Kitchen costs swing more than almost any other room in the house. A clean cosmetic refresh and a full down-to-the-studs rebuild can sit in the same kitchen footprint and differ by $80,000. The numbers below are realistic 2026 ranges for Washington homeowners — treat them as planning ballparks, not quotes. The only way to know your number is to get three written bids from licensed contractors.
Kitchen remodel cost by tier
The cleanest way to think about budget is by the level of finish you want:
- Budget / cosmetic ($15,000–$30,000): Keep the existing layout. Refaced or stock cabinets, laminate or entry-level quartz counters, a new sink and faucet, mid-grade appliances, fresh paint and flooring.
- Mid-range ($35,000–$70,000): New semi-custom cabinets, quartz countertops, a tile backsplash, updated lighting and electrical, new flooring, and a quality appliance package. Minor layout tweaks are common at this level.
- High-end ($75,000–$150,000+): Custom cabinetry, premium stone, a moved or expanded layout, an island with seating, pro-grade appliances, and custom millwork. Common in Seattle and Eastside homes.
Cost by kitchen size
Bigger kitchens cost more simply because there are more cabinets, more counter, more floor and more labor hours:
- Small (under 100 sq ft): roughly $18,000–$40,000
- Medium (100–200 sq ft): roughly $30,000–$70,000
- Large (200+ sq ft): roughly $60,000–$130,000+
Where the money actually goes
A typical mid-range Washington kitchen breaks down roughly like this:
- Cabinets — about 30%. Almost always the largest single line item. See how much kitchen cabinets cost for the stock-vs-custom breakdown.
- Labor — about 20–25%. Demolition, install, plumbing, electrical and finish carpentry.
- Countertops — about 10–15%. Material matters a lot here; compare quartz vs granite.
- Appliances — about 10–15%. Easy to over- or under-spend depending on the brands you choose.
- Everything else — the rest. Flooring, lighting, backsplash, paint, fixtures, permits and design fees.
Seattle and the Eastside cost more
Where you live changes the bottom line. The Seattle metro and Eastside cities like Bellevue carry a real premium — higher labor rates, busy contractors, steeper permit fees, and a lot of older homes that need updated wiring or plumbing once the walls open up. Eastern Washington cities like Spokane and Yakima generally run lower for the same scope. If you're in the Puget Sound area, budget toward the higher end of every range above.
What drives your price up or down
- Moving plumbing, gas or electrical. Keeping the layout saves thousands.
- Custom vs stock cabinets. The biggest swing factor in any kitchen.
- Structural surprises in older homes. Knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized pipe or hidden rot.
- Permits. Most structural, plumbing and electrical work needs them — see our guide to remodeling permits in Washington.
Protect your budget
Before you sign anything, confirm your contractor is registered with L&I and verify their license. Washington doesn't set a universal cap on deposits, so be cautious about large upfront payments — tie payments to completed milestones instead. And if you're weighing how to pay for it all, our guide to financing a remodel walks through the options.
The smartest first move is to compare bids from several local pros so you can see the real spread for your kitchen. Get free quotes from vetted Washington remodelers and budget with confidence.