Follow Us
Home → Blog → Kitchen Remodel Cost in Chicago (2026)
Updated October 29, 2026
Kitchen Remodel Cost in Chicago (2026)
Kitchen remodel cost in Chicago: full projects often average $100,000–$120,000, but every kitchen is different. See what affects the price.
In this article
Key takeaways How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Chicago? What does a kitchen remodel cost by project size? Full kitchen remodel: often around $100,000 to $120,000 on average How does that compare to national averages? What affects kitchen remodel cost? When can your kitchen remodel cost change? How do you budget for kitchen remodel surprises? How do you get an accurate kitchen remodel estimate? How long does a kitchen remodel take in Chicago? What areas does Design First Builders serve? Frequently asked questions Ready to transform your kitchen?A full design-build kitchen remodel in the Chicago area often averages $100,000 to $120,000. That’s a general average, not a quote. Your price depends on your layout, your cabinets, your materials, and what turns up once work begins. Smaller projects, like a cabinet refresh that keeps the layout, usually cost less. Below, we explain what moves the number up or down so you can plan with realistic expectations.
Key takeaways
Full design-build kitchens in the Chicago area often average $100,000 to $120,000. This is a general range, not a quote.
Cabinetry and layout changes are the biggest reasons prices vary.
The price can change if your scope, your selections, or the conditions behind the walls change.
Older Chicagoland homes can reveal hidden issues once work begins, so keep a reserve for surprises.
A detailed, itemized quote tells you more than the bottom-line number.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Chicago?
A kitchen is the most-used room in the house and one of the costliest to get wrong, so “how much does it cost to remodel a kitchen” rarely has a one-number answer. It comes down to three things:
How much of the layout you’re changing
What cabinetry and materials you choose
Whether one design-build team handles the project or you coordinate the trades yourself
For a full design-build remodel in the Chicago area, the average often falls around $100,000 to $120,000. Treat that as a starting point for planning. Smaller projects can cost less, and larger or more custom projects can cost more.
What does a kitchen remodel cost by project size?
Costs generally rise with the size and complexity of the project.
Full kitchen remodel: often around $100,000 to $120,000 on average
In our experience, a full design-build kitchen remodel often includes a reconfigured layout, custom cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and the design work. Projects like this average around $100,000 to $120,000 in the Chicago area. Yours may land above or below that, depending on your choices.
Smaller updates: usually less
Cabinet refacing, or a partial update that leaves the layout and plumbing where they are, generally costs less than a full remodel. If your layout already works, these options can deliver a fresh look for a smaller investment.
Why the gap is so wide
Most of the difference between a partial update and a full remodel comes down to cabinetry and layout. Stock cabinets installed in the existing footprint cost a fraction of custom cabinets built around a new plan. That is why a kitchen can swing in price more than almost any other room.
How does that compare to national averages?
For context, the 2026 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study surveyed 1,780 U.S. homeowners and found a median spend of $55,000 on major kitchen remodels and $20,000 on minor ones. Size mattered: the median major remodel was $75,000 for a larger kitchen and $46,000 for a smaller one.
Our averages run higher because a full design-build project often includes custom cabinetry, a reconfigured layout, and the design itself. A national median also includes many smaller and simpler projects, so compare scope, not just price.
What affects kitchen remodel cost?
Five things have the biggest effect on your total.
Custom vs. stock cabinetry
This is usually the largest line item. Custom cabinetry from AnnTucker Cabinetry or Arbor Mills generally costs more than stock boxes, but it’s also what makes a reconfigured layout possible. Custom Cabinets: AnnTucker vs. Arbor Mills in Chicago compares the two.
Layout changes
Moving a sink or range, or removing a wall (especially a load-bearing one), adds plumbing, electrical, and structural work that a cosmetic refresh never touches. Kitchen Layout Types: Which Shape Fits Your Home? shows how different layouts compare.
Islands, countertops, and appliances
Laminate and a mid-range appliance package cost very differently from natural stone and a professional-grade range, even in the same footprint. An island adds to the scope too. The same Houzz study found that 58% of renovating homeowners add or update an island.
What’s behind the walls
Older Chicagoland homes often reveal outdated wiring, plumbing, or subfloor issues once demolition starts. This is one of the most common reasons a project’s cost shifts mid-build. Remodeling an Older Home: What to Know Before You Start explains what to check first.
Your selections
Finish level touches everything: cabinet style, countertop material, tile, lighting, hardware, and fixtures. Two kitchens with the same footprint can land far apart in cost based on selections alone.
When can your kitchen remodel cost change?
Any number you see online, including ours, is an estimate until your design and scope are final. The price can change when:
The scope changes. Adding an island, moving a wall, or expanding the footprint after the design is set.
You change your selections. Switching cabinets, countertops, appliances, tile, or fixtures to something higher-end (or lower).
Hidden conditions turn up. Outdated wiring, plumbing, rot, or structural issues behind the walls can only be confirmed once work begins.
Material costs or lead times shift. Prices and availability can change between planning and ordering.
You add or remove items mid-project. Change orders adjust the price, and sometimes the schedule.
This is why a detailed, itemized proposal matters, and why it helps to ask how changes are priced and approved before you start.
How do you budget for kitchen remodel surprises?
Even a well-planned kitchen can run into unexpected costs. Set aside a reserve on top of your budget before you start, and keep it separate from your main number. If you don’t use it, great. If you do, you won’t have to cut something you care about. For more on avoiding costly missteps, see 9 Home Remodeling Mistakes Homeowners Make.
How do you get an accurate kitchen remodel estimate?
A low number isn’t always a low cost. Two quotes that look different are often quotes for different things.
Ask for itemized pricing. A one-line quote can leave out things you assumed were included.
Make sure your kitchen is measured first. Measurements help catch issues like load-bearing walls before they become surprise costs.
Ask what’s included. Find out who handles design and ordering, and what is and isn’t in the price.
Ask how changes are handled. Know how a change in scope or selections affects the price and the schedule.
Compare scope, not just price. Make sure each quote covers the same work.
Not sure whether to hire a design-build firm or a general contractor? Read Design-Build vs General Contractor in Chicagoland. To see how we work, visit Our Home Remodeling Process.
How long does a kitchen remodel take in Chicago?
A kitchen remodel with us typically takes about 8 to 12 weeks. Timelines depend on design complexity, material lead times, and change orders. Once your design and scope are final, your dedicated Design First Builders project manager gives you a detailed construction schedule.
What areas does Design First Builders serve?
We’ve been remodeling kitchens and bathrooms across Chicago’s western and northern suburbs since 2006. Our design studio and AnnTucker Cabinetry shop are in Itasca. We serve Naperville, Schaumburg, Wheaton, Arlington Heights, Glen Ellyn, Glenview, Evanston, Hinsdale, and more. Wherever you live, you get the same dedicated project manager and itemized estimate process. See our Kitchen Remodeling in Chicago page or browse our kitchen remodeling projects.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a full kitchen remodel cost in Chicago?
On average, full design-build kitchen remodels in the Chicago area often land around $100,000 to $120,000. That’s a general guide, not a quote. Your final price depends on your layout, materials, and what’s found once the project begins.
What is the biggest cost in a kitchen remodel?
Cabinetry is usually the largest line item, followed by layout changes, countertops, and appliances. Custom cabinets built around a new layout generally cost more than stock cabinets installed in the existing footprint.
Why do two kitchen remodel quotes look so different?
Quotes often cover different scopes. One may include custom cabinets and a new layout, and another may not. Ask for itemized pricing and compare what’s included, not just the total.
Can the price of my kitchen remodel change?
Yes. The price can change if your scope, your selections, or the conditions behind the walls change, or if material costs shift. Ask how changes are priced and approved before you start.
How much extra should I budget?
Set aside a reserve on top of your budget for surprises and changes along the way, and keep it separate from your main number.
Ready to transform your kitchen?
Tell us what you’d like to change, and we’ll talk through what’s possible for your home.
Ready to talk about your project?
Tell us what you’d like to change, and we’ll help you decide where to begin.
↳ Schedule a Free ConsultationSchedule a Free Consultation
Consultation
"*" indicates required fields