After our big kitchen reveal yesterday, the question everyone asks is: how much did it cost? It wasn’t millions — and it came in well below the national average for a major kitchen remodel, which realtor.org estimates at $44,000.
We went back through every invoice and estimate to calculate the real cost from start to finish. This remodel included widening doorways, new floors, electrical work, lighting, appliances, and more — it wasn’t just a simple cabinet and countertop refresh.
Here’s the itemized breakdown:
Demo & Construction: $1,400 (negotiated down from $2,400) — A local contractor and mason removed the old counters and cabinets, widened two doorways, and closed off one doorway.
Electrical: $900 (negotiated down from $2,100) — A licensed electrician wired the microwave, dishwasher, and disposal, and installed five recessed lights plus a pendant fixture over the sink.
Wood Flooring: $1,200 (on sale from $3,000) — Oak flooring purchased from Lumber Liquidators and installed by a local contractor.
Appliances & Fixtures: $800 (originally priced at $1,500) — We bought a pendant light, cabinet hardware, a stainless steel hood and microwave, a garbage disposal, a wholesale sink and faucet. We also received a free dishwasher with a laundry appliance purchase and reused our existing refrigerator and stove.
Kitchen Design: $0 — We used Home Depot’s free in-house Certified Kitchen Designer.
Cabinets: $9,500 (after $500 cash-back promotion) — KraftMaid Bel Air cabinets ordered through Home Depot with reinforced drawer slides, Thermafoil protection, one glass-front cabinet door, and a wooden two-tier lazy Susan base cabinet. Price includes installation.
Countertops: $3,700 (after $300 off promotion) — Stonemark granite countertops ordered through Home Depot. Price includes templating and installation.
Grand Total: $17,500
By shopping strategically — buying a wholesale sink and faucet online, purchasing hardware in bulk, timing purchases for sales, accepting a free design service, and negotiating with local contractors after obtaining multiple estimates — we estimate we saved around $5,500 compared with the initial quotes.
Even with those savings, this was a significant expense. Framed as an investment in our home’s functionality and resale value, however, the cost already feels justified. The updated layout, durable materials, and professional installation have noticeably improved how we use and enjoy the space.
If you’re planning your own remodel, consider getting multiple bids, timing big purchases around promotions, and using available free design resources — small strategies can add up to substantial savings without sacrificing quality.