What Does It Cost to Remodel a Kitchen in Seattle? A 2026 Guide

By the CHC Remodel team in Kirkland, WA · Last updated: October 26, 2026

A kitchen remodel is one of the biggest projects most Seattle homeowners take on. The price depends far more on scope than on square footage. Here are the cost ranges CHC Remodel sees on its own kitchen projects, where the money goes, and how to set a budget that holds up once walls are opened.

Average kitchen remodel cost in Seattle (2026)

Remodel level	Typical cost	What it usually involves
Basic	$10,000–$30,000	Same layout, refreshed surfaces, prefab or stock cabinets, laminate or entry-level counters
Mid-range	$30,000–$60,000	New semi-custom cabinets, stone counters, new appliances and lighting, mostly the same layout
High-end	$60,000–$120,000	Custom cabinetry, premium appliances, layout changes such as moving plumbing or removing walls

These ranges are starting points, not quotes. Two kitchens of the same size can land in different tiers because of the choices described below.

Where the money goes: kitchen remodel cost breakdown

The table shows the typical share of the budget for each part of the job, and what that means in dollars on a $50,000 mid-range remodel.

Category	Share of budget	On a $50,000 remodel
Cabinetry and hardware	About 30%	About $15,000
Countertops	10–15%	$5,000–$7,500
Appliances	10–20%	$5,000–$10,000
Plumbing and electrical	10–15%	$5,000–$7,500
Flooring and finishes	10–15%	$5,000–$7,500
Labor and permits	20–25%	$10,000–$12,500

The shares are ranges, so they don’t add up to exactly 100%. A kitchen with high-end appliances, for example, sits at the top of the appliance range and lower elsewhere.

Why cabinets cost the most

Cabinets fill most of the room, decide the layout, and take the most work to build and install. That’s why they take the largest share of almost every kitchen budget. For more on choosing them, see our guide to custom kitchen cabinets or our custom kitchen cabinet service.

What pushes a Seattle kitchen remodel up or down

Custom vs. prefab cabinetry

Prefab (stock) cabinets come in set sizes and finishes, and they cost the least. Semi-custom cabinets add sizes and finish options. Custom cabinets are built to your exact dimensions. Moving from stock to custom is often the single largest jump between the basic and high-end tiers.

Stone vs. laminate countertops

Laminate keeps costs down. Quartz, granite and other stone cost more for both the material and the cutting and shaping, and more again with a waterfall edge, full-height backsplash or a large island.

Structural changes

Keeping the sink, range and walls where they are is the biggest way to control cost. Removing a wall, moving plumbing or adding circuits brings in more trades, more time and sometimes engineering. Load-bearing walls need a properly designed beam and support.

Age and condition of the home

Many Seattle-area homes are decades old. Once cabinets and drywall come off, older wiring, plumbing or framing can need updating before new work goes in. You can’t always see this at the estimate stage, which is why the contingency below matters.

How to budget for your kitchen remodel

Plan a 10–15% contingency

A contingency is extra money set aside for surprises. Keep 10–15% of the project cost aside for problems found once old cabinets and walls come out. On a $50,000 remodel, that is $5,000–$7,500. If you don’t need it, it can go toward upgrades at the end.

Put quality into the cabinets

Cabinets are usually the longest-lasting part of a kitchen and the hardest part to replace later. Saving on a light fixture is easy to undo. Saving on cabinet boxes and hardware usually isn’t.

Choose efficient lighting and fixtures

LED lighting lowers running costs for as long as you own the kitchen. ENERGY STAR says certified LED lighting uses 90% less energy and can last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting (ENERGY STAR). A water-saving faucet adds a smaller saving every day.

Keep the scope written down

Changes made after work starts are a common reason budgets grow. Settle the layout, cabinet line, counters and appliances before construction, and price any later change in writing.

For how long each stage takes, see our remodel timeline guide. For ways to trim cost, see these budget-friendly kitchen ideas.

How CHC Remodel prices a kitchen

CHC Remodel is a Kirkland-based remodeling company serving Seattle and the Eastside. We price from a defined scope, not a square-foot guess. We start with a consultation about your goals and budget range, then review the existing kitchen, including walls, plumbing, electrical and structure. Next we turn your ideas into a buildable plan with an estimate based on that plan. Our CEO, Siamak Firooz, is a structural engineer, so wall removals and layout changes are checked in-house before they are priced. Read more about our kitchen remodeling work and our remodeling process.

We remodel kitchens across Seattle and the Eastside, including Kirkland, Bellevue and Redmond. You can read what homeowners say about us in our Google reviews.

Frequently asked questions