Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator
Estimate renovation budgets with adjustable project dimensions, rates and contingency. All prices are illustrative USD inputs, not local contractor quotes.
Estimate project cost
Budget planning only. Local labor, permits, finishes and site conditions can materially change actual costs.
Build a kitchen budget from a defined scope
- Enter kitchen floor area in square feet.
- Use a base rate that matches the quoted kitchen scope, then enter contingency as a percentage.
- Enter permits only if they are not already included in the base rate. Calculate the total in USD.
Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator: formula and assumptions
Budget = kitchen area × base cost per ft² × (1 + contingency ÷ 100) + fixed permits.
Worked calculation
180 ft² × $150 × 1.15 + $800 = $31,850.
What this estimate includes
Permits are added after contingency. Include cabinetry, finishes, demolition and labor in the base rate only if your quote includes them; do not count the same item twice. All rates are illustrative USD inputs, not live local prices.
Planning details that change the estimate
Compare quotes on the same inclusion list: cabinets, appliances, countertops, finishes, demolition, electrical work, plumbing and disposal. A low square-foot rate may exclude major items. This calculator applies contingency to the area-based subtotal, then adds the fixed permit amount; the permit line is not increased by contingency.
Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator FAQs
Are appliances included?
Only when your entered base rate includes them. There is no separate appliance allowance in this tool.
Does contingency apply to permits?
No. The fixed permit amount is added after the percentage calculation.
Are the default rates current local prices?
No. Replace them with current written quotes for your location and scope.
Continue planning this project
Estimate finish quantities with the Tile Calculator and Paint Calculator. Use the Bathroom Remodel Cost Calculator for a separate bathroom project rather than transferring the kitchen rate.
RESULTS
Kitchen area: 180 ft²
Base cost: $150/ft²
Area subtotal: $27,000.00
Contingency (15%): $4,050.00
Fixed permits: $800.00
Estimated total: $31,850.00
Additional worked example and planning table
Illustrative base-rate scenarios (not a verified regional quote)
These scenarios use the tool formula for a 180 sq ft kitchen with 15% contingency and $800 fixed permits. Prices vary by region, contractor, finishes, and scope.
| Illustrative base rate | Area subtotal | Total with 15% contingency + $800 permits |
|---|---|---|
| $100 per ft² | $18,000 | $21,500 |
| $150 per ft² | $27,000 | $31,850 |
| $250 per ft² | $45,000 | $52,550 |
Check: $18,000 x 1.15 + $800 = $21,500; $27,000 x 1.15 + $800 = $31,850; $45,000 x 1.15 + $800 = $52,550.
Second worked example: 120 sq ft, $200 per ft², 10% contingency, $500 permits
Step 1: Area subtotal = 120 x $200 = $24,000.
Step 2: Contingency = $24,000 x 0.10 = $2,400, so subtotal with contingency = $26,400.
Step 3: Add fixed permits after contingency: $26,400 + $500 = $26,900.
Result: $26,900 estimated total.
More frequently asked questions
How do I measure an L-shaped kitchen? Split the floor into rectangles, multiply length by width for each, and add the areas together. Enter that total as the kitchen area.
What if permits are already included in my contractor quote? Enter $0 for fixed permits, so they are not added a second time. Check the quote inclusion list first.
How should I compare two quotes with different contingency rates? Re-run both on the same basis: same area, same base-rate inclusion list, same contingency percentage, and same permit amount, then compare the totals.
Sources and method note
Method: budget = kitchen area x base cost per ft² x (1 + contingency / 100) + fixed permits, with permits added after contingency. No named source is cited here. Prices vary by region, labor market, cabinets, appliances, countertops, finishes, and local requirements, so treat the result as a planning estimate only.
Related calculators
- Bathroom Remodel Cost Calculator – Estimate a separate bathroom project instead of transferring the kitchen rate.
- Home Addition Cost Calculator – Estimate added space if the kitchen project becomes an extension.
- Window Replacement Cost Calculator – Estimate new windows if the kitchen plan includes window changes.