Home / Guides / Costs & Pricing
Costs & PricingWhat Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Chicagoland?
Kitchens carry the widest price range of any room in the house, because cabinets alone can swing the budget by tens of thousands. Here's how 2026 Chicagoland kitchen pricing actually breaks down — and the one decision (cabinets) that sets your whole budget.
These are typical market ranges for planning. Your quote depends on your kitchen's size, condition, and selections.
Kitchen pricing tiers
| Tier | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh | $8,000–$18,000 | Cabinet refacing or painting, new counters, backsplash, faucet, lighting, paint |
| Mid-range remodel | $25,000–$50,000 | New stock/semi-custom cabinets, quartz counters, tile backsplash, flooring, lighting |
| Major remodel | $50,000–$90,000+ | Layout changes, custom cabinetry, appliance package, structural or plumbing moves |
Cabinets and counters together typically consume 40–55% of a kitchen budget. Decide your cabinet strategy first (keep, reface, or replace) and every other number falls into place.
The cabinet decision drives everything
- Keep + paint: strongest value if boxes are solid plywood and layout works — see our reface vs. replace guide.
- Reface: new doors, drawer fronts and veneer on existing boxes — roughly 40–60% of replacement cost.
- Replace with stock/semi-custom: the mid-range default; quality has improved dramatically at this tier.
- Full custom: for unusual layouts or specific wood/finish goals — expect the top of the range.
Chicagoland-specific factors
- Mid-century homes in Skokie, Morton Grove, and Niles often hide undersized 60-amp-era wiring behind kitchen walls — an electrical service check belongs in every kitchen plan.
- Vintage Evanston two-flats: floor leveling is common before new flooring or cabinet runs.
- Bungalow kitchens are compact — galley and L layouts reward semi-custom sizing more than big-box stock runs.
- Permits are required for plumbing, electrical, and wall changes in nearly all Cook County suburbs.
Save smart, not short
- Keep appliances in their existing locations — gas and water moves are expensive and invisible.
- Quartz remains the best durability-per-dollar counter for most families.
- Under-cabinet lighting is the cheapest 'expensive-looking' upgrade in the whole kitchen.
- Order everything before demo day — a kitchen torn apart waiting on backordered cabinets is the classic remodel horror story.
These are market ranges — your exact number is one free estimate away. Free quote · (224) 551-3643
Frequently asked questions
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
A refresh runs 1–2 weeks; a mid-range remodel 4–8 weeks including cabinet lead time; major remodels 2–4 months. Lead times on cabinets and counters — not labor — usually set the calendar.
Can I live in my house during a kitchen remodel?
Yes — most families do. Set up a temporary kitchen (microwave, coffee, fridge) in another room and plan for a few weeks of simple meals.
What's the best month to start a kitchen remodel in Chicago?
January–April. Crews are more available, and you're done before summer hosting season.
Is it worth remodeling before selling?
Usually a refresh, not a full remodel: painted cabinets, new counters, hardware, and lighting recover value; a $70k dream kitchen rarely returns its cost at sale.
Cost figures are typical Chicagoland market ranges for planning purposes, current as of 2026, and are not a quote. Every project is priced individually after an on-site estimate — condition, selections, and scope change the numbers.