Kitchen Remodel Cost in 2026

Updated November 12, 2026

A kitchen remodel can cost a few thousand dollars for a refresh or well over $100,000 for a full gut and new layout. Angi's 2026 guide puts the national average at $26,996, based on 13,100 projects, with most homeowners paying $14,592 to $41,617 [1]. For the Midwest, the same guide lists $10,300 to $34,300 [1]. These are published ranges, not local bids. Use them to plan, then get real quotes for your kitchen.

We did not find a published survey of kitchen remodel prices for Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Madison, or Des Moines alone. So this page uses Angi's national and regional figures and says so each time.

Cost by project scope

The biggest driver of price is how much you change. Angi groups remodels into three levels [1]:

If your cabinets are sound, keeping them is the easiest way to stay in the minor range. See cabinet refacing for the options.

Cost by kitchen size

Angi lists $75 to $250 per square foot [1]. Smaller kitchens often cost more per square foot, because fixed costs like labor and design are spread over less space [1].

Cost by region

Angi's regional table puts the Midwest at $10,300 to $34,300 [1]. Large cities with higher costs of living tend to land near the top of a range, and smaller towns near the bottom [1]. A Chicago or Minneapolis quote may run higher than a quote in a smaller town in the same state.

What each part of the kitchen costs

Cabinets

Cabinets are usually the largest single cost. Angi says they can be 40% or more of the budget, and lists $2,000 to $28,000 or more for a kitchen [1]. Stock cabinets run $100 to $300 per linear foot and custom cabinets $500 to $1,200 [1]. Our kitchen cabinet cost guide has the full breakdown, including semi-custom.

Countertops

Installed countertops average $1,800 to $4,400, and premium materials can push past $10,000 [1]. Per square foot, Angi lists [1]:

Other parts

All figures in this table are from Angi [1].

Labor, design, and management

Angi says labor is about 25% of the total, so budget about $2,500 for every $10,000 you plan to spend [1]. A general contractor who runs the job usually adds 10% to 20% of the project cost [1]. A designer costs about $100 to $500 per hour, or $5 to $17 per square foot [1].

Permits

Angi lists $460 to $2,770 for building permits on a kitchen remodel, and notes that many remodels need more than one permit, such as electrical and plumbing [1]. Whether you need a permit depends on your city and on what you change.

• In Chicago, the City's code says cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work need no permit when there are no plumbing or electrical connections [2].
• In Minneapolis, the City lists cabinets and countertops as work exempt from a permit [3].
• In Madison, the City says kitchen alterations need a permit, but only adding or replacing wall-mounted cabinets does not [4].

Moving a sink, adding circuits, or taking out a wall almost always changes the answer. Our city pages cover Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Madison, and Des Moines.

How to compare kitchen remodel quotes

1. Ask what the price includes: demolition, cabinets, counters, plumbing, electrical, permits, and cleanup.
2. Ask who pulls the permits and whether permit fees are in the price.
3. Ask for cabinets to be listed by type (stock, semi-custom, or custom) and by linear feet, so you can compare quotes line by line.
4. Ask how changes are priced, and get any change in writing before work starts.
5. Keep some money aside for surprises, such as old plumbing or a hidden leak. Angi suggests building in a cushion for this [1].
6. Check each contractor's license or registration yourself before you sign.

Quotes that look far apart often cover different work. Line them up item by item before you decide. Our guide to choosing a kitchen remodeler has more questions to ask.

FAQ

What is the average cost of a kitchen remodel in 2026?

Angi's 2026 guide puts the national average at $26,996, based on 13,100 projects, with most homeowners paying between $14,592 and $41,617 [1]. Its Midwest range is $10,300 to $34,300 [1]. Your price depends on scope, size, and finishes, so get local quotes before you set a budget.

What part of a kitchen remodel costs the most?

Cabinets, in most kitchens. Angi says cabinets can account for 40% or more of the budget [1]. That is why refacing or refinishing sound cabinets is one of the main ways to keep a remodel in the minor range of $10,000 to $20,000 [1].

Do I need a permit to remodel my kitchen?

It depends on your city and the work. Chicago and Minneapolis both exempt cabinet and countertop work on its own, but plumbing and electrical changes need permits [2][3]. Madison requires a permit for kitchen alterations, apart from wall-mounted cabinets [4]. Check with your city before work starts.

Use the kitchen cost calculator or request remodeler quotes.

A referral is not an endorsement, so check any contractor yourself before you sign.

We're a referral service, not a contractor, and independent contractors may pay us for referrals.

Sources

1. Angi, "How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? [2026 Data]," updated September 4, 2026. Fetched 2026-11-12. https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-should-kitchen-remodel-cost.htm
2. Municipal Code of Chicago, Section 14A-4-402.1, "General" (work exempt from permit), 2026 S-75. Fetched 2026-11-12. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2660948
3. City of Minneapolis, "Construction work exempt from permit," updated March 31, 2026. Fetched 2026-11-12. https://www.minneapolismn.gov/business-services/licenses-permits-inspections/construction-permits/exempt-from-permit/
4. City of Madison Building Inspection, "Do I need a permit?," no date shown. Fetched 2026-11-12. https://cityofmadison.com/development-services-center/permits