Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator

Looking for a way to estimate kitchen remodel costs? Well—you have come to the right place. Our kitchen remodel cost calculator uses key inputs to estimate the total project cost and the cost per square foot (ft²).

Estimating kitchen remodel costs can be confusing, but our calculator uses kitchen area (ft²), quality level, project scope, backsplash coverage, and—most importantly—current unit prices by region to estimate accurately.

We cover:

• What is a kitchen remodel?
• What is a kitchen remodel cost calculator?
• How is kitchen remodel cost calculated?
• A real-world example

What is Kitchen Remodel? If you don't know, no worries—let me explain briefly. A kitchen remodel refers to changes made to the kitchen, whether small or large. It can be cosmetic (such as painting), functional upgrades, or a full gut renovation.

What is Kitchen Remodel Cost Calculator?

A kitchen remodel cost calculator is a simple but powerful tool built to help homeowners and contractors estimate the total kitchen remodeling cost and the cost per square foot (ft²). The calculator accounts for many factors—such as kitchen area, remodeling quality level, whether the project is big or small, backsplash coverage, and region—to estimate the total project cost.

Are you curious to know the logic behind the kitchen remodel cost calculator? Alright—keep reading; we will walk through it step by step.

How is kitchen remodel cost calculated?

The calculator uses a few simple formulas. In short, the total kitchen remodel cost is the sum of key components—materials, labor, and permits—plus a contingency. Regional pricing is applied through unit costs and multipliers.

Here is the formula for total cost:

Total Cost = (Materials + Labor + Permits) + Contingency

In the formula:

• Materials = base finishes + cabinetry & countertops + backsplash + appliances/sink
• Labor = labor core (per ft² × scope & quality multipliers) + demolition
• Permits = 2% of (Materials + Labor)
• Contingency = 10% of (Materials + Labor + Permits)

Now here is the formula for unit cost per square foot:

Unit Cost = Total Cost ÷ Kitchen Area (ft²)

A real-world example

Imagine you are remodeling a 200 ft² kitchen with mid-range finishes and some upgrades. Here is step-by-step calculation:

1. Materials

• Base finishes: $8,000
• Cabinetry & countertops: $12,000
• Backsplash: $1,500
• Appliances & sink: $5,500

👉 Total Materials = $27,000

2. Labor

• Labor core (200 ft² × $60/ft²): $12,000
• Demolition: $3,000

👉 Total Labor = $15,000

3. Permits
2% of (Materials + Labor) = 2% of ($27,000 + $15,000) = $840

4. Contingency
10% of (Materials + Labor + Permits) = 10% of ($27,000 + $15,000 + $840) = $4,284

Final Calculations

Total Cost = (Materials + Labor + Permits) + Contingency
= ($27,000 + $15,000 + $840) + $4,284
= $47,124

Unit Cost = Total Cost ÷ Kitchen Area
= $47,124 ÷ 200 ft²
= $236 per ft²

Thus, a 200 ft² kitchen with a mid-range remodel will cost about $47,124 total, or $236 per square foot.