Paint the cabinets, change everything around them
Solid cabinet boxes in good shape can be painted or refinished, with new hardware, lighting and a backsplash. It's the classic refresh-level transformation.
See What Your Kitchen Could Become
Upload a photo of your kitchen and see a remodel based on your budget. Below: what each budget realistically covers, where the money goes, and how to spend it well.
Remodel My KitchenKitchen Cost Calculator — estimate your project, then see it at that budget.
What can you do with your budget?
Pick a budget to see what a kitchen project at that level typically includes.
Renovate
$20,000–$32,000
Planning range for a $25K kitchen project
What this budget typically covers
- Replace the cabinet fronts or cabinets in the same layout
- New quartz countertops and tile backsplash
- New flooring
- Updated lighting
- New mid-range stainless appliances in the same positions
Where the money typically goes
- Cabinets$5,000–$7,900
- Labor & installation$4,900–$7,800
- Countertops & backsplash$3,000–$4,900
- Appliances$2,200–$3,600
- Flooring$1,500–$2,400
- Contingency$1,500–$2,400
- Lighting & fixtures$1,100–$1,800
- Paint & finishes$700–$1,200
Preliminary planning estimate only. Actual costs vary based on location, labor, materials, existing conditions, project scope and contractor. Renovue does not provide contractor quotes.
The same kitchen, different budgets
Original photo
$15K · Refresh · Transitional
Kitchen remodel cost
Cabinets and labor are the two biggest lines in almost every kitchen. Whether you keep the existing layout matters more than any single finish: moving a sink, range or wall pulls in plumbing, electrical and venting work that can eat a budget before anything visible changes.
| Budget | Scope | Planning range | Largest cost categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15K | Refresh | $12,000–$19,000 | Labor & installation, Paint & finishes, Lighting & fixtures |
| $25K | Renovate | $20,000–$32,000 | Cabinets, Labor & installation, Countertops & backsplash |
| $50K | Transform | $40,000–$65,000 | Cabinets, Labor & installation, Countertops & backsplash |
| $100K+ | Full transformation | $85,000–$150,000 | Cabinets, Labor & installation, Appliances |
Preliminary planning estimate only. Actual costs vary based on location, labor, materials, existing conditions, project scope and contractor. Renovue does not provide contractor quotes.
Kitchen remodel cost calculator
Tell us what you'd keep and what you'd replace. Every line shows the assumption behind it, so you can see what moves the number.
Estimated project cost
$17,000–$28,000
Preliminary planning estimate · not a contractor bid
See what your kitchen could look like at $25K.
Renovue's $25K “Renovate” budget fits this estimate. Upload a photo; your first remodel is free.
See My Kitchen at $25KActual costs vary by location, materials, labor and existing conditions.
Where the money typically goes
- Cabinets$6K–$11K
Reface, medium kitchen
- Countertops$3.5K–$6K
Quartz or granite
- Backsplash, lighting, sink & paint$4K–$7.5K
Finishes that match the cabinet scope
- Demolition, plumbing, electrical & prep$1K–$2K
Removing old work and rough-in for the new
- Contingency$1.5K–$3K
10% for surprises found once work starts
Renovue's national planning assumptions for a typical single-family home, installed. Renovue does not provide contractor quotes. How these estimates work
Next: what $25,000 can do · how to set your budget · questions to ask a contractor
What drives kitchen remodel costs
The biggest decision in Renovue's kitchen cost model is cabinets: going from “keep and paint” to “custom or new layout” changes the planning cost by about $43,500. Each bar shows how far one decision moves the estimate when every other choice is typical.
- Cabinetsabout $43,500
Keep and paint → Custom or new layout
- Appliancesabout $16,500
Keep → Premium or built-in suite
- Kitchen sizeabout $16,000
Small → Large
- Countertopsabout $9,000
Keep → Premium stone
- Flooringabout $4,000
Keep → Hardwood or natural stone
Planning differences from Renovue's national assumptions, not quotes. Try your own combination in the calculator.
Kitchen remodel ideas
New fronts on the old layout
Replacing doors and drawer fronts (or full cabinets in the same footprint) with new counters is the core of most mid-range kitchen renovations.
Layered lighting
Under-cabinet lights, pendants over an island or peninsula and dimmable ceiling lights change how a kitchen feels for a small share of the budget.
A backsplash that does the talking
Tile is one of the most visible changes per dollar. A full-height backsplash behind the range gives a custom look without moving anything.
An island only if it truly fits
Islands need clearance on every working side. If yours doesn't fit comfortably, a peninsula or more counter run often works better.
Where to save
- Keep the sink, range and dishwasher where they are
- Refinish solid cabinet boxes instead of replacing them
- Choose quartz or laminate patterns over rare stone slabs
- Reuse appliances that are less than 5–7 years old
Where spending more pays off
- Cabinet construction and drawer hardware you'll use every day
- Lighting: under-cabinet and task lighting pay off daily
- A quality faucet and sink
- Ventilation that actually vents outside
Costs people miss
- Electrical upgrades for new appliances or lighting
- Damaged subfloor or water damage under old cabinets
- Countertop templating and lead times delaying the schedule
- Permits if plumbing, gas or walls change
How Renovue works
See it.
Upload one photo. Renovue remodels your actual space — same walls, windows and camera angle.
Price it.
A preliminary planning range for your budget, and where the money typically goes.
Plan it.
Turn it into a Project Plan: scope, sequence, materials and the questions to ask your contractor.
See what your kitchen could become.
Your first remodel is free. No account needed.
Visualize My Kitchen