Kitchen Remodel Statistics: Costs, ROI, Trends, and Upgrades (2026)

The kitchen is the most-renovated room in the American home and one of the largest single investments a homeowner makes. Whether you are planning a cosmetic refresh or a full gut renovation, understanding what things actually cost, what you get back at resale, and which upgrades deliver the most impact helps you make smarter decisions. The data below pulls together verified figures from Zonda, Houzz, the NKBA, Bob Vila, and other authoritative sources. When you are ready to move forward, our kitchen remodeling services connect you with vetted pros, and you can explore all of our home services too.

Kitchen remodel costs by tier

1. The national average kitchen remodel costs about $26,974

Across all project types and sizes, the national average kitchen remodel runs roughly $26,974, with most homeowners paying between $14,589 and $41,538, according to Bob Vila. Cost per square foot typically lands around $150, with ranges of $75 to $250 depending on finish level. You can get a free fixed-price estimate from our kitchen remodeling team to see what a project costs in your area.

2. A minor remodel averages $28,458 and a major midrange remodel averages $82,793

The 2025 Zonda Cost vs. Value Report, as cited by HomeLight, puts the national benchmark for a minor kitchen remodel at $28,458 and a major midrange remodel at $82,793. A minor remodel typically refreshes cabinet fronts, hardware, countertops, and appliances without moving walls. A major remodel replaces all cabinets and appliances, often alongside a layout change.

3. An upscale major kitchen remodel can reach $164,104

At the top end of the market, a major upscale kitchen remodel averages roughly $164,104, delivering premium custom cabinetry, high-end appliances, natural stone countertops, and structural changes, per HomeLight. The top 10% of Houzz survey respondents spending on large kitchens reported investing $200,000 or more (2025 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study).

4. Small kitchen major remodels have a median spend of $35,000

For kitchens under 200 square feet, the 2025 Houzz and Home Study found a median major-remodel spend of $35,000, up 9% year over year from $32,000, according to Houzz. Large kitchens (200 square feet and above) held steady at a $55,000 median. Our flooring installation services can help extend your kitchen upgrade through adjacent spaces.

Spending trends and market size

5. The US kitchen and bath remodeling market is projected at $235 billion in 2025

The National Kitchen and Bath Association projects total residential kitchen and bath market revenue at $235 billion in 2025, a 0.8% increase over 2024, according to Hardware Retailing, citing the NKBA 2025 Kitchen and Bath Market Outlook. K&B repair and remodeling specifically is forecast to rise by 2.6% within that total, reflecting steady homeowner demand even in a high-rate environment.

6. Professionally led kitchen remodels are growing at 2.9% versus 0.6% for DIY

The NKBA projects that pro-led kitchen and bath remodels will increase 2.9% in 2025, significantly outpacing DIY growth of just 0.6%, per Hardware Retailing, citing the NKBA. Building and remodeling firms in the sector expect revenue growth of 7.5% for the full year. This trend reflects the complexity of modern kitchens and the rising share of high-spend projects.

7. Kitchen renovations were undertaken by 24% of renovating homeowners in 2024

Kitchens were the joint most-popular renovation category in 2024, tied with guest bathrooms at 24% of homeowners who did any renovation project, according to the 2025 Houzz and Home Study. The median spend on kitchen projects was $22,000, though millennial homeowners raised their median from $15,000 in 2023 to $20,000 in 2024.

8. Budget overruns are common: 37% of homeowners exceed their original budget

Budget discipline is hard in kitchen projects. The 2025 Houzz and Home Study, as reported by Hardware Retailing, found that 37% of renovating homeowners spent more than they planned. Of those, 52% cited costlier-than-expected products or services, 35% chose higher-end materials mid-project, and 31% expanded their project scope. Our free fixed-price estimates are designed to protect you from surprises.

Resale ROI: minor vs major remodel

9. A minor kitchen remodel returns 112.9% of its cost at resale

The 2025 Zonda Cost vs. Value Report found that a minor kitchen remodel costing $28,458 adds roughly $32,141 in resale value, a 112.9% return, making it the only interior project in the national top five, per Zonda. This scope typically covers new cabinet hardware and fronts, updated countertops, a new sink and faucet, and new flooring without moving walls.

10. A major midrange remodel returns about 49% at resale

Scale the project up to a full major remodel and the ROI picture changes sharply. A major midrange kitchen remodel returns roughly 49% of its cost at resale, according to Custom Craft citing the 2025 Zonda Cost vs. Value Report. The personalization that goes into a gut renovation, from custom cabinetry to premium tile, does not always translate to proportional buyer value.

11. A major upscale remodel returns about 35% at resale

A major upscale kitchen remodel recoups roughly 35% of its cost at resale, again per Custom Craft citing Zonda 2025. At this spend level, the remodel is more about daily enjoyment of the home than maximizing resale return. If you plan to stay for many years, an upscale kitchen may still be worth it. Financing options can help spread the cost; see our financing page for details.

Popular upgrades and features

12. Countertops, backsplash, and cabinets are upgraded in 85 to 91% of kitchen remodels

The vast majority of renovating homeowners touch the three biggest visual elements: 91% upgrade countertops, 85% replace the backsplash, and 85% update cabinets, according to the 2025 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. These three elements also drive the largest share of the budget. Our cabinet installation and kitchen remodeling services cover all three.

13. Engineered quartz leads countertop choices at 39%, followed by granite at 19%

Among renovated kitchens, engineered quartz is the top countertop material at 39%, up 4 percentage points year over year, according to the 2025 Houzz cabinet and countertop trends report. Granite follows at 19%, quartzite at 11%, and butcher block at 9%. White countertops are the most popular color at 41%, with off-white at 23%.

14. Shaker cabinets dominate at 61%, with 72% of homeowners choosing solid wood

Shaker-style cabinet doors are chosen by 61% of renovating homeowners, and solid wood is the cabinet material of choice for 72%, per the 2025 Houzz study. White remains the leading cabinet color at 33%, followed by wood tones at 23%. Among customization levels, 45% of homeowners chose fully custom cabinets and 32% chose partially customized options.

15. 58% of homeowners add or upgrade a kitchen island

Islands are a major priority: 30% of renovating homeowners add a new island and 28% upgrade an existing one, totaling 58% who touch the island in some way, according to the 2025 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. Storage is the top island priority, with 80% incorporating drawers and 79% including cabinets with doors. Islands are also driving a need for additional plumbing; see our plumbing services for sink and fixture work.

16. Nearly two-thirds of homeowners choose appliances with specialty features

Smart and specialty appliance features are now mainstream. Among renovating homeowners, 65% selected microwaves with specialty features, 63% chose refrigerators with specialty freezer features, and 63% upgraded to ovens with specialty features such as phone monitor controls, precise temperature control, and remote timer activation, per the 2025 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study.

Pro vs DIY, timelines, and cost drivers

17. 86% of renovating homeowners hired at least one professional for their kitchen

Kitchens are overwhelmingly a pro-hired project. The 2025 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study found that 86% of renovating homeowners brought in at least one professional, with general contractors used by 50% and cabinetmakers by 32%, per Oppein citing the 2025 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. Among those spending $50,000 or more, 98% hired at least one pro. Kitchens involve licensed plumbing, electrical, and structural work that requires professional handling. Browse our vetted pro network to see how we screen contractors.

18. Kitchen remodels have the longest planning phase of any renovation type at 9.5 months on average

Kitchen projects demand the most planning time of any home renovation category. The average planning and design phase runs about 9.5 months, followed by an average construction phase of about 5.8 months, according to Hardware Retailing, citing the 2025 Houzz and Home Study. Custom cabinet lead times of 8 to 16 weeks are a key driver of the long construction phase.

19. Cabinetry accounts for roughly 29% to 40% of the total remodel budget

Cabinet materials and installation consistently take the largest single share of a kitchen remodel budget. Depending on the source, cabinets consume between 29% and 40% of total project spend, while appliances use 6% to 17%, countertops 11% to 14%, flooring around 5% to 18%, and labor 20% to 30%, per CliqStudios and Bob Vila. Choosing between stock, semi-custom, and fully custom cabinets is usually the single biggest budget lever. Our cabinet installation team helps you find the right balance.

20. 90% of renovating homeowners incorporate at least one sustainable feature, led by LED lighting at 67%

Sustainability is now a near-universal kitchen remodel feature. Nine in ten renovating homeowners included at least one sustainable feature in their kitchen project, with LED lighting chosen by 67% and energy-efficient appliances by 57%, per Oppein citing the 2025 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. Energy-efficient appliances reduce long-term utility costs as well as upgrade the kitchen, a dual benefit that supports both comfort and resale value.

What this means for homeowners

• Scope discipline pays off. A focused minor remodel averaging $28,458 is the only interior project nationally that returns more than it costs at resale (112.9%), while a major upscale gut renovation returns only about 35%. Updating surfaces without moving walls consistently delivers better ROI than a complete overhaul.
• Cabinets drive the budget more than anything else. At 29% to 40% of total cost, the choice between stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinetry is the biggest single lever on the final number. Our cabinet installation team provides free fixed-price estimates across all cabinet tiers.
• Quartz and shaker are the safe choices. Engineered quartz (39% market share) and shaker cabinets (61% of renovated kitchens) are the most popular picks because buyers recognize and value them. Deviating into highly personal styles can reduce your resale return.
• Hiring a pro is the norm for good reason. With 86% of homeowners hiring at least one professional and 98% of high-spend projects going fully pro, kitchens are not a DIY-friendly category. Plumbing, electrical, and structural permits require licensed work. The NKBA projects professionally led remodels will grow at 2.9% in 2025, nearly five times faster than DIY.
• Plan for a long lead time. The average kitchen renovation involves 9.5 months of planning before construction even starts, plus 5.8 months of active work. Starting early, locking in your pro, and ordering cabinets before demo day keeps the schedule from slipping.
• Pro House Maintenance matches you with vetted, licensed and insured kitchen remodeling pros and provides free fixed-price estimates. Check our service areas, explore financing options, or request an estimate when you are ready.

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