Kitchen Renovation Costs 2026
Kitchen renovation costs represent the total expenditure homeowners pay to remodel their kitchens, including countertops, cabinets, flooring, appliances, labor, and permits. In 2026, the national average kitchen renovation costs between $28,000 and $78,000 depending on scope and materials.
TL;DR
- The average U.S. kitchen renovation costs $35,000-$45,000 in 2026 for a mid-range remodel
- Countertops account for 10-15% of total kitchen renovation budgets, averaging $3,500-$7,500
- Labor costs have risen 12-18% since 2023 due to skilled trade shortages
- Material costs for countertops range from $40-$200+ per square foot installed
- Minor kitchen refreshes start at $12,000-$18,000, while high-end gut renovations can exceed $125,000
- Countertop fabrication and installation typically takes 5-10 business days after templating
- ROI on kitchen renovations averages 60-75% at resale
Kitchen Renovation Cost Breakdown by Category
Understanding where the money goes helps both homeowners and fabrication shops set expectations. Here's how a typical mid-range kitchen renovation budget breaks down:
| Category | % of Budget | Mid-Range Cost | High-End Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinets & Hardware | 28-35% | $10,000-$15,000 | $25,000-$60,000 |
| Countertops | 10-15% | $3,500-$7,500 | $8,000-$25,000 |
| Appliances | 14-18% | $5,000-$8,000 | $15,000-$40,000 |
| Labor (non-specific) | 15-20% | $5,500-$9,000 | $12,000-$25,000 |
| Flooring | 7-10% | $2,500-$4,500 | $6,000-$15,000 |
| Plumbing | 5-8% | $1,800-$3,500 | $4,000-$10,000 |
| Electrical | 4-7% | $1,500-$3,000 | $3,500-$8,000 |
| Backsplash | 3-5% | $1,200-$2,200 | $3,000-$8,000 |
| Permits & Design | 3-5% | $1,000-$2,200 | $3,000-$8,000 |
| Miscellaneous/Contingency | 5-10% | $1,800-$4,500 | $5,000-$12,000 |
Countertop Costs: The Fabricator's Slice
For fabrication shops, the countertop portion of a kitchen renovation is where the action is. Here's what countertops cost by material in 2026:
| Material | Cost per Sq Ft (Installed) | Average Kitchen (40 sq ft) | Average Kitchen (60 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate | $15-$40 | $600-$1,600 | $900-$2,400 |
| Solid Surface | $45-$85 | $1,800-$3,400 | $2,700-$5,100 |
| Granite | $55-$130 | $2,200-$5,200 | $3,300-$7,800 |
| Quartz | $50-$120 | $2,000-$4,800 | $3,000-$7,200 |
| Marble | $70-$150 | $2,800-$6,000 | $4,200-$9,000 |
| Quartzite | $80-$200 | $3,200-$8,000 | $4,800-$12,000 |
| Porcelain Slab | $60-$130 | $2,400-$5,200 | $3,600-$7,800 |
The typical kitchen countertop job involves 35-60 square feet of surface area, including the main countertop run, an island (if present), and any bar tops or secondary surfaces.
What's Included in Countertop Pricing
When homeowners see a "per square foot installed" price, it should cover:
- Material cost: The slab itself ($20-$120+ per square foot wholesale)
- Fabrication: Cutting, edging, polishing, and cutouts ($8-$25 per square foot)
- Templating: Measuring the space, typically $150-$350 per visit
- Installation: Delivery, fitting, shimming, seaming, and caulking ($8-$20 per square foot)
- Standard edge profile: Most shops include a basic eased or beveled edge
- Sink cutout: Usually one cutout is included; additional cutouts cost $150-$300 each
- Cooktop cutout: $200-$400 extra in most markets
What Adds to Countertop Costs
- Premium edge profiles: Ogee, dupont, or waterfall edges add $15-$40 per linear foot
- Waterfall sides: $800-$2,500 per side on an island
- Backsplash (stone): $25-$60 per linear foot for a 4" backsplash
- Extra seams: Complex layouts with multiple seams add $200-$500 per seam
- Plumbing disconnect/reconnect: $150-$400 if the fabricator handles it
Regional Cost Variations
Kitchen renovation costs vary dramatically by location. The same mid-range renovation that costs $38,000 in Kansas City might run $65,000 in San Francisco.
| Metro Area | Mid-Range Reno Average | Countertop Avg (Quartz) | Labor Rate Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | $55,000-$85,000 | $5,500-$9,000 | 1.4x |
| San Francisco | $60,000-$90,000 | $5,800-$9,500 | 1.5x |
| Los Angeles | $50,000-$75,000 | $4,800-$8,000 | 1.3x |
| Chicago | $40,000-$60,000 | $4,000-$6,500 | 1.1x |
| Dallas | $35,000-$50,000 | $3,500-$5,800 | 1.0x |
| Atlanta | $33,000-$48,000 | $3,200-$5,500 | 0.95x |
| Phoenix | $32,000-$47,000 | $3,000-$5,200 | 0.9x |
| Minneapolis | $38,000-$55,000 | $3,800-$6,200 | 1.05x |
The labor rate multiplier reflects how local wage rates compare to the national average. In high-cost markets, fabrication labor alone can be $25-$40 per hour, while in lower-cost markets it's typically $18-$28 per hour.
Cost Trends: 2023 vs. 2026
Several factors have pushed kitchen renovation costs upward over the past three years:
| Cost Driver | 2023 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average mid-range reno | $30,000-$38,000 | $35,000-$45,000 | +15-18% |
| Fabrication labor rate | $18-$30/hr | $22-$38/hr | +20-27% |
| Quartz slab (wholesale) | $22-$65/sq ft | $25-$72/sq ft | +10-14% |
| Granite slab (wholesale) | $18-$55/sq ft | $20-$60/sq ft | +8-11% |
| Permit costs | $200-$800 | $300-$1,200 | +40-50% |
| CNC operator wage | $22-$35/hr | $26-$42/hr | +18-20% |
Why Costs Keep Rising
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Skilled labor shortage: There aren't enough experienced stone fabricators. The average fabricator age is 47, and fewer young workers are entering the trade. Shops report spending $2,000-$5,000 and 3-6 months training each new hire.
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Silicosis regulations: New workplace safety requirements for dust control have added $15,000-$50,000 in equipment costs per shop, which gets passed along in pricing.
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Material cost inflation: Quartz slab prices from major brands have increased 10-14% since 2023, driven by higher resin and raw material costs.
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Insurance increases: Fabrication shop insurance premiums are up 15-25% due to silicosis-related liability concerns.
How Countertop Pricing Affects Fabrication Shop Revenue
For a fabrication shop, understanding the economics from both sides matters. Here's what a typical quartz kitchen countertop job looks like:
| Line Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Homeowner pays (50 sq ft at $80/sq ft) | $4,000 |
| Slab cost (wholesale) | $1,200-$1,800 |
| Fabrication labor | $400-$600 |
| Installation labor | $300-$500 |
| Templating | $150-$250 |
| Consumables (blades, pads, adhesive) | $80-$150 |
| Overhead allocation | $400-$600 |
| Gross profit | $600-$1,500 |
| Gross margin | 15-38% |
The wide margin range reflects how efficiently a shop operates. Shops that minimize waste through better slab nesting, reduce remakes through accurate templating, and speed up quoting to close more jobs will land on the higher end. A shop doing 80-120 kitchen jobs per month at $1,000 average gross profit generates $80,000-$120,000 in monthly gross profit.
How to Quote Kitchen Countertops Faster
The quoting process is where many fabrication shops lose potential customers. The industry average for generating a countertop quote is about 20 minutes per inquiry when done manually --- measuring drawings, calculating square footage, looking up slab costs, figuring edge profiles, and adding labor.
With 8-15 inquiries per day, that's 2.5 to 5 hours spent just on quoting. And if the quote takes too long to reach the homeowner, they've often already called a competitor.
Tools like SlabWise's Quick Quote feature compress this process to about 3 minutes per quote by auto-calculating square footage from templates, pulling live slab pricing, and generating professional PDF quotes. That time savings alone frees up 2-4 hours per day for a shop's sales team.
Kitchen Renovation ROI and Resale Value
Homeowners often ask fabricators whether the countertop investment is "worth it." Here's what the data shows:
| Renovation Level | Average Cost | Resale Value Added | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor refresh | $15,000-$20,000 | $12,000-$16,000 | 75-80% |
| Mid-range remodel | $35,000-$45,000 | $22,000-$32,000 | 60-72% |
| Major upscale remodel | $75,000-$125,000 | $42,000-$70,000 | 52-60% |
Countertops specifically carry strong ROI because they're one of the first things buyers notice. Real estate agents consistently rank countertop material as a top-3 feature that influences buyer perception, alongside cabinet quality and appliance brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in 2026?
A mid-range kitchen renovation in 2026 costs between $35,000 and $45,000 nationally. Minor refreshes start at $12,000-$18,000, while high-end gut renovations can exceed $125,000 depending on the scope and market.
What percentage of a kitchen renovation budget goes to countertops?
Countertops typically account for 10-15% of the total kitchen renovation budget. For a $40,000 renovation, that's $4,000-$6,000 for countertop fabrication and installation.
How much do quartz countertops cost installed in 2026?
Quartz countertops cost $50-$120 per square foot installed in 2026. A typical 40-60 square foot kitchen countertop runs $2,000-$7,200, depending on the brand, color, and complexity of the layout.
Why have kitchen renovation costs increased since 2023?
Costs have risen 15-18% since 2023 due to skilled labor shortages (fabricator wages up 20-27%), material cost inflation (slab prices up 10-14%), new silicosis safety regulations, and higher insurance premiums for fabrication shops.
How long does it take to get new countertops?
From initial contact to completed installation, the typical timeline is 2-4 weeks. This includes quoting (1-3 days), slab selection (1-3 days), templating (scheduled 3-7 days out), fabrication (3-5 days), and installation (1 day).
What's the cheapest countertop material for a kitchen?
Laminate is the most affordable option at $15-$40 per square foot installed. Solid surface is the next step up at $45-$85 per square foot. For natural or engineered stone, entry-level granite and quartz start around $50-$55 per square foot installed.
Do kitchen renovations add home value?
Yes. Kitchen renovations return 60-75% of their cost at resale on average. Minor kitchen refreshes see the highest ROI at 75-80%, while major upscale remodels return 52-60%.
How much does countertop installation labor cost?
Installation labor typically runs $8-$20 per square foot, or $300-$1,200 for a standard kitchen. This covers delivery, fitting, leveling, seaming, and caulking. Costs are higher in metro areas like New York and San Francisco.
Should I get granite or quartz countertops in 2026?
Quartz is more popular (36% market share vs. granite's 24%) and requires less maintenance. Granite offers unique natural patterns and typically costs slightly less at the entry level. Both are solid choices depending on your priorities and budget.
How do fabrication shops price countertop jobs?
Most shops price by square foot, with the rate covering material, fabrication, templating, and installation. Additional charges apply for premium edge profiles, extra cutouts, waterfall sides, and backsplashes. The specific rate depends on material type and local market conditions.
Get Faster, More Accurate Countertop Quotes
SlabWise's Quick Quote tool generates professional countertop quotes in 3 minutes instead of 20. With live slab pricing, automatic square footage calculations, and instant PDF delivery, your shop can respond to homeowner inquiries before the competition. Start your 14-day free trial today.
Sources
- National Kitchen & Bath Association, "Kitchen Planning & Remodeling Cost Guide," 2026 Edition
- Remodeling Magazine, "Cost vs. Value Report," 2025-2026
- HomeAdvisor, "True Cost Guide: Kitchen Remodeling," Updated January 2026
- Freedonia Group, "U.S. Countertops Market Report," 2025
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Occupational Employment and Wages: Tile and Stone Setters," 2025
- National Association of Home Builders, "Remodeling Market Index," Q4 2025
- Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard University, "Improving America's Housing," 2025