Kitchen remodel costs in the Census survey
A typical kitchen remodel cost $8,000 and the average was $16,960, based on 5.0 million kitchen remodels owners reported in the 2023 American Housing Survey for the previous two years.[1] The much smaller group of jobs that added a kitchen or rebuilt one as a room renovation had a median about three times higher.
| Job type | Jobs reported | Median cost | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 5.0 million | $8,000 | $16,960 |
| Kitchen addition or renovation | 173 thousand | $25,000 | $42,950 |
| Flooring, carpeting, paneling | 10.9 million | $3,000 | $4,829 |
The gap between median and average says most kitchen jobs are modest (new counters, appliances or cabinet fronts) while a smaller number of full rebuilds run much higher. For new construction, the National Association of Home Builders' 2024 survey put cabinets and countertops at about $19,056 of an average new home's construction cost, roughly 4.5% of it.[2] That is a builder's cost on a new house, not a remodel price, but it shows how large the cabinet line is.
How to measure a kitchen for a budget
Kitchen work is priced in three units: cabinets by the linear foot, surfaces by the square foot, and everything else by the piece. Measure each the way your contractor prices it, then enter their unit prices.
| Line | Measure | Usual pricing unit |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinets | Length of each run along the wall | Linear foot |
| Countertops | Length × depth of each top, including an island | Square foot |
| Backsplash | Wall area between counter and upper cabinets | Square foot |
| Flooring | Floor area you will cover | Square foot |
| Appliances, sink, fixtures | Each item | Each |
| Plumbing, electrical, lighting | Scope of work | Bid amount |
Countertop area is the one people get wrong, because depth is in inches. In the example, 18 ft × 25 in ÷ 12 = 37.5 sq ft. An island adds its own length × width.
| Counter length | Area |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 20.8 sq ft |
| 15 ft | 31.3 sq ft |
| 20 ft | 41.7 sq ft |
| 25 ft | 52.1 sq ft |
| 30 ft | 62.5 sq ft |
Worked example
For a kitchen with 20 ft of cabinets, 18 ft of counter, 30 sq ft of backsplash and 150 sq ft of floor:
- Cabinets: 20 ft × your installed price per foot.
- Counters: 37.5 sq ft × your price per sq ft; backsplash 30 sq ft and floor 150 sq ft the same way.
- Add the bid amounts for appliances, sink, plumbing and electrical, lighting, demolition and permits.
- Add 10% for what turns up when the old cabinets come out, such as damaged subfloor or wiring that has to be brought up to code.
Running each contractor's numbers through the same lines shows where bids really differ. If one bid has no demolition or permit line, ask whether it is included. The square footage calculator handles L-shaped floors, and the tile calculator turns a backsplash area into boxes of tile.
Your prices, not oursThe calculator has no built-in cabinet, counter or appliance prices. Only the measurements and the Census benchmark are pre-filled.
Financing a kitchen remodel
How you pay for a kitchen can change its true cost more than most single line items do, because interest on a large balance adds up over years.
- HELOC or home equity loan. A line of credit lets you draw as invoices arrive and pay interest only on what you have used, which suits a project paid in stages; the CFPB explains how the draw and repayment periods work.[5] Run the payment on the HELOC payment calculator or compare loan types on the home improvement loan calculator.
- Tax treatment. Home equity interest is deductible only if the borrowed money buys, builds or substantially improves the home securing the loan, and only when you itemize. A remodel that adds value or adapts the kitchen to a new use can qualify; maintenance does not.[3]
- PACE financing. In some places, energy-saving upgrades can be financed through a PACE loan, which, as the CFPB puts it, works "by increasing your property tax payment"; you can lose the home if those payments are not made.[4]
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost?
In the Census Bureau's 2023 American Housing Survey the median kitchen remodel cost $8,000 and the average $16,960.[1] Adding or rebuilding a kitchen was far higher, with a median of $25,000.
How do I calculate countertop square footage?
Multiply each counter's length in feet by its depth in inches and divide by 12. 18 ft at 25 in is 37.5 sq ft. Add islands and peninsulas separately.
How much contingency should a kitchen budget include?
There is no official figure; it is a cushion you choose for problems found during demolition. The calculator adds whatever percentage you enter to the subtotal, so you can see the total with and without it.
What is the biggest cost in a kitchen remodel?
It depends on scope, but cabinets and countertops are usually large. In new homes NAHB's 2024 survey put them at about $19,056 of construction cost.[2]