How to Use the Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator
A kitchen remodel touches everything from cabinets and countertops to tile, lighting, and built-in appliances, which makes it hard to gauge a realistic budget before contractors get involved. This calculator takes your kitchen's square footage and desired finish tier, then applies a per-square-foot rate for that tier to show an estimated total — a useful starting point before you start collecting quotes.
The budget tier keeps costs down with stock cabinets and standard materials. The mid-tier upgrades countertops and tile for a better balance of function and style. The premium tier often includes custom-built cabinetry sized to your space, upgraded countertop materials, and built-in appliances — which can more than double the cost compared to the same square footage at the budget tier.
Actual quotes vary with demolition scope, plumbing and electrical work, material brands, and local labor rates, so treat this as a planning estimate. It's worth getting itemized quotes from at least two or three contractors before signing, and budgeting an extra 10% or so for surprises like outdated plumbing or hidden mold once demolition begins. The FAQ below covers what each tier typically includes and how to measure your space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Budget uses stock cabinets and basic materials. Mid-tier upgrades the countertop and tile finishes. Premium usually includes custom cabinetry, upgraded countertops, and built-in appliances.
Measure the floor area where cabinets, countertops, and appliances sit. In an open-concept layout, count only the portion that's actually part of the remodel scope.