A brand new kitchen typically costs $25,000-$75,000 in the United States, with a national midrange project near $45,000. The final price depends mainly on kitchen size, cabinet and countertop selections, labor, appliance level, and whether plumbing or electrical lines move.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small kitchen, 70-100 sq ft | $15,000 | $27,000 | $45,000 | Stock cabinets; limited layout changes |
| Medium kitchen, 100-150 sq ft | $25,000 | $45,000 | $75,000 | Midrange cabinets and counters |
| Large kitchen, 150-250 sq ft | $45,000 | $80,000 | $150,000 | More cabinetry, flooring, and labor |
| Cost per square foot | $150 | $300 | $600 | Broad full-remodel estimate |
What a Brand-New Kitchen Costs by Size
A new kitchen price includes demolition, cabinets, counters, flooring, lighting, plumbing and electrical work, appliances, and installation. A cosmetic refresh can fall below these ranges, while custom cabinetry, premium stone, structural work, or a moved island can push a project well above $100,000.
For a typical 120-square-foot kitchen with standard finishes, plan on roughly $35,000-$60,000. These are broad installed-price ranges rather than fixed national rates; high-cost metro areas may run 15%-30% above a smaller-market quote.
Assumptions: U.S. midrange labor rates, standard access, no major structural repairs, and a full replacement using stock or semi-custom products.
Cabinet, Countertop, and Installation Charges
These typical component ranges help explain why two similar-sized kitchens can receive very different bids. Amounts are installed unless noted; overlaps can occur when a contractor bundles labor and materials.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinets, installed | $4,000 | $12,000 | $30,000+ |
| Countertops, per sq ft | $20-$40 | $50-$100 | $120-$250 |
| Labor and project management | $6,000 | $15,000 | $35,000 |
| Appliances, set of major units | $3,000 | $8,000 | $20,000+ |
| Flooring, per sq ft installed | $5 | $12 | $30 |
| Plumbing and electrical | $1,500 | $5,000 | $15,000+ |
Cabinet selection is often the largest controllable line item. Stock cabinets commonly cost $100-$300 per linear foot before installation; semi-custom options often run $150-$650, while custom work may reach $500-$1,200 per linear foot.
How Layout, Cabinet Grade, and Square Footage Shift Quotes
Size changes the amount of flooring, countertop, and cabinetry, but layout changes can matter more than floor area alone. Keeping the sink, range, and dishwasher in place usually avoids extensive rerouting; moving a sink or gas range can add $1,000-$5,000 or more, depending on access and code requirements.
A change from stock to custom cabinets can add $10,000-$30,000 on a typical kitchen. Countertop material also has a sharp price spread: laminate may be $20-$50 per square foot installed, quartz roughly $50-$120, and natural stone commonly $60-$200, with edge profiles and cutouts affecting quotes.
Electrical scope grows when a project adds more than a few outlets, under-cabinet lighting, or a dedicated appliance circuit. Opening walls can reveal outdated wiring or water damage; keeping a 10%-20% contingency is practical for older homes, especially when concealed conditions are unknown.
Can Keeping the Plumbing and Appliances Lower the Bill?
Retaining the existing kitchen footprint is one of the clearest ways to control cost. Reusing a working refrigerator, range, and dishwasher can save $3,000-$12,000, while retaining sound flooring or refinishing cabinets can avoid thousands in demolition and replacement charges.
Repair and reuse make sense only when the existing items fit the new design and have useful life remaining. A cabinet refacing project may cost $5,000-$13,000, compared with roughly $12,000-$30,000 for replacement cabinets in a mid-size kitchen, but refacing does not fix damaged boxes or an awkward layout.
How Long Kitchen Installation Takes and What Labor Covers
A straightforward installation often takes 4-8 weeks after materials arrive; custom orders and inspections can extend the schedule. A general contractor may charge through a fixed project bid or include overhead in trade pricing. Carpenters and installers commonly bill about $50-$100 per hour, while licensed electricians and plumbers may charge $75-$150 per hour.
Demolition, cabinet setting, countertop templating, plumbing, electrical work, and finish installation are separate tasks, though bids may combine them. Ask whether the quote includes protection, haul-away, cleanup, job supervision, and reconnecting appliances. Countertops often require a return visit after cabinets are installed and measured.
Compare the written scope and allowances, not just the final total. A low bid with a $2,000 appliance allowance or excluded disposal may cost more than a higher bid that includes those items.
Why Kitchen Remodel Quotes Differ by U.S. Region
Labor availability and local construction prices create meaningful regional variation. A comparable project in a high-cost coastal city may be 15%-30% above the national midrange; many Midwest and Southern markets may fall 5%-15% below it, although major metros in those regions can exceed national averages.
Urban projects may also require paid parking, elevator coordination, building approval, or restricted delivery windows. In rural areas, travel charges and fewer nearby installers can offset lower hourly rates. Request quotes from contractors familiar with the local permit process and ask that taxes, delivery, and debris disposal be identified separately.
Use regional comparisons only after matching cabinet grade, counter material, appliance allowance, and included labor. A useful comparison keeps the same layout and finish specifications across bids.
Three Kitchen Budgets With Realistic Project Scopes
A small 80-square-foot kitchen with stock cabinets, laminate counters, basic flooring, and no moved utilities might total $20,000-$32,000. That can include about $5,000-$8,000 for cabinets, $4,000-$7,000 for labor, and $3,000-$5,000 for appliances, with remaining costs for surfaces and disposal.
A 120-square-foot midrange kitchen with semi-custom cabinetry and quartz counters may total $40,000-$65,000. A sample scope could include $14,000 in cabinets, 45 square feet of quartz at $70-$110 per square foot, $12,000-$18,000 in labor, and $6,000-$10,000 for appliances and fixtures.
A 200-square-foot kitchen with custom cabinets, premium stone, upgraded appliances, and a relocated island can reach $85,000-$150,000. The greater cabinet run, electrical changes, and finish detail drive the increase; a structural wall removal may add $5,000-$20,000 before extensive engineering or repairs.
These examples show how specification and scope—not square footage alone—shape a credible budget. Local quotes can differ substantially even when the listed project dimensions match.
Which Kitchen Upgrades Can Be Deferred Without Rework?
Choose cabinet dimensions and appliance locations before ordering, then avoid changing them after installation begins. Standard cabinet sizes and stock or semi-custom finishes typically cost less than one-off dimensions, and simpler countertop edges and fewer specialty cutouts reduce fabrication charges.
Schedule the remodel outside a contractor’s busiest period when timing is flexible, but confirm material lead times rather than assuming winter automatically means lower prices. Bundle related work with one contractor where scopes are clear, and obtain at least three itemized bids that state product models, allowances, labor, permits, and cleanup.
Spend first on durable essentials and defer decorative upgrades that can be added later. Pendant lights, cabinet hardware, and some organizers can often be upgraded after the kitchen is operational, while changing plumbing locations or cabinet layouts later is expensive.