Average kitchen remodel cost breakdown (and where estimates hide the price)
The average US kitchen remodel runs $25,000-$60,000. Knowing where that money goes helps you spot an estimate that’s hiding costs.
Typical share of budget
Cabinets 30–35%, countertops 10–15%, appliances 10–15%, labor 20–25%, flooring 5–10%, lighting/electrical 5–10%, plumbing 5–10%, permits and design 3–5%.
Where estimates hide costs
Look for missing tax lines, missing haul-away/dumpster, missing permits, and “rough-in” items priced suspiciously low.
A quick sanity check
If cabinets are less than 25% of a kitchen budget, they’re likely a rock-bottom allowance and your final invoice will be higher.
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