Estimate a kitchen remodel from floor area, scope and layout, with demolition, permits and contingency included.
Quick answer: A 200 sq ft kitchen at a typical $150 per square foot comes to about $30,000 for the main work. Demolition and a permit add roughly $1,500, and a 15% contingency brings the planning figure to about $36,200. Adjust the unit price and scope to match your area.
sq ft
A typical kitchen is 150–250 sq ft
$/sq
Typical U.S. range: $75–$400 per sq ft
$
$
%
Estimated total
$36,225
200 sq ft at $150
Cost per sq
$181
Total divided by quantity
Cost breakdown
Materials (58% of base)$17,400
Labour (42% of base)$12,600
Demolition & haul-away$900
Permits & fees$600
Contingency (15%)$4,725
Estimated total$36,225
Plausible planning band: $29,325 to $44,850 — roughly ±20% around your unit price, before any regional or seasonal swing.
This is a planning estimate built from the unit price you enter. Real quotes depend on your region, season, site access and the contractor — get at least three.
Core facts
Typical U.S. range
$75–$400 per sq ft installed
Typical kitchen size
150–250 sq ft
Cost split
About 42% labor, 58% materials
Biggest variables
Cabinets, counters and layout changes
What is Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator?
A kitchen remodel is priced by floor area because that is what drives cabinet runs, counter length and flooring quantities. This calculator multiplies your kitchen floor area by an installed price per square foot that you control, then adds demolition, permit fees and a contingency. Most of the money goes into cabinets and counters, which together often account for close to half the budget, with appliances, lighting and flooring taking the rest. A refresh that refaces cabinets and keeps the layout costs a fraction of a full remodel that moves the sink, range or a wall. The output is a planning range to compare quotes against, not a bid.
Common uses for Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator
Budget a full kitchen remodel before you talk to contractors
Compare cabinet refacing with a mid-range or upscale renovation
See how moving the sink, range or a wall changes the total
Plan around the layout you have instead of paying for changes
Test how a cheaper cabinet and counter package lowers the budget
Why square footage is the usual starting point
Contractors and cost guides both lean on cost per square foot because a kitchen's price tracks its size in a predictable way: longer cabinet runs, more counter, more flooring, more outlets. It is a rough measure, though, because a small galley kitchen can cost more per square foot than a large open one. Use area to set the scale, then adjust for cabinets, counters and layout.
Where people overspend
Two habits inflate kitchen budgets. The first is moving services: relocating a drain, gas range or refrigerator supply is expensive work that rarely changes how well the kitchen cooks. The second is upgrading one item at a time, because a pro-style range pulls a bigger hood, which pulls a bigger circuit and vent. Decide the finish level first and hold it.
Reading the result honestly
The number you get is a planning estimate built from your own unit price, not a quote. Use it to set a ceiling, to compare contractors bidding the same scope, and to see how much of the budget is contingency rather than work. Region, season, site access and material availability can move a real bid well outside the range shown, so treat any single figure as a starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest cost in a kitchen remodel?
Cabinets and countertops usually take the largest share, followed by labor, appliances and flooring. Because those two items dominate, the fastest way to control the budget is to decide early whether you are refacing existing cabinets or replacing them, and how much counter length you actually need.
Is $150 per square foot realistic for a kitchen?
It is a reasonable mid-range starting point, but real projects run from around $75 per square foot for a cosmetic refresh to $400 or more for an upscale remodel. Region, season, cabinet quality and whether walls move all shift the number, which is why this calculator lets you type your own price.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
A cosmetic refresh can finish in a couple of weeks, while a full remodel that moves plumbing or electrical commonly runs two to four months once you include ordering, inspection and trade scheduling. Cabinet lead times are often the longest single delay, so order before demolition starts.
Should I move the sink or range?
Only if the new layout genuinely improves how you use the room. Moving a sink, drain, gas line or 240-volt circuit adds plumbing, electrical and inspection work, and it is one of the quickest ways for a mid-range project to drift toward the upscale price band.
Does the estimate include appliances?
No. Appliances, faucets and light fixtures are usually priced separately from the installed square-foot rate, and they are the easiest line to change later. Add them on top of the total you see here, and keep a little contingency for delivery and installation charges.