How much a kitchen remodel costs in 2026, and whether your quote is fair
Homeowners who hired a contractor to remodel a kitchen paid $5,720 to $28,620 for the middle half of jobs, with the typical remodel at $14,290. That comes from 965 professional jobs in the Census American Housing Survey. Enter your ZIP and quote to compare yours with your region.
Reviewed by Matt Kovalik, licensed Minnesota journeyworker electrician. License AJ703617 (verify). Updated October 2026. Based on 965 Census survey records.
Kitchen remodel checker
Fair.
Your quote sits in the middle half of what homeowners paid.
Midwest range: what 180 homeowners paid (Census American Housing Survey).
Middle half: $4,580 to $24,190.
Nationally, the middle half of homeowners paid $5,720 to $28,620 (Census American Housing Survey 2023, 965 jobs).
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- Northeast$18,540homeowners, Census survey
- Midwest$11,450homeowners, Census survey
- South$11,450homeowners, Census survey
- West$21,020homeowners, Census survey
What to know about the electrical side of a kitchen remodel
Behind new cabinets and counters, a modern kitchen asks more of the electrical system than many older houses were built for: dedicated appliance circuits, island receptacles, layered lighting, ground fault protection where your code requires it, ventilation, and sometimes more panel space.
Assuming the old wiring can be reused is how a remodel grows. An electric range wants its own heavy circuit, and the microwave, dishwasher, disposal, under-cabinet lights and countertop appliances add up. Confirm the panel has room for the new circuits before the cabinets are locked in.
The electrician needs the final cabinet and appliance layout early. Late changes move island outlets and under-cabinet light transformers after the counters are templated. Task lighting under the cabinets matters more day to day than extra ceiling fixtures.
"Electrical included" can mean almost anything. Ask for the count of new circuits, whether the range circuit and island receptacles are covered, whether under-cabinet lighting rough-in is included, and who handles patching when the layout changes.
Questions to ask before you sign
Matt's list for this job.
- Can you separate fixed-price work from allowances and list exactly what each allowance includes?Allowances leave part of the final cost dependent on selections, even when the headline bid looks settled.
- Who verifies cabinet dimensions against the actual appliance specifications before anything is ordered?Appliance clearances and door swings can force cabinet changes if they are caught after ordering.
- What electrical, plumbing, ventilation, and structural changes are included, and who handles permits and inspections?Relocating fixtures or appliances brings several trades into the job, each with work that needs to be accounted for.
- Where will the range hood exhaust, and have you checked whether replacement air is needed?The hood's duct path and any makeup-air provisions can affect walls, cabinets, and other equipment.
- How will ordering, delivery checks, and confirmed material availability determine the start date?Demolition starts the clock on living without a kitchen. Missing materials can keep that clock running.
- How will you handle hidden damage or requested changes, and will I approve the price and schedule impact in writing first?Written approval ties each extra to a defined task, a price, and any added time.
- Who manages the subcontractors, and what are the payment milestones, cleanup plan, punch list, and labor warranty?Final adjustments often happen after the main crews leave. Someone still has to organize and finish them.
Also worth asking
- Will you put changes and their price and schedule impact in writing before proceeding?An extra agreed to in passing can turn into a bill you were not expecting.
- Who is my daily contact, and what work has to be complete before each payment is due?Visible milestones make payments easier to assess, and a daily contact keeps decisions moving.
What moves the price
- $14,290
The typical remodel
Half the kitchen remodels came in under this. Cabinets, counters and layout changes can all move a quote.
- $21,020
Median paid in the West
Kitchens vary a lot by region. Compare your own region in the bar above.
- $28,620
Top of the middle half
A quote above this should come with a reason you can see, such as moved plumbing or walls, custom cabinets, or a full gut of the room.
Fair range by region
| Region | Middle half paid | Jobs in sample | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $8,010 to $27,700 | 145 | October 2026 |
| Midwest | $4,580 to $24,190 | 180 | October 2026 |
| South | $4,580 to $22,890 | 347 | October 2026 |
| West | $9,160 to $45,780 | 293 | October 2026 |
| United States | $5,720 to $28,620 | 965 | October 2026 |
Census American Housing Survey 2023, professional jobs done 2021 to 2023, adjusted to 2026 dollars with CPI-U.
Questions people ask
How much does a kitchen remodel cost?
Nationally, the middle half of homeowners paid $5,720 to $28,620 for a professional kitchen remodel, and the typical job came in at $14,290. The survey does not split remodels by scope, so new counters and paint share one range with a full gut and moved plumbing. Enter your ZIP in the checker to see your region, then compare scope.
Why is my kitchen quote so far above the typical remodel?
A full remodel that moves walls, plumbing or gas lines, adds circuits and installs custom cabinets can sit well above the middle, and that can be fair. Ask the contractor to break the quote into cabinets, counters, appliances, trades and allowances. Allowances are where final bills grow, so check what each one assumes before you compare bids.
Where do the kitchen numbers come from?
From the Census American Housing Survey, which asks homeowners what they paid for work on their homes. We keep remodels done by professionals, adjust each one to today's dollars, and weight them as the Census Bureau does. Added kitchens are a separate survey category and are not in this range, so it covers remodels of an existing kitchen.
What is an allowance in a kitchen quote?
An allowance is a placeholder amount for something you have not picked yet, like tile, fixtures or appliances. If you choose something pricier, the bill goes up. A low quote with small allowances can end up higher than a fuller quote. Ask what each allowance buys, and compare bids with the same selections where you can.