True Cost Guide Kitchens DIY Kitchen Remodel

How Much Does a DIY Kitchen Remodel Cost?

Typical Range:

$2,500 - $50,000

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated November 10, 2022

Written by HomeAdvisor.

The average cost to DIY a kitchen remodel is $20,000. Most homeowners spend between $9,000 and $30,000, or around $50 to $200 per square foot. What you spend depends on how much of the project you DIY (you may need help with plumbing and electrics), the extent of the remodel, and the quality of the materials you select. On average, you can save 15% to 30% by taking on the project yourself instead of hiring professionals.

Average Cost to DIY a Kitchen Remodel

Average Cost	High Cost	Low Cost
$20,000	$50,000	$2,500

DIY Kitchen Remodel Material Prices

The cost to remodel a kitchen DIY runs lower than the cost to remodel a kitchen professionally since materials are your only expense. Some of the materials you might need to budget for are cabinets, appliances, countertops, and flooring.

Cabinets

Depending on your budget and the state of the existing cabinets, you can choose to replace, reface, or repaint them.

Replace cabinets: The material cost for new cabinets depends on whether you go for a stock or a custom option:
- Stock cabinets: $50 to $200 per linear foot
- Semi-custom cabinets: $75 to $400 per linear foot
- Custom cabinets: $300 to $750 per linear foot
Reface cabinets: Refacing cabinets costs between $1,700 and $6,600 if you do the work yourself. Where you fall in this cost range depends on the number of cabinets and whether you opt for a budget laminate finish or a luxury wood veneer.
Refinish cabinets: Refinishing cabinet costs are the least expensive of the three options. You could spend $300 or less to purchase paint to freshen up your existing cabinet doors.

Appliances

The cost of appliances varies depending on whether you go for a custom built-in, high-end store-bought, or budget outlet option. Energy-efficient, EnergyStar-certified options are more expensive upfront, but they can save you on utility bills in the future. Typical prices for a few common kitchen appliances include:

Appliance	Average Cost Range
Microwave	$50 – $2,000
Range Hood	$50 – $2,500
Dishwasher	$300 – $2,000
Stove & Range	$400 – $7,000
Refrigerator	$400 – $10,000

Need Help With Your Kitchen Remodel?

Countertops

The cost to install or replace countertops varies depending on the base material. There are several options to choose from, including natural stone, marble, laminate, and others. Natural stone is long-lasting and is available in a wide range of beautiful colors and patterns, but it comes at a higher price and needs a lot of maintenance. Laminate is the least expensive option, but it isn’t as durable as stone and other solid surface styles.

Countertop Material	Cost per Square Foot
Granite	$8 – $27
Acrylic	$13 – $30
Engineered Stone Quartz	$15 – $70
Granite	$15 – $140
Marble	$15 – $200
Wood	$18 – $38

Flooring

The cost of flooring materials ranges between $0.50 and $25 per square foot. The most affordable options are vinyl and linoleum, which run from $0.50 to $14 per square foot. On the other end of the price range are solid floor options like stone and hardwood, which can run anywhere from $4 to $25 per square foot.

Floor Type	Material Cost per Square Foot
Vinyl and Linoleum	$0.50 – $14
Carpet	$2 – $7
Wood tile	$2 – $12
Tile	$2 – $15
Laminate	$3 – $8
Stone	$4 – $20
Hardwood	$6 – $20

DIY Kitchen Remodel Cost Factors

The cost to remodel a kitchen DIY varies widely depending on several factors. The most important ones are the kitchen’s size, extent of remodel, material quality, and available tools. Each factor can affect how much your remodel costs you.

Size

It typically costs between $50 and $200 per square foot to remodel a kitchen yourself. The average US kitchen is around 160 square feet. However, a one-bedroom apartment kitchen may be as small as 100 square feet, while a larger, four-bedroom home could have a 250-square-foot kitchen.

Extent of Remodel

DIY kitchen remodel costs can vary widely depending on the size or complexity of the project. For example, expect to pay considerably more if you are completely reconfiguring your kitchen’s layout. For this kind of project, you’ll need to factor in additional costs, including plumbing, electrical work, floors, and more. But if you just want to refresh your existing kitchen by refinishing or staining your cabinets, it’ll cost you significantly less.

Material Quality

Your kitchen remodel will cost more if you opt for a luxury finish, using materials like marble countertops, custom-made cabinets, or slate flooring. Selecting durable, tasteful materials doesn’t have to cost a fortune: take the time to research the different materials available and shop around before settling on a supplier.

Available Tools

To tackle tasks—like fitting new cabinets or flooring—you’ll need equipment such as a miter saw, nail gun, drill, circular saw, and more. If you don’t have these and can’t borrow them, you’ll have to budget for their purchase, increasing the project total.

Compare Quotes From Kitchen Remodelers

How to Save Money on a DIY Kitchen Remodel

A home kitchen remodel doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’ve gone down the DIY route because you’re on a tight budget, there are other ways you can keep costs in check while still freshening up your kitchen. Here’s how to save money on a DIY kitchen remodel.

Get Creative

There are ways to save on a DIY kitchen renovation cost without sacrificing style. For example, instead of buying all new cabinets, try repainting or refacing the ones you already have.

Choose Materials Wisely

When it comes to materials, there are lots of options—and they all come with different price tags. If you're trying to save money, it's often best to stick with more affordable options that can still do the job. Opting for laminate countertops, for example, instead of granite or marble, will help keep the costs down.

Shop Around

When buying kitchen remodel materials, don't just settle for the first option you come across. Compare prices from different stores, and don't be afraid to haggle a bit to get the best deal possible. You can save a lot on material costs by simply taking the time to shop around.

Stick With the Original Floor Plan

To save money on your kitchen remodel, try to work around your current layout instead of gutting the whole room and rebuilding it from scratch (which could be significantly more costly). By sticking with the current layout, you’ll bypass any need for major plumbing or wiring work or the costs to hire a kitchen designer.

How to Finance a DIY Kitchen Remodel

If you don’t have any savings or cash on hand, there are several financing options to choose from to pay for your DIY kitchen remodel. The most common ones are a personal loan, a home equity line of credit, and a home equity loan. The best option for you depends on your needs and circumstances.

Home equity loan: If you’ve built up some considerable equity in your home, you can take out a home equity loan. This is basically a loan extended against the equity in your home. You’ll receive the cash as a lump sum, which you’ll repay over a pre-agreed period at a fixed interest rate.
HELOC: A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is basically a revolving line of credit that you borrow against your home equity. HELOCs are homeowners' favorite as their interest rates are usually lower than other types of loans and lines of credit.
Personal loan: This can be a good option if you have good credit and can thus qualify for a low-interest rate. You can get a personal loan of as little as $1,000 and as much as $50,000 from your bank or a local credit union to fund your kitchen remodel.
Credit card: For small DIY kitchen remodeling projects, you can also opt for the sheer convenience of plastic. If you decide to use your credit card, look for a card with a lengthy 0% annual percentage rate (APR) introductory period. This’ll allow you to pay off your borrowed amount without incurring any interest charges.

DIY Kitchen Remodeling vs. Hiring a Pro

If you don’t have the time, patience, or experience, you might decide to splash the extra cash and hire a local kitchen remodeling contractor to do the work instead. This typically adds 15% to 30% to the total cost to remodel your kitchen.

Even if you plan to do most of the work yourself when the remodel involves any plumbing, electrical, gas, or HVAC work, it’s best to call in the pros to ensure safe completion and that the work is in line with local regulations. The cost to hire an electrician runs between $50 and $100 per hour, while the cost to hire a plumber is typically $45 to $200 per hour.

FAQs

Do I need a permit for my kitchen remodel?

When your kitchen renovation includes major modifications, you’ll likely need to apply for one or more permits. The cost of building permits typically ranges from $450 to $2,400. Don’t forget to factor in the timescales for application and approval. Electrical and plumbing permits are sometimes issued immediately, while structural applications can take 4 to 6 weeks to process. Always consult with relevant local parties, as permit requirements vary by state and city; you may need separate plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and structural work permits. You rarely need a permit to complete the work for basic remodels involving refacing cabinets, re-flooring, or re-tiling.

How long will my kitchen remodel take?

A kitchen remodel typically takes anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. The timeline depends on your project’s complexity, your experience level, and the size of your kitchen. Larger projects that involve structural changes, wall removals, and floor plan reconfiguration will take significantly longer than smaller remodels like installing new cabinets or countertops. The timeline can also vary depending on the number of hours you can dedicate to the project per day. For example, if you can only dedicate nights and weekends to the work, this’ll extend the timescale.

What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?

Cabinets are typically the most expensive component of a kitchen remodel. Even semi-custom cabinetry can cost $20,000 or more, depending on the size of your kitchen. If you want to save money on your kitchen remodel costs, consider just refacing your kitchen cabinets by putting in new doors and drawer fronts, for example, or just repainting them instead of installing new ones.

What adds the most value to a kitchen?

Cabinets are basically the building blocks of your kitchen; they take up the most space in the kitchen and are typically the first thing people notice when they walk in. Increasing their aesthetic value, therefore, has the potential to add the most value to your kitchen. Other features that’ll also add great value to your kitchen are energy-efficient appliances and durable and stylish countertops.

Is remodeling a kitchen worth it?

Remodeling a kitchen is, in most cases, worth the time, money, and effort. For starters, a great new kitchen can improve the livability and functionality of your home. Additionally, research shows that a kitchen remodel can return up to 60% to 80% of the money put into it, depending on the size of the remodel and location of the home or neighborhood.