Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator
A kitchen remodel budget is the sum of its parts: cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, other materials, and the labor to install them, plus a contingency buffer for the surprises that almost every renovation uncovers. Because prices vary so much by region and finish, this calculator does not guess at national averages. Instead you enter quotes from your own suppliers and contractors, choose a contingency percentage, and the tool returns your subtotal, your buffer in dollars, your full budget, and the cost per square foot of kitchen floor area.
Kitchen remodel cost formula
Subtotal = cabinets + countertops + appliances + materials + labor
Contingency buffer = subtotal * (contingency % / 100)
Total budget = subtotal + contingency buffer
Cost per sq ft = total budget / floor area
Every dollar figure is your own quote. The contingency percentage is applied to the sum of the line items, then added on top to give the total you should plan to spend.
Budgeting your remodel
- Get written quotes for each line item rather than relying on rough averages; suppliers and contractors price the same job very differently.
- Cabinets are often the single largest line in a kitchen remodel, followed by labor.
- A contingency buffer is not optional: opening walls and floors frequently reveals plumbing, wiring, or rot that must be fixed.
- If your quotes exclude sales tax or permit fees, add those to the materials or other line so nothing is missed.
- Use the per-square-foot figure to compare competing bids on a like-for-like basis.
Kitchen remodel cost: frequently asked questions
How does this kitchen remodel calculator work?
You enter the dollar amounts for each part of the job: cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, and other materials, plus a labor figure and a contingency percentage. The calculator adds the line items, applies the contingency buffer on top, and shows your total budget and per-square-foot cost. Every figure is your own quote, so the estimate reflects your real project, not a national average.
Why are all the costs user-entered instead of preset?
Material and labor prices vary enormously by region, finish level, and contractor, and there is no single official price list. Rather than hardcode an unverifiable national figure, this tool asks you to enter quotes from your own suppliers and contractors so the total is accurate for your market and choices.
What contingency percentage should I use for a kitchen remodel?
A contingency buffer covers surprises like hidden water damage, outdated wiring, or scope changes once walls are opened. Many homeowners set aside 10 to 20 percent of the project cost. Enter the percentage you are comfortable with; the calculator applies it to the sum of your line items.
What is included in the per-square-foot figure?
The per-square-foot output divides the total budget (including contingency) by the kitchen floor area you enter. It is a useful way to compare your project to others and to sanity-check a contractor's bid, though it depends heavily on finish level and how much structural or plumbing work is involved.
Does the total include sales tax or permit fees?
Only if you include them. The calculator sums exactly the figures you enter. If your quotes are pre-tax, add expected sales tax and permit costs to the materials or other line so the total reflects everything you will actually pay.
Official sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Consumer Price Index (construction and materials).
- U.S. Census Bureau: Construction Spending.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 16 June 2026. See our methodology.