Kitchen Remodel Cost & Profit Calculator (Free 2026 Tool)
Kitchen Remodel Cost & Profit Calculator
Build a homeowner renovation budget or calculate a contractor's true job cost and target bid. Choose one model below. They use different inputs and different calculations.
Estimate your kitchen renovation budget
Start with a published U.S. spending benchmark, or replace it with your own line-item allowances.
Your preliminary cost allowances
Enter amounts from quotes, allowances or your own planning. These are user inputs, not pre-filled national unit prices. Enter 0 for categories that do not apply.
Planning reserve
This is an adjustable planning cushion, not a published industry average or a contractor contingency rule.
Want to see how the math works?
Load the sample project values used in the Kitchen & Bath OS workbook examples. All fields remain editable.
Build your contractor estimate
Enter your own hours, material purchases, subcontractor bids and pricing assumptions. The calculator converts loaded labor and direct costs into a target bid.
Company costing & pricing assumptions
Seven-phase kitchen remodel scope
Enter labor hours, raw material purchase cost before waste, and subcontractor bids for each phase.
| Trade phase | Labor hrs | Raw materials $ | Subs $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Demolition & site protection | |||
| 2. Rough plumbing & gas | |||
| 3. Electrical & lighting | |||
| 4. Cabinetry & millwork | |||
| 5. Countertops & solid surfaces | |||
| 6. Tile & waterproofing | |||
| 7. Fixtures, sinks & detailing |
How much does a kitchen remodel cost?
There is no single reliable price for every kitchen. The project scope, room size, cabinet choice, countertop material, appliance package, plumbing and electrical changes, labor market and site conditions all affect the budget. Use the homeowner model for an early planning reference. Use the contractor model when you have cost inputs and need to understand job cost, target gross margin and a price structure.
For a recent U.S. reference point, the 2026 Houzz U.S. Kitchen Trends Study reports median spend of $20,000 for minor remodels and $55,000 for major remodels. For major remodels, it reports $46,000 for smaller kitchens under 250 square feet and $75,000 for kitchens of 250 square feet or more. Its project-spend data reflects work completed by mid-2025 and is not adjusted for inflation.
For another perspective, Angi's 2026 kitchen remodel cost guide reports a national average of $26,992 based on 13,100 verified projects. These studies use different samples and definitions, so compare like with like rather than treating any one number as a guaranteed quote.
Homeowner budget vs. contractor bid: why the numbers differ
A homeowner budget is a planning estimate of what a project may cost to complete. A contractor's bid must account for the actual scope, loaded labor, material purchases and waste, subcontractor quotes, permits and logistics, contingency, overhead, target gross margin and applicable taxes. A contractor should replace generic assumptions with current local quotes and their own operating costs before issuing a proposal.
How to calculate loaded labor cost
Payroll wage is not always the contractor's full labor cost. Employer payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, benefits and insurance can increase the hourly cost of employing a worker.
The Remodel OS workbook's example uses a $48.00 base wage and a 26.5% burden assumption, producing a $60.72 loaded hourly rate. Those are editable example inputs, not a recommended rate for every contractor or state.
How to price a kitchen remodel using gross margin
Markup and gross margin are not interchangeable. To calculate a selling price from a target gross margin, divide the cost base by one minus the target margin.
For example, a $10,000 direct cost base at a 22% target gross margin produces a pre-tax bid of $12,820.51. A 22% markup instead produces $12,200, which is only about an 18.0% gross margin. The contractor model calculates gross profit and then subtracts the overhead allocation to show an indicative operating-profit figure.
What should a kitchen remodel estimate include?
Review demolition and site protection, rough plumbing and gas, electrical and lighting, cabinetry and millwork, countertops, tile and waterproofing, fixtures and detailing. Also account for pass-through costs such as permits, disposal, floor protection, delivery and other site logistics. Confirm which items are included, excluded or carried as allowances. Reconcile the final estimate to the proposal before sending it to a client.
From a one-time estimate to a complete remodeling workflow.
Kitchen & Bath OS is a native Excel estimating and operations workbook for contractors who want a more structured process for scope estimating, proposals, change orders and job costing. The Pro edition expands the workflow with cost-library, allowance, procurement, work-order and closeout tools.
Explore Kitchen & Bath OS Download free Labor Pulse See product detailsLearn more about estimating and profit protection
Watch the Kitchen & Bath OS walkthrough, or read The 35% Markup Trap: Why Your Margins Are Lower Than You Think. Get future contractor profit notes in the Remodel OS newsletter.
Frequently asked questions
Is this calculator a contractor quote?
No. It is a planning and estimating aid. A real proposal requires verified quantities, current supplier and subcontractor pricing, local labor costs, site inspection and applicable legal and tax review.
Why does the homeowner estimate differ from the contractor estimate?
The homeowner mode starts with historical median spending benchmarks or amounts you enter. The contractor mode calculates a bid from labor, materials, subcontractors, logistics, contingency, overhead and target gross margin. They answer different questions.
Does the contractor calculator include sales tax?
It can add a tax percentage that you enter, but the default is 0%. This calculator applies that rate to the pre-tax target bid for illustration. Construction tax treatment and the taxable base vary by state, locality, contract type and project. Verify both before using a live bid.
Can I use these numbers anywhere in the United States?
The calculator is denominated in USD and the homeowner benchmark is U.S.-based. The national benchmark is not a local quote. Contractor labor, material and tax inputs should be calibrated to the job location.
Comments
Post a Comment