Kitchen Remodel Cost in Chicago (2026)
Kitchen Remodel Cost in Chicago (2026)
On average, the kitchen remodel cost for a full design-build project in the Chicago area lands around $100,000–$120,000. That’s a general guide, not a quote. Your final price depends on your layout, cabinetry, materials, and what we find once the project begins. Smaller projects, like a cabinet refresh that leaves the layout alone, usually cost less. Below, we explain what drives the number up or down so you can plan with realistic expectations.
Key Takaways
- Full design-build kitchen remodels in the Chicago area often average around $100,000–$120,000. This is a general range, not a quote.
- Cabinetry and layout changes are the biggest reasons prices vary.
- Prices can change if the scope, selections, or conditions behind the walls change.
- Older Chicagoland homes can reveal hidden issues once work begins.
- Set aside an extra 10–15% 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 the most expensive to get wrong, so “how much does it cost to remodel a kitchen” rarely has a one-number answer. The honest answer depends on three things:
- How much of the layout you’re changing
- What cabinetry and materials you choose
- Whether you hire a design-build firm or coordinate the trades yourself
For a full design-build remodel in the Chicago area, the average often falls around $100,000–$120,000. Think of that as a starting point for planning. Smaller projects can cost less, and larger or more custom projects can cost more. The final number for any kitchen depends on design complexity, material selections, and finish level.
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–$120,000 on average
In our experience, full design-build kitchen remodels often include a reconfigured layout, custom cabinetry, countertops, appliances, design, and permitting. Projects like these average around $100,000–$120,000 in the Chicago area. Your project may land above or below that range depending on your choices.
Smaller-scope updates: usually less
Projects like cabinet refacing, or a partial update that leaves the layout and plumbing untouched, generally cost less than a full remodel.
These options generally cost less than a full structural wall removal and give you most of the benefits of both layouts.
Why the gap is so big
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 cabinetry built around a new layout. That’s why kitchens, more than any other room.
How does that compare to national averages?
For context, the 2025 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study (1,620 U.S. homeowners, published January 2025) found a median spend of $60,000 on major kitchen remodels and $20,000 on minor ones. The top 10% of major remodels reached $180,000 or more.
Our averages run higher for a few reasons. Full remodels with us often include custom cabinetry, a reconfigured layout, design, and permitting. Chicagoland labor and permit costs also run above the national average. 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 in a kitchen remodel. Custom cabinetry from Arbor Mills and AnnTucker generally costs more than stock boxes, but it’s also what makes a reconfigured layout possible.
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.
Countertop and appliance choices
Laminate and a mid-range appliance package cost very differently from natural stone and a professional-grade range, even in the same footprint.
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.
Local labor and permits
Permit requirements and skilled-trade rates in Chicagoland run above the national average, which is part of why local kitchen remodel costs tend to be higher than nationwide figures.
When can your kitchen remodel cost change?
Any number you see online, including ours, is an estimate until your design and scope are finalized. 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.
- Permit or code requirements change. Your town may ask for revisions or additional work before approving the plans.
- Material costs or lead times shift. Prices and availability can change between the time a project is planned and when materials are ordered.
- 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 cost surprises?
Even a well-planned kitchen can run into unexpected costs. Set aside an extra 10–15% 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 this, see 9 home remodeling mistakes homeowners make.
How do you get an accurate kitchen remodel cost 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 who handles design, permits, and ordering. Find out what’s included in the price and what isn’t.
- 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 our guide to design-build vs. general contractor.
How long does a kitchen remodel take in Chicago?
The average kitchen remodel in Chicago takes about 8–12 weeks. Every timeline depends on design complexity, permitting, material lead times, and change orders. Once your design and scope are final, your dedicated Design First Builders project manager will give 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 in-house cabinetry shop are based 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 projects or learn about our process.
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–$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 kitchen remodels cost more in Chicago?
Permit requirements and skilled-trade rates in Chicagoland run above the national average. Older homes can also reveal hidden wiring, plumbing, or subfloor issues once demolition starts.
Can the price of my kitchen remodel change?
Yes. The price can change if the scope, your selections, or conditions behind the walls change, or if permit requirements or material costs shift. Ask how changes are priced and approved before you start.
How much extra should I budget?
Set aside 10–15% on top of your budget for surprises and changes along the way.
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