Most of us practically live in the kitchen some days, so it makes sense that people often wonder how much it costs to renovate a kitchen. Between cooking meals, gathering with family, grabbing late-night snacks, and hosting friends, the kitchen ends up being the heart of the home. If you’re thinking about giving yours a makeover, we’ll walk through the whole process. We’ll look at the different renovation stages, the permits you might need, and even the cost of remodeling different-sized homes in different cities, so you can plan with confidence. If you need kitchen remodeling at your home, we serve the entire Sacramento area, including Auburn and Elk Grove, with home remodeling, general contracting, and painting.
How Much Does It Cost To Renovate a Kitchen?
The overall cost to renovate a kitchen has a pretty wide range once you consider things like design, labor, and materials. The average homeowner spends somewhere between $20,000 and $58,000. This would be for a mid-range kitchen. High-end kitchen renovations will certainly cost more, closer to the $70,000 – $75,000 range. This would include premium countertops, custom cabinets, and high-end appliances. Overall, when it comes to budget, plan on 5% – 15% of your home’s total value for your kitchen remodel.
Small Kitchen Cost
Renovating a small kitchen can be much more budget-friendly, especially if you focus on smart updates instead of a full overhaul. If you keep the layout the same and avoid major plumbing or electrical changes, you can often stay in the $11,000 to $13,000 range. This might include refinishing or repainting your existing cabinets, upgrading to newer but reasonably priced appliances, installing fresh hardware, and choosing an affordable countertop material like laminate or butcher block.
Medium Kitchen Cost
A medium-sized kitchen usually falls in the 90 to 130 square foot range, and renovations for this size tend to offer a lot more flexibility. Most homeowners spend somewhere between $18,000 and $36,000 for a remodel in this category, depending on how many upgrades they choose. With a bit more space and budget to work with, you can step up to higher-quality materials, add semi-custom or fully custom cabinetry, upgrade appliances, and choose more durable countertop options like quartz or solid surface. This size of kitchen also gives you room to update lighting, replace flooring, or refresh the layout slightly without the massive price jump you’d see in a full redesign.
Large Kitchen Cost
Larger kitchens naturally cost more to renovate because the space requires extra labor and materials. These kitchens are generally over 130 square feet. Bigger rooms also allow for additions like walk-in pantries, double ovens, and large islands. More cabinets, more flooring, and more lighting all increase the total price. Because of this, most large kitchen remodels fall somewhere between $28,000 and $78,000.
The upside is the freedom to design a space that fits your style and daily routine. You can choose custom cabinets, premium appliances, and high-end finishes without feeling limited. Larger kitchens also offer more layout options. You can open walls, add seating, or expand prep areas more easily. The investment is higher, but the finished space often feels more functional and enjoyable.
Kitchen Renovation Costs By City
Where you live has a huge influence on what you’ll pay for a kitchen remodel, and the differences can be pretty surprising. Big cities with higher living costs usually mean higher renovation costs too. In places like New York or San Francisco, contractors stay busy and materials tend to be pricier, so a mid-range remodel can easily fall in the $50,000 to $60,000 range. In a more affordable city like Houston, you might see that same project come in closer to $25,000.
Since renovation prices vary so widely from city to city, it helps to look at some typical ranges to get a clearer picture. For example, a remodel in New York often falls somewhere around $38,000 to $65,000, while Los Angeles usually ranges from about $25,000 to $45,000. San Francisco can climb the highest with many projects running between $42,000 and $75,000. Seeing how prices shift from one area to another makes it easier to set a realistic budget based on where you live. It’s always a good idea to get a few quotes from contractors in your area so you can plan accordingly.
What Factors Affect The Cost
Several key factors shape the overall price of a kitchen renovation, and they can shift the budget quite a bit. Knowing what drives the cost helps you plan and decide where you want to spend and where you want to save.
1. Scope of the project
A light cosmetic update might run a few thousand dollars, while a full gut renovation can reach anywhere from $20,000 – $70,000 or more. Bigger projects require more demolition materials and labor, which quickly raises the price.
2. Cabinets
Cabinets often take up the largest part of the budget. Stock cabinets can start around $3,000 – $6000, while semi-custom might land in the $8000- $15,000 range. Custom cabinetry can easily go beyond $20,000 depending on size and style.
3. Countertops
Laminate is usually the most affordable, starting at about $15 to $40 per square foot installed, while butcher block sits a little higher. Quartz granite and other premium stone materials often cost $50 to $150 per square foot, which adds up fast in larger kitchens.
4. Appliances
Basic appliance packages may start around $2,000 to $4,000, while mid-range upgrades often land between $5,000 and $10,000. High-end brands like Thermador, Sub-Zero, or Wolf can push the total well past $20,000, depending on what you choose.
5. Kitchen Renovation Labor Costs
Labor usually makes up about 20% to 35% of the total renovation budget. This includes everyone from carpenters to tile installers, plus any demolition and cleanup work. Electricians and plumbers often charge higher rates, and their work must meet strict safety codes, which adds to the overall cost.
6. Flooring and finishes
Vinyl and laminate flooring usually cost $2 to $6 per square foot installed, making them some of the most budget-friendly options. Tile typically falls in the $5 to $15 range, depending on the style and installation complexity. Hardwood is the priciest of the three, often reaching $10 to $20 or more per square foot based on the wood type and finish.
7. Layout changes
Anytime you move plumbing, gas lines, or electrical, you’ll see the budget instantly go up. Rerouting utilities often adds $1,000 – $5,000 or more, depending on complexity and city requirements.
8. Unexpected issues
Once walls come down, hidden problems tend to pop up. Water damage, outdated wiring, or old plumbing can add several hundred to several thousand dollars to the project, depending on what needs fixing.
How Different Finishes Affect The Cost
The finishes you choose play a big role in the final cost of your kitchen. They shape both the look and the durability of the space. Even small upgrades like switching from standard hardware to higher-quality knobs and pulls can raise the budget a little. Lighting is another area where costs can shift quickly. Simple fixtures are pretty affordable, while statement pendants or under-cabinet lighting systems can add a noticeable bump. The same goes for faucets and sinks. A basic stainless steel sink and standard faucet cost far less than a deep farmhouse sink paired with a premium pull-down faucet.
Backsplashes and wall finishes also have a wide price range. Basic ceramic tile is very budget-friendly, while handmade tile, glass tile, or full slab backsplashes will cost much more. Even paint finishes can play a part. Higher quality paints or specialty finishes like textured walls and accent areas bump the numbers up. Every finish has a budget version and a splurge version, which gives you flexibility but also makes it easy for the total to climb depending on the style and quality you want.
How Long Does A Kitchen Renovation Take?
A kitchen renovation can take anywhere from six to twelve weeks once construction starts, but the timeline depends on how much you’re changing. This doesn’t include the planning stage, which can add a couple of extra weeks while you pick materials, hire a contractor, and take care of permits. After everything is set, the project moves through the usual steps: demolition, plumbing, electrical work, cabinets, countertops, flooring, and final finishes.
Smaller homes or compact kitchens tend to move faster simply because there’s less space to tackle. These projects often take four to eight weeks and follow the same stages, just on a smaller scale. Larger homes or wide open kitchens take more time since there’s more surface area and more complex work involved. These renovations usually fall in the eight to twelve week range and can stretch longer if you’re adding custom features or changing the layout.
Kitchen Renovation Permits
Getting kitchen renovation permits might not be the most fun part of the project, but they matter more than most people realize. In California, you’ll need permits for the bigger stuff, like moving plumbing, adding new electrical work, or changing the layout. Simple updates like swapping cabinet doors or painting usually don’t need anything official. However, once you’re opening walls or rerouting pipes, it’s time to get things approved.
The process isn’t actually as intimidating as it seems. You submit your plans to the local building department, and they make sure everything is safe and up to code. Most contractors will even handle the paperwork for you, which makes life a lot easier. Plan on budgeting $500 – $2,000 to cover the cost of permits, depending on where you live.
Kitchen Renovation Stages
A successful kitchen remodel happens in stages, and each one needs a little patience and careful planning to keep the project running smoothly. Understanding the flow makes the whole process feel much more manageable.
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Establishing a budget
This comes first because it shapes every decision that follows. Your budget helps you decide what’s realistic, from materials to appliances to how much of the layout you can change.
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Planning
This is where you think through the layout materials and overall goals for the space. You’ll consider how you use your kitchen and what changes will make it more functional day to day.
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Design
During this stage, you work with an architect or designer to create a look and layout that feels right for your home. Here you’ll choose colors, appliances, fixtures, and materials to bring the vision together.
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Pre construction
This phase includes securing permits, ordering materials, and finalizing contracts with your contractor. It can take a couple of weeks or longer, depending on the complexity of the project and any custom items you’re waiting on.
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Construction
This is when the real transformation begins. Demolition, framing, and cabinet installation all happen here, and this stage typically lasts 4 to 12 weeks. Your kitchen will be completely out of commission during this time, so plan for an alternate cooking setup.
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Post construction
Once the main work is done, you’ll move into inspections to make sure everything meets code and works properly. Final touches like hardware paint and small adjustments wrap up the project and get your new kitchen ready to enjoy.
How To Find A Kitchen Renovation Contractor
Finding the best contractor in your area starts with a little research and a lot of trust in your gut. Ask friends or neighbors who they’ve used, check recent reviews, and look for photos of past projects to see if their style matches yours. Remember that a good contractor should communicate clearly, answer your questions honestly, and make you feel comfortable with the process. Get a few quotes, compare the details, and choose the one who feels like a trusted partner rather than just the lowest price.
How Much Does It Cost To Renovate a Kitchen Conclusion
Renovating a kitchen is a big project, but it becomes much easier when you understand the stages, the costs, and what to expect along the way. Once you break everything down, the process feels less overwhelming and more like a chance to create a space that genuinely fits your life. If you live in the Sacramento or Elk Grove area and need a trusted contractor for a kitchen renovation or any other construction project, reach out to our team at LNL Construction. We’re here to help bring your ideas to life.
