How we estimate kitchen remodel cost
Every estimate combines a national price for each part of the job with a local labor adjustment for your state. Here is exactly how that works and where the numbers come from.
The formula
For each line item we multiply a quantity (driven by your kitchen floor area, scope of work, finish level, and whether appliances are included) by a national unit cost, then apply a quality-grade factor. A regional labor multiplier is applied to the labor portion only — materials are priced nationally. We show the itemized result as a ±25% range.
National unit costs
| Line item | National unit cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition & disposal | $10.00 / sq ft | ref |
| Cabinetry (per linear foot) | $350.00 / sq ft | ref |
| Countertops | $80.00 / sq ft | ref |
| Appliance package | $4,500.00 / sq ft | ref |
| Flooring | $12.00 / sq ft | ref |
| Plumbing, gas & electrical | $2,200.00 / sq ft | ref |
| Backsplash & paint | $1,200.00 / sq ft | ref |
| Installation & project labor | $15.00 / sq ft | ref |
| Permit & inspection | $800.00 / sq ft | ref |
Regional labor multipliers
Each state's labor multiplier is its mean construction-trades wage relative to the national mean (BLS OEWS Carpenters, SOC 47-2031, as a disclosed proxy for remodeling trades pending verification). Multipliers are bounded to a sane range and applied to the labor share of each line item, so materials stay nationally priced while labor tracks local wages.
Data vintage & limitations
Compiled June 2026 from public cost aggregators and government wage data — these are derived estimates, not live contractor quotes. Local prices vary with project complexity, access, and material availability; always confirm with a licensed contractor before budgeting.