Full Kitchen Remodel Cost in 2026: What Changes the Final Price?

Google "kitchen remodel prices 2026," and you get a plethora of results saying nothing straight away. It's also the question I hear a lot from homeowners across Bellevue and Lake Stevens. How much does a kitchen remodel cost in 2026? I'm Peter Kravchuk, Chief Executive Officer at New Day Construction, and in this guide I'll cover kitchen renovation costs from top to bottom and what should be taken into account before finalizing the estimates.

The Average Kitchen Remodel Costs in 2026

Angi reports its average cost as $26,941, while most of the homeowners are expected to pay between $14,589 and $41,547 for the entire project. The data by Houzz on major renovations shows that the median amount is even higher compared to Angi’s, being around $55,000, and kitchens that are larger than 250 square feet can get over $75,000.According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report, the figures are similar year-on-year, so it is wise to check it out before determining your kitchen renovation budget. Some high-end kitchens with custom-made cabinets and countertops made from solid stone can even reach the budget of over $100,000 easily. Kitchen size is the single biggest cost driver in almost any remodel, having more effect on overall cost than any single material pick. The total cost of the kitchen remodel consists of its scope and its finishing level, which is elaborated in the breakdown below.

Cost of Kitchen Design

Though small relative to other remodel costs, design fees for a kitchen can have an outsized effect on overall kitchen expenses. Often design services go for 3-5% of the total kitchen cost, or $65-250/hour if you get the designer separately. For a $30k kitchen, that can be $900-1,500 in design work. Design fees might seem like nothing, but a designer who understands your existing kitchen layout often prevents expensive changes mid-project.

Cost of Kitchen Countertops

Countertops, on the other hand, make up 10-15% of the total project cost. Laminate might run you ~$1.5k installed, whereas quartz/granite could be $3-7k depending on slab size and edge details. Countertops sit directly on the cabinets, so cabinet replacement usually requires removing the existing countertop. Replacing the countertop alone, however, does not necessarily mean the cabinets need to be replaced if they are structurally sound and suitable for the new surface.

Cost of Floors

Usually flooring accounts for ~7% of the kitchen remodel budget. The flooring choice is luxury vinyl tile due to its water resistance and ability to handle foot traffic, at a reasonable cost per sq ft. Hardwood and real tile are even more expensive but tend to add more value than any other room in the house when selling.

Cost of Wall Tile and Slabs

Backsplash tile costs $500-1,500 for a standard kitchen, or $15-40 per square foot installed. Full slab backsplashes in quartz or marble cost noticeably more, since they're cut and shipped as one piece, but they skip the grout lines needed for a tile.

Cost of Cabinetry

The most expensive part of any kitchen remodel is usually cabinetry (25-35% of the overall budget). Quality of cabinets is usually the single biggest variable affecting the total cost. Stock cabinets start at ~$5k, semi-custom at 10k-25k, and full custom way above that. You can see how just the cabinets can take up a third of the budget, and in larger kitchens increased linear footage of cabinets can make it go up faster than any other part.

Cost of Painting and Wallpaper

Paint is one of the cheapest things in full kitchen remodelling, worth a few hundred dollars in materials + labor. Wallpaper generally requires a smooth, properly prepared substrate as well, so damaged drywall should be repaired before either wallpaper or paint is installed.

Cost of Appliances and Range Hoods

A new appliance package will most often run in the 4к-10k range depending on brand choice and number of pieces to be replaced. Range hoods vary even more, starting from a few hundred dollars for a standard undercabinet model up to several thousand for custom hoods designed as a feature of the kitchen (like in the Everett project below).

Cost of Kitchen Sinks and Faucets

Sinks and faucets are a small line item on a kitchen remodel budget (hundreds to a couple thousand combined), but in reality, they are the most highly used surfaces in the kitchen. Attempting to trim this portion of the budget to save money will usually not stand the test of time.

Cost of Lighting

Lighting is a common upgrade as well, with a range of 1к-3k for new lighting fixtures and undercabinet installation. Not a necessary cost on all kitchen remodels, but it often is an upgrade that occurs once cabinetry and countertop installations are done.

Labor Costs

Kitchen labor can be around 25% of the total project budget, as per Angi data, whereas the national range is around 20-30%. This would include labor for demolition, plumbing, electrical, cabinet & countertop installation, etc. As far as labor, both labor and material costs are above the national average in the Puget Sound. The main drivers for this are the cost of living and the demand for licensed tradesmen (plumbers, electricians, etc.). Keep that in mind when trying to compare prices you get with national online numbers. Materials and labor are both going to increase your costs, as higher-end finishes will usually require more skilled labor to install too.

Planning Your Kitchen Remodel

Before planning a kitchen remodel, it's important to identify the type of remodel you are looking for. In a minor kitchen remodel, no structural components change. Surfaces, cabinets, and other elements such as sinks are updated, making it the cheapest remodeling option. A mid-range remodel is a very common occurrence because it means that cabinets and countertops will need to be replaced without major renovation. The most complex type of remodeling is a major one, which consists of both layout changes and some construction, for example, walls being demolished. That's the category the Everett project below falls into.

Kitchen size is by far the main factor that determines the cost of kitchen remodeling. The larger the kitchen, the more cabinets, countertops, flooring, and labor needed. The next factor that affects kitchen remodeling costs significantly is the layout change. There is nothing that influences kitchen remodeling cost more than structural changes in this area. Relocating plumbing can add significant cost, but the amount depends on what is being moved, how far it needs to move, and how accessible the existing supply and drain lines are.

In my experience one of the most important considerations with full kitchen remodels is the time frame that the owner expects to stay in the house. If you're staying for several years, part of the value of the remodel comes from using and enjoying the kitchen every day, while any eventual resale return will depend on the project scope and local housing market. If resale is a near-term goal, it usually makes more sense to keep the scope in line with the home's value and local market rather than maximizing every possible kitchen upgrade. The National Kitchen and Bath Association has suggested using about 15% of a home's market value as an upper-end rule of thumb for a kitchen project, although the right budget still depends on the home, project scope, and homeowner's priorities. Cost vs. Value data shows that a minor midrange kitchen remodel can deliver a strong resale return, although it is not necessarily the highest-ROI home improvement project overall.

When budgeting for a full gut kitchen remodel, you can expect weeks of no working kitchen. In this case, the practical step is to set up a temporary kitchen setup elsewhere in the house before you start the demo. That might include a folding table, mini fridge, hot plate, access to a working sink, etc. This kind of planning will help keep costs in control. The kitchen budget rarely matches a single category once you add the full scope, and the biggest expenses in almost any project are usually cabinets and labor.

What a $110K Kitchen Remodel Looks Like in Everett

Sometimes the numbers make more sense in the context of a real project. In Everett, WA 98208, we completed a premium kitchen redesign in five weeks on a $110,000 budget, and our clients were beyond thrilled with the result. They wanted a brand new kitchen that kept the existing layout, and the project made the most of that footprint while adding smart upgrades throughout. One of the big upgrades included rotation of the island, which improved circulation and opened up the space without losing functionality. Serge and the team coordinated the entire project and made the process smooth and transparent. The final result blends style and practicality in a kitchen the family will use for years.

See the full project and photos →

Ready to Start Planning Your Kitchen Remodel?

When planning a kitchen remodel, people often like to first discuss what level of the cost and scope spectrum their project falls on. That's exactly what my team and I like to walk through in person. We serve King and Snohomish counties and provide clear, upfront estimates so you understand the expected scope and pricing before moving forward. Reach out through our Kitchen Remodeling page or call us at (425) 584-2936.

FAQ

How Much Should I Budget for a Full Kitchen Remodel?

It always comes down to scope. Budget $27,000 as a national average starting point, though the cost of a kitchen remodel can run anywhere from $15,000 for a minor remodel to well over $100,000 for a major one with a whole new layout.

What Is the 30% Rule in Home Remodeling?

The 30% rule is sometimes used as a rough resale-oriented guideline for overall renovation spending, but it is not a universal spending cap. For unexpected remodeling costs, homeowners more commonly keep a separate contingency of around 10% to 20% of the project budget.

What Factors Affect the Final Cost of a Kitchen Remodel?

Kitchen size, cabinet quality, whether you're moving plumbing or electrical, and the number of structural changes all affect the final price. Planning a kitchen remodel in 2026 means kitchen size affects almost every other cost, since more square footage means more cabinets, more countertop, more flooring, and more labor hours.

What Are the Most Common Hidden or Unexpected Costs in a Kitchen Remodel?

Old homes hide the expensive surprises, outdated wiring, plumbing that doesn't meet current code, subfloor damage under old flooring, and permit fees nobody budgeted for. Add a contingency of 10 to 20 percent on top of your working number so a surprise doesn't stall the whole project.

How Can I Save Money on a Kitchen Remodel?

Keep your existing layout so plumbing and electrical stay put, choose stock or semi-custom cabinets over full custom, get multiple quotes so you know where the real market sits, and handle simple painting or other low-risk prep yourself if your contractor allows it. Before doing demolition in Washington, materials that may be disturbed must be evaluated for asbestos as required.

How Do Kitchen Size and Layout Affect the Cost of a Remodel?

A small kitchen remodel, something like a 10×10 kitchen, runs $7,500 to $25,000 for a full remodel, a 12×12 kitchen lands closer to $11,000 to $37,500, and a 10×20 kitchen can reach $15,000 to $50,000 or more. Kitchen layout matters too. An open layout with an island costs more to build than a simple galley kitchen of the same square footage, since there's more cabinetry and countertop per square foot of floor space.

What Should Be Included in a Kitchen Remodel Quote?

A kitchen remodel proposal should clearly define the work being performed and the major costs included or excluded. For Washington projects, the written contract should identify the project price and payment terms, applicable permit fees, the specific work to be performed, major materials, and the process for changes to the scope.