. Install Only

Clarify upfront whether you are supplying appliances or installing owner-supplied units. If supplying, mark up appliances 10–20% over your cost and use your contractor discount accounts. If install only, charge a flat rate per appliance: $100 – $300 per appliance for standard hookup.

Hidden Kitchen Costs

• Permit: $200 – $600 (required for plumbing and electrical changes)
• Dumpster: $350 – $700
• Asbestos or lead testing/abatement (older homes): $300 – $1,500
• Subfloor leveling or repair: $300 – $800

How to Win Kitchen Jobs

Kitchen clients are investing serious money — they want confidence. Your estimate should be itemized, detailed, and include a clear payment schedule (typically 10% to start, 40% at material delivery, 40% at completion, 10% at punch list). Provide a timeline with milestones. This level of professionalism separates you from the competition.